Are The Least Expensive Beds At IKEA Worth Buying?

Like everything else at IKEA, there is no shortage of choices when if comes to bed frames for adults and children. IKEA lists hundreds of options in many different materials including solid wood and steel. Most of their bed frames comes with Luröy bed slats, which can then be topped with a mattress that has to be purchased separately. The frames emphasize under-the-bed storage, and either come with drawers or have the height needed for storage containers.

What's important to know about bed frames from IKEA is that they are not the exact same dimensions as those made for standard U.S. mattresses, per Simply Special Bedding. In some cases, this may not be an issue, but it is wise to measure carefully to make sure you know what will work if you already own a mattress. However, IKEA also sells a wide selection of mattresses and bedding which, of course, fit their frames.

One of the reasons why IKEA is able to offer competitive prices is because they manufacture in bulk, then store and ship everything in flat packages, according to Insider. In this article, we're going to look at how the price of IKEA's least expensive bed frames measure up against quality. 

The Grimsbu bed frame is described on the IKEA website as powder-coated steel, with a low enough profile to fit under windows and sloping ceilings. The 21 5/8-inch height of the headboard is great if you have to place your bed under a window which, per Home Decor Bliss, is usually 3 feet from floor to the bottom sill. The frame comes in white or dark grey, at a price of $89 for the full-size option, and $99 for queen-size. Those are the only two sizes available for this particular frame, which comes with 16-layer-glued wood veneer slats attached to a polyester ribbon, which are rolled out and clipped to the body. IKEA mattresses are purchased separately.

Another nice feature is the under-the-bed height of 8 1/4 inches, which offers room for storage and makes it easier to clean underneath. We did notice that the dark grey screw heads stand out against the white frame and may not be the look you're going for, however. 

The Grimsbu was reviewed by 24 people with an overall 3.9 out of 5 stars. The 14 5-star reviewers praised its appearance, low profile, price, and sturdiness. The lower reviews mostly addressed difficulty of assembly, but two reviewers noted that they had to replace the bolts on the center beam with sturdier M6 steel hex bolts. Overall, it's a decent product for the price.

The $99 Neiden solid pine bed frame scored higher than the Grimsbu with 66 reviewers giving an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. The 44 5-star reviewers mentioned their satisfaction with the sturdiness of the solid, untreated wood. The frame can be waxed, stained, or painted, which several reviewers mentioned they had done. If you are planning to paint the untreated wood, use a stain-blocking primer on the pine knots so they won't bleed through your final coat of paint, per the Canadian Home Painter. 

This bed also comes with the Luröy slatted bedframe, but the mattress is sold separately. Almost all of the lower-star reviews talked about difficulty with assembly, although several mentioned that they felt the need to re-drill the screw holes to make them longer. The space under the bed measure 7 7/8 inches high, which leaves room for storage and easy cleaning. If you are looking for a full-size bed in solid wood, this option seems like a very good buy.

Moving up slightly in price, the $129 IKEA Gursken bed frame offers a more modern style with a headboard height of 26 3/8 inches, and a footboard which measures 13 3/4 inches down from the foot of the frame to the floor. This option is made from particleboard, but the center support beam that comes with it is made from laminated veneer lumber. The Luröy slatted bed base is included, and just has to be rolled out and attached with the included hardware. The mattress is not included.

The Gursken is only available in a light beige color, and only comes as a full-sized frame. From the photos on the IKEA website, it looks as if the slatted base is slightly recessed below the sides of the bed. Take this into consideration when evaluating the overall height of the bed once you add your mattress. 

There are no reviews for the bed frame, but the Gursken product line is also available in a matching nightstand and a free-standing closet, both of which were rated 4.7 stars out of five. The three items in the Gursken line can be purchased separately or as a package.