Iron Beds: The Complete Buyer's Guide for 2026

An iron bed is one of the few pieces of furniture that looks better the longer you own it. Unlike wood frames that chip and swell, or upholstered beds that stain and sag, a well-built iron bed frame holds its shape, supports serious weight, and develops character with age. But not all iron beds are created equal. The difference between a bed that lasts a lifetime and one that squeaks within a year comes down to materials, construction, and where it's made.

We've been building iron beds by hand in our Los Angeles workshop for over 27 years, using the same methods blacksmiths used in the late 1800s. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know before buying an iron bed frame: types and styles, the materials that matter, how to pick the right size, what to look for in construction quality, and how to care for your bed so it lasts for generations. Whether you're replacing a worn-out bed or furnishing a new home, this is the only guide you'll need.

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What Makes an Iron Bed Different from Other Bed Types?

Iron bed frames stand apart from wood and upholstered alternatives in three fundamental ways: structural longevity, design versatility, and zero degradation over time.

A quality iron bed frame is built from steel tubing, solid iron rod, and hand-poured metal castings — the same materials and methods used in original antique iron beds from the 1880s and 1890s. Where a wood bed relies on dowels and glue joints that loosen with seasonal humidity changes, an iron bed's structural joints are welded. Each headboard is one solid piece. Each footboard is one solid piece. There are no weak points that can work themselves apart over time.

Design versatility is the other major differentiator. Iron can be shaped into scrollwork, geometric patterns, and flowing curves that simply aren't possible with wood. From minimalist industrial lines to ornate Victorian designs, iron beds span more aesthetic territory than any other bed material. Because the finish is applied by hand, you can customize the look to match virtually any bedroom style.

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How Are Iron Beds Constructed?

Understanding construction is the single most important factor when shopping for an iron bed. It's the difference between a bed that holds up for decades and one that starts squeaking in six months.

The Three Components

Every iron bed is made from three materials: thick-walled steel tubing (which forms the main frame structure), solid iron rod (used for decorative elements and smaller structural members), and castings. The tubing is hollow — this is by design, not a shortcut. Solid iron tubing would be impossibly heavy to move or assemble. What matters is wall thickness, and we use the thickest-walled tubing in the industry.

Hand-Poured Castings

Castings are the most misunderstood component in iron bed construction. On a quality iron bed, castings are made by pouring molten metal around the weld joints where tubing meets tubing. They serve a dual purpose: structural reinforcement of the welded connection, and decorative beauty. On cheap overseas beds, "castings" are actually separate aluminum pieces that are screwed on or glued on after the fact. They're cosmetic, not structural. They're the number-one reason budget iron beds rattle and squeak.

One-Piece Welded Construction

In our Los Angeles workshop, each headboard is welded into one solid, continuous piece. The footboard is the same. There are no bolted-together subsections that can shift or loosen. The frame that connects headboard to footboard is built in the same factory, ensuring the tolerances are exact and the fit is tight. This is why our beds come with a lifetime structural warranty: the construction doesn't degrade.

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Iron Bed vs Wood Bed vs Upholstered Bed: How Do They Compare?

This is the comparison most buyers are making, so let's put all three side by side.

The short answer: if you want a bed that looks beautiful today and holds up without repair or replacement for the rest of your life, an iron bed frame is the strongest long-term investment. If you're furnishing a guest room on a budget, wood and upholstered beds have their place. They won't last the way iron does.

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Iron Bed Types and Styles: Which Is Right for You?

Iron beds come in a wider range of styles than most buyers realize. Here's a breakdown of the major categories and what makes each one distinctive.

Complete Iron Beds

A complete iron bed includes a headboard, footboard, and the full frame system. This is the most popular configuration and provides the most stability and the most finished look. The headboard and footboard are designed as a matched set, and the frame is purpose-built to connect them precisely. If you want the classic iron bed aesthetic — a statement piece anchoring the room from every angle — this is what you're looking for. Browse our American Classics collection and Dream Gallery designs to see complete bed options.

Iron Headboard Only

An iron headboard without a footboard is a smart choice for smaller bedrooms, rooms with foot-of-bed furniture like benches or storage, or rental properties. Our headboards come pre-drilled with 15 mounting holes to attach to most standard bed frames. One thing to know: if you pair our headboard with a mass-market frame from a mattress store, there may be slight wobble. Those frames are made overseas and aren't engineered for the exact fit you get from a frame built in the same workshop as the headboard.

Iron Headboard + Frame (No Footboard)

This configuration gives you the stability of a matched headboard and frame without the footboard. The frame comes in matte black or gunmetal grey (depending on the collection), and you can have it painted to match your headboard finish for an additional charge. This is the best middle-ground option if you want a clean, open look at the foot of the bed without sacrificing structural integrity.

Iron Canopy Beds

Iron canopy beds take the drama and presence of iron and extend it overhead. They work best in rooms with ceilings at least nine feet tall, and they pair beautifully with sheer drapes, string lights, or left bare for a minimalist-industrial look. We offer six canopy designs ranging from romantic scrollwork to clean, modern four-poster silhouettes.

Iron Daybeds

Iron daybeds are a versatile option for guest rooms, home offices, sunrooms, and bonus rooms. They function as a sofa by day and a twin-size bed by night. Our iron daybeds feature the same welded construction and hand-applied finishes as our full-size beds.

Style Categories

Within these configurations, iron beds generally fall into a few design families. Victorian and romantic styles feature scrollwork, curves, and ornate castings — ideal with antique bronze or aged copper finishes. Farmhouse and cottage styles pair simpler lines with distressed white or soft cream finishes. Industrial and modern styles use clean geometry and pair with matte black, charcoal, or gunmetal finishes. Transitional designs blend elements from multiple styles, making them the easiest to work into existing decor.

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How to Choose the Right Iron Bed Size

Getting the size right matters more with an iron bed than with most other bed types, because iron beds are made to order and built to precise dimensions. Here are the standard sizes we offer, along with room-fit guidance:

Extra Long Twin and Full. If you need an 80-inch-length mattress in a Twin or Full size, we offer Extra Long options for a $75 upcharge. This is common for taller teenagers or adults who prefer a single-sleeper bed with extra legroom.

Eastern King vs California King: Know the Difference. This is the most common ordering mistake we see. Eastern King (also called Standard King) is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long — wider but shorter. California King is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long — narrower but four inches longer. If you're over six feet tall, California King gives you the extra length. If you want the widest possible sleeping surface, Eastern King is your pick. Always confirm which one you need before placing your order.

Rail height and clearance. Iron beds come in different rail heights, which determines two things: how high your mattress sits off the floor and how much under-bed storage clearance you get. Our North Haven iron beds and our Iron Art beds offer 8-inch height (designed for a box spring and mattress) or 12-inch platform height (designed for mattress only, no box spring needed). Our American Classics and Dream Gallery collections have a standard 9-inch rail height that can be customized.

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What to Look for When Buying an Iron Bed Frame

Not all iron beds are built the same way, and the price tag alone won't tell you the difference. Here's what separates a bed that lasts a lifetime from one that disappoints within a year.

Wall Thickness of the Tubing

Thicker-walled steel tubing means more structural rigidity, less flex, and zero chance of bending or denting under normal use. Cheap beds use thin-walled tubing or aluminum to cut costs, which is why they feel flimsy and develop creaks. Ask any manufacturer about their tubing wall thickness — if they can't answer, that's a red flag.

Casting Construction

Are the castings poured around the weld joints (structural), or are they separate pieces attached after the fact (decorative only)? Structural castings reinforce the strongest joints on the bed and add mass exactly where it's needed. Glued-on or screwed-on castings do nothing for stability and are the primary source of squeaking and rattling in budget iron beds.

Finish Application

Machine-sprayed finishes are uniform but flat — they look like paint on metal. Hand-applied finishes create depth, variation, and visual texture that give the bed warmth and character. Each bed finished by hand is slightly unique, which is part of what makes it feel like furniture, not hardware. Our finishes range from powder coats to hand-rubbed patinas to specialty treatments like rust patina and two-tone metallic.

Frame Origin

The bed frame (the side rails and supports connecting headboard to footboard) should be manufactured in the same facility as the headboard and footboard. When the frame is made in a different factory, or a different country, the tolerances won't match perfectly. That mismatch creates movement, and movement creates noise. Every frame we sell is built in the same Los Angeles workshop as the bed it connects to.

Warranty

A lifetime structural warranty is the manufacturer's way of telling you they trust their own product. We back every bed with one because our construction doesn't degrade. If a manufacturer offers only a one-year or five-year warranty, ask yourself what they expect to go wrong.

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How to Care for Your Iron Bed

One of the biggest advantages of iron bed frames is how little maintenance they need. Here's how to keep your bed looking its best for decades.

Routine Cleaning

Dust your iron bed with a soft, dry cloth or a feather duster every couple of weeks. For deeper cleaning, use a slightly damp cloth with mild soap, then dry immediately. Avoid abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or anything with ammonia or bleach. These can damage hand-applied finishes.

Finish Protection

Hand-applied finishes are sealed to protect against everyday wear, but it's smart to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, which can fade finishes over time. If your bed is near a window with strong afternoon light, consider rotating seasonal bedding to shade the most exposed areas.

Preventing Scratches

When moving your bed, lift — don't drag. Apply felt pads to the bottom of the legs to protect hardwood or tile floors. If you notice a small scratch or chip in the finish, a touch-up pen in a matching color can make it virtually invisible.

Hardware Check

Once or twice a year, give the bolts connecting the frame to the headboard and footboard a quick check with a wrench. Hand-tighten if needed. On a quality iron bed, this is rarely necessary, but it's a good habit that takes less than a minute.

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Explore Our Iron Bed Collections

We offer four distinct collections, each handcrafted in Los Angeles with the same construction methods and backed by our lifetime structural warranty.

North Haven Traditions. Classic designs with clean lines. Available in 8-inch rail height (for box spring and mattress) or 12-inch platform height (mattress only). Browse North Haven iron beds.

Iron Art. Artistic, design-forward silhouettes for bedrooms that want a statement piece. Same rail height options as North Haven. Explore our Iron Art beds.

American Classics. Our most customizable collection. Standard 9-inch rail height with the option to adjust up or down. Custom height modifications available. See the American Classics collection.

Dream Gallery. Premium designs with full customization, including custom heights, sizes, and one-of-a-kind design work from a photo and dimensions. View Dream Gallery designs.

All collections are also available as headboard only, headboard with frame, or complete bed. We also offer iron daybeds and bed accessories including benches and complementary pieces.