Brass vs Iron Beds: Getting a Brass Iron Bed Look

We do not sell brass beds. Every bed we offer is made from steel tubing and solid iron rod, and "brass" appears in our catalog only as a finish name. If you love the warm gold of a brass bed, the way to get it from us is an iron bed in a brass, gold or bronze finish: Brass Bisque or Aged Gold on our Iron Art and North Haven Traditions beds, or the premium Antique Gold, Smokey Gold or Black Gold on our American Classics and Dream Gallery beds. If you want genuine solid brass that you can polish to a shine, you will need a brass specialist or an antique dealer, and this guide explains the tradeoffs so you can decide.

Brass vs iron: an honest comparison

"Brass bed" covers two different products, and both differ from an iron bed with a brass-tone finish.

Where real brass wins

• The shine. Polished brass reflects light in a way no paint or patina fully matches. If a mirror-bright metal is what you picture, a brass-tone finish on iron will look different, and we would rather you know that now.
• Polishing and living patina. Solid brass can be polished back to bright or left to darken naturally. A finish on iron cannot be polished, and you should not try.
• Period authenticity. If you are restoring a period room and want the original material, only real brass will do.

Where iron with a brass-tone finish wins

• No polishing schedule. The finish is not bare brass, so there is nothing to tarnish or polish. Routine care is dusting and a wipe with a soft, damp cloth. See our iron bed care guide.
• Construction. On our beds the headboard and footboard are each welded as one piece, and hand-poured castings are formed around the weld joints to reinforce them and create the decorative detail. Complete beds weigh roughly 100 to 250 lbs depending on the design.
• No plating to wear through. A brass-plated bed has a thin layer of brass over another metal. A painted or patinated finish does not have a thin metal layer that can rub off to reveal a different metal underneath.
• Choice. You can pick the exact gold or bronze tone, or change your mind and choose black, white or another color on the same design. Bronze tones are our customers' most popular finish family overall.
• Fit and support. Every bed is made for standard US mattress sizes, from twin to California king, and backed by a lifetime warranty under normal use.

Brass and gold-tone finishes we offer

Finishes differ by collection, so choose the finish and the bed together.

If you want something warm but less gold, the bronze and copper families sit next door: Antique Bronze on American Classics and Dream Gallery; Aged Bronze, Old Copper and Espresso on Iron Art and North Haven Traditions.

Which finish looks most like brass? By name, Brass Bisque is the closest, and it is only offered on Iron Art and North Haven Traditions beds. On American Classics and Dream Gallery beds, look at the gold finishes. We do not describe each finish in more detail here because every finish is applied by hand and varies from piece to piece. Compare photos in the Iron Art finish guide and the American Classics finish guide, and on American Classics and Dream Gallery orders, request up to four samples after ordering. They arrive in about a week, and you confirm your finish within about two weeks of receiving them.

Beds that suit a brass look

• Ornate and traditional: The Marguerite, pictured at the top of this guide in Antique Gold, is an American Classics design. For the most decorative silhouettes, the Chartres and Isabelle Canopy belong to Dream Gallery, our most ornate collection. All three take the premium Antique Gold, Smokey Gold and Black Gold finishes (added fee) and are made to order in 6 to 8 weeks.
• Brass Bisque and Aged Gold: Choose a design from Iron Art or North Haven Traditions, such as the Sheffield, which appears in both collections. These are made to order in 10 to 14 weeks.
• Need it sooner? Our Quickship beds are in stock and ship in about a week at the same price as made to order. Stock and finishes are limited and change, so check what is available.

Styling a gold-tone iron bed

A warm metal bed is the brightest object in most bedrooms, so give it room to stand out.

• Walls. Deep colors such as navy, forest green or charcoal make gold and brass tones glow. White and cream walls give a lighter, more traditional look.
• Bedding. Solid white, ivory or linen-colored bedding keeps the focus on the headboard. Velvet or a deeper jewel tone leans glamorous; pick one or the other rather than both.
• Other metals. Repeat the warm tone once or twice (a lamp base, a mirror frame, drawer pulls) rather than everywhere. Mixing a warm bed with one cool accent, such as a black or silver-toned lamp, keeps the room from looking matched as a set.
• Wood. Gold and bronze finishes sit comfortably next to walnut, cherry and other warm woods.
• Configuration. If you want the warm color without a lot of metal in the room, a Headboard & Frame configuration drops the footboard, and about 15% of our customers choose it. Our headboard only vs full iron bed guide compares the options.

What about antique brass and iron beds?

Some antique iron beds combine iron with brass trim, such as brass caps or rails. Our beds do not use brass components, so if you want genuine brass details, look to antique dealers. If you are weighing an antique against a new bed, our guide to antique iron beds vs reproductions covers sizing, restoration and other tradeoffs.

Before you order

Every bed is handcrafted to order in Los Angeles by our partner workshops, so a finish choice is a commitment: there are no change-of-mind returns or exchanges (see our refund policy). Use samples where they are offered, and call (800) 378-1742, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm ET, if you are torn between two gold tones.

For a broader look at how finishes are chosen, read our guide to custom iron bed finishes. For sizes, configurations and construction, start with our iron beds buyer's guide.