Furniture companies are almost always easy to reach and many have a chat option, or you can email if you don’t want to call, so double-checking will be very easy to do before you hit “purchase.” Why Trust Treehugger? The same goes for oversized mattresses like California King and others outside the standard. However, if you have an “extra-thick” mattress or one with a pillow-top, it is probably worth your time to reach out to the bed-frame company you are thinking of buying from. Most companies expect you to mix and match. Mattresses are very standardized sizes, and specs are available online (for bed frames as well), so generally, no. Is it better to buy a mattress and bed frame from the same company? So a “bed frame” doesn’t automatically mean it won’t accept a latex bed or mattress without a box spring-if it’s unclear, ask the seller. You will see many bed frames now come with slats, effectively making them a platform bed, since latex/foam mattresses are so popular now and many people are forgoing box springs. That foundation isn’t separate, but either comes with or is built-in (usually a set of slats that can be low-quality and easily breakable or higher-quality and long-lasting).Ī bed frame needs a box spring or other support to hold a mattress up above the frame. What is the difference between a platform bed and a bed frame?Ī platform bed doesn’t require a box spring and so a latex or memory-foam mattress can often sit right on the slats or foundation. Look for low- or no-VOC finishes and natural materials like cotton or linen for upholstery. Look for solid bed frame made from sustainably forested wood, reclaimed/recycled wood, or wood sourced locally from the United States. You can also look for things like companies that use wind or solar power in their manufacturing facility or shop those that minimize or tout being zero-waste, and those that give back to community or environmental organizations, or plant trees.įAQs What bed frame materials are sustainable? The last thing you want to keep an eye out for is finishes like paints and varnishes-look for those that mention low-VOC or no-VOC finishes. In many places, local makers will create furniture out of downed or fallen trees, and while there aren’t any of those on this list, they are worth seeking out in your community.įinishes and Other Ethical Considerations FSC certification has its critics, but it’s a third-party certification with specific standards.Īnother sustainable option is reclaimed wood (so a bed frame might be made from wood taken from an old barn or warehouse), which means no new trees were cut down. The best certification for oversight of this process is the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification, which you will see on a number of the bed frames on this list. But wood is a renewable resource, and can be logged in a more sustainable way. Old-growth and ecologically important forests the world over are still being logged, destroying animal habitats and in some places, Indigenous people’s homes as well. Now that we’ve narrowed it down a bit, the next thing to consider is where that wood comes from. The agency links that to “household materials and furnishings” as well as household cleaning products, and dry cleaning chemicals. outdoor air reports that levels of these chemicals are typically 2-5 times higher indoors. In the United States the federal government doesn’t set standards for VOCs but the EPA looked at indoor vs. Long-term, exposures can increase certain cancer risks and endocrine system disruption, but of course it depends on the dose received, other exposures, and other factors-which is what makes these chemicals tough to regulate. Short-term, VOCs and formaldehyde exposure have reportedly caused eye irritation, coughing, skin allergies, chest tightness and wheezing. Many in this group of chemicals create a distinctive odor (that smell is often these chemicals offgassing). Most engineered woods and particleboards contain glues that contain formaldehyde (a known carcinogen ), or possibly other chemicals that are known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). What to Look for in Eco-Friendly Bed Framesįor the fewest possible air pollutants, look for a solid wood bed frame. If you have a bit more to spend, a beautiful canopy bed from reclaimed Douglas Fir by VivaTerra ( view at VivaTerra) or one of Vermont Wood Studios’ beds ( view at Vermont Wood Studios) will be a love-it-for-decades option. For the most eco bona fides at the best price, go for one of the Masaya & Co beds ( view at MadeTrade).
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