To stop a bed frame squeaking: tighten every bolt by hand, check the frame is square, and isolate contact points between metal and timber. Nine times out of ten a squeak is loose fixings or a frame assembled slightly out of square — not a fault.
Table of contents
- Find the source first
- The five fixes, in order
- Slats and platforms
- When it's the mattress, not the bed
- Frequently asked questions
Find the source first
With the mattress off, press down firmly at each corner, then along each rail, then at the centre. The noise will usually reveal itself at one specific joint. Repeat with the mattress on if you hear nothing — some squeaks are mattress-on-slat friction rather than the frame.
The five fixes, in order
- Tighten every bolt by hand. Frames settle in the first few weeks and fixings loosen. This alone solves most squeaks. Finish by hand, never with a power drill.
- Check the frame is square. Measure both diagonals — they should match. If not, loosen the corners, square the frame, then retighten evenly.
- Isolate metal-on-wood contact. A thin felt pad or a strip of cork between a bracket and the timber stops that particular high-pitched creak.
- Level the bed. Uneven floors twist the frame under load. Pack under the low leg with a rigid shim, not cardboard.
- Check the wall. A headboard tapping the wall sounds exactly like a frame squeak — add felt pads to the headboard's back edge.
Slats and platforms
Loose slats rubbing in their holders are a common source. Make sure each slat sits fully in its holder and is secured if the design calls for it. On an ottoman platform, check the hinge bolts and the strut mounting points — our ottoman troubleshooting guide covers those specifically.
When it's the mattress, not the bed
An old sprung mattress can squeak on its own — test by placing it on the floor and applying pressure. If the noise follows the mattress, the frame is innocent, and the mattress is likely near the end of its life (see when to replace a mattress).
Handcrafted frames built to stay quiet
Solid, hand-built frames with a 5-year warranty, made to order in West Yorkshire.
Browse the range →Frequently asked questions
Why does my bed squeak when I move?
Usually loose bolts or a frame that is slightly out of square, letting joints flex under load.
Can WD-40 stop a bed squeaking?
Only on metal-to-metal joints, and it attracts dust. Tightening and isolating contact points is a better long-term fix.
Do new beds squeak?
They can in the first few weeks as the frame settles — retightening the bolts usually ends it permanently.
Is a squeaking bed a sign it's broken?
Rarely. Persistent noise after tightening and squaring suggests a damaged joint — worth raising under warranty.
