You’re lying in bed scrolling through bed frames at midnight — the worst possible time to make a furniture decision, but also when most people end up doing it. Oak looks warm but heavy. Metal is cheap but will it squeak? Upholstered looks gorgeous in the showroom photo but what happens when the kids spill juice on it? Each material has genuine trade-offs, and the right answer depends on your bedroom, your budget, and how long you want it to last.
In This Article
- The Three Materials at a Glance
- Wooden Bed Frames
- Metal Bed Frames
- Upholstered Bed Frames
- Head-to-Head Comparison
- Which Material Suits Your Bedroom
- Mattress Compatibility
- Assembly and Weight
- Durability and Lifespan
- Where to Buy in the UK
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Three Materials at a Glance
Wooden Frames
The classic choice. Solid timber or engineered wood in styles from Scandinavian minimal to farmhouse rustic. Prices range from about £150 for a basic pine frame to £1,000+ for solid oak or walnut.
Metal Frames
From simple platform bases to ornate Victorian-style iron bedsteads. The most affordable option — decent metal frames start at about £80-120 for a double.
Upholstered Frames
Fabric or faux leather stretched over a padded wooden frame. The most visually impactful option and the one that’s exploded in popularity over the past five years. Prices from about £200 to £1,500+ depending on fabric and size.
Wooden Bed Frames
The Appeal
Wood brings warmth to a bedroom in a way that metal and fabric don’t. A well-made oak or walnut frame has presence — it anchors the room and gives everything else a reference point. After six years with a solid oak frame from John Lewis, the thing looks better than when I bought it. The colour has deepened and the grain has become more pronounced.
Types of Wood
- Solid oak — heavy, durable, beautiful grain, expensive. Expect to pay £400-800+ for a double. Worth it if you’re buying for a decade
- Solid pine — lighter, softer, cheaper. About £150-300 for a double. Dents more easily but takes paint and stain well if you want to customise
- Walnut — dark, rich, statement piece. £500-1,000+ for a double. Less common in UK retailers but available from Made.com and Habitat
- Engineered wood / MDF — the budget option. Looks like wood but it’s compressed fibres with a veneer or laminate surface. About £100-200. Won’t last as long and can swell in damp bedrooms
- Bamboo — sustainable, surprisingly strong, modern aesthetic. About £300-500. Limited UK availability but growing
Pros
- Longevity — a solid wood frame can last 15-20+ years with zero maintenance
- Aesthetic range — natural, painted, stained, or left raw. Matches virtually any bedroom style
- No squeaking — properly assembled wood joints don’t develop the creaks that metal frames do
- Warmth — wood doesn’t feel cold to touch in a UK winter bedroom
Cons
- Weight — solid oak and walnut frames are seriously heavy. An oak king-size can weigh 60-80kg. Moving it means disassembly
- Price — good solid wood is expensive. The budget wooden options (pine, MDF) sacrifice longevity for price
- Damage visibility — scratches and dents show, especially on darker woods. Cats and wooden bed frames are natural enemies
- Limited integrated storage — wooden frames with drawers exist but they’re bulky and expensive. Metal and upholstered frames do this better
Metal Bed Frames
The Appeal
Metal frames are practical, affordable, and lighter than wood. The industrial and Victorian revival styles look great in the right bedroom, and modern minimal metal platform beds are almost invisible — they disappear behind the mattress.
Types of Metal Frames
- Steel platform beds — the most common. Simple, strong, cheap. About £80-200 for a double. Usually powder-coated black, white, or grey
- Iron bedsteads — the classic brass-and-iron look. About £200-500. Heavier than steel platforms, decorative rather than minimal
- Aluminium — lightweight, won’t rust, modern look. Less common and more expensive. About £200-400
- Brass-effect — steel with a brass coating. About £150-350. The vintage look without the vintage weight or price
Pros
- Affordable — the cheapest way to get a solid bed frame. You can furnish a guest room for under £100
- Light — easy to move, easy to rearrange, easy to get up narrow stairwells. A steel double frame weighs about 15-25kg versus 50-80kg for solid wood
- Under-bed clearance — most metal frames sit higher off the floor than wood or upholstered options, giving you useful storage space underneath
- Easy to clean — wipe with a damp cloth. No fabric to stain, no wood to oil
Cons
- Squeaking — the single biggest complaint about metal beds. Joints loosen over time and every movement produces a creak. Tightening bolts every few months helps. Adding felt pads to metal-on-metal contact points is the real fix
- Cold — metal feels cold in winter. Not a comfort issue for most people (you’re under the duvet, not touching the frame), but it changes the room’s feel
- Aesthetic limits — metal frames either look industrial-modern or Victorian-ornate. There’s no warm, cosy option in metal the way there is in wood or upholstered
- Potential for rust — cheap steel frames in damp bedrooms can develop surface rust over 3-5 years. Look for powder-coated finishes
Upholstered Bed Frames
The Appeal
Upholstered beds are the statement piece of the bedroom furniture world. A tall fabric headboard in charcoal velvet or boucle transforms an average bedroom into something that looks professionally designed. They’re also the most comfortable frame type — the padded headboard is genuinely useful for sitting up reading, and the soft edges mean no more bruised shins.
Types of Upholstery
- Velvet — the current favourite. Rich texture, catches light beautifully, available in every colour. About £300-800 for a double. Shows compression marks but they brush out
- Linen and cotton — breathable, natural, relaxed look. About £250-600. More prone to staining than synthetic fabrics
- Boucle — the trendy textured fabric that’s everywhere right now. About £350-900. Looks expensive, hides small marks well
- Faux leather — wipes clean, modern or traditional depending on the frame style. About £200-500. Can peel after 4-5 years on cheaper versions
- Teddy/sherpa — ultra-soft, cosy feel. About £250-500. Attracts every piece of lint and pet hair in a 10-metre radius
Pros
- Visual impact — an upholstered bed is the focal point of any bedroom. No other frame type makes this much design difference
- Comfort — padded headboards are practical for reading in bed, watching TV, and not banging your head on a hard surface when you sit up too fast
- Soft edges — no hard corners to walk into. Really matters in small bedrooms and children’s rooms
- Sound absorption — fabric dampens noise in the room, which is noticeable in hard-floored bedrooms
- Storage options — ottoman upholstered beds (where the mattress lifts on gas struts) are the best bedroom storage solution available. The entire bed base becomes a wardrobe-sized storage space
Cons
- Staining — fabric attracts spills, sweat, and dust. Most upholstered frames need professional cleaning every 2-3 years or spot-cleaning when accidents happen
- Dust and allergens — fabric headboards collect dust mites. Not ideal for allergy sufferers unless you vacuum the headboard regularly
- Weight — a king-size ottoman upholstered bed can weigh 80-100kg+ assembled. Moving it is a two-person-minimum job
- Wear — fabric fades in direct sunlight and wears where heads rest against the headboard. Velvet shows these marks most obviously
- Price — upholstered frames cost more than equivalent-sized wood or metal options. The ottoman storage mechanism adds another £100-200 to the base price
Head-to-Head Comparison
Price (Double Bed Frame)
- Metal: £80-300 — the clear budget winner
- Wood: £150-800 — massive range depending on timber type
- Upholstered: £200-1,000+ — most expensive entry point
Durability
- Wood: 15-20+ years for solid hardwood. The most durable option by far
- Metal: 8-15 years. Steel is strong but joints loosen and finishes degrade
- Upholstered: 8-12 years. The fabric ages even if the internal frame is fine. Ottoman mechanisms can fail
Style Versatility
- Wood: Most versatile — works in modern, traditional, Scandi, rustic, and minimal bedrooms
- Upholstered: High impact but commits you to a look. Changing bedroom style means the bed might clash
- Metal: Limited. Industrial, Victorian, or disappears-behind-the-mattress minimal
Noise
- Wood: Near-silent when properly assembled
- Upholstered: Silent — fabric dampens everything
- Metal: Squeaks develop. Budget for maintenance
Maintenance
- Metal: Lowest — wipe and tighten bolts occasionally
- Wood: Low — occasional polish or oil for natural finishes
- Upholstered: Highest — regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, professional cleaning every few years
Which Material Suits Your Bedroom
Small Bedrooms
Metal platform beds sit lower and visually take up less space. Upholstered beds with tall headboards can overwhelm a small room. If you want wood, go for a simple Scandi-style frame without a headboard.
Period Properties
Wooden sleigh beds or iron bedsteads suit Victorian and Edwardian houses. Upholstered beds work too — a velvet headboard against original cornicing is a strong look.
Modern New-Builds
Upholstered beds are the default choice in UK new-build bedrooms — the neutral walls and carpet virtually demand a fabric headboard as the main visual element. Low wooden platforms also work well.
Children’s Rooms
Metal frames are practical — cheap, easy to clean, replaceable when they outgrow it. Upholstered frames with soft edges are safer for younger children. Avoid solid hardwood in kids’ rooms — it’s expensive for something they’ll use for 5-7 years before wanting something different.
Guest Rooms
Metal frames. Keep costs down, store bedding underneath, replace without guilt when the style changes. A decent metal double frame from Amazon Basics or Habitat costs about £100 and does the job quietly (literally — guest room beds rarely squeak because they’re used infrequently).
For broader advice on choosing the right frame for your space, our bed frame buying guide covers dimensions, slat types, and height considerations in detail. If you’re also wondering what goes underneath, our mattress foundation guide explains how slats, platforms, and box springs work with different frame types.
Mattress Compatibility
All three frame types work with all mattress types — but some pairings are better than others.
Sprung Slats
Most wooden frames use sprung slats. These flex slightly under weight and give mattresses (especially memory foam) a bit of extra give. The Sleep Council recommends slat gaps of no more than 7cm for proper mattress support.
Metal Mesh or Fixed Slats
Metal frames often use a mesh base or rigid flat slats. These provide firmer support — good for pocket sprung mattresses, less ideal for memory foam which benefits from some flex.
Platform Bases (Upholstered)
Ottoman and divan-style upholstered beds typically have a solid platform base. This is the firmest support option and works well with any mattress type. It also prevents mattress sagging that can occur when slats are too far apart.
Assembly and Weight
Wooden Frames
Usually 30-45 minutes to assemble with two people. Heavy (30-80kg depending on wood type). Will need disassembly to move between rooms or houses. Side rails and headboards are the heaviest pieces.
Metal Frames
Typically 15-25 minutes assembly — the simplest of all three. Light enough for one person to manage in most cases. Easy to disassemble and reassemble when moving.
Upholstered Frames
Allow 40-60 minutes. Ottoman bases require careful alignment of the gas strut mechanism. Very heavy when assembled (50-100kg). The headboard alone can weigh 20-30kg on larger sizes. Definitely a two-person job.
Durability and Lifespan
What Kills Each Type
- Wooden frames fail when: joints dry out and loosen (fix with wood glue), legs crack from lateral force (heavy impact), veneer peels (moisture damage in damp bedrooms)
- Metal frames fail when: joints develop play and squeak, welds crack under stress, powder coating chips and rusts (especially in coastal or damp areas)
- Upholstered frames fail when: fabric stains beyond cleaning, foam padding compresses permanently (headboard), ottoman gas struts lose pressure (typically after 5-7 years), internal timber frame warps from moisture
Extending the Life
- Wood: Tighten bolts annually, treat natural finishes with Danish oil every 1-2 years, keep away from radiators (drying causes cracks)
- Metal: Tighten every bolt every 6 months, apply felt pads to all metal-on-metal contact points, touch up chips with matching paint
- Upholstered: Vacuum the headboard monthly, rotate the mattress to distribute wear on the base, replace gas struts when they weaken (about £20-30 for a pair from the manufacturer)
Where to Buy in the UK
Best for Wooden Frames
- John Lewis — excellent oak and walnut range, good warranties, delivery and assembly service
- IKEA — unbeatable value for pine and engineered wood. The MALM and HEMNES ranges are proven workhorses
- Made.com — mid-century modern and Scandi designs. Higher price but distinctive styling
Best for Metal Frames
- IKEA — the NESTTUN and KOPARDAL are simple, cheap, and surprisingly robust
- Amazon Basics — utilitarian but reliable. From about £80 for a double
- Habitat — better-designed metal frames than the big-box stores, still reasonable prices
Best for Upholstered Frames
- Dreams — the UK’s biggest bed retailer. Huge upholstered range, in-store testing, regular sales
- Dunelm — affordable upholstered beds with ottoman options from about £250
- Loaf — premium upholstered beds with a distinctive relaxed aesthetic. Not cheap but beautifully made
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bed frame material is quietest? Upholstered frames are the quietest — fabric absorbs movement noise completely. Properly assembled solid wood frames are near-silent. Metal frames are the noisiest due to joint play and metal-on-metal contact, though maintenance (tightening bolts, adding felt pads) helps considerably.
Are upholstered beds hard to keep clean? They need more care than wood or metal. Vacuum the headboard monthly, spot-clean spills immediately with fabric cleaner, and consider professional cleaning every 2-3 years. Darker fabrics and textured materials like boucle hide marks better than light linen or cotton.
How long does a wooden bed frame last? Solid hardwood frames (oak, walnut) last 15-20+ years with basic care. Pine frames last 8-12 years. MDF or engineered wood lasts 5-8 years, especially in damp bedrooms where moisture can cause swelling and warping.
Is a metal bed frame strong enough for a heavy mattress? Yes — most metal frames support 200-300kg including the mattress and sleepers. Check the manufacturer’s weight limit, especially for budget frames. The issue with metal frames isn’t strength but rigidity — they flex more than wood, which can cause squeaking.
Can I paint a metal or wooden bed frame? Both take paint well. Sand lightly, apply primer, then use furniture paint (Frenchic and Annie Sloan work well for wood; Hammerite or Rust-Oleum for metal). Upholstered frames can’t be painted, but you can sometimes have them reupholstered if you’re committed to the frame.