Let’s Talk About the BDSM Cross & Other Fetish Furniture

Fetish furniture adds a physical, visual element to kink that can make scenes feel more intentional, immersive, and structured. Pieces like the BDSM cross aren’t just about restraint — they’re designed to support positioning, access, and power exchange in a way that feels controlled and consensual. If you’re curious about how these items are actually used (beyond what you’ve seen online), Sofia Gray is a solid place to explore kink topics with real-world context.

In this article, we’ll break down what a BDSM cross is, how it compares to other types of fetish furniture, and what people use these setups for in practice. We’ll also cover safety basics, space considerations, and how furniture fits into different dynamics, connecting it to a wider range of kinks and fetishes so you can understand where furniture-based play sits alongside bondage, impact play, and power exchange.

What is fetish furniture?

We’ve talked about sex furniture before. What is sex furniture? It’s really any kind of furniture that was built to aid in a sexual experience. This can be anything from a sex swing to a couch with curves designed to hug your body in all the right ways and make it easier to achieve orgasm. 

I wrote about sex furniture back when I was a Sofia Gray newbie, and at the time, I was a bit spooked. It seems so daunting, and having furniture in your home specifically designed for sex seems overwhelming for a casual kinkster such as myself. 

For me, it felt a bit bold, to splurge on a staple piece of furniture that is specifically designed (and likely very obviously so) for sex. While I haven’t bought any of those pieces myself, I am slowly coming to the realization that sex furniture is quite normal in BDSM circles and it doesn’t have to be as “in your face” as a sex swing hanging from the doorframe to your bedroom would be. In fact, many of these pieces are designed to look like other things (including a really cool BDSM cross made to look like a plant pedestal, but I’ll get into that later). 

A quick TLDR breakdown of that sex furniture post: 

• Sex chairs and sofas are beautiful. Expensive, but so very worthwhile, from what I’ve read. From the Tantra to the Adela to chairs made for mustache riding...there’s just so many fun options. 
• Sex pillows and wedges make things so much easier. A simple wedge or properly shaped pillow under your hips can do wonders for spicing up sex positions and getting just the right angle! There are even pillows that have specific holders for dildos...yes, please! 
• Sex swings and gliders aren’t as daunting as they seem. Sex swings are actually fairly inexpensive and very user-friendly. If you’re feeling more adventurous and have a bit more experience, sex gliders are fun! 
• Bondage benches are so popular, even celebrities are caught buying them. They can be adjustable, come with shackles, they’re portable...what’s not to love?
• I said it once and I’ll say it again - I really want a coffee table cage. It’s so...innocent, at first glance. That’s the thing about sex furniture - it’s not always obvious statement pieces. 

What’s the difference between sex furniture and fetish furniture?
Well, a piece of sex furniture may be the Tantra Chair. This is a chair specifically designed to make sex more comfortable and fun. A piece of fetish furniture, on the other hand, could be something like the queening chair, which is specific for a certain sex act or fetish. 

What is the BDSM cross?

A BDSM cross (sometimes referred to as a bondage cross and most commonly referred to as a St. Andrew’s cross) is an “X” shape piece of furniture that is often used in the BDSM community for securing people in place (for all sorts of fun things). 

It’s one of the most recognizable pieces of kink furniture around. It’s also known for being one of the more “user-friendly” (larger) pieces of kink furniture you can experiment with. These crosses are typically made from wood, but there are also steel versions or crosses that are made from wood and then wrapped with something more appealing like leather or faux leather.

A brief history...who was St. Andrew? 
The name and structure of this symbol came from a Christian symbol. St. Andrew, in the bible, was a fisherman. He was brother to Simon, who Jesus would later call Peter. St. Andrew was among the first of the people to be called a disciple of Jesus and he played an important role as an Apostle. He was believed to have witnessed the Ressurection of Christ. 

So...what does all of this have to do with kink? Absolutely nothing. St. Andrew’s Cross is just the name for this type of shape. It was said that St. Andrew insisted he was not worthy enough to be crucified on the same kind of cross as Jesus was, so he was put to death on a cross that was shaped like an X (instead of the typical T-shaped cross). 

While this type of cross is called a saltire, no one really knows it by that name - so it’s most commonly referred to as the St. Andrew’s Cross, even in BDSM circles.

How do you use a BDSM cross? 

There are lots of different ways you can use this piece of furniture. Some of the more common uses for BDSM crosses include things like…

Dominance/submission roleplays. Likely one of the most common reasons people invest in a BDSM cross is to amplify a D/s dynamic. Having your submissive bound to a cross while you tease or torture them (pick your flavor), can heighten the experience for everyone involved.

Overstimulation. Forced orgasms are a type of kink that goes really well with this, as the person would likely be restrained by either their wrists or ankles (or both) to the cross, ready for you to please them at your will. 

Teasing. One of the best things about the BDSM cross is that your partner is almost entirely at your disposal. Their most intimate parts on display for you to tease and please however you’d like. Want to add an extra layer of anticipation? Blindfold your partner and tease them - they’ll never know where the next kiss, bite, or pang of pleasure will be coming. 

Impact play. Floggers, whips, paddles, and hands can be used to spank, slap, and torture your partner when they are tied up to the cross. 

Rope or bondage play. Rope and bondage play are also very popular games that can be played specifically with the cross, as you can tie different knots and use the cross to bind your partner in place. 

Can you make a BDSM cross yourself? 
After some (okay, a lot) of research, I finally have an answer to this question. You can, but it’s going to be much easier to just buy one. 

If you have experience in construction and/or kink crafting, it’s quite possible to build your own BDSM cross. However, if you’re not particularly experienced in big construction or building furniture, there’s a lot that can go wrong. 

Why should I indulge in a BDSM cross?
I’m not going to lie - I don’t have one, nor do I think I’ll ever own one. Why? The main reason is that I am not someone who really, really enjoys bondage and teasing/torture. If I were to spring for a piece of BDSM furniture it would more likely be a kind of sex swing or BDSM bench. However, there are many reasons why someone would purchase a BDSM cross. 

One of the best things about this cross, according to BDSM Secrets of the Kink, is how easily balanced, portable, and supportive it is. When you put someone on this cross, their midsection naturally lines up with the center of the cross, which supports the person’s core with arms and legs outstretched. The rest of the body is fully supported which means you can stay on the cross for longer periods of time without becoming too uncomfortable. 

The other bonus is that, compared to a T style cross, the X naturally allows for easier access to all the fun parts of your partner’s body. 

Best BDSM crosses to buy…

Are you looking into buying a BDSM cross but really have nowhere to start? I’ve scoured the web and put together a list of some of the most well-reviewed BDSM crosses around. 

But first...the question on everyone’s mind: how much does a BDSM cross cost? 
When you’re looking into buying something rather large (a staple piece for your playroom, for example), you should expect a bit of a higher price tag. BDSM crosses typically range from $600 - $2500+, depending on how customizable you go and which materials you would like incorporated into the build. For example, some people prefer a wooden cross padded with real leather, which will naturally cost a bit more. 

Portable St. Andrews Cross by Brutal Passion
This 4.9/5 star reviewed BDSM cross available on Etsy looks stunning. According to the crafters, each cross is constructed of hand-selected pine and/or birch wood and then finished using parable poly stains and enamel pain to meet your specs. The cross is very solid but also breaks down into several pieces to be easily moved or tucked away. D-rings are installed on all four legs, but the crafters are very open to customizing attachment points however you please. 

St. Andrew’s Cross (Wall Mounted) by Saxon Dungeon Furniture
Saxon Dungeon Furniture became popular when featured in this Vice article. Why? Because Simon (the carpenter behind the company) builds custom fetish furniture. This includes bondage chairs, straddles, tables, and yes, crosses. This cross in particular is available to be customized and is also available in a free-standing version. 

Triangle St. Andrew’s Cross by The Stockroom 
The “triangle” cross has an extra piece along the top, connecting the two parts of the X, allowing for more play options (more places to restrain your partner). This freestanding cross is made-to-order, which means it’s constructed from scratch when you order it, making it truly one of a kind. This cross has multiple welded attachment points, a low-luster powder finish, and high functionality. The dark finish on the wood is just beautiful! 

New St. Andrew’s Cross by The Stockroom 
This cross is coated with a sleek, attractive-looking vinyl finish, making it very easy to clean and maintain. It’s also freestanding, which means no wall mounting and very easy to take down and put away when you need to. Special toe cutouts make it possible for your submissive to keep their balance during playtime and there are multiple welded attachment points. 

Saint Andrew’s Cross by BDSM Gear
This completely freestanding BDSM cross has a square-shaped base, meaning it can stand on its own and hold quite a bit of weight, at that. The solid base has a footboard, meaning you can slide it across the floor without it leaving any marks, too! The cross comes fit with an adjustable and removable headrest and has 24 bondage points. The cushion material is available in leather or high-quality vinyl.

The St. Andrew’s Cross by Fetish Furniture 
This is perhaps one of the most interesting crosses I’ve come across (bad pun intended) in my search. This cross is actually designed to look like a pedestal (on which you can rest a plant, for example). Then, you can unfold it up into a cross shape to use as a BDSM cross. When it’s in the “pedestal” position, you can hardly even believe it’s the same piece of furniture! Fetish Furniture is known for its top-quality pieces and incorporating the BDSM cross into something as simple and discrete as this...just unbelievable. 

The Modern Bondage Cross by BDSMarchitecture 
This is a modern take on the clunkier, heavier crosses, and is great for beginners. It’s portable and contemporary. This cross is made of light metal, and at just 8kg, you can pick it up and carry it wherever you need it to be (including hiding it when it’s time for guests to come over for book club)! 

BDSM cross tips and safety

Although this cross looks daunting, it can be used in a ton of fun, simple and easy ways. Before that happens, though - let’s talk about safety. 

Talk about how you will use it (and even do a “practice run”) before engaging in playtime together with the cross. 
As with any new thing being added to your sex life, it may take a few trials to get used to this, especially as it’s a giant piece of furniture that you’re incorporating into your fun. After setting it up, why not have a conversation about how you plan to use it (even doing a few roleplaying scenarios as a practice run), so you both can get used to how the scene will play out once the time is right. 

Positioning the cross so it won’t move. 
You can either have the cross positioned and fixed to a wall, or if this isn’t an option (you’re renting or just don’t want to leave it up all the time and would rather tuck it away when guests come over), you can also have your partner use it while it’s lying flat on the ground. 

If you’d rather use it upright and don’t want to attach it to your wall, there are horizontal bases or vertical stands that you can buy separately to hold the cross in place properly. If you chose to do it this way, you still need to pay attention to how much the person tied up is squirming and moving around. 

Agree on safe words and safe gestures before starting, as always. 
Before playtime happens, the safeword conversation needs to happen. Agreeing on safewords (or gestures, if your submissive’s mouth is planning to be otherwise occupied) is always a good first step when incorporating something new into your sex life. 

Allow for plenty of room. 
Obviously, this thing is large. Not so obviously, it may require even more room than that for you to engage with your submissive while they are bound to it. Allow for ample room for impact play, teasing, etc. 

Always sterilize and clean your cross before and after each use, regardless of how many people are using it. 
Keeping things clean and pristine is just in everyone’s best interest. Wipe down your cross before using it and clean properly after each use to ensure that it stays in good condition and that it’s safe for each use.

Some fun toys to use with your BDSM cross: 

• This bamboo spanking paddle to spank your submissive, when they’ve been naughty.
• A Wartenburg pinwheel for sensory play.
• Low-temperature candles for restrained wax play. 
• A blindfold, so your lover has no idea what’s going to happen next. 
• A magic wand for those amazing forced pleasure sessions. 
• A riding crop or whip for impact play.
• A ball gag to silence your drooling submissive.  
• Nipple clamps for some added stimulation. 
• Rope for bondage play.

Some fetish furniture honorable mentions...

While the BDSM cross is definitely high on the fetish furniture list, there are a few other gems I’ve found in my research that I just have to point out. 

The Tau Chair 
This classic chair is used for seated restriction of your partner. It keeps their knees wide apart (for easy access) and their arms outstretched. Think of it like a seated St. Andrew’s Cross - you have all the same access, but your partner is sitting instead of standing. This is a great alternative choice is a large cross is a bit out of reach for your circumstances. 

Bondage Chair 
This bondage chair can be used in so many different ways, and can even be customized. With attached cuffs and holes in all the right places, you’ll have unlimited access to your submissive, while they remain comfortably seated. 

Spanking Bench 
This particular spanking bench caught my eye because of its modern design. Your partner knees, placing their torso along the front of the slanted bench. This allows their hips to be at a natural incline, which is optimal for doggy-style positions and lots of spanking fun. 

The Dore Alley Dungeon Bed
I know what you’re thinking: I can’t have a bed that looks like sex furniture. But here’s the thing...this bed really doesn’t! I had to include this bed on the list for two reasons: it’s stunning, and you can use it for lots of sexy things without it being overtly obvious that it’s designed for that. “Timeless style and elegance, and at the drop of a hat, becomes your own personal dungeon”...yes, please! 

BDSM crosses aren’t just for dungeons, anymore

While you may immediately associate sex furniture like the BDSM cross with a playroom or dungeon, the modern truth is that these things are becoming more popular (and more easily incorporated into the average Jane and John’s sex life). 

No longer are crosses, benches, swings, and sex chairs relegated to people who can afford entire rooms dedicated to sex. In fact, many of these BDSM crosses are designed to be taken apart or moved when necessary. These things are becoming more user-friendly, adjustable, compact, and available for anyone who wants to give them a try.