Weight limit
The weight limit is the most important factor. If one or more people are too heavy for the bed frame, it can bend or completely collapse. Sometimes, a bed frame not designed to handle the weight being placed on it will break down over time.
To make sure the bed frame can handle the weight, account for everyone that will be sleeping on your bed. If it’s just you, calculate only your weight. If you have a significant other, add their weight to yours. If you and your partner have children that want to fill in all the spare space at night, take this into account. Add to that the weight of a mattress you’re planning to place on your bed frame.
It’s also good to consider any future weight gain, even if you don’t intend on gaining any. Plus, children that like to snuggle get heavier.
Under-bed storage
If storing items under your bed is important, the space between the bed frame and the floor will determine what you can store. If you need to put a trundle under your bed, it is best to have at least 8 inches of clearance for a 6-inch trundle.
Consider what you’re storing, add approximately three inches, and select a bed frame with a height that will accommodate what you are storing.
Ease of assembly
The ease of assembly is important because not everyone can sit down on the floor with a sheet of instructions and assemble 20 or more pieces. It’s important that very little assembly is required, which is why the best bed frames for heavy people fold out and lock in place. There are some that may require legs to be screwed into place, but assembly shouldn’t require a person to perform yoga on their bedroom floor. Assembly also shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes.
Number of slats and slat spacing
The general rule is that slats that are close together will eliminate mattress sag and give adequate support. If horizontal slats are absent or too far apart, it’s possible that the mattress will start to sink into the open space. In this case, a box spring will be needed.
If the slats are close together, you can eliminate the box spring because of adequate support. Many slats close together will also better accommodate memory foam and other specialty mattress types.
Mattress types
Lastly, there are different types of mattresses and some bed frames that accommodate some better than others. For example, not all bed frames can accommodate a memory foam mattress. Practically all of them will support a traditional box spring mattress, but it is a must to make sure your preferred bed frame will support your memory foam, gel, latex, or another mattress type. If it doesn’t, the mattress could be damaged and not perform the way you need it to. A mattress that doesn’t perform well can make for a night of very poor sleep.
It’s also important to consider that the mattress for an obese person should be 12 inches thick or thicker, so the bed frame must accommodate this thickness. If you’re a fan of memory foams, we can recommend a couple of items suitable.
Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress, for example, offers support that receives pressure. There are 2 inches of Comfort Foam and 3 inches of Memory Foam to help you get a good night’s sleep. The foam is CertiPUR-US certified foam. There’s also adequate airflow to avoid unnecessary sweating. The mattress is even infused with green tea so you can enjoy certain benefits of the popular anti-oxidant. This mattress is compatible with all narrow-slat bed frame, for example, Zinus 14 Inch SmartBase Mattress Foundation.
Another suitable item is Signature Sleep Memoir 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress, a CertiPUR-US certified foam mattress that has 3/5 inches of memory foam as the top layer and another 8.5 inches of high-density foam. This is an environmentally friendly mattress that relieves the body of uncomfortable pressure.
You might also decide on Best Price Mattress, a 12-inch memory foam mattress that conforms to your body. It gives you three layers of foam that relieve pressure points. This mattress also contains CertiPUR-US certified foam.
There are also special mattresses for more heavyset people available today. Check out this list of best mattresses for heavy people and the buying guide to make sure you have the right type of mattress.
Do all these bed frames for overweight people come with brackets for attaching a headboard?
Hello, Warner.
Unfortunately, headboard brackets are only included with the Knickerbocker Embrace Bed Frame For Heavy Person. But you can buy them online depending on the model of the bed frame you have or make your own.
Thanks, Adam. But I’m no craftsman so I’ll just buy the Knickerbocker bed frame for obese people and save myself some time on the research 🙂
Hello, Warner, hope you won’t mind if I bulge in.
As for the headboard brackets – they are astonishingly easy to search for. As an example, I bought my sister the Zinus SmartBase Foundation heavy duty bed frame for overweight people and the Zinus Headboard Brackets as a wedding gift. Her husband had no problems with installing them
Thanks for the advice, Katrin
Hello, Peter.
We’ve taken into consideration sturdiest bed frames for heavy people, that will go with any mattress if it is the right size.
If your mother’s condition requires her to stay in bed, she might need a mattress for overweight people.
If it is due to her suffering from back pains you might want to tell me a precise condition so I could help you find one that will fit your needs.
Thank you for the answer, Adam.
My mother has sciatica. I guess it won’t really depend on the mattress to get rid of it, whatever heavy duty bed frame it sits on
On the contrary, Peter, people often notice how their back pains have been reduced due to having the mattress designed for sciatica sufferers. The combination of a sturdy bed frame for overweight people and a comfortable mattress does miracles for some. I hope the linked article will help you choose the one, that will help your mother to feel better.