The Best Sustainable Minimalist Bed Frames
One of the main components of a minimalistic bedroom is picking out a minimal bed frames. Bed frames are a great way to show your clean and sleek style while featuring an essential furniture item.
Since there are so many different styles finding a minimal design that is the perfect fit for your room can seem overwhelming.
However, we are here to help you out with everything you need to know about finding modern bed frames with minimalist design and made with sustainable materials.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer may receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
Why are minimalist designs great for a bedroom?
Minimalism is often overlooked as being sparse or boring.
However, you can still have a cozy but minimalistic bedroom that even Marie Kondo would approve of! In minimalism, the “Less is more” outlook is believed in.
In a minimalistic home, you carefully curate every single piece that goes in the house to create an overall simple space.
Simple spaces are calming and create a feeling of serenity. Simple places also have reduced clutter.
Scientific studies have shown that lesser clutter leads to a more focused mind! Minimalist designs are especially great for your bedroom.
The bedroom's main purpose is to help you relax and unwind after a long day and give you a good night’s sleep.
From the sustainability point of view, minimalism is a great option because of two main reasons.
The first is that you end up buying way fewer things whilst setting up your home.
Reduced consumption is one of the main steps to decreasing your individual carbon footprint!
The second is that most minimal pieces for the house are made by brands that are eco-conscious and adhere to some standards of sustainability.
As the designs are simplistic in design, they also require less time and resources to construct without unnecessary detail or decorative touches.
How to create a minimalist bedroom
Minimalism is all about creating a simple and clean space. To do this, focus more on functional and soothing design elements rather than ornate and intricate patterns and items. Concentrate on creating clean lines to get that classy look for your bedroom.
Bringing in natural light can be a great way to make your small space look well-lit and nice.
You could have unadorned walls with only a few pieces of artwork. Hanging one piece of artwork that you love above your bed can also be a great way of expressing yourself and choosing meaningful pieces.
Concentrate on neutral tones or natural colors for your entire bedroom. This doesn’t mean it has to look boring, it just has to look natural and clean. These color tones extend to complementary colors for walls, bedsheets, comforters, curtains, and rugs. Whilst you do this, it might be best to avoid large floral or busy prints.
Keep only necessary furnishings in the bedroom. While choosing furniture, look for pieces that will last a long time. For your bed, try to opt for one with sleek platforms or even go for a simple headboard if you're not looking to upgrade your bed frame.
Consider the style of your bed frame and the materials. For bed frames one option is for an earthy headboard is a single wooden headboard that has a traditional design. A steel frame can create a modern look. Low bed frames can also be a good way to be more down-to-earth! Choose a sustainably produced natural and organic mattress as well.
What are some eco-friendly materials consumers should look for when shopping for bed frames?
The main criteria to be examined before buying a bed frame are the Material, Finishes, and General production practices within these.
Unfortunately there can be toxic materials found in these elements.
However, in recent years there have been a few eco-conscious brands leading the way.
While you're shopping for the perfect bed frame with minimalist style, you also want to make sure it is safe and high quality, so here are a few things to be aware of when shopping for a new bed frame.
Eco-friendly Bed Frame Materials
Going for the solid wood route rather than engineered wood one is a more sustainable option.
As most wood composites like plywood and particleboard contain formaldehyde, this poses a threat both to the environment as well as for the workers who handle the furniture and for you who use the furniture.
So either opt for plywood or wood composites that do not contain formaldehyde or just use solid wood. However, keep in mind that not all wood has been sustainably sourced.
Whilst looking for a wooden bed frame, try to opt for FSC certified wood bed frames.
Locally sourced wood is also a good idea as this reduces shipping emissions.
Repurposed wood in good condition can also be a great option for you if you want to reduce your impact.
Another alternative to wood is a solid metal bed frame. They are durable, easy to maintain, and have high recyclability.
Recycled metal is your best bet if you are looking for a metal bed frame as it is also not an eco-friendly practice to buy something made of metal that has been freshly mined.
Metal does not contain many of the toxic materials compared to wood as there are much fewer adhesives and finishes.
They are also more affordable and lightweight. They are also easily portable if you are someone that moves around a lot.
Be Aware of Toxic Finishes on Furniture
Finishes are in most cases, what makes most furniture bad for the environment. Compounds called VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds cause a variety of problems both for your health and for the environment.
Look for bed frames that use natural oils for finishes like raw linseed rather than opting for toxic finishes.
If you think this is too much of a hassle, you can opt for low VOC or zero VOC finishes. Moreover, try to get water-based stains for furniture as far as possible.
What are some toxic materials consumers should avoid?
Generally, you should try to avoid chemical scents and harmful fumes in furniture.
Resins, varnishes, paints, wood stains, glues, and adhesives are the toxic materials in bedframes that one should avoid.
These materials all usually contain VOCs. If you have a colored bedframe, the paint will also probably contain VOCs.
VOC’s as mentioned above are an absolute no-no.
These slowly leak into your bedroom and can cause anything from skin irritation to cancer.
When bed frames are made from plywood or composite wood, they usually contain glues and adhesives that contain formaldehyde.
As the levels of formaldehyde in the air increase, people start having breathing problems or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
Phthalates are also a toxic chemical found in furniture coverings and vinyl blinds which should be avoided.
The 5 Best Minimalist Bed Frames Made with Non-toxic Eco-friendly Materials
If you're looking for minimalist beds we've got some sustainable brands to reccomend.
All of these brands feature contemporary style with minimalist design making these the perfect choice for a master bedroom or guest room. Discover a sustainable wood platform bed frame, steel bed frame, and more.
These eco-friendly brands focus on eco-conscious materials so you can sleep confidently knowing you bed frame is crafted from non-toxic materials.
Savvy Rest Sustainable Wood Bed Frame
Savvy Rest offers hand-built bedframes that blend modern look design with traditional and durable joinery.
Their bed frames are made from sustainably sourced wood maple and poplar certified sustainable by Appalachian hardwood manufacturers inc.
Their zero VOC finishes are offered in 4 different options for colors; Unfinished, linseed oil, cedar, mahogany, and walnut with each of these having distinct characters.
No tools are required to assemble these platform beds which makes it an easy task.
The bed frames available from Savvy Rest are the Afton which is their flagship platform bed and the Esmont which is a customizable solid maple headboard.
Either option is a good choice and features a classic style for a earthy minimalist look. A Savvy Rest platform frame ranges from $900-$1300.
Nest's Affordable Metal & Reclaimed Wood Bed Frames
Nest bedding offers two types of bed frames both made of sustainable materials.
The Bi-fold Platform foundation which starts at $129 features affordable bed frames made from metal.
The wood frame named the Arcadian Bed Frame starting at $2249 are available as Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and CalKing. You can also order this bed frame in three water-based luxury finishes; Raw, Whitewash, and Grey wash.
These bed frames are made from 100% reclaimed wood (aged Douglas fir of which there is a surplus in the area) and handmade in Los Angeles, California.
We found it pretty cool that the wood for the beds is sourced from vintage buildings which have been scheduled for deconstruction!
They also provide a lifetime warranty for their bed frames. Conscious consumers can also find matching side tables to use as night stands next to their sleek bed frame.
Medley’s Made to Order Bed Frames
Medley is a made to order furniture brand sustainably crafting their products in California.
Sustainable shoppers can find a range of minimalist bed frames. Their bed frames feature sustainable wood options or responsible fabric options.
You’re sure to find something that will match your minimalist decor style! Their beautifully designed bed frames range from $2,000-$4,000.
Medley works with local craftspeople who bring every piece to life by hand and with special expertise, continuing a time-honored practice built on skill, patience, and creativity that produces long-lasting, beautiful furniture.
Medley uses a range of sustainable materials including wood from FSC-certified forests, bamboo, jute, organic cotton, and more.
Avocado's Sustainable Bed Frame
Avocado is a well-known sustainable brand that sets some pretty high standards. Commonly known for their non-toxic mattresses, this brand has expanded into sustainable furniture and they are members of the Sustainable Furnishings Council and have a handful of certifications.
Their City Bed frame is a great option. Made from 100% solid sustainably harvested American timber, it looks simple and classy and also has a great price point.
The frame is toxic-chemical-free (they don’t use formaldehyde!) and easy to assemble. Their designs are also zero waste and biodegradable. You can style it with or without a headboard available in brown or blond colors.
They also use Titebond wood glues which don’t produce harmful VOCs. The sizes of the bedframe are Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King.
Their natural wood bed frame is made from reclaimed wood with a rustic raw stain and zero-VOC sealant. The pro-adjustable base is an upgraded version of this bedframe.
The other options from Avocado are the Green Mattress Foundation made from GOTS organic cotton and FSC certified wood and the Luxury Plush Foundation made from certified coconut husk pads and organic certified cotton, wool, and silk.
Avocado also offers a Metal bed frame option which provides sturdy support with simple support made from reclaimed steel. Avocado's bed frames range from $129-$2,000.
Brentwood Home's Simple Design for Minimalist Style
Brentwood Home is a Climate Neutral Certified and carbon-negative company which makes furniture.
They have 3 main options for sustainable bedframes. The first one is the Adjustable base.
This frame gently eases into a sitting, reading, or watching tv position. The second one is the Easy adjustable bed frame that eases into comfortable sleeping positions for the body.
You can control this bedframe which is made of steel with a wireless remote! The most popular positions are reading, anti-snore, and zero gravity.
The third bedframe is the Easy Foundation. Made from high-grade spruce, pine, and fir wood and slates spaced out to ensure optimum airflow, The Easy Foundation bedframe is also completely GREENGUARD gold certified by UL Environment which means it is free from VOCs, formaldehyde, and phthalates.
Their price ranges from $129-$1150
Tips for Bed Frame Shopping
Cosider the bed frame size. Make sure it will accommodate your mattress and fit in your room. This is especially important in small spaces.
The best bed frames are sturdy, made with high quality materials, and will last a long time. So consider bed frame products an investment.
Set a price range before you go shopping, so you have a good idea of your budget.
Make sure to pick a sturdy bed as you don't want something that will wobble around.
By choosing a sturdy bed you're usually choosing a quiet bed which is great for those of us who toss and turn.
If you're choosing a bed that you build yourself make sure to pick one with easy assembly
Avoid toxic materials
Consider if you need extra support or extra features. Certain bed frames allow for extra movement
Consider the height of the bed. Do you prefer a low bed frame or a platform bed that is raised a bit higher?
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand what to look for when shopping for a minimalist bed frame made with eco-friendly materials. If you do choose to purchase a new bed frame, be sure to get rid of your old one in a sustainable way.
For more tips & tricks on sustainable living be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.