Choose a wooden bed frame if you want a warmer, more substantial look. Choose a metal one if you want a slimmer frame that is often simpler to wipe clean. The right choice comes down to the look you want, how you will use the frame, and details such as the base, the finish and the support. There is no single winner for every bedroom.
A wooden frame tends to have more visual presence in the room. Some can look bulky next to the mattress, especially with a high headboard or foot end, so it is worth comparing the external dimensions before you choose.
A metal frame is generally more slender, which can leave more visual space around the bed. Designs vary, so compare the dimensions of the metal frame you like as well.
Cleaning is often simpler on metal, because a wipe over the frame is usually enough. Wood needs only ordinary care to keep its finish and grain looking good. A frame in either material can creak if a fitting loosens, and tightening the fittings usually settles it.
Our wooden bed frames range is made from a mix of materials, not solid wood throughout. You will find solid oak, solid pine and rubberwood frames, as well as the Urban Bed, which pairs a wood-effect finish with a metal frame. Each frame lists its material, so you can choose the one you prefer.
Bases vary from frame to frame too. Many of our wooden frames have sprung slats. Others have solid slats, and a smaller number have a solid base. Compare the base type, the support (such as a centre rail or support legs) and the external dimensions, so the frame sits in your room the way you expect.
When you want that warmer look, browse the wooden beds range and compare those details on the frames that appeal.
Metal frames in the bed frames range come in modern and more traditional styles. Finishes include black, white and ivory, though not every frame is offered in every colour.
Bases vary as well. Many metal frames have a sprung slatted base. Others have a mesh base or metal slats. Extra support, such as additional legs, also differs from one frame to another. Compare the base, the support and the external dimensions, just as you would with a wooden one.
To compare metal frames alongside other styles, browse bed frames or beds by type.
Wood and metal are not the only options. Fabric beds give an upholstered look. Leather beds cover leather and faux leather frames. If you are weighing up a faux leather frame, see our guide to why you might consider a faux leather bed frame.
Start with the look you want in the room. If you want warmth and a more substantial presence, begin with wooden frames. If you want a slimmer outline and a frame that is quick to wipe clean, begin with metal.
Then think about how the frame will be used. For a long-term piece in the main bedroom, focus on the look, the finish and how substantial you want it to feel. If everyday wipe-downs matter to you, metal is often the more straightforward of the two. Either way, you will need to assemble the frame, as you would with any bed frame.
Once you have a frame in mind, compare its base type, finish, support and external dimensions. Those details decide how the bed will feel and fit, more than the word “wood” or “metal” on its own.
Choose by look, by how the frame will be used, and by the features of the frame itself. Wood is the warmer, more substantial look. Metal is slimmer and often simpler to wipe clean. Then compare the base type, finish, support and external dimensions of each frame, and browse wooden beds or the wider bed-frame range.
No. Neither material wins in every room. A wooden frame is the stronger choice when you want warmth and presence. A metal frame is the stronger choice when you want a slimmer outline and easier wipe-clean care. The better frame is the one whose look, base and dimensions suit how you will use it.
A metal bed frame can creak if a fitting loosens, and a wooden frame can do the same. Creaking comes down to the fittings, not the material. If a frame starts to creak, tightening the fittings usually settles it.
A wooden bed frame suits you if you want a warmer look and a more substantial presence in the room. It also suits you if you prefer oak, pine, rubberwood or a painted wood finish. The wooden range is a mix of materials, so choose the timber or finish on the frame you like.
A metal bed frame suits you if you want a slimmer outline, a finish such as black, white or ivory, and a frame that is often quicker to wipe clean. It also suits you if you like a modern or more traditional metal style. Compare the base and dimensions on the frame you are considering, then browse bed frames or beds by type.
When you are ready to choose, start with the wooden bed frames or browse all bed frames and beds by type.
