Assembling Your New Bed: Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most bed assembly problems aren't down to bad instructions — they're down to a handful of avoidable mistakes we see over and over. Here's how to get it right the first time.

Mistake 1: Not laying out all parts first

Before you pick up a single screw, unpack everything and lay it out — side rails, slats, headboard brackets, hardware bags. It's much easier to spot a missing part before you've started than halfway through.

Mistake 2: Assembling on a hard floor without protection

Wooden and upholstered frames can scratch or mark on bare floorboards or tile. Lay down a blanket or the cardboard packaging underneath before you start.

Mistake 3: Overtightening bolts early

Fit all bolts loosely first, get the whole frame square and aligned, then go back and tighten everything fully. Fully tightening as you go often leaves the frame slightly twisted, which causes creaking later.

Mistake 4: Skipping the centre support

Larger beds — king and super king especially — come with a centre leg or rail. It's tempting to skip it since the bed seems to stand fine without it, but it's there to stop long-term sagging in the middle of the frame. Always fit it.

Mistake 5: Forcing slats that don't seem to fit

If a slat doesn't sit flush, don't force it — check you haven't got the frame slightly out of square first. Forcing a slat can crack it or bow the frame.

Mistake 6: Not checking the room fits before assembly

Build the frame in the room it's staying in wherever possible. Fully assembled beds, especially king and super king, often won't fit through internal doorways.

Mistake 7: Losing track of hardware

Keep the hardware bag until assembly is fully complete and the bed has been slept on for a week — it's common to need a spare bolt for tightening after the frame settles in.

If you run into an issue with your specific bed, get in touch via our Contact page and our team can help troubleshoot.