For as long as I can remember, wooden bed frames have been the most popular type of this item by a wide margin.
I have no doubt that this is still the case.
However, in recent years, metal beds have become increasingly popular for a number of reasons.
The first, and probably most important of these reasons, is the increased quality with which these beds are now able to be constructed.
Precision tools and computer aided designs now allow for parts to be cut with incredible accuracy, and a bed to be constructed at costs that would have been unthinkable just twenty years ago.
A great age that we live in, indeed.
But beyond the production side of things, there has been a large cultural shift towards metal bed frames in much the same way that stainless steel appliances are now highly prized.
For whatever reason, stainless steel, wrought iron, and anything metal has been associated with better quality, and more luxurious in recent years.
Of course, metal bunk beds and the like are nothing new.
There have always been cheaply produced, cheap looking metal beds.
If you're having trouble imagining what I'm talking about, think about a metal bunk bed that you or a friend may have had growing up.
They had the awful ladders that were terribly uncomfortable to climb up without shoes..
..
remember? Thought you would.
The metal bed frame of today is much different than those of our childhoods, however.
They are big.
They are heavy.
They are substantial.
And they typically have an imposing presence on a bedroom.
But shopping for one of these can be a bit of a tricky endeavor.
If you are out shopping for a metal bed, there are a number of things you really need to keep in mind.
As I mentioned earlier, metal beds can now be produced by sophisticated cutting tools to very exact measurements.
This can now be done at a fraction of the price that these beds were once produced at, and that is what makes them such an attractive target for the big furniture manufacturers.
So, what do you need to look for? Well, it may sound odd, but in my opinion, you really need to see what your bed will look like assembled on either a warehouse or showroom floor.
Even if you have a picture of your potential metal bed from every possible angle, and have read ten great online reviews, I would not recommend making a purchase like this site unseen.
This is for a couple of big reasons.
For one, you just don't know how a bed is going to move and squeak unless you can get up close and personal.
Now, I know that you're probably not going to jump up and down on your bed, but at the very least you can expect some movement in the night.
If you have a bed that sounds like the wooden floor of a 200 year old house, you're going to regret your purchase.
So, go down to the store, and give the frame some good shakes.
Try and put some torque into it by putting pressure on the joints.
Remember that just because these furniture companies can now make a great metal bed frame at a small portion of the money it used to cost doesn't mean they won't be just as willing to make a cheap metal bed at an even cheaper cost and put the same price tag on it.
Don't trust these guys.
The other aspect of construction that you should be aware of is how the manufacturer has prepared the four feet of the bed to ruin, or not ruin, your floors once you have it in your bedroom.
Whether you have hardwood or carpet, a metal bed can wreak havoc on flooring.
And of course, we all know that this is easily remedied.
You can find the heaviest of heavy duty foot pads to put on each four of the contact points.
But that's not really the point.
I like to use this as a telltale for other issues that might exist below the surface.
If a manufacturer is willing to cut corners on a simple thing like this that can so easily make the difference in keeping your floors looking nice, then they are probably willing to cut corners elsewhere as well.
A few shakes, as suggested earlier, won't reveal every problem that may exist with a bed's construction, and you should use any clue at your disposal to identify a possible bad deal.
I don't want to sound too negative because more often that not, you'll probably come across a great looking product at an affordable price.
This advice just comes after having examined many metal beds, and these are lessons I've learned as the new culture of "metal everything" has taken root.
Certainly take my advice with a grain of salt, just make sure to take your time and make the right purchase for your home.