Wrought Iron Bed Buyer's Guide

Designed for a variety of style forms and desires, we offer iron bed lines that include daybeds, loft beds, canopy beds and sleigh beds. Even Fido can select a creative model! And, we recognize that you may have some questions and considerations when purchasing an iron bed "sight unseen." We hope to address those concerns within this tutorial section because it's important to us that you curl up in the bed of your dreams.

What Size Iron Bed Do I Need?

Our beds are available as headboards only, or as complete sets. Complete sets are defined as those that include a headboard, foot board, frames or side rails, and, in some cases, a canopy. We represent the finest iron bed manufacturers including Artisan, Stone County Ironworks, Mathews Company and Southern Splendor. Each of them conforms to the current United States standard for common sizes. Bed height and bed frame sizes may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer due to their hand crafted nature, but both mattresses and frames are constructed to exhibit some degree of flexibility for a better fit.

Frame Dimensions for Iron Beds

	Twin Size Iron Bed (also known as Single) Overall: 39" wide x 75" long Twin size beds are most often used in children's rooms and guest bedrooms. It's a narrow bed that's easy to make and can fit almost anywhere.
	Full Size Iron Bed (also known as Double) Overall: 54" wide x 75" long Full size beds are just 15" wider than a Single/Twin bed. This won't leave much elbow room for 2 adults, since each person will have only 27" of width (vs. 39" for one person in a Twin bed). Also, a Double bed is only 75" long which may be too short for some adults.
	Queen Size Iron Bed Overall: 60" wide x 80" long Queen size beds are 6" wider and 5" longer than a Double size bed. These added inches can make all the difference in comfort, but each adult still has 9" less than if they slept alone in a standard Twin bed. However, a Queen is a good choice for guest rooms and smaller master bedrooms, and for couples who prefer close quarters.
	King Size Iron Bed Overall: 76" wide x 80" long Standard King beds are about 18" wider though the same length as a Queen bed. A King bed comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving.
	California King Size Iron Bed (also known as Western King) Overall: 72" wide x 84" long California King size beds are 12" wider than a queen but a few inches longer than a king. This size may be the best choice for taller adults. Bedding may be labeled either "California King" or "Western King". Like the Eastern King, the California King bed set comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving.

Buying a "Headboard only"

Some of our supply partners, such as Stone County Ironworks, produce their Headboard Only designs with the frame included in the pricing package. Others do not sell the bed frame with the headboard as an ensemble. Be sure to note your needs when browsing the selections as you may find it necessary to purchase a frame separately. Our experts are happy to help you…just call 866-438-4766.

Some General Notes On Bed Sizes All manufacturers create their bed frames a bit longer than the mattress itself. Why? To allow extra room for bedding to flow over the head and foot unencumbered. It is done intentionally to accommodate newer bedding and linens with heavier fill, and those that have tiered designs.

Another Definition You Won't Find In The Dictionary

As we noted on our frame dimensions, there is a California or Western King gaining in popularity. Some of our manufacturers design their King beds using "universal components" which simply means that the headboards and foot boards used are intended to fit any king sized bed. The California King, however, is longer and a bit narrower and when paired with "universal components" will have an extra two inches of frame on each side of the rail. Most of our clients find the difference unnoticeable, especially once bedding has been added, but should you have concerns while ordering a California King we encourage you to check with our Customer Service Representatives to determine if "universal components" are used with the bed you are interested in.

DESIGN GUIDELINES

• A lower bed makes a room look larger than a higher bed and creates a less formal appearance.
• Most beds are designed so that the top of the mattress is 16" to 24" from the floor.
• For maximum comfort, the bed should be 6" to 8" longer than the height of the person that will be using it.
• Mattress and box spring dimensions often differ from the "standards" so measure them before designing the bed frame.
• The top of the headboard should be at least a foot above the top of the mattress. If a footboard is planned, aesthetics are enhanced by making it shorter than the headboard.

View our wonderful selection of Wrought Iron Beds and Headboards
Once you find the iron bed you have been looking for be sure to browse the rest of our site for other great bedroom items such as metal wall art, iron chairs and curtain rods. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly.