When I set about updating our primary bedroom, I knew I wanted an upholstered bed frame. I desired a cozy, soft landing each night and fabric has that appeal.
Today, there are furniture companies that never sacrifice to make high-quality, reasonably priced upholstered bed frames. Case in point: the Allis Upholstered Wingback Bed frame. Similar to the popular Tilly and Hanson bed frames, the Allis bed has a few key details that I believe justify the higher price. After nearly a year of use, this is my upholstered bed frame review.
In this post, I am sharing the pros and cons of upholstered beds, details on style, construction, why fabric samples are a must, how upholstered beds compare, and so much more! I hope this helps you if you're thinking about buying an upholstered bed.
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Why Buy an Upholstered Bed Frame?
We bought a dark stained wood bed frame over 10 years ago. It was the first bed frame we owned and, at the time, I loved it.
Over the years, as my design style evolved, I began to embrace my love of traditional to transitional design, calming colors, and soothing spaces. I desperately wanted to let go of the dark hardwood in exchange for a soft, cozy fabric bed frame.
The Allis Upholstered Wingback Bed is the bed I ultimately chose, after researching beds for quite some time, and I am so happy with it! From the arched headboard and neutral linen fabric to the wood legs, it elevates our calming bedroom design in such a gorgeous way!
Shop the photo: Rug | Alpaca plaid throw blanket (similar) | Plaid grid bone inlay box (small and large) | End of bed bench (similar)
There are many reasons to buy an upholstered bed frame. People are craving high-quality, reasonably priced furniture that will last more than ever. Think solid wood, natural fiber materials, and a return to real master handiwork. Heirloom furniture that can be passed down is a more sustainable future and should be the goal in the end.
When researching upholstered beds, I had a list of requirements to make the process of elimination easier. I highly recommend you do this quick exercise as well.
My list of requirements for an upholstered bed frame:
- Durable construction, preferably solid wood parts
- Little to no gap where the headboard meets the frame
- Natural material for the upholstery fabric + bonus for GREENGUARD certified fabric
- Wingback without tufting
- Wood legs, not plastic
- Box spring required so it's not too low to the floor + side rails to conceal it
Ultimately, the solid construction, combined with a classic but updated design, is why I chose the Allis upholstered bed for our primary bedroom. After nearly a year of use, I expect the bed will last a very long time.
Style Comparison: Allis vs Tilly or Hanson Beds
I searched for quite some time before landing on three beds that I liked. All three upholstered beds - Allis bed, Tilly bed, and Hanson bed - are low-profile wingback beds with slight differences.
The Allis bed has a curved or arched headboard with tapered wings, while the Tilly is a straight headboard with slightly bowed wings and the Hanson is a straight headboard with straight wings.
In general, Allis and Tilly upholstered bed frames are more closely characterized as a classic traditional style, while the Hanson bed is more modern. Consider that when you are thinking about what style looks best in your home.
Shop the photo: Knot object (similar) | For the Love of White: The White and Neutral Home book | Woven box (similar and maybe even better)
I will eventually be installing some form of applied molding to the walls in our bedroom and I wanted to soften all the hard angles the room will have after that is complete. An arched headboard is elegant yet updated and a look that lends softness, as well as interest, to our space.
Upholstered Bed Construction: What to Look For
I spent a considerable amount of time comparing the height of the headboard, materials used, and assembly instructions before deciding on the Allis bed. I wanted a bed that was heavy, sturdy, and durable in order for it to last for years to come.
The Allis upholstered bed frame itself weighs over 200 pounds for the King size vs around 120 pounds for the Tilly and 130 pounds for the Hanson.
What makes the Allis bed high-quality construction:
- Wood slats
- Center support legs
- Solid wood front legs
- FSC certified Pine wood frame
- GREENGUARD certified fabric
Both the Tilly and Hanson have what look like plastic legs, compared to the wood legs on the Allis. You may be able to change them out on the other beds, but that was not clear in the product details. I didn't want to risk it, which is another reason I chose the Allis bed.
The Allis bed has a hefty 650 pound maximum. Neither the Tilly or Hanson list the weight capacity. I expect it is somewhere around 500 pounds, but you would have to check with customer support. Furthermore, where the footboard meets the side rails, as well as where the headboard meets the side rails, sits perfectly together with tailored fabric.
I should mention we also have a very heavy organic latex mattress (California King), which may help the bed feel even more stable. The mattress brand also carries less customizable organic mattresses like the Chorus or Serenade.
Fabric Swatches and Colors
You get to choose the fabric color with the Allis bed, because, like the Tilly and Hanson beds, it is a semi-custom upholstered bed frame.
If you take only one thing from this post it's that you should absolutely order free fabric sample swatches! You can't always get the perfect fabric color or the best quality for mass produced products. When you can, do not hesitate to get free fabric swatches.
Without fabric samples you are relying on your computer screen to display the perfect color spectrum, which no screen does. Just order the free swatches!
Tip:
Consider choosing a neutral fabric color. A neutral fabric color can further future-proof your purchase. If you choose to update your bedding, throw pillows, curtains, rugs, or decor, a neutral fabric goes with everything.
I ordered 8 different fabric samples before making a final selection to ensure I was confident in what color to go with. A few of the samples I ordered I wasn't quite sure about, but I wanted to see how they looked in our space with the rest of our furnishings.
All of the fabrics for the three different beds are GREENGUARD certified. Basically, they say you may have better indoor air quality than other fabrics that are not certified.
Classic Linen Talc Fabric
After I held the swatches next to our nightstands I painted Benjamin Moore White Dove, and laid it against our rug, I knew the Classic Linen Talc was the one!
You can see how warm Classic Linen Talc (below, far right) is, while also having a nice variation. It is not stark white and it does not have as much yellow in it as Basketweave Ivory (below, far left) or Textured Linen White (below, middle).
Our rug is my absolute favorite! It's the most gorgeous handmade 9' x 12' area rug that I talked about in the How to Make Your Home Cozy post. It is a neutral rug with a muted pattern in an understated color palette in soft tones of beige/natural, blue, and a pinky terracotta like color that is not too pink and not too orange.
The rug is a chameleon, as I've found most Loloi rugs to be. I actually bought this same rug for our living room first and I loved it so much that I ordered a second one for our primary bedroom.
Our nightstands are the same ones I did a Stunning Nightstand Makeover on not once, but a second time when I Refreshed Nightstands with Chic New Hardware.
Tip:
If you plan to paint your walls or change flooring, hold your fabric swatches against those samples to see how they work together. It is much easier to gauge variations in color when they are next together.
Classic Linen Talc also complements our other neutral bedding nicely. I plan to update our throw pillow covers at some point soon.
The lovely tufted blue upholstered end of bed bench (similar) is a recent HomeGoods find that I got for a song.
Be sure to read the post on Tips to get Home Decor on a Budget for more details on why you should be shopping at T.J.Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods stores for the best designer goods at great prices.
Headboard and Box Spring Details
Of the many requirements for an upholstered bed, one of the most crucial to me was that there was little to no gap where the headboard meets the frame. I did not want pillows falling through or unsightly gaps that show the wall behind. Also, interior designers will agree that a large gap can make a bed look cheap.
One of the main reasons I chose the Allis bed is because there is no gap, as the headboard sits on the frame itself.
Since it is a low profile bed, I like that it required a box spring to elevate the mattress even higher off the floor with side rails to conceal it. It was challenging to find a box spring that was 6 ½ inches. The closest I could find was a 7 inch that sits nearly flush with the side rails.
Our 12 inch mattress combined with the 7 inch box spring foundation makes our bed the perfect height overall.
Both the Tilly and Hanson beds have a gap that requires finding the perfect combination of box spring and mattress height to conceal it.
Another factor to consider is the height of the headboard itself. I prefer a taller headboard as a design element. I also like decorative pillows, but I don't want them to block the headboard. Taller is always better, in my opinion.
All three beds are similar at a headboard height of 55 to 56 inches from the floor, just not in actual height as previously mentioned when discussing a gap.
How Easy it it to Assemble?
The ease of assembly was, well, a little complicated. My husband is an engineer, which means he can make anything work. He is an expert at improvising when instructions are vague and that did happen a couple times during the assembly process.
In general, budget 1 to 2 hours to assemble the bed. You will also have better success with two people.
You can also pay to have the bed professionally assembled and let them do the hard work. Be sure to offer the pros water as well as a small snack, such as a granola bar, as a kind gesture.
Cost of Upholstered Beds vs Wood or Other Materials
I believe generalizing upholstered bed frames as more expensive than wood or metal bed frames is no longer true today, if it ever was.
You can find just as many upholstered beds at varying price points as you can wood, metal, or mixed material bed frames. It all comes down to quality of materials and construction.
A semi-custom upholstered bed like Allis, Tilly, or Hanson provides an opportunity for you to make a bed fit with your design aesthetic.
As I always say, you may have to pay more upfront, but you may only have to buy the thing once which means you save more in the end. Higher quality furniture may cost a little more, but if the bed frame is built well, it should last longer.
You will find that the Allis bed is more expensive than either the Tilly or Hanson. Given all of the aforementioned details, I believe it warrants the higher price.
When I purchased the Allis bed it was on a really great sale. I recommend watching for sales - especially around holidays - if budget is a concern. Sign up for emails to get alerts when items you looked at or favorited go on sale.
What are the Cons of Upholstered Beds?
There are very few cons or disadvantages to upholstered beds, in my opinion.
I accept that I won't eat in our bed, so stains are not a concern for me. However, if you have pets or kids, it is worth considering. Of course, with kids it is an opportunity to teach them how to take care of things. With pets, not so much.
Keep these potential disadvantages in mind when shopping for upholstered bed frames:
- Weight - Upholstered bed frames may weigh more than wood or metal beds, though that is not universal. If you want to rearrange your bedroom furniture, you may need help doing so with an upholstered bed. Check the weight of the bed you are considering and decide if you are okay with it. There is only one possible configuration for the bed in our bedroom, which means the overall weight was not a concern for us.
- Stains - Upholstery can require a little more maintenance. The main disadvantage is you may need to spot clean the upholstered fabric if it gets stained. Fabric cleaning products are readily available, just be sure to check the fabric composition for compatibility.
- Dust - Like any bed frame material, you will need to dust and vacuum an upholstered bed. If you are sensitive to that, maybe consider an alternative material or embrace regularly vacuuming to keep up with it. Honestly, you should vacuum it regularly anyway - once a month or so - to keep it dust-bunny free.
In the end, there is no such thing as no maintenance. I believe the long list of advantages of upholstered beds far outweigh any cons.
I am so happy with our upholstered bed! When I make the bed or decorate our nightstands, it makes me grateful for this one small detail that brightens my day!
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