A Guide To Nomad Furniture Premium Options

Last updated: May 2026

Nomad Furniture is a fantastic manufacturer of well-built, affordable, natural platform bed frames. In addition to the features that come standard with each bed frame, Nomad offers a variety of "Premium Options" to customize your platform bed. These options can help accommodate specific mattress manufacturer requirements, provide extra support when needed, and customize the look of your bed frame. With so many premium options available, we know it can get confusing — so here's a complete guide to what each upgrade does and when you might want it.

Premium Rails

Nomad platform bed frames come standard with 3¼" side and footboard rails. If you choose the premium rails option, this upgrades both the side rails and footboard rails to 5¾". There are two main reasons you might want premium rails:

• Sturdier construction. Premium rails increase the strength of the bed frame by increasing the load-bearing surface between the legs and the rails (where the hardware sits when you assemble the bed). The result is a noticeably more solid frame.
• Cleaner aesthetics. The look of the bed frame changes with premium rails. With standard rails, the side rails sit slightly higher than the footboard rail. With premium rails, there's a continuous line between the side rails and the footboard, so all four sides line up on the same plane around the perimeter of the bed.

Slat Upgrades

All Nomad frames come with wooden slats. The distance between each slat is called slat spacing; standard slat spacing for Nomad frames is 3⅛". You may want to upgrade to a smaller slat spacing for one of two reasons: to create a firmer foundation for your mattress, or to meet your mattress manufacturer's requirements.

Most standard innerspring mattresses work fine with the standard 3⅛" spacing. However, for a mattress with no inherent rigid structure — like memory foam or natural latex — the slats themselves provide the structural support. If you placed a memory foam or latex mattress on slats spaced 6" apart, the foam would dip down between the slats and create a wavy surface.

Here's a quick guide to which spacing to choose for each mattress type:

• Memory foam mattresses: Need an almost-solid surface. Choose the ½" slat spacing upgrade. (Note: we don't sell memory foam mattresses at The Natural Sleep Store, but this is the industry guidance.)
• Natural latex mattresses: Need slats spaced between 1½" and 3" apart. Choose the 1⅝" slat spacing upgrade.
• Pocketed coil mattresses: Often have specific spacing requirements depending on the diameter of the support coils. Manufacturers don't want individual coils pressing down between slats, which can damage the mattress. Check with your mattress manufacturer for the recommended spacing.
• Standard innerspring mattresses: The default 3⅛" spacing is usually fine.

Headboard Gap

On Nomad platform bed frames, the standard space from the top of the slats to the bottom of the headboard is 6 inches. Depending on how thick your mattress is, your mattress might cover up some of the headboard, making less of it visible.

For example, if your mattress is 6" thick, the top of the mattress comes up right where the headboard panel starts. But if your mattress is 14" thick, it will cover up 8" of the headboard. Depending on the height of the headboard panel itself, this could obscure a significant amount of decorative detail.

For example, with a 20" headboard panel (like the Mesa or Sedona), a 14" mattress would only leave 12" of the panel visible above the mattress. If you want to see more of the headboard, you can choose a 3", 7", or 10" larger headboard gap.

Nomad Headboard Panel Heights by Model

• 20" panel height: Mesa and Sedona
• 13" panel height: Santa Cruz
• 5" crosspiece: Santa Fe
• Pinon and Pecos: Pinon and Pecos feature minimal/linear headboards — contact us for headboard gap guidance on these models.

Taller Frame Option

The height of a mattress on a platform bed is typically lower than a traditional mattress and box spring setup. If you have a hard time getting in and out of bed, or simply prefer a higher profile aesthetically, the taller frame option may be for you.

The slats on standard Nomad frames sit at 12 inches, so add 12" to the depth of your mattress to find out how tall your mattress will sit once placed on the frame. Nomad offers a 3" leg height increase to bring the overall mattress height up to something closer to a traditional bed.

As a custom option, Nomad can also trim the legs shorter if you'd prefer your bed closer to the ground. This is especially popular for kids' beds. This option isn't available online, so please contact us to order.

Y Supports

Y supports are additional legs that connect to the existing center supports of your Nomad frame. You'd add this option if your mattress manufacturer requires a center leg that touches the ground, which is common for heavier mattresses or larger sizes (especially King and California King). Some shoppers also add Y supports proactively if their mattress is unusually heavy or if they want extra long-term peace of mind on the frame's structural integrity.

Footboard Option

The standard Nomad footboard is a continuation of the side rails — a single board that wraps around the foot of the bed. On some Nomad bed frames, you can upgrade to a footboard that aesthetically matches the headboard, with the same decorative detailing or paneling. Call or email us for pricing and to order. 1-866-663-0859

Daybed Option

For some Nomad platform bed frames, you can upgrade to a daybed configuration. In a daybed setup, both ends (the headboard and footboard) are at the same 28-inch height, creating a symmetrical look that doubles as bench-style seating. Please call or email us for pricing and to order. 1-866-663-0859

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard slat spacing on a Nomad bed?

Standard slat spacing on all Nomad frames is 3⅛ inches. You can upgrade to ½" spacing (for memory foam) or 1⅝" spacing (recommended for natural latex mattresses).

Do I need premium rails on my Nomad bed frame?

You don't need premium rails for the frame to function correctly. They're an upgrade that adds extra strength and a cleaner aesthetic where the side rails and footboard rail line up on the same plane. Most shoppers who want a more polished look or extra structural reassurance go with premium rails.

What's the difference between standard and premium rails dimensionally?

Standard rails are 3¼" tall. Premium rails are 5¾" tall — a significant increase in load-bearing surface where the hardware connects between the legs and the rails.

How do I know if I need Y supports?

Check with your mattress manufacturer. If they require a center leg touching the ground (common for heavier latex or king-size mattresses), add Y supports. If you're using a typical innerspring or natural latex queen, the standard center support is usually sufficient.

Can I order custom Nomad bed frame configurations?

Yes. While many premium options are available online, custom configurations (like shorter legs for kids' rooms, daybed conversions, or matching footboard upgrades) require a phone call or email. Reach us at 1-866-663-0859 or sales@thenaturalsleepstore.com.

Browse Nomad Furniture Platform Beds

Ready to find your perfect Nomad platform bed? Explore our full collection of Nomad Furniture bed frames at The Natural Sleep Store. For help choosing the right premium options for your mattress and bedroom, give us a call at 1-866-663-0859 or email us — we'd love to help.