How to Fix and Reinforce a Bed Frame

To help your bed frame last as long as possible, it's sensible to check the condition of the frame regularly and take steps to ensure it's reinforced. Some issues, like loose screws or wobbly joints, will worsen over time and could lead to your bed frame breaking. By catching these issues early and fixing them, you'll be able to enjoy your bed for even longer.

Follow the steps below to reinforce your bed and avoid needing bed frame repair in the future.

1. Check and tighten the screws

Sometimes, you may be worried that your bed frame is broken when it's just a case of screws coming loose and parts disconnecting. This can be especially common with older bed frames. You should regularly check to make sure your bed is securely attached, using an Allen key or screwdriver to tighten any screws that aren't fully secure.

Often, loose screws and joints can cause a squeaky bed. For more advice, take a look at our guides on how to stop a wooden bed from squeaking or for metal frames, there’s our guide to fixing a squeaky metal bed.

2. Check the bed joints

Similarly, the joints of the bed may come apart over time – especially if you've bought a cheaper bed frame or it wasn't originally put together correctly. Keep an eye on the joints of your bed, and gently hammer back together any sections that seem loose.

3. Add or replace slats

While many beds have slats, some only have a supportive middle beam. Adding slats can increase the support of your bed and help increase its lifespan. If you have bed slats that are breaking, you can replace just the slats rather than the whole bed frame, at a much cheaper cost.

If it’s only one or two bed slats that are damaged, you may be reluctant to replace all of your slats. In this instance, depending on how damaged they are, you may be able to repair them.

For a cracked bed slat, smooth down the edges around the crack. Apply wood glue to the crack and clamp overnight to hold in position as the glue dries. Once dry, you can further reinforce the slat by glueing a piece of plywood that is the same width over the crack.

Repairing broken bed slats does take more effort so in most cases it’s easier to simply replace the bed slats. You’ll then have peace of mind that no further issues should arise from the repaired slat.

4. Buy quality

Of course, prevention is always better than cure! To avoid problems with your bed frame occurring in the first place, we'd always recommend buying a high-quality frame from a trusted retailer. At Happy Beds, we stock a huge variety of bed frames and mattresses, all combining comfort with quality you can trust.

If you're looking for advice on how to fix a broken metal bed frame or wooden bed frame, the first thing to do is identify the problem and how much of a potential issue it is causing.

Is there only material damage, for example, a crack to the back of the bed, superficial damage to the headboard, or scratches that can easily be touched up? Or are you dealing with fully broken components, such as snapped slats or cracks in supportive parts of the frame? Anything that is causing a structural issue should be taken seriously, and the parts should be replaced as quickly as possible.

When dealing with a broken bed frame, we'd suggest…

Identify the issue

Depending on where the damage to your bed is, you may be able to replace single components rather than having to replace the entire bed. Remove the mattress from the bed so you can see the entire frame and pinpoint exactly what the issue is and whether it can be fixed or replaced.

Speak to your bed retailer

If your bed is under warranty and the damage is caused by a defect, you may be able to get parts replaced for free. Check the information that came through when you bought the bed or get in touch with your bed retailer or manufacturer to find out more.

Know when to replace a bed frame

Cracks or splits can happen because of poorly built beds. If you have multiple issues and your bed doesn't feel secure, it's safest to replace it. For smaller cracks, you can add glue or wood filler to stop the problem from getting worse, but this is often a quick fix; splits appearing in the bed usually mean it's time to consider a replacement.

Never sleep on a broken bed, a bed with deep cracks, or a bed with structural issues until you have fully identified and fixed the problem. Be especially careful with children's beds, particularly mid-sleepers, high sleepers and bunks. A broken bunk bed is a huge safety risk, and you shouldn't try any ‘quick fixes' where your children are concerned. If you have a broken bed, we'd always recommend replacing it with a high-quality alternative.

Depending on what the problem is, metal bed frames are usually harder to fix than wooden bed frame, as metal is more difficult to work with using home tools.

That said, you should still be able to tighten any loose nuts and bolts which could fix any instability issues with the frame. Wooden bed slats can also be easily replaced or even repaired with some extra effort.

If your metal bed has started to rust, it is possible to remove the rust using a wire brush ready for repainting. You can find out more about how to paint a metal bed frame in our guide.

However, any structural issues can be difficult to repair at home. As metal beds are some of the more affordable bed types available, you may prefer to simply replace your broken metal bed frame, which can often be the safest option.

One of the most important things when dealing with a broken or defective bed is knowing when it's time to replace it. Nothing lasts forever, and an older bed frame with multiple issues can't be corrected with quick fixes. If your bed is at the point of breaking rather than just needing reinforcements or a replacement part, it's always best to replace it.

Luckily, if you're looking to replace a broken bed frame, you're in the exact right place! At Happy Beds, we have a huge variety of options available, from standard single, double and king-size beds through to storage beds and ottoman beds. We even have TV and tech beds, perfect for movie buffs looking to take their bingeing to the next level. To find the new bed of your dreams, just explore our full bed frame collection.