To choose a bed frame, start with your mattress size, then decide on material (metal, wood, or upholstered), whether you need storage, how high you want the frame to sit, and which headboard style suits your bedroom. Get those decisions right and the rest is straightforward.
Choosing the wrong bed frame is one of the most common and expensive bedroom mistakes. You spend a third of your life in it, and if the frame is the wrong size, the wrong height, or the wrong material for how you actually use the bedroom, you notice it every single day. This guide walks through every decision in the right order. It is written for UK buyers and covers all the frame types available at Aosom from HOMCOM and across the bed frames collection.
What Size Bed Frame Do I Need?
Always size the frame to your mattress first, not the other way around.
Bed sizes are standardised, but they are not always obvious if you are upgrading from one size to another. Here is the full size reference.
| Size | Frame Width | Best For |
| Single (3ft) | 90cm wide | One person, children, spare rooms. |
| Small Double (4ft) | 120cm wide | Solo adults who want more space. |
| Double (4ft6) | 135cm wide | Couples in smaller bedrooms. |
| King (5ft) | 150cm wide | Couples who want proper space. |
| Super King (6ft) | 180cm wide | Maximum space for couples. |
The most important check: Measure your bedroom floor before choosing a size. A king size bed frame requires at least 90cm of clearance on both sides and 90cm at the foot for comfortable movement. In a room narrower than 3.5 metres, a king frame leaves very little walking space.
If you are upgrading from a double to a king: The difference is 15cm in width. That sounds small but is genuinely noticeable when sleeping. Most couples who make this upgrade find it one of the best bedroom improvements they have made.
What Are the Different Types of Bed Frame?
Understanding the main frame types is the fastest way to narrow your choice, each one suits a different bedroom, budget, and daily routine.
Metal Bed Frames
Metal bed frames, typically steel or iron construction, are the most durable option at any price point. They resist warping, do not absorb moisture, and handle daily use better than most alternatives over a 10-year period.
Best for: Spare bedrooms, children’s rooms, rental properties, and buyers who want longevity over decoration.
What to know: Metal frames come in minimal tube designs and more decorative options. The HOMCOM Industrial King Bed Frame in Rustic Brown uses steel construction with headboard, footboard, and under-bed storage, showing that a metal frame does not have to look purely functional. The Metal Canopy Bed Frame in black takes the same material in a completely different visual direction, a 192cm tall four-poster style that transforms the look of an entire bedroom.
Wooden Bed Frames
Wooden frames, solid pine, MDF, or engineered board, give a warmer, more traditional look than metal. Solid pine in particular develops character over time and can be sanded and refinished if the surface picks up scratches.
Best for: Traditional, Scandi, rustic, and natural-material UK bedrooms. Families who want furniture with longevity and repairability.
What to know: There is a meaningful quality difference between solid wood and MDF. Solid pine handles daily knocks better and lasts longer. The Wooden Solid Pine Divan Storage Bed uses genuine pine with built-in drawers, one of the most practical combinations for UK bedrooms where storage is a priority. The 4ft6 Double Bed with Natural Timber Finish uses a natural timber finish on plywood slats, a more affordable alternative that still delivers the warm visual quality of a wooden frame.
Upholstered Bed Frames
Upholstered bed frames, fabric, velvet, or linen wrapped around an MDF or steel base, are the dominant choice in master bedrooms right now. They look considered and premium, they are quiet (no metal-on-metal creaking), and the headboard doubles as a comfortable backrest for sitting up in bed.
Best for: Master bedrooms, modern UK homes, buyers who want a bedroom that feels finished and deliberate.
What to know: Velvet is the warmest and most decorative choice, requiring regular brushing. Linen is breathable and lower maintenance. Standard fabric is the most practical. The HOMCOM Floating Upholstered Double Bed with RGB LED shows how far the upholstered frame category has evolved, combining a floating platform design with RGB LED lighting and a built-in charging station in one piece.
Platform Bed Frames
A platform bed frame has a low, flat base, typically 25–35cm from floor to top, that creates a modern, grounded look. The mattress sits directly on the platform without a box spring. This design suits contemporary and minimalist bedrooms well.
Best for: Modern bedrooms, low-ceiling rooms where a tall frame would feel oppressive, buyers who prefer a lower sleeping position.
What to know: The lower height means less under-bed clearance for storage. If storage is a priority, a platform frame with a hydraulic lift mechanism gives you both the low aesthetic and the storage capacity. Check the clearance measurement before assuming under-bed storage boxes will fit.
Ottoman and Storage Bed Frames
A bed frame with storage integrates a hydraulic lift, gas lift, or drawer system into the base, turning the under-mattress space into usable storage rather than dead space. In smaller bedrooms this can replace a chest of drawers entirely.
Best for: Homes where bedroom storage is limited. Anyone who currently has bags and boxes under their bed.
What to know: Hydraulic lift storage opens more smoothly than gas lift and handles heavier mattresses better. Drawer storage is more organised, individual drawers per category, but holds less total volume. The Hydraulic Storage Single Bed with LED Strip combines hydraulic full-base storage with LED lighting and charging, showing the full feature range available in this type.
How Do I Choose a Bed Frame Material?
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Best Aesthetic Fit |
| Steel | Highest | Wipe clean | Industrial, modern, minimal |
| Iron | Very high | Wipe clean | Traditional, decorative |
| Solid pine | High | Occasional oiling | Scandi, rustic, natural |
| MDF | Medium | Low | Contemporary, budget |
| Upholstered fabric | Medium-high | Brush or vacuum | Modern, warm, master bedroom |
| Velvet upholstery | Medium | Regular brushing | Glamorous, bold, master bedroom |
| Linen upholstery | Medium-high | Low maintenance | Scandi, natural, minimal |
The rule to follow: Match the material to the room’s existing dominant material. A bedroom with oak flooring suits natural wood or linen upholstery. A bedroom with grey walls and minimal furniture suits steel or upholstered fabric. A traditional bedroom with warm tones suits iron or solid pine.
How to Choose a Bed Frame Colour?
The simplest rule: choose a frame colour that coordinates with your largest existing fixed element, usually the floor or the main wall.
UK bedroom colour choices in 2026 lean heavily toward grey, white, and natural tones for upholstered frames, with black for statement pieces.
- White bed frames: The most versatile choice. Works in virtually every bedroom from traditional to modern. Makes smaller rooms feel slightly brighter.
- Grey bed frames: The most popular current choice for upholstered master bedrooms. Suits both warm and cool interior palettes.
- Black bed frames: The boldest choice. Works in contemporary, industrial, and dramatic bedroom schemes. The Metal Canopy Frame in Black is a strong example of black used as a statement piece.
- Natural and rustic tones: Suit Scandi, farmhouse, and warm-toned bedrooms. Work well alongside oak furniture and wooden flooring.
What to avoid: Matching the frame colour exactly to the wall, this flattens the room visually. A frame slightly lighter or darker than the wall creates depth.
Do I Need a Bed Frame with Storage?
If your bedroom has limited wardrobe space or you currently store items in bags and boxes, yes, a bed frame with storage is one of the best investments in a bedroom.
UK bedrooms are among the smallest in Europe. The average master bedroom is 11–13 square metres, significantly smaller than equivalents in France, Germany, or the US. Under-bed storage is one of the most efficient ways to reclaim usable space without changing the room’s footprint.
- Hydraulic storage suits bulkier seasonal items, duvets, pillows, suitcases, winter clothing. The full base opens in one action. Slower to access daily items than drawers.
- Drawer storage suits categorised everyday items, bedding sets, clothing, accessories. Individual drawers give organisation that a single cavity cannot. Holds less total volume than a full hydraulic base.
- No storage suits bedrooms that already have sufficient wardrobe space, or buyers who prefer the visual openness of an unobstructed floor visible under the frame.
What Headboard Type Should I Choose?
The headboard determines more of the bedroom’s visual character than any other part of the frame. It is the first thing you see when you walk into the room and the backdrop for every photograph taken there.
- Fixed plain headboard: The most versatile choice. Suits any bedroom without demanding a specific aesthetic. Easy to maintain.
- Tufted headboard: Button tufting adds visual texture and a considered premium look. Particularly effective in velvet or fabric upholstery. One of the most popular headboard styles in bedrooms currently.
- Adjustable headboard: Can be repositioned to different angles, which makes a practical difference if you regularly sit up in bed to read, watch TV, or work. Worth the extra complexity if you use your headboard as a backrest daily.
- Canopy/four-poster: The most visually dramatic option. Transforms the entire room rather than just the wall behind the bed. Requires adequate ceiling height, measure clearance before choosing this type.
- Floating/no headboard: A minimalist choice that suits very clean, sparse bedroom aesthetics. Works well with a statement wall behind.
How High Should a Bed Frame Be?
Standard bed frame height, from floor to top of mattress, is 55–65cm in the UK. This is the comfortable sitting and standing height for most adults.
Frame height affects three things: How easy it is to get in and out of bed, how much under-bed clearance you have for storage or aesthetics, and how the bed looks proportionally in the room.
- Lower frames (30–45cm to mattress top): Suit younger adults and minimalist aesthetics. Create a more grounded, contemporary look. Less clearance for under-bed storage. Harder to get out of for older adults or those with joint issues.
- Standard frames (55–65cm to mattress top): Suit most adults comfortably. Balanced proportion in most bedrooms. Adequate under-bed clearance for storage boxes or a hydraulic mechanism.
- Higher frames (65cm+): Suit older adults or those with mobility considerations. Easier to sit down onto and stand from. Makes a smaller room feel more furnished.
What Slat Type is Best?
Slats are the support system the mattress rests on. The slat type affects mattress comfort, longevity, and airflow.
- Solid slats: flat, rigid boards across the frame. Firm support. Good for memory foam and latex mattresses. Less airflow than sprung.
- Sprung (bowed) slats: curved wooden slats that flex under weight. Add a slight spring to the sleeping surface. Suit pocket sprung mattresses well. Better airflow than solid alternatives.
- Slatted spacing: Gaps wider than 7cm between slats can cause soft foam mattresses to sink between the slats over time. Check the slat spacing against your mattress type before buying: memory foam mattresses particularly benefit from closer spacing or a solid base.
Most HOMCOM frames at Aosom use wooden slatted systems included in the frame, no box spring required. This keeps the overall setup cost lower than frames that require a separate box spring purchase.
How to Choose a Bed Frame: Step-by-Step Summary
- Step 1: Fix your mattress size: Single, small double, double, king, or super king. Measure your room to confirm adequate clearance on all sides.
- Step 2: Decide on storage: If storage is needed, choose hydraulic for volume or drawers for organisation. If not, any frame type works.
- Step 3: Choose your material: Metal for maximum durability. Solid wood for warmth and repairability. Upholstered for contemporary master bedroom aesthetics.
- Step 4: Select the headboard type: Plain for versatility. Tufted for visual texture. Adjustable for daily seated use comfort. Canopy for a statement.
- Step 5: Match the colour to your room: Not exactly to the wall, one shade lighter or darker creates visual depth.
- Step 6: Check the frame height: Standard 55-65cm suits most adults. Lower for minimalist aesthetics. Higher for mobility or older adults.
- Step 7: Confirm the slat type suits your mattress: Wider gaps for sprung mattresses. Closer spacing or solid base for memory foam.
Browse the full Bed Frames collection at Aosom to explore every style, size, and material.
FAQs
1. Can I use any mattress on any bed frame?
Most mattresses work on most frames, but there are exceptions. Very soft memory foam mattresses need closer slat spacing, ideally under 7cm between slats, to prevent sinking between them. Pocket sprung mattresses work well on both solid and sprung slat systems. Always check the frame’s slat spacing against the mattress type before purchasing.
2. Is assembly difficult for bed frames?
Most bed frames arrive flat-packed and take 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on complexity. Simpler metal frames assemble faster. Frames with hydraulic storage mechanisms, drawers, or canopy posts take longer. Always assemble with two people, particularly for king and super king sizes where panel weight makes single-person assembly difficult.
3. Can a bed frame be used without a headboard?
Yes. Many modern and minimalist bedroom aesthetics specifically avoid a headboard, relying instead on a wall treatment or artwork above the bed. Some frames are sold headboard-optional. If you regularly sit up in bed, a headboard adds comfort that a plain wall does not provide.
4. What is the difference between a bed frame and a divan base?
A bed frame is a structural frame, typically with legs and visible slats, that supports a mattress. A divan base is a box structure upholstered on all sides that sits flat on the floor. Divans often include drawers and are more traditional in bedrooms. Bed frames tend to have a more visible design presence and suit contemporary bedroom styles.
5. Do I need a box spring with a bed frame?
Not in most cases. The majority of HOMCOM bed frames at Aosom include a wooden slat system that supports the mattress directly, no box spring required. Box springs add height and a softer feel but are not necessary for mattress performance or longevity on a slatted frame.