I forgot to add ONE HUGE DETAIL!!! The mattress height from the top of the mattress to the floor is 29" with a steel frame that is 8" from the floor. Boxspring is 9", mattress is 12." So the bottom of the bottom of the mattress sits 8" from the floor. Most complete beds with a head and footboard are 10+" from the bottom of the boxspring. I would be adding at least two additionalinches to the bed height! That is my DILEMMA! This is what happens when I peruse the forum prior to having my morning coffee!!! Sorry I inadvertently left out this big detail. That is the reason I do not think I can use a foot-board. I don't want a step stool (or ladder -haha) to get into the bed! I know the style of bed I want, but the challenges lies in trying to find that bed with a frame that is less than 10" from the floor.

I have one from Room & Board, purchased several years ago (I'll link to the one I have -- the headboard extends 27-28 inches from the top of the mattress, which is 1 mattress, not a mattress+boxspring, because this is a platform bed w/metal slats). I don't like a lot of throw pillows on the bed, but I do love my 2 Euro shams there that coordinate with my comforter, and those shams give me a little more cushioning in the back when I'm sitting up using my laptop or reading. Plus, if I thought I'd stain them with anything, they're a layer of protection. But quite honestly, I don't think that's ever been an issue. If you think there might be, you can always spray a fabric protector on it (all over on the upholstered parts, not just the headboard). I'd also be smart about which fabric you chose -- even touching the samples will tell you which need to be baby'd and which are tougher. By the way, I use a vacuum cleaner tool to "dust" the fabric when I need to, so a light cotton upholstery probably would be a bad choice. Here is a link that might be useful: R&B's Ella bed

I forgot to add ONE HUGE DETAIL!!! The mattress height from the top of the mattress to the floor is 29" with a steel frame that is 8" from the floor. Boxspring is 9", mattress is 12." So the bottom of the bottom of the mattress sits 8" from the floor. Most complete beds with a head and footboard are 10+" from the bottom of the boxspring. I would be adding at least two additionalinches to the bed height! That is my DILEMMA! This is what happens when I peruse the forum prior to having my morning coffee!!! Sorry I inadvertently left out this big detail. That is the reason I do not think I can use a foot-board. I don't want a step stool (or ladder -haha) to get into the bed! I know the style of bed I want, but the challenges lies in trying to find that bed with a frame that is less than 10" from the floor.

Perhaps the most invalid analogy ever: "It's like when a soccer mom with 5 kids goes into a car dealership and the salesman keeps trying to sell her sport's cars when she keeps telling him she wants a mini van". More accurate analogy: It's like when a soccer mom with 5 kids goes into a car dealership and the salesman keeps trying to sell her sport's cars when she keeps telling him she wants a mini van. but she wants it to look like a sports car, get the mileage of a Prius, the longevity of a Volvo, the ten year warranty included..... for the price of a used Chevy compact,. The other difference is she may have the "good grace" to realize it's not possible. Politely stated, the above beds are West Elm and Ethan Allen respectively. I would suggest jumping by kiddies on either is not a great idea, and both will be in the vicinity of a grand. They will not jiggle as they are the entire bed, versus a headboard bolted to a hollywood frame. I would suggest the first, to avoid the "matchy matchy" which is to drown a room in dark brown furniture, in this case a dresser, two side tables and bed, all the same. The warm golden tone far more updated , especially in consideration with green......... I'll politely suggest a hardware change on the brown furniture should that be an issue.