A high rise bed frame is simply a platform bed built with enough leg clearance—usually somewhere between 14 and 18 inches—to turn the space under the mattress into real, usable storage. For 2026, that category has gotten a lot more competitive: manufacturers have leaned into reinforced steel tubing, quieter slat systems, and built-in headboards with shelving, so you no longer have to choose between height and good looks. Below we’ve rounded up the frames we’d actually recommend based on assembly experience, stability under a mattress, and how much bin-and-tote storage they genuinely free up.
Best High Rise Bed Frames for 2026
Zinus Suzanne Metal Platform Bed Frame (16-Inch)
- 16 inches of clearance fits tall bins
- No box spring needed
- Simple bolt-together assembly
- Headboard sold separately
- Metal frame can tick slightly on hard floors without pads
Molblly Tall Metal Platform Bed Frame with Headboard
- Upholstered headboard included
- Reinforced center support bar
- Noise-reducing slat design
- Headboard fabric shows dents from vacuuming over time
- Fitted sheets need deep pockets for the height
Allewie Tall Platform Bed Frame with Storage Headboard
- Storage shelf built into headboard
- Tall clearance for bins and totes
- Sturdy steel frame with minimal flex
- Heavier and bulkier to move once assembled
- Shelf edges show scuffs with rough use
SHA CERLIN Tall Platform Bed Frame with Wingback Headboard
- Upholstered wingback headboard adds a premium look
- Tall enough for standard storage totes
- Good stability once fully assembled
- Assembly takes longer than basic metal frames
- Fabric can attract pet hair
Vecelo Tall Metal Platform Bed Frame
- Affordable relative to clearance height
- Quick, straightforward assembly
- Slat base skips the box spring
- No headboard included
- Basic finish shows wear faster than pricier frames
Walker Edison Tall Wood Platform Bed Frame
- Solid wood aesthetic fits more bedroom styles
- Quiet, sturdy slat support
- Tall clearance for large bins
- Pricier than most metal high rise frames
- Heavier to carry upstairs during setup
Yaheetech Heavy Duty Metal Platform Bed Frame
- Reinforced frame rated for heavier loads
- Tall enough for bins and totes
- Minimal squeaking after months of use
- Bulkier packaging and heavier parts to maneuver
- No headboard included
What Actually Makes a Bed Frame “High Rise”?
There’s no official industry cutoff, but most frames marketed as high rise or tall platform beds sit somewhere between 14 and 18 inches of clearance from the floor to the underside of the slats. That’s noticeably taller than a standard platform bed, which usually clears 6 to 10 inches—enough for a few flat under-bed boxes but not much else. At 14 inches you can comfortably slide in standard rolling storage bins. At 16 to 18 inches, you start to get room for larger totes, luggage, or even a small dog crate tucked underneath.
Why Go Tall Instead of Just Adding a Storage Bed
Dedicated storage bed frames with built-in drawers are great, but they’re bulkier, harder to move, and usually cost more. A tall platform bed gets you similar or greater storage volume using your own bins—which means you can organize, swap, and access things more flexibly, and take the bins with you if you move. It’s also simply easier to clean under a high rise frame than to wrestle with drawer bases.
How to Choose the Right Height
14 Inches: The Practical Middle Ground
This height fits most standard under-bed storage containers and is usually the easiest to get in and out of, especially for shorter sleepers or anyone sharing a room with small kids or pets who need to climb up.
16 to 18 Inches: Maximum Storage, Taller Climb
If you’re storing seasonal items, larger luggage, or want the mattress top to sit closer to sofa height, the extra few inches matter. Just be aware that combined with a thick mattress, an 18-inch frame can put the sleeping surface quite high off the floor—worth considering if you have young kids or anyone with mobility concerns.
Weight Capacity and Slat Support
Because these frames rely entirely on their own legs and slats (no box spring), the quality of that slat system matters more than on a traditional frame. Look for center support legs or a reinforced center rail, especially if the frame will carry two adults or a heavier mattress. Thicker steel tubing and a higher stated weight capacity generally correlate with less flex and fewer squeaks over time, which is one reason we specifically call out weight capacity in the picks above.
Headboard, or No Headboard?
Some tall frames come with an upholstered or built-in-storage headboard, others are sold as a bare frame so you can add your own headboard or lean it against the wall as-is. If you’re tight on nightstand space, a storage-shelf headboard is worth the extra cost. If you already have furniture you like, a plain tall frame keeps things simpler and usually cheaper.
Assembly Realities
Most high rise metal frames go together in 30 to 60 minutes with basic tools, though upholstered wingback or wood-frame styles can take noticeably longer due to headboard attachment and extra hardware. Doing the build in the room where the bed will live is smart, since a fully assembled 16-inch frame is awkward to maneuver through doorways.
| Frame | Approx. Clearance | Headboard Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinus Suzanne 16-Inch | 16 in | No | Maximum storage, minimalist look |
| Molblly Tall with Headboard | 14 in | Yes, upholstered | All-in-one upholstered look |
| Allewie Tall with Storage Headboard | 14–16 in | Yes, with shelf | Bedside storage plus under-bed storage |
| SHA CERLIN Wingback | 14–16 in | Yes, wingback | Hotel-style upholstered design |
| Vecelo Tall Metal | 14 in | No | Budget-friendly tall storage |
| Walker Edison Tall Wood | 14–16 in | No | Solid wood aesthetic |
| Yaheetech Heavy Duty | 14–16 in | No | Heavier sleepers, extra reinforcement |
Care and Longevity Tips
Add felt or rubber pads under metal legs if you’re on hardwood or laminate, since taller frames put more leverage on each leg point and can scuff floors faster than low-profile beds. Recheck bolts after the first month of regular use—slight settling is normal on any bolt-together frame and a five-minute tightening pass keeps squeaks from developing.
Related buying guides
- Bed frame reviews and buying guides
- Best bed frames with storage
- Best platform bed frames
- Canopy bed frames worth considering
- Bed sizes and dimensions guide
- Best mattresses under $500
- How we test beds and frames
Ready to upgrade your bedroom storage?
See current pricing and availability on our top high rise bed frame picks.
Check price on AmazonHow tall does a bed frame need to be to count as high rise?
Most frames marketed as high rise or tall platform beds offer 14 to 18 inches of clearance under the slats, compared to 6 to 10 inches on a standard platform bed.
Can I skip the box spring with a high rise frame?
Yes, nearly all tall platform frames are built with a slat system designed to support a mattress directly, so a box spring isn’t needed and would actually raise the bed even higher.
Will a high rise frame fit under-bed storage bins I already own?
Standard rolling storage bins, roughly 6 to 8 inches tall, fit comfortably under a 14-inch frame, while taller totes or luggage do better under 16 to 18-inch frames.
Are metal or wood high rise frames sturdier?
Both can be sturdy if built with reinforced center support, but metal frames with thicker tubing generally offer higher stated weight capacities, while wood frames tend to run quieter.
Do these frames work with memory foam mattresses?
Yes, the slat spacing on the frames above is designed to support memory foam and hybrid mattresses without sagging between slats.
How long does assembly usually take?
Basic metal high rise frames typically take 30 to 60 minutes with the included tools, while upholstered headboard styles can take an hour or more.
Is a tall bed frame harder to get in and out of?
It can be, especially at 16 to 18 inches combined with a thick mattress, so shorter sleepers or households with young kids may prefer the 14-inch height range.
Do high rise frames need a specific mattress size?
No, they’re built in all standard sizes from twin to king, so mattress size selection works the same as with any platform bed.
Sophie Laurent
Sophie Laurent is TalkBeds' Beds & Bedroom Editor. With more than ten years covering home and furniture, she leads everything on the site that isn't the mattress itself: bed frames, platform beds, headboards, bunk and kids' beds, sizing, and the interiors decisions… Full profile & sources →