How to Stop a Bed Frame Creaking
By the Kinky Beds teamPublished 2 min read
Quick answer
- Most creaks come from loose joints: tighten every bolt first.
- Next suspects: slats rubbing, uneven legs, and the mattress or base itself.
- Washers, felt pads and a little wax fix most remaining squeaks.
A creaky bed is one of the most common bedroom complaints, and one of the easiest to fix. Here's how to find the noise and stop it.
First, find the source
Strip the bed and press down on different parts of the frame while your partner listens. Then lift the mattress off and test the base alone. That tells you whether it's the frame, the slats or the mattress.
Nine fixes
| # | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loose bolts | Tighten every bolt in a criss-cross pattern |
| 2 | Missing or worn washers | Add washers (metal or nylon) under bolt heads |
| 3 | Slats rubbing in their holders | Fit felt pads or wrap ends in cloth |
| 4 | Slats moving | Check slat holders; secure loose slats |
| 5 | Wood rubbing on wood at joints | Rub a little candle wax on the contact surfaces |
| 6 | Uneven floor or legs | Level with felt pads or furniture shims |
| 7 | Bed against the wall | Move it a few centimetres away, or add a felt pad |
| 8 | Metal-on-metal | A drop of light oil or a thin rubber gasket |
| 9 | Old mattress springs | If the noise is the mattress, it's time for a new one |
Prevention
Re-tighten bolts a week or two after assembly and every few months after that. Timber expands and contracts with the seasons, so joints loosen slowly over time.
Choosing a quieter bed
Solid hardwood or steel frames with bolted joints stay quieter than chipboard frames held with cam locks, which loosen with movement. Close-fitting slats, a centre support on larger beds and a firm, level floor all help. The Sovereign Bed is a solid hardwood frame built for nightly use, with a 150kg load rating and a 2-year structural warranty.
The Sovereign Bed
From £599.00 · Free UK delivery
- Restraint rings hidden behind interchangeable decorative panels that swap in under 60 seconds, no tools
- Solid hardwood frame with a 150kg load rating
- Double (4ft 6in) or King (5ft), for standard UK mattresses up to 30 cm deep
- Onyx Black or Alabaster White · plain, unmarked packaging · 14-day returns
Privacy bonus
A quiet bed is a private bed. Soft furnishings help with sound too: see discreet bedroom design ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my bed creak when I move?
Usually loose bolts or joints, slats moving or rubbing in their holders, or an uneven floor. Tighten all bolts first.
How do I stop wooden slats squeaking?
Fit felt pads or wrap the slat ends where they sit in the holders, and make sure each slat is secure.
Will tightening bolts stop a creaky bed?
In most cases, yes. Tighten every bolt in a criss-cross pattern, add washers if missing, and re-check after a week or two.