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Did you know that in many American homes, toxic VOCs are emitted from the paints, glues and non-organic fabrics used to make our bedroom furniture?
Your mattress and bedding can have all the eco-credentials in the world. But it doesn’t mean much unless they’re sitting on a bed frame made from sustainable materials and free from toxic chemicals.
I refuse to let my family or guests sleep on anything that could harm them or the environment. That's why I set about researching the most eco-friendly bed frames to provide us all with a non-toxic, sustainable sleep.
After months of testing (yes, any excuse to sleep on the job) I've settled on a list that ticks all the boxes. They look great, offer superior comfort, and (most importantly) are VOC-free!
The first option is my overall winner, but I also have some great alternatives to suit all budgets...
✔ Made from sustainably sourced solid ash wood
✔ Choice of sizes and finishes
✔ 100% Customer Satisfaction
The Thompson Bed is a high quality solid wood bed frame made from organic materials. It’s made to order from sustainable solid ash in North Carolina by the Maiden Home team of skilled artisans.
No nasty chemicals, coatings, or glues are used. These beautiful platform beds are simply hand waxed in a color finish of your choice (Natural Ash, Driftwood, Pecan, Coffee, Charcoal, Whitewash, Greywash).
As well as looking great, the Thompson Bed is incredibly sturdy. The frame never creaks when you move about on it, and it feels like it will last a lifetime.
This product is also highly customizable. You also get to choose from a range of fabric and leather finishes, so it's easy to find a match to the other furnishings in your bedroom.
The Thompson is a platform bed frame that has just 7" clearance from the ground and does not require a box spring.
It comes in three sizes: Queen, King, or California King. All size options come with a 48” upholstered headboard.
Delivery takes approximately 3-5 weeks and an unlimited white-glove service is available on request.
An amazing 94% of customers gave the Thompson Bed a 5-star rating, and based on my testing I completely agree. If you want a top-quality new bed frame at a decent price, this ticks all the boxes.
✔ Best Price Non-Toxic Frame
✔ Designed to Absorb Sound
✔ 100% Recycled Steel Core
I’m more than happy to recommend the PlushBeds metal frame for numerous reasons.
Firstly, the price makes it one of the most affordable sustainable bed frames on the market. Yes, that's partly because it's made from recycled metal, which is cheaper than sustainably sourced or repurposed wood.
However, this is perfectly fine from an environmental perspective, and it comes from an eco-friendly furniture brand that I know and trust.
It's extremely sturdy, squeak-free, non-toxic, and easy to clean.
It's compatible with most mattresses and comes in a choice of sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, or Cal King
The Quiet Balance is a great option if you're looking for a well-made, low VOC frame in a minimalist style, but in a budget price range.
✔ Responsibly Sourced US Hardwood
✔ 100% Chemical Free
✔ Choice of 4 Finishes
I love these solid, chunky, minimalist bed frames from the Futon Shop natural home range. They look and feel really well-built, and are a real statement piece in any bedroom.
The beds are completely free of glues and chemicals. They're simply hand-rubbed with linseed oil to finish (or you can opt to have them unfinished if you prefer).
These are truly sustainable wooden bed frames. I always like to know where the materials have come from, and these pieces are made from materials sourced directly from responsibly managed forests in the United States.
There are 4 different options to choose from, ranging from Oak (the cheapest, which I tested) to Maple, Walnut, or Cherry (the most expensive).
There is an additional cost for shipping, but the overall price point is still competitive considering the quality, especially when compared with other similar products.
✔ 100% Non-Toxic and Safe for Your Kids
✔ CPSIA Certified
✔ Affordable and Durable
If your little one is growing out of their crib, it might be time to start shopping around for their first big boy/girl bed.
The worry of VOCs and toxic chemicals is never far from our minds when shopping for products for our children.
Well, worry no more. 5 Little Monkeys have got your back.
All their products are 100% safe, non-toxic, and healthy for your child.
This foundation is CPSIA Certified to ensure it’s free of lead, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
It’s also Proposition 65 Compliant, so 5 Little Monkeys are legally obliged to disclose any chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Thankfully they don't use any such chemicals, so have nothing to declare!
You can read about 5 Little Monkeys' commitment to certifications here.
The foundation had been designed to fit perfectly with The Sleep System, but any mattress will work (just double-check the dimensions).
5 Little Monkeys are not just about non-toxic sleep for those who can afford it. They also give back to those less fortunate and are currently partnered with the following charities:
✔ Very strong, robust, and 100% Squeak-Free!
✔ Easy to Assemble
✔ 100-Day Trial and 5-Year Warranty
I love the simple minimalist design of the Quagga. It reminds me of my hours spent playing tic tac toe with chalk on the playground most school days as a young child.
This sustainable wooden bed frame is a breeze to put together. In just a few minutes, and with no tools or DIY knowledge, you’ll have one of the most robust bed frames I’ve ever seen. One that will easily give you many decades of faithful service.
U.S. and Canadian shipping usually takes two to ten business days (the further West you live, the longer it takes). It can not be shipped to Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Alaska, or Hawaii.
This high-quality wooden bed frame is made from responsibly sourced wood and is covered by a five-year warranty.
There is also a 100-day sleep trial, so you can test it out at home and return it for a refund (minus a 10% restocking fee) if you’re not impressed.
✔ Super-cool Surfer style design
✔ Handmade from renewable materials
✔ Free Delivery
I was impressed with VivaTerra when I tested them out for eco-friendly furniture. So I decided to get more specific with their range and check out what they offer in terms of sustainable bed frames.
What I found (and loved) was a quirky rattan offering that gave me real Cali surfer vibes.
This bed combines sustainable natural materials with engineered MDF and particleboard (made from renewable resources).
The distressed look of this bed is achieved by a combination of sand blastic and bleaching and bleaching. I was concerned about this but have been assured that a natural oxygen-based bleaching agent is used.
This unique product is handcrafted in Vietnam by VivaTerra’s artisan partners and will be delivered to you (free of charge) in three boxes, ready for you to assemble.
Yes, this is the most expensive option I've recommended in this roundup, so look elsewhere if you're on a budget. However, for sheer style, the Surfside Rattan is hard to beat.
✔ 365-Night Trial
✔ Free Delivery & White Glove Assembly
✔ Free Lifetime Warranty
The stylish Santorini by Saatva is a very impressive low-profile platform bed frame in its own right. But what sets it apart from the rest is that it's compatible with Saatva's adjustable base.
Available at an extra cost, this transforms the Santorini into a fully motorized adjustable bed frame, with a full-body massage option!
The Santorini frame is made from sustainably sourced, kiln-dried hardwood, with premium plywood slats to support your mattress without any need for a box frame.
The upholstery is also made from eco-friendly materials. I tested the natural linen finish, which feels soft to the touch but incredibly durable. Best of all, no dyes, glues, or chemicals are used.
It comes in Queen, King, or Cal King sizes, each of which has a 6.1" clearance underneath - which is just enough for some slimline under-bed storage.
Here are a few reasons why you might consider sustainable bed frames:
Many of us spend hours of research and potentially thousands of dollars creating a non-toxic sleep environment.
But we often overlook the one thing that - quite literally - forms the foundation of our sleep system…the bed frame.
Here are the criteria I used in my research, and that you should also consider when choosing your next piece of bedroom furniture.
Bed frames are usually made from either solid hardwoods, engineered or composite wood (bits of wood glued together), or metal.
Sustainably sourced hardwood is an excellent choice for solid wood bed frames.
According to the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), hardwood is a sustainable product because “the net volume of hardwood growing stock in the USA increased from 184,090 million cubic feet in 1953 to just under 400,000 million cubic feet in 2007”.
Another great option is reclaimed wood which is lumber that has been salvaged from sources such as old buildings, fencing, decking, or barrels.
I would recommend you avoid engineered wood (MDF, particleboard, chipboard, etc.) which is usually a cheaper option for wood bed frames. They’re made by gluing bits of smaller wood, wood particles, shavings, wood chips, sawdust, etc., together and applying pressure. Due to the manufacturing process, they can often contain toxic glues and coatings.
Eco-friendly bed frames can also be made from metal. Sustainable metal bed frames are made from salvaged or recycled metal.
Finally, check that the fabrics used are certified organic if you're considering upholstered bed frames.
The ethics of the company making your bed frame is just as important as the materials used.
Some telltale signs that you're dealing with an ethical company include:
Non-toxic bed frames should be free of toxic adhesives and coatings.
The EPA’s TSCA Title VI and Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products are strict standards that regulate the levels of formaldehyde in adhesives used in composite wood products.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “many wood stains and finishes emit toxic chemicals that build up in your home and can have serious health consequences”.
You might want to consider buying an unstained/uncoated bed frame and then applying your own zero VOC wood stain, or natural linseed oil. This gives you peace of mind and more control over the finished look of your bed frame.
Natural bed frames carrying recognizable certifications give added peace of mind that they’re eco-friendly and non-toxic.
Some of the leading certifications to look out for when shopping for a non-toxic natural bed frame include:
Yes - standard bed frames can potentially contain formaldehyde, depending on the materials used in their construction.
Formaldehyde is often found in cheap furniture and also some building materials. Specifically in engineered wood such as particleboard, plywood, and the potentially toxic MDF.
These materials can release formaldehyde gas over time, which can be harmful if inhaled in large amounts.
I’ve done the leg work for you to ensure that the recommendations in this article are as free from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other nasties as possible.
When doing your own research, the best ways are to check product pages and speak to the manufacturer/supplier directly on social media.
Solid hardwood and metal are considered the best materials for a bed frame in terms of environmental impact and toxic material content.
Both options offer durable, safe, and environmentally friendly bedding choices. For more information see: Metal vs Wooden Bed Frame: Which Is Right For You?
Bed frame and mattress sizes are pretty uniform these days. So any twin mattress brand should fit a twin bed frame, for example. However, some variations can occur (particularly if your bed frame is bespoke, handmade, or vintage).
To avoid costly ordering mistakes and returns, you should always measure the exact available space on your bed frame before placing an order.
You can get a full breakdown of exactly what else to look for in my eco-friendly mattress roundup.
Yes, providing that the fabrics used are non-toxic and sustainable. Read my review of the best eco-friendly headboards to find out more.
As mentioned in my eco-friendly furniture article, the EPA has found that Volatile Organic Compound levels can be two to five times higher inside homes than outside. They speculate that a potential cause of these increased VOC levels might be building materials and furnishings.
Don’t let your bed frame be a contributing factor to poor and potentially harmful indoor air quality in your home. It's not worth it just to save a few bucks.
Buy cheap buy twice, as my dad always likes to say, most definitely applies to beds. Fast furniture such as cheaply made beds will not last more than a few years, and they'll cost you more in the long term.
Buying a quality, well-made, non-toxic bed frame that’ll last a lifetime will ensure that you're not contributing to the approximately 10 million tons of furniture waste that we in the U.S. send to landfills every year.
Where do you buy your eco-friendly bed frames? Have I missed your favorite brand? Have you ever been brave enough to bring out the power tools and build your own bed? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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