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Short answer
An upholstered bed frame gets less wear than a sofa, except along the edges people sit on and the headboard they lean against. A velvet or tight textured weave of about 15,000 to 25,000 Martindale rubs suits most beds; choose higher with pets. Mid-tones hide marks, and removable covers or panels make cleaning far easier.
Where does a bed frame wear?
| Part | Wear | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Headboard | Heads, hair oil and hands | Mid-tone, cleanable; see How to Clean a Fabric Headboard |
| Side and foot rails | Sitting, legs and vacuum cleaners | Higher rub count; tight weave |
| Divan base | Little, apart from the corners | Any upholstery fabric |
| Bed skirt or valance | Dust and feet | Washable, removable |
Which fabric is best for a bed frame?
- Velvet: rich and soft; a dense, short pile wears well. VELVET and CINEMA are about 280 gsm and rated at 20,000 rubs; YarnGuard PURIFY and REPEL are about 450 gsm and rated at 40,000.
- Textured weaves: hide marks and suit modern and Japandi bedrooms. BLAKE, MARC and VELA are rated at 40,000 rubs.
- Jacquards: for a hotel-style headboard; MERCATO herringbone is rated at 20,000 rubs.
- Avoid loose boucle and open weaves where cats sleep. See Pet-Friendly Sofa Fabric.
What about humidity and dust?
Bed frames sit against walls in air-conditioned rooms. Leave a small gap from damp walls, vacuum the frame monthly, and choose polyester, which absorbs little moisture and resists mould. For allergy sufferers, smooth, tight weaves trap less dust than deep piles. See Allergy-Friendly Curtains and Upholstery.
Which colours work?
Mid-tones such as greige, taupe, stone, sage and slate hide everyday marks; very pale fabrics show hair-oil patches on the headboard. Match or tone the bed with the curtains for a calm, hotel-style room. See How to Create a Hotel-Style Bedroom and Sofa Fabric Colours That Hide Dirt.
Frequently asked questions
What fabric is best for an upholstered bed?
A dense velvet or tight textured weave of about 15,000 to 25,000 rubs, or more with pets, in a mid-tone.
Is a velvet bed frame practical?
Yes, if it is a dense, short-pile polyester velvet. Vacuum it regularly and brush the pile.
How do I clean an upholstered bed frame?
Check the cleaning code, vacuum monthly, and blot marks with a barely damp cloth. Call a professional for large stains.
Are upholstered beds bad for allergies?
Not if vacuumed regularly. Smooth, tight weaves trap less dust than deep piles.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.