How to assemble a metal bed frame
Metal bed frames go together with a handful of bolts, but they are prone to squeaks and wobble if the joints are not tightened evenly. A little care with washers and the order of tightening makes a big difference.
- Time
- about 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- People
- 1 person
- Steps
- 7
Tools needed
- Allen key (supplied)
- Spanner (often supplied)
- Rubber mallet
- Cloth to protect the floor
Parts to check first
Before you start, lay everything out on a soft surface (the flattened box works) and check it against the parts list in your manual.
- Head and foot ends
- Side rails
- Centre rail and support legs
- Slats or metal cross bars
- Bolts, nuts, washers and plastic caps
Step by step
Step 1: Lay a cloth or the flattened box on the floor so the metal feet do not scratch it.
Step 2: Bolt the side rails to the head end with washers under both the bolt heads and the nuts, finger-tight.
Step 3: Bolt the foot end to the other ends of the side rails.
Step 4: Fit the centre rail and screw the support feet down until they touch the floor.
Step 5: Tighten all the bolts in a cross pattern, a little at a time, so the frame pulls square.
Step 6: Fit the slats or cross bars and any plastic end caps.
Step 7: Push on each corner to check for wobble and squeaks, and tighten any joint that moves.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out washers, which makes metal joints squeak and loosen.
- Tightening one corner fully before the others, which twists the frame.
- Forgetting the plastic caps on the feet and tube ends, which leaves sharp edges.
Safety notes
- Wear gloves; cut tube ends can be sharp.
- Keep fingers out of the joints when a helper is lining up a heavy end.
This is general guidance for this type of product. Your product's own manual comes first: follow its order, fittings and torque values where they differ from this page.
Updated 2026-09-30