9 “Eco Friendly & Non-Toxic” bed frames for a healthy bedroom
Many furniture pieces are mass manufactured without eco-friendly practices or health conscious materials. Seeing as your bedroom is somewhere that you will spend over 1/3 of your life, many people prefer to fill their bedroom with eco-friendly and non-toxic products that that can feel comfortable sleeping next to or on top of. In this post we have compiled a list of our favorite eco-friendly bed frames on the market today. This includes frames made from sustainably sourced woods, recycled materials and alternative products. You can feel good about purchasing any of these frames when it comes to their impact on the environment as well as your health.
Why Choose an Eco Friendly or Non-Toxic Bed Frame?
The online furniture industry is one of the most competitive industries online. With competition comes the need to be competitive with price which ultimately means cutting quality in some instances. When companies opt to produce their products with lower quality woods, particle boards, manufacturing practices, etc… they are able to but costs but they also sacrifice quality and the impact their products may have on the environment and their consumer’s health. Many bed frames are mass manufactured with imported woods, toxic stains, glues and epoxies that off-gas VOCs and impact our environment. If you want to minimize your exposure to VOCs and your impact on the environment it is important to research where you buy products from and to buy your bed frame from a reputable manufacturer who uses sustainable and eco friendly practices. Keep in mind these bed frames will cost more.
9 Best Eco Friendly Bed Frames
1. The Natural Platform Bed by Birchboards
Best Value – Editor’s Pick
What Customers love: Great value. A simple sturdy wood bed frame made with natural pinewood. Available in a variety of finishes.
PRICE: From $450
What our testers are saying:
The Birchboards platform bed is extremely sturdy, holding over 900lbs, and comes at an affordable price point for the quality. This may be one of the best “bang for your buck” bed frames on the market. The frame is made with natural pinewood and comes in a variety of finishes. If you are looking for the most eco-friendly option we would suggest going with their natural finish. Birchboards is a trusted name in the industry and focuses on making a few high quality handmade bed frames.
2. The Natural Wood Bed Frame by Avocado
What Customers love: Each handmade with a 100% heavy duty solid wood frame. Eco-friendly, all natural materials. No assembly tools required.
What our testers are saying:
Avocado prides themselves on providing customers with high end, eco-friendly, organic and natural sleep products. Their bed frames are handcrafted in Los Angeles and built with solid pieces of reclaimed wood. This bed does not require any tools for assembly. The wood has a very rustic and natural appearance and is sure to add some character to your bedroom. Avocado beds run slightly higher in price but are very high quality and are sure to last for many years to come.
3. The Bed by Floyd
What Customers love: Easy assembly. Solid natural wood. Committed to sustainability.
What our testers are saying:
Floyd has been a recent innovator in the furniture space. Their furniture easily snaps together without the need for any tools and is simple and modern in design. Their platform bed has a sleek Japanese inspired design with clean lines and minimalist appeal, perfect for enhancing the look of any bedroom. Floyd uses solid natural wood boards and prides themselves on their eco-friendly practices. They are proud to be one of the first carbon neutral furniture brands.
4. Hemp Upholstered Platform Bed by Natural Home
What Customers love: A non-toxic, simple platform bed. Made with natural wood and hemp fabric.
What our testers are saying:
This bed takes eco-friendly manufacturing of furniture to the next level. The hemp bed is made with 100% solid spruce wood and is wrapped in organic hemp fabric. The bed is non-toxic and organic while still being very aesthetically pleasing. This bed comes in a variety of different fabric colors to choose from and also has the option of adding on an organic hemp headboard.
5. Mid-Century Platform Bed by Avocado
What Customers love: No VOC stains or paints. Heavy duty solid wood frame. All natural materials. No tools required.
What our testers are saying:
This platform bed by Avocado is simple yet extremely solid and sturdy. The frame is available in 2 different natural woods, walnut or maple, depending on your style and preference. You can also choose a matching headboard to add on. Each bed is handcrafted by Avocado in Los Angeles and is made with 100% solid wood and eco-conscious materials. Avocado uses none of the high VOC, toxic furniture paints that many of the other manufacturers use. You can feel confident resting your head next to this bed.
6. Tatami Bed by The Futon Shop
What Customers love: Classic Japanese Tatami Bed. Natural wood. Solid and low to the ground. Includes tatami mats.
What our testers are saying:
This bed frame is great for anyone looking for a traditional style Japanese bed frame. The Tatami bed is made with natural wood and is a classic Japanese bed frame that sits close to the ground and includes a thin organic tatami mat foundation that you can put your mattress or shikibuton directly on. Available in a variety of different finishes to match and bedroom and style. The low profile and simple but durable design is accented with Japanese style tatami mats (which means you do not need to purchase a box spring). The Tatami Bed comes in Twin, Full, Queen, King and California King. The included tatami mat foundation is made from 100% compressed straw.
7. The Malibu Platform Bed by Avocado
What Customers love: Solid wood. Low-minimalist design.
What our testers are saying:
This low sitting platform bed by Avocado is inspired by the Japanese culture of sleeping on or near the floor. It opens up your room and gives a simplistic and minimalist appearance. The Malibu bed frame is handcrafted in Los Angeles with solid maple wood and is not only sturdy but eco-friendly as well. The Malibu bed is available with an optional headboard in two different sizes.
8. The Bed Frame by Birch
What Customers love: Simple natural design. Easily snaps together without tools.
What our testers are saying:
The Bed Frame by Birch comes in a natural wood or white finish. This bed is simple in nature and does not require any tools for assembly. It sits right above the ground and has built in bed slats so you do not need to use a box spring, you can put your mattress or futon directly on the frame. The clean lines and low profile design are consistent with beds and styles of Japanese furniture and is sure to add to your simple and minimalist bedroom appearance.
9. The City Bed by Avocado
What Customers love: Classic natural wood bed frame. Affordable and easy snap together assembly.
What our testers are saying:
Avocado produces quality mattresses and bed frames and the City Bed is no exception. This bed frame sits low to the ground and easily snaps together without the need for hardware or tools. The City Bed is Avocado’s most affordable and simple bed that they offer.
Do all bed frames have formaldehyde?
The vast majority of bed frames utilize formaldehyde in their production processes. Most commonly formaldehyde is used in the glue that assembles different particle boards or woods. There are a few bed frame manufacturers that pride themselves on using only solid wood materials without glues or sprays.
Is plywood toxic when used in beds?
Plywood is commonly used in beds as a platform support system in place of a box spring. Plywood is generally considered safe, however, they do use Formaldehyde in the production of plywood that can potentially be considered toxic and produce VOCs. If you are looking for the most eco friendly bed frame then it may be a good idea to find one that does not utilize particle board or plywood.
Are metal bed frames toxic?
Metal bed frames are usually less toxic than other materials and off-gas very little to none at all. The reason for their low toxicity is that they do not require the use of glues or stains like many of their wooden bed competitors do. The main concern when sleeping on a metal bed frame or metal box spring when compared to wood is the Electrical Pollution or EMFs. While metal bed frames are widely considered safe to sleep on and millions of people sleep on them every night, if you prefer to limit the amounts of electrical conductors in your bedroom it would be best to opt for a wooden frame. If you are limiting exposure to metals it would also be beneficial to skip an innerspring mattress and opt for a natural latex or cotton mattress instead.
What is more eco-friendly, metal or wood bed frames ?
The decision to choose a metal or wooden bed frame is a personal choice and varies from situation to situation. Each style of frame has its own pros and cons when it comes to their eco friendly and health benefits. The most important factor is to purchase from a reputable manufacturer who sources their materials in an eco friendly manner and who uses a responsible manufacturing process.
What to look for in an eco friendly wooden bed frame
Wood is a great option when looking for an eco friendly bed frame, however, there are a variety of factors to take into account when purchasing an eco friendly wooden bed frame. Each of these factors are details you can look for and use to decide whether the product is eco friendly and healthy or not.
Solid wood vs Manufactured wood
Solid wood is naturally sourced wood that is minimally processed and utilizes minimal glues and toxins. Manufactured woods are generally cheaper but are made from a bunch of wood chips or particles that are glued and pressed together. These glues and adhesives are where chemicals like Formaldehyde are used. In general, it is safe to assume a solid wood frame is going to be more non-toxic and eco friendly.
No VOC or Low VOC Paints
Make sure the bed frame you purchase was painted or stained with Lows VOC paint. Low VOC paint has minimal off-gassing and minimal chemicals used in its production.
