If you follow interior design trends, the chances are that you've come across a cloud bed. You might not know it by name, but you'd know it by sight: a platform base combines with plush and puffy upholstery to create a soft and sumptuous bed frame.
With so many cloud beds to choose from, it can be hard to tell the difference between a cheap copy and a quality alternative. That's where I come in. As a sleep writer and a shopping expert, I know where to buy the best bed frames that strike the right balance between comfort and support.
Whether you're shopping for the real thing or a more affordable alternative, I've got all the cloud bed bases covered.
What is a cloud bed?
@beccabeasleyy ♬ sure thing - luana maia
While it's difficult to trace the origins of the design, the first viral cloud bed appears to be the Slipcovered Platform Bed from Restoration Hardware. Its clean lines and soft edges started a TikTok trend and inspired countless imitations. There are similar frames for sale at all the best home retailers, from West Elm to Anthropologie.
Best cloud beds
When you think of a cloud bed, you're probably picturing this frame. Low to the ground and soft to the touch, RH's Cloud Slipcovered Platform Bed might not be the first of its kind, but it's the most famous. Made from kiln-dried hardwood and covered in washed Belgian linen, this frame offers the ideal balance between comfort and support. That said, it's a little high-maintenance, and RH recommend professional upholstery cleaning to keep the frame in good condition.
The Lago Bed tends to retail for around $5,000. It's currently on sale at Arhaus for just under $3,000. Now, don't get me wrong: that's still a lot of money to spend on a bed frame. But when you consider that the RH original costs close to $3,500, this seems like a decent deal on a luxury bed. Plus, you really do get what you pay for: this frame is handcrafted by American artisans from sustainably sourced wood and upholstered with thick layers of dense foam. As cloud beds go, the Lago is easy to maintain. All you need is a cup of water, a dash of mild detergent, and a cloth to clean up spills and stains.
Where most cloud bed frames are characterised by clean lines and tucked edges, the Laurent Bed embraces curves. This frame is upholstered all around with thick layers of foam, hiding the supportive rubberwood legs beneath the base. These legs come with built-in levelers, which provide stability on uneven surfaces. This sort of safety-conscious design is ideal for anyone who lives in a period property and wants to set a cloud bed on uneven floors. Just bear in mind that this bed only comes in one fabric and select size options. If you're shopping for a cloud frame for a smaller mattress, and you don't like the look of chunky melange, you'll be better off shopping elsewhere.
The Dawson Bed offers the same premium look and feel of the original cloud bed, without the premium price tag. That's why it's one of the bestselling bed frames at Castlery. Now, thanks to some clever thinking from the team at Castlery, you can shop the Dawson Storage Bed and get a stylish frame and a storage solution, all in one. Gas-lift hydraulics make it easy to raise the base of the bed and access a spacious storage cavity. You could use the space to store spare linen, towels, or out-of-season clothes, and pull them out again as the weather turns.
The classic cloud bed is covered in thick layers of soft, white foam. Such minimalist frames are made to blend into the background. But if you're shopping for a cloud bed that could make a statement, you might appreciate this plush purple number from Anthropologie. This bold botanical print could tone in with pink and purple color schemes, though it would really pop against a plain wall. Covered in velvet and wrapped around a hardwood frame, the Winnie Bed provides the same plush comfort as a classic cloud.
This bed frame comes in two neutral shades to complement any bedroom color palette, though the pale blue stone is a little too cool for me. I like the look of the upholstery in oat, which feels a little warmer, and tones in well with the bed base. The frame is connected by solid wood slats, as well as a heavy-duty central support bar. That's what makes the Delpha Bed strong enough to bear heavy weights. With a maximum weight capacity of 800 pounds, this cloud bed should be able to support sleepers of all shapes and sizes.
If you're keen on a cloud bed, but you can't quite decide between the classic white or one of the bolder prints and patterns, you don't have to: there are plenty of options somewhere in the middle. Lulu & Georgia's Clayton Platform Bed comes in rich neutral shades that should pop against plain bedding without overwhelming your space. This frame is handcrafted from a unique blend of hardwood and plywood to strike a careful balance between springiness and support. As cloud beds go, the Clayton comes in a wide range of sizes, including Queen and King for smaller spaces and California King for master bedrooms.
This charcoal bed frame could be sculpted from volcanic rock. The rich, dark dye marks a complete departure from the classic cloud bed, while the loops and curls of the bouclé yarn resemble the lumps and bumps of organic materials. The Diana Bed doesn't just look good: it feels good, too. The bouclé upholstery provides touchable texture while hiding thick layers of plush foam to support you while you sleep. The only thing I don't like about this bed frame is the assembly process. You'll have to put the pieces together yourself, though CB2 provide an easy-to-follow instruction guide.
There is no dictionary definition of cloud bed. It's less of an industry term and more of a TikTok hashtag. One common characteristic is that the sides of the bed frame extend beyond the edge of the mattress. The headboard gets less of a look-in, but that's what sets the Ever White Slipcover Bed apart: this bed frame spans an astonishing nine feet across. You could set it against the wall or let it stand in the middle of the room to make a real statement. It might go without saying, but it bears repeating that this super-sized bed frame is less suitable for narrow nooks and smaller spaces.
Best cloud bed FAQs
What is a cloud bed?
A cloud bed is a platform bed frame covered with soft, plush upholstery. Most of these frames extend beyond the edge of the mattress, to create the impression of a bed floating in a cloud. The original cloud bed comes from Restoration Hardware, but you can find imitations and alternatives at stores such as Crate & Barrel, Arhaus, and West Elm.
How much is a cloud bed?
It's hard to put a price on a cloud bed. You'd have to pay a few thousand dollars to get the real thing from Restoration Hardware, and even the most budget-friendly imitations aren't cheap, either.
Before you buy a cloud bed, you should ask yourself whether you really want one, or if you've been swept up by the social media hype. These beds won't be in fashion forever, and they feature a few design quirks that make them less suitable for certain sleepers. If you suffer from bad knees or back pain, you might struggle to get in and out of such a low bed. That's why I wouldn't recommend a cloud bed to sleepers with mobility issues or chronic pain.
Final thoughts
If you know you need a new bed frame, but you can't decide between a cloud bed, a classic bedstead, or something in between, then you're in luck: we've laid out all the pros and cons of bed frame types to help you find the frame that suits your space.
