Best Bed Frames in Australia — How to Choose the Right One
How to Choose the Right Bed Frame for Your Bedroom
Your bed frame is the centrepiece of your bedroom — it shapes the aesthetic of the space, provides the structural foundation your mattress needs, and in many cases contributes meaningful storage. With a range of styles, sizes, and base types available, choosing the right one involves a few practical decisions worth working through before you buy.
This guide covers the key considerations clearly, from sizing and frame type to mattress compatibility and bedroom layout, so you can choose with confidence. Explore bed frames at Greenora Living once you've worked out what you're looking for.
1. Choose the Right Bed Size
The first step is choosing the right mattress size, which determines the size of bed frame you need. Commonly used Australian mattress sizes are:
- Single — typically around 92 × 188 cm. Suited to children's rooms and compact single-sleeper spaces.
- King Single — typically around 107 × 203 cm. A longer option suited to taller individuals or teenagers.
- Double — typically around 138 × 188 cm. Suits solo sleepers who want more room, or couples in smaller bedrooms.
- Queen — typically around 153 × 203 cm. A widely used size for couples in Australian master bedrooms.
- King — typically around 183 × 203 cm. Maximum width for couples who want generous sleeping space.
These are mattress dimensions. The overall external dimensions of a bed frame — including the frame surround, headboard footprint, and any legs — will be larger than the mattress itself, and vary by design. Always check the individual product's external dimensions before purchasing, and compare them against your available bedroom space.
2. Measure Your Bedroom and Available Space
Before choosing a frame, measure your bedroom carefully. The bed frame's external dimensions, headboard height, and the clearance you'll need around it all affect whether a particular frame will work in your room.
Consider the position of doors, wardrobes, and windows — a door that swings into the room, or a built-in wardrobe that limits where the bed can sit, can significantly affect which frame size and orientation works. Think about where your bedside tables will go, and whether there's adequate space on each side of the bed for comfortable access.
There's no single clearance measurement that suits every room — the right amount of walking space depends on your room's dimensions, layout, and how you use the space. The key is to map out the furniture arrangement on paper or with a floor-plan tool before you order, rather than discovering a fit issue after delivery.
3. Compare Different Bed Frame Types
Different frame types suit different needs, aesthetics, and room sizes. Here's a practical overview of the main options.
Platform Bed Frames
Platform frames sit relatively low to the ground with a solid or slatted base. They have a clean, contemporary silhouette that suits modern and minimalist interiors. The lower profile can make a room feel more open, and they pair well with statement headboards. Check the individual product's base design — whether solid or slatted — and confirm it's compatible with your mattress before purchasing.
Upholstered Bed Frames
Upholstered frames are wrapped in fabric — commonly bouclé, linen, velvet, or similar — and typically feature a padded headboard. They add warmth and texture to a bedroom and are a popular choice for master bedrooms where comfort and aesthetics are both priorities. Fabric type, colour, and headboard height vary between products — check the individual product specifications.
Gas Lift / Storage Bed Frames
Gas lift frames incorporate a hydraulic mechanism that allows the mattress base to lift, revealing enclosed under-bed storage. This can be a practical solution in bedrooms where storage is limited. The storage capacity, mechanism design, weight capacity, and mattress compatibility vary between products — always check the individual product specifications rather than assuming all gas lift frames work the same way.
Timber-Look and Timber Bed Frames
Timber and timber-look frames bring warmth and natural character to a bedroom. They suit a range of interior styles including Scandi, coastal, and warm-toned contemporary interiors. Check the product specifications for details on the specific materials and construction used.
Metal Bed Frames
Metal frames offer a sleek, often more minimal profile. They tend to suit contemporary and urban interiors. As with other frame types, construction quality and design vary between products.
4. Consider Storage Requirements
If your bedroom has limited wardrobe or storage space, a bed frame with under-bed storage can make a meaningful difference. Gas lift frames provide enclosed storage accessible by lifting the mattress base. Some platform frames include built-in drawers on one or both sides.
Before choosing a storage bed frame, check the storage capacity, how it's accessed, the weight capacity of the mechanism, and whether it's compatible with your intended mattress. Storage features and specifications vary considerably between products.
Browse our bed frames collection to compare storage and non-storage options.
5. Check Mattress and Bed Frame Compatibility
A bed frame and mattress need to be compatible in both size and support design. Before purchasing either, check:
- Mattress dimensions vs. bed-frame internal dimensions. Confirm the actual measurements of both — don't rely solely on size labels such as "Queen" or "King".
- Base/support design. Some mattresses are designed for slatted bases; others perform better on a solid platform. Check the mattress manufacturer's recommendations for the specific mattress you're using.
- Slat requirements, where applicable. If the frame uses slats, check the mattress manufacturer's guidance on maximum slat spacing. Requirements vary between mattress types and products.
- Weight and support specifications. Check the bed frame's weight capacity and support specifications, particularly for heavier mattresses or for two sleepers.
- Manufacturer instructions. Always read the care and compatibility instructions for both the bed frame and the mattress before purchasing.
Browse our mattresses collection to find a compatible mattress for your new bed frame.
6. Choose a Material and Style
The material and finish of your bed frame affects both its appearance and how it integrates with the rest of your bedroom furniture. A few practical considerations:
Colour and finish: Neutral tones — white, natural timber, charcoal, warm grey — tend to be the most versatile and easiest to coordinate with other bedroom furniture. Bolder finishes can work well as a statement piece in a more considered room.
Matching finishes: You don't need to match your bed frame exactly to your bedside tables or dresser, but keeping metal finishes and timber tones consistent across the room creates a more cohesive look.
Fabric upholstery: If choosing an upholstered frame, consider the fabric's durability and how it will wear over time. Check the product specifications for care instructions.
7. Consider Headboard Height and Overall Dimensions
The headboard is often the most visually prominent part of a bed frame, and its height and width affect how the frame sits in the room.
A taller headboard makes a stronger visual statement and can work well in rooms with higher ceilings or larger wall space. A lower-profile headboard suits rooms with lower ceilings or a more understated aesthetic. Check the headboard dimensions in the product specifications — overall frame height including the headboard is often significantly taller than the mattress height alone.
Also consider whether the frame includes a footboard. A footboard creates a more enclosed, traditional look; an open foot end feels more contemporary and can make bed-making easier.
8. Check Product Specifications Before Ordering
When buying a bed frame online, the product specifications are your primary source of information. Before purchasing, check:
- External frame dimensions (length, width, overall height including headboard)
- Internal mattress recess dimensions
- Base/support design (slatted, solid, gas lift)
- Slat spacing, where applicable
- Weight capacity
- Materials and finish
- Assembly requirements
- Care instructions
- Warranty terms and conditions
- Delivery information, including timeframes and any charges applicable to your location
Delivery availability, timeframes, and charges can vary by product and location — check the relevant product page before ordering.
9. Complete Your Bedroom
A bed frame is the anchor of your bedroom, but the full picture comes together with the right supporting pieces. When choosing complementary furniture, consider how each piece coordinates with your bed frame in terms of finish, proportion, and style.
Bedside tables — Choose a height that aligns with the top of your mattress for a proportional, cohesive look. Check the dimensions of the bedside table against the available space on each side of the bed before purchasing.
Dressers — A dresser provides clothing storage that keeps the room feeling organised. Check the dresser dimensions against your available wall space and ensure there's adequate clearance for drawers to open fully.
Wall mirrors — A well-placed mirror adds light and a sense of depth to a bedroom. Useful above a dresser or on a wall opposite a window.
Mattresses — The right mattress is as important as the frame itself. Compare mattress specifications carefully and confirm compatibility with your chosen bed frame before ordering both.
10. Bed Frame Buying Checklist
Before finalising your purchase, work through this checklist:
- ☐ Required mattress size — confirmed and matched to the bed frame's internal recess dimensions
- ☐ External frame dimensions — checked against available bedroom space including headboard height
- ☐ Available bedroom space — measured with doors, wardrobes, and other furniture accounted for
- ☐ Bed frame type — platform, upholstered, gas lift, timber, or metal reviewed against your needs
- ☐ Storage requirements — under-bed storage considered if needed
- ☐ Headboard dimensions — height and width checked against wall space and ceiling height
- ☐ Base/support design — slatted, solid, or gas lift confirmed as compatible with your mattress
- ☐ Mattress compatibility — mattress manufacturer's requirements checked against the frame's base design
- ☐ Assembly requirements — reviewed before purchase
- ☐ Product specifications — materials, finish, weight capacity, and care instructions reviewed
- ☐ Delivery information — timeframes and any charges confirmed for your location
- ☐ Warranty information — warranty terms and conditions reviewed
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right bed frame?
Start with the mattress size you need, then measure your bedroom carefully — including the space available for the frame's external dimensions, headboard, and clearance around the bed. Consider whether you need under-bed storage, what style suits your bedroom, and whether the frame's base design is compatible with your mattress. Check the individual product specifications before purchasing.
What size bed frame do I need?
Choose a frame size that matches your mattress size. Keep in mind that the bed frame's external dimensions will be larger than the mattress itself — the exact difference varies by design. Always check the product's external dimensions against your available bedroom space, not just the mattress size label.
Is a bed frame larger than the mattress?
Yes. The overall external dimensions of a bed frame — including the frame surround, headboard, and legs — are larger than the mattress dimensions. The exact difference varies between designs. Always check the product's external dimensions before purchasing.
Are gas lift bed frames good for storage?
Gas lift frames can provide useful enclosed under-bed storage where that feature is specified. Storage capacity, mechanism design, and weight capacity vary between products — check the individual product specifications to understand what a particular gas lift frame offers.
How do I know whether my mattress will fit a bed frame?
Check the mattress dimensions against the bed frame's internal recess dimensions — not just the size labels. Also check the mattress manufacturer's recommendations for the type of base required (slatted, solid, or other), and confirm the frame's base design meets those requirements.
What should I measure before buying a bed frame online?
Measure your bedroom floor space, the wall space where the headboard will sit, the clearance available on each side of the bed, and the space for any other furniture you plan to include. Compare these measurements against the product's external dimensions — including overall height with the headboard — before purchasing.
What bedroom furniture should I pair with my bed?
Bedside tables, a dresser, and a wall mirror are the most common additions to a bedroom. Choose pieces that complement your bed frame in finish and proportion, and check the dimensions of each piece against your available space before purchasing.
Shop Bed Frames at Greenora Living
Choosing the right bed frame is easier when you start with the specifications. Compare frame dimensions, base design, storage features, and mattress compatibility carefully — and measure your bedroom before you order.
Explore Greenora Living's bedroom collections to find everything you need for a complete bedroom setup:
- Bed Frames — platform, upholstered, gas lift and more
- Mattresses — to pair with your chosen frame
- Bedside Tables — compact bedroom storage and styling
- Dressers — bedroom storage for a cohesive look
- Wall Mirrors — to add light and depth to your bedroom