After spending months researching alternatives to a bed frame I stumbled across universal Bede’s at us-mattress.com. With all my research, how had I never seen them before? Here’s their description:

Are you tired of metal bed frames limiting the space underneath your bed? I don’t blame you! Here’s a tip – get rid of that metal frame and experience the new generation of mattress support! These bed legs are made from 100% recycled plastic and are available in four different heights so you can customize the amount of storage space under your bed.

The Universal Bedlegs System easily attaches to the box spring utilizing two components: the threaded base plate and the bed leg. The threaded base plate installs directly onto the box spring and the leg simply screws into the threaded area of the base plate to complete the installation. Once the base plate is secured to the box spring using a power screwdriver, you can easily resize the height of your bed without any tools by simply attaching a different size leg. Please note that this system only works with box springs that have a wooden center support and 2.25″ wood sides. This product is not compatible with box springs that have metal center supports.
• Made from 100% recycled plastic
• Available in four heights: 3″, 5″, 7′ and 10″
• Optional headboard brackets will accommodate most headboards
Includes:
Twin: 6 Threaded Leg Stems, 6 Base Plates, 24 Philips head screws
Full: 9 Threaded Leg Stems, 9 Base Plates, 36 Philips head screws
Queen: 9 Threaded Leg Stems, 9 Base Plates, 36 Philips head screws
King: 12 Threaded Leg Stems, 12 Base Plates, 48 Philips head screws

They are also available on Amazon in more colors and at $60. I wanted black so I went with the cheaper price. The 7” queen set was $55 and free shipping so I ordered them.

I had seen other furniture legs online, but they were at least $8-10 each and needing 8-9 of them I didn’t  really want to spend $100 just for legs. $55 seemed pretty reasonable for what I thought were metal legs.

What I failed to note and was shocked to discover when the package arrived is the product is made of plastic. Didn’t read very closely, did I? The pictures looked metal, I thought metal, and didn’t see plastic. I mean – who would support a bed on plastic brackets and legs?? Apparently I would since I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t want a heavy wood frame, I didn’t want to eliminate the box spring with a platform in humid Florida (I think the mattress needs to breathe), and I was sick to death of bed frames and bed skirts and was ready for a totally different look.

Installation and reinforcement

I leaned the mattress and box spring against the wall and disassembled the bed frame that was heading to the spare bedroom. Less than a year old and the fiber cover was already loose a quarter of the way around the box spring. I put the box spring on the floor bottom side up and since the fiber cover was already so loose I removed it from 3 sides.

I examined the structure and was appalled. Knotty 1 x 3’s – knots are always weak spots. I thought paying almost $1000 for a mattress and box spring would get me something fairly decent. Considering I had to do a warranty claim on the original mattress because it broke down so badly and these were new replacement pieces less than a year old and clearly not of good quality, I guess you have to pay a lot more. Lesson for next time.

I ran to HD and bought 1 x 4’s to add some strength to the frame since I was taking the metal support away. I glued and screwed the boards in. I hoped this would add a little strength to the frame. I stapled the fiber covering back in place, ran a row of binding tape down the center and stapled that so the fiber wouldn’t sag in the middle.

Before installing the leg brackets I figured out the best placement and cut away padding so they would fit flat against the frame. Each bracket installs with 4 screws. When they were installed I added adhesive back Velcro hook around the entire bottom edge of the box spring and stapled it down. I planned to have Velcro loop on the edge of whatever bedskirts I make so they can be easily changed. I didn’t want to permanently “upholster” it and be stuck with the same color all the time – this way I will be able to change it out.

Flipping it over

The installation instructions tell you to have 2 people to flip the mattress over so you don’t snap off the legs on one side. I got around this by putting the box spring up on 8” boxes. When I went to lay the mattress on the floor one edge was caught on the boxes so it was 1” off the floor. Then it was just a simple matter of lifting the edge of the box spring to remove the boxes. No broken legs (mine or the bed) and only one person to flip it.

The jury is out

I have no idea if these legs are going to work long-term, but I’m going to give them a try. I have considerable concern about my crappy box spring with no metal support for it, which is no fault of the legs. I don’t know if I’ll slide the bed and a leg will end up breaking off since they’re plastic, although the bed does slide fairly easily across the carpet. I don’t know if I’ll stub my toes on the legs and end up hating where they’re place.

So far there are no suspicious noises from the bed frame – no creaking or cracking sounds, thank heaven, but I sure won’t put it to the test by jumping up and down on the bed. Hopefully 9 legs under the bed will adequately support the spring, mattress, and me.

I do know I love the look with NO BED SKIRT. The legs don’t look obviously plastic. I like the black with the barnwood headboard. I want a plain white coverlet and pillow shams and then a bunch of coastal pillows on the bed. I’m still totally undecided about the color for the fabric cover for the box spring, but I’ll figure it out. I may have to get everything else in place before the right color become apparent to me.

I may make 6” rolling drawers and paint them the same color as the headboard for storage under the bed.

I will post a follow-up in a few months about how the legs and frame are holding up.