Even the smallest bed, such as a twin or a crib mattress, needs a frame. The bigger the mattress, the more likely it is to have a center support rail running lengthwise or crosswise to provide additional support. Some bed frames have wooden slats, especially if the mattress rests directly on the frame, as is the case with platform beds.

Frames may be very plain, in which case they’re designed to be hidden, tucked away under the bedding or a bedskirt. Other types may be functional furniture, with a headboard, a footboard, and sometimes storage drawers built in.

Most frequently, they are made of metal, wood, or brass. Several elements are common to the design of all frames. They will have four legs, two at the top of the bed and two at the bottom. The support structure is usually a shelf with a 90 degree angle for the mattress to sit on. If a headboard is attached, then it will be bolted on to the frame at the head. The footboard will be bolted on to the frame at the foot.

Bed posts are decorative elements that attach to the four corners of the bed and extend up in the air, sometimes as high as five feet. Canopy beds rely on the bed posts to support a fabric umbrella that covers and encloses the sleeping area. The exposed pieces can be made more attractive with varnishes, paints, or fabric coverings. Antique wooden bed frames often have ornate, one-of-a-kind designs.

Brass beds have been around since the turn of the century. Originally made of a brass alloy that needed polishing, today’s design are more likely to be a brass plating, which is lighter and less expensive but also require less maintenance.

Iron beds can be found in antique shops all over the country. Once a bastion of America’s steel industry, they’re getting harder to find as furniture makers switch over to lighter metals. Metal bed frames can be enameled in just about any color, including matte finishes, glossy, and metallic sparkle.

Always buy a waterbed sheet set. Don’t try to use regular bed sheets on your waterbed. A waterbed is generally 84 inches long, which is longer than even a normal king size innerspring mattress. The only type of bed sheet that has even a remote chance of fitting on your waterbed is a California king size, but even this size of regular bed sheet lacks the special features found on a waterbed sheet.

The unique construction of these sheets help them stay in place at night while you sleep, and they help make making your bed and changing the sheets go faster and easier. This is true whether you have a wooden hard side waterbed frame, or a soft sided frame.

One thing that’s special about them is that the top flat sheet and fitted bottom sheet are sewn together at the bottoms. Some designs are also sewn together up to the center sides. This forms an envelope that keeps the sheets paired, while still leaving you plenty of room to get into and out of bed.

A second special feature is called the pole sheet. These have a casing in each corner of the fitted sheet that holds a short pole. When you change your bedding, you slip the pole through the casing and into the wood frame. This holds the fitted sheet in place at all times.

Many waterbed sheets also have fitted flaps that you can tuck way under the mattress, which helps them stay in place.

When shopping for bedding, be sure to look for a high thread count design made from 100 percent Egyptian cotton, or a cotton/polyester blend with a high amount of cotton and a low amount of polyester. Cotton flannel designs are great in the wintertime for extra warmth. For an extra luxurious feel, or for special overnight guests, look for silk waterbed sheets. These make sleeping a pure delight. Your only problem will be convicing yourself to leave your bed in the morning.

When washing them, don’t use hot water. It’s better to machine wash warm and dry them on medium-low temperature setting for no longer than it takes to get them dry. Never hang a colored sheet on the clothesline in direct sunlight, or the colors will fade.