What Bed Frame Should You Get For Short Term Rentals

So you picked out a comfy mattress from our mattress buying guide. Now you could put a mattress on the floor and call it an Airbnb but nobody is going to click on that ad for the fear of their lives! You are going to need a bed frame to go with that purchase. You need a good frame because if the mattress is not supported well or if it creaks or sags then your guests are going to have a bad night’s sleep. A bed frame gives your Airbnb an assurance of being a lived-in space. It feels homely and cozy to sleep on a proper bed rather than a mattress on a box spring. It is one of those things that you take for granted when you go traveling. You would get you a negative review without it. Let us look at all the things that go into picking a bed frame from our experience.

Picking the right bed frame depends on the size and layout of the room, the rest of the furniture, mattress size and more.

1. Measure out your room with tape. Depending on the mattress you bought, you will have to make space available for the bed frame. Remember to count for the space of the bed frame and headboard when marking out space. Leave around 5 inches on the sides and 10 inches on the top for them. The guests should have enough space to move around the room. If it is a tight fit, consider getting a smaller mattress. Here are the mattress dimensions in inches for popular sizes: Twin – 39×70, Full – 54×75, Queen – 60×80, King – 72×84
2. You will have to decide whether to get a high or a low frame based on the height of the mattress. You have to get the mattress to a comfortable sitting height when it resting on a bed frame. If you bought a box spring along with your mattress then you need to buy a frame that can be used with it else you will be left with a big wooden base with nowhere to put it. It is not recommended to get a footboard in an Airbnb because some guests will be very tall and may find that a footboard makes it hard to properly sleep at night. 
3. Preferably get a platform bed frame. This kind of bed frame has wooden or metal slats to hold the mattress up. They are generally closer to the ground. With some platform frames, you might not even need a box spring as the mattress rests directly on the slats. 
4. You can consider getting a frame with storage at the bottom. This won’t be used by guests most probably but is a great place to keep safety supplies and other nondaily use items.
5. While deciding between metal and wood, think of the other furniture in the room. What style are you going for in your Airbnb? Is it homely or contemporary? Is it traditional or modern? Look through product catalogs like Pottery Barn, West Elm, Ikea, etc. Form an idea of the look you want and then look for options in your budget.

Recommendations from Amazon:

AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Platform Bed Frame: If you are looking for something inexpensive and sturdy this one is a good match. It is easy to install (toolless assembly) and has a simple design. It is made to be quiet and noise-free so no ungodly creaking in the middle of the night. It can support up to 250 pounds. It provides space under the frame to store anything you may want, though it remains exposed. It is available in most common sizes. I agree that this one is not really aesthetically pleasing but it should do if you are just getting started as a host.

Zinus Joseph Modern Studio 6 Inch Platforma Low Profile Bed Frame: For a little more money, you can get this one that comes with wooden slats in a steel frame. You can use this one with or without a box spring. The wooden slats have non-slip tape to prevent the mattress from moving when you change your sleeping position. It comes with a free 5-year warranty. It looks better than the previous bed frame for not a lot more money.

Zinus Shalini Upholstered Diamond Stitched Platform Bed: If you want to spend a pretty penny on a good looking bed then this one is a good option. It has a knitted polyester surface for a modern contemporary look. It should most with most bedrooms unless you are going for a traditional or antique room design. It also comes with wooden slats and foam padded tape for noise-free use. It is available in most sizes with a 5-year limited warranty.

The Casper Metal Bed Frame: This frame is built for use with the Casper Foundation but can be used with other box springs and Mattress Sets Recommended as the base of your Casper Sleep system. This frame offers durable and sturdy support under your foundation or box spring Made from 100% recycled steel with plastic components It is easy to assemble and disassemble quickly with no tools required Designed and assembled in the USA.

Casper Box Spring Foundation: The Casper foundation is engineered to provide excellent support under your Casper mattress but can be used with other mattresses in place of a traditional box spring. It’s been engineered with solid wood and rigorously tested for durability and proven to stand up to years of sleep. Slats are positioned four inches apart for optimal support and only requires a simple metal bed frame, slatted bed frame, or a platform (if you want extra height). The foundation ships in a compact box and can be easily assembled in minutes – without any tools Designed and assembled in the USA

Precautions to take:

Make sure the bed frame can support the weight of the mattress and the guests. Look for a weight limit value when buying one.

Try to get a frame that can be assembled rather than one that is a single unit. You will thank yourself when you have to move or repurpose the room for something else.

Make sure to get a comfort warranty. A comfort warranty says that if the bed is uncomfortable, you can exchange or return it. That is the best way to protect yourself against a bad purchase.

Check the warranty period and conditions for the bed frame. Certain foundations like a box spring may void your warranty in some cases.

If the mattress ends up too high or too low, it will be a problem for older guests or kids to have to bend or climb up onto the bed. Pick a bed frame that most adequately matches your target bed height.

If you are buying a new mattress try to buy it around May or June. That is when new models come out. 

If you are buying online, you won’t be able to see it first hand. Look through the reviews and try to find actual product photos posted by others to get an idea of how the real deal looks like.

Love,
Scooch and Steve