What Type of Mattress Works With an Antique Bed? 

Antique beds come in several styles, from Victorian to English colonial designs. These beds can add a sophisticated aesthetic to your room and a sense of originality because they are usually one of a kind. However, finding a mattress to accommodate your antique bed may be a bit difficult.

Antique beds are more narrow than today’s standard size mattresses, so you’ll want to find the right frame to fit your bed. In this article, we’ll look at what type of mattresses work with antique beds.

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What is an Antique Bed?

Antique beds are vintage pieces of furniture designed or replicated to meet the aesthetics of the 17th and 18th centuries. These beds are known for their charm and elegant craftsmanship and are great for individuals who want to add a luxurious look to their bedrooms or dress up a mattress for a guest room.

Antique beds are made with quality materials like oak, mahogany, iron, and brass. It’s also common for antique beds to feature headboards and footboards with ornate carvings. You can even purchase antique accessories like vintage quilts to add to the vintage style of your bedroom.

Best Mattress for Antique Beds

Finding the correct mattress size for an antique bed can be pretty tough since these beds are smaller than today’s standard sizes. Antique beds are 48 inches wide, or three-quarters of the width of full or double mattresses. For this reason, antique beds require a 3/4 mattress and bed frame.

A 3/4 bed measures approximately 48 inches wide by 75 inches long. You can order these frames from retailers that specialize in making antique frames. There are also custom mattress manufacturers who have 3/4 mattresses available for purchase, or offer shoppers customizable mattresses with their choice of specialized mattress dimensions.

They even have hybrid and memory foam mattresses available to meet your comfort preferences. However, you may need to get new slats or a bunkie board for your frame, as most antique bed frames were made solely with innerspring mattresses in mind.

If you are purchasing your mattress through a custom manufacturer, be sure to ask questions about the product. Ask how long the company has been making antique products and what foundation or mattress type will be best for your bed. This will ensure you are getting quality items that are compatible with your antique furniture.

Memory foam beds are an excellent choice for antique beds because they are soft and do not put too much pressure on the side rails of your bed. Since antique beds may not come with slatted or solid bases, you’ll need to purchase a box spring or foundation.

Most people use old, low-profile box springs to support their mattress because newer foundations may sit higher than the frame. Typically, innerspring mattresses work best with box springs and are another good choice for antique beds. Box springs are strong enough to support the innerspring mattress and distribute weight evenly across the surface.

If you want to use a memory foam bed with your antique frame, we suggest purchasing a bunkie board. Originally designed to work with bunk bed mattresses in place of box springs, bunkie boards are versatile and can work with other frames.

Using a bunkie board will help keep your mattress stable and add a bit of firmness to your bed. You can even improvise one by having a sturdy piece of plyboard cut to fit your bed.

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Standard Mattress Sizes

FAQs

How do I measure a mattress for my antique bed?

To measure a mattress, you’ll first need to remove all sheets and pillows. Next, use a measuring tape to find the dimensions of the mattress. To calculate length, measure your mattress from the top of your bed to the foot. Calculate the width by measuring left to right. The most common size for an antique mattress is 48 x 75, so your dimensions need to be pretty close for the proper fit.

How much do antique beds cost?

Antique beds are vintage items, and they can be pretty pricey. Some original antique beds can cost up to $2000. However, you can find replicas at a more affordable price, with some pieces costing only $350.

Can two adults sleep on a 3/4 bed?

A ¾ bed is narrow and is usually not the best choice for adults. Though a full mattress can fit a ¾ frame, this still may not be enough room for two people to sleep comfortably. We recommend sleeping on a queen or king mattress if you sleep with a partner since these beds provide enough space for each person.

Will a full size mattress fit a 3/4 bed frame?

It’s possible to convert a ¾ bed frame to accommodate a standard full mattress. Most custom retailers offer bed conversion kits and are usually familiar with the expansion process. Conversion kits may make it easier to find a mattress to fit your antique frame.

Before you purchase your kit, take a picture of your vintage bed’s components before and try talking to a salesperson who understands the conversion process. They will be able to help you find the proper tools for your bed.

Do I need a foundation for an antique bed?

Most antique beds do not come with a slatted or solid foundation like today’s beds. You’ll need to purchase a separate mattress foundation for your antique bed for the proper support. Typically, individuals use older, low-profile box springs for their beds since these foundations are narrow enough to fit a ¾ frame.

Conclusion

Though antique beds add style and design to your room, finding the proper mattress for your bed may take some time. You’ll want to know the dimensions of your bed frame to ensure they’ll fit.

You can also look into purchasing a custom bed frame or mattress for your bed, but it’s worth mentioning this option could be a bit more expensive. It might be better to look for an online retailer that sells ¾ mattresses since these online mattresses are usually the best fit.