According to the CDC, 1 in 3 Americans doesn’t get enough sleep. There could be many reasons for this, including your bed. But, while you may try to blame your mattress, you might be surprised to learn that the problem could actually be your bed frame.
You might think your bed frame is little more than a platform for your bed, but it’s really the foundational piece holding everything together. Your bed is much less stable without a proper bed frame, leading to much worse sleep quality.
In fact, your bed frame will need to be replaced, just like your mattress. But how do you know if it’s time for a replacement? Here are some of the most common signs:
1. Your Mattress Is Sinking
A quality bed frame should be able to support the weight of multiple things, such as:
- Your body weight
- Your mattress
- The body weight of someone else
If you can feel yourself sinking into the mattress, or see a noticeable dip in the surface, it may be a good sign that it’s time to replace your bed frame.
The issue could be with the wooden slats holding up your mattress or box spring. Check underneath your bed. If the slats are bowed, bent, or especially broken, you’ll definitely need a replacement frame.
2. Splintered or Cracked Wood
A dipping mattress isn’t the only sign that something is wrong with the wood holding up your bed frame. Even a luxury bed frame can fall victim to splintered or cracking wood.
If you notice any splintered or cracked wood, you need a new bed frame immediately. Leaving it like this can lead to injury when the bed frame breaks entirely. Splintered wood can also damage your flooring if it were to snap.
It’s a good idea to inspect your bed frame regularly. You should definitely check things out if you notice any of the other signs on this.
3. Creaking Sounds
One of the major signs that your bed frame might be breaking down? The sounds of creaking and squeaking.
While you might think it’s normal for a bed to creak and groan, these sounds are actually the first sign of a breakdown in quality. Additionally, these sounds can interrupt your sleep, especially if you do a lot of tossing and turning at night.
Creaking and groaning isn’t the most urgent sign you need a new bed frame, but it is a good sign it’s time to start thinking about it. It’s also a good sign that you should do an inspection of the slats holding things up.
4. Protruding Hardware
Hardware problems are common for bed frames. Screws can become loose, twisted, or even fall out and go missing. You should repair these fixtures as soon as you notice something is wrong with them.
If you don’t make these repairs immediately, there’s likely to be much bigger problems down the road. You’ll need to get all new furniture if the problem is set deep within the bed frame, or otherwise unrepairable.
5. Poor Sleep Quality
Many people struggle to sleep, but if you notice your sleep quality becoming increasingly worse, your bed frame may be the problem. If you’re waking up, still tired, or struggling to fall or stay asleep, there’s probably a problem with what you’re sleeping on.
A lot of people will decide their mattress is the actual problem. While this could be the case, your bed frame could also be the culprit. Your bed frame is more likely to be the problem if you’ve recently replaced your mattress in the last few years.
Additionally, if you do decide to replace your mattress, you may find that your new mattress doesn’t quite fit your bed frame properly. This can also ruin your quality of sleep and could signal that it’s time for a replacement.
What to Consider When Buying a New Bed Frame
If you’re ready to get a new modern bed frame, there are a few things you need to consider before you go shopping.
First, it’s best practice to replace your bed frame and mattress at the same time. This is to ensure they are a good fit. Furthermore, most experts recommend replacing your mattress every 7 or 8 years.
You should definitely replace both the mattress and bed frame if your comfort levels are affecting your sleep quality. Some questions to ask yourself when replacing either your mattress or your bed frame include:
- Do you ever wake up with a backache or a neck ache?
- When lying in bed, do you ever feel springs or ridges in your back?
- Do you or your partner ever unintentionally roll toward each other?
- Is the base of your bed sagging or uneven?
- Would you be embarrassed to look at the mattress without any covers?
If you’ve answered “yes,” to at least three of these questions, you need to go shopping. Here are some tips to help you out:
1. Never Shop While Tired
Shopping while tired means that every bed you lay on will feel comfortable. Additionally, if you share your bed with a partner, they should go shopping with you. They shouldn’t be tired either.
Everyone who uses the bed needs to make sure it’s a good, very comfortable fit.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Spend
Your bed and bed frame are not good places to cut corners. Don’t be afraid to spend good money to get a quality night’s sleep. After all, you’re going to be spending a good portion of your life in your bed, and a cheap one probably isn’t going to cut it.
3. Make Sure It Will Fit
When shopping for any new bed, be sure it’ll fit in your space. This is especially true if you’re planning on upgrading the size of your bed.
Also, your bed needs to be big enough for both you and your partner to fit in it comfortably.
Shop Smart, Sleep Well
Your bed frame may play more of a role in your sleep quality than you realize. Don’t be afraid to invest in a good night’s sleep.
Check out our Bedroom section for more tips on how to turn your bedroom into an oasis for your best night’s sleep.
