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What Are the Different Parts of a Bed Frame?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Supporting a sleeping mattress can mean simply putting it on the ground, but in order to keep it clean and free of bed bugs, a bed frame is necessary. The parts of a bed frame can vary depending on the style and design of the bed, but generally, the bed will feature supporting legs, bed rails that support the mattress, a footboard, and a headboard. Other components may exist as well, depending on how the frame is built; other parts may include casters, brackets, risers, screws, and bolts.

The parts of a bed frame that actually support the mattress and box spring include the legs and the bed rails. The headboard and footboard are generally decorative only, though some do feature cubby holes or drawers that serve a more utilitarian function. The rails will support the box spring, though on platform beds, no box spring is used; instead, a broader, flat surface known as the platform will be included to support the mattress and to prevent it from sagging. On some collapsible steel frames, the bed rails can be moved to various positions along the frame rails to most adequately support the box spring.

A bed frame supports the mattress and box spring.
A bed frame supports the mattress and box spring.

Casters are wheels that are mounted to the bottom of the frame to allow a user to easily move the entire bed. The parts of a bed frame that support the bed itself, aside from casters, are called feet, and some are height adjustable. Casters can be locked in place to prevent the bed from moving when in use, then unlocked to move freely when the frame needs to be moved. Feet, conversely, will feature flat surfaces that make sliding the frame fairly easy, though this can cause scratching on certain types of floors. Larger wooden frames or metal frames will generally feature built in feet that are essentially part of the headboard and footboard.

Some bed frames have built in storage.
Some bed frames have built in storage.

Headboards and footboards are parts of a bed frame that rise up at either end of the bed. The headboard is positioned near the head of the sleeper, and the footboard is opposite the headboard. These are usually decorative features, though they can also protect the walls behind or in front of the bed from dirt, grime, and even from impacts. Sometimes these parts of a bed frame will feature drawers or cubbies. Certain types of bed frames, known as captain's beds, will feature drawers underneath the bed rails for additional storage potential.

Discussion Comments

Talentryto

@spotiche5- When you are dealing with old parts, sometimes it can be difficult to find an exact match when you need to replace nuts, bolts, and screws. If it is possible, I think that the best way for you to do this is remove another screw from your bed frame that is identical to the one that you lost. Take it to your local hardware or home improvement store and ask a staff member to help you find screws that match. This should work for you.

Once you do find matching screws that will fit your bed frame, do yourself a favor an buy several of them. When you do this, you will have one handy if you ever lose another one and won't have to disassemble your frame to find a matching screw.

Spotiche5

I lost a screw to my bed frame, and have not been able to find it. Now the frame is wobbly, and I'm afraid that it will eventually fall apart. It's an older bed frame, so how can I find a new screw that will fit so I can fix it?

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    • A bed frame supports the mattress and box spring.
      By: Miodrag Trajkovic
      A bed frame supports the mattress and box spring.
    • Some bed frames have built in storage.
      By: mariesacha
      Some bed frames have built in storage.
    • Platform beds do not require a box spring for support.
      By: Alexander Gitlits
      Platform beds do not require a box spring for support.
    • The headboard is positioned near the head of the sleeper, and the footboard is opposite the headboard.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      The headboard is positioned near the head of the sleeper, and the footboard is opposite the headboard.