Upholstered Bed Frames & Fabrics: Buying Guide

An upholstered bed frame can become the main feature of a bedroom. The best starting point is the space it will occupy: check the finished dimensions and headboard height before deciding on a fabric or a statement design.

Choose the shape of your headboard

A wingback design has sides that frame the headboard, creating a more enclosed look. Panelled designs use repeated upholstered sections, while buttoned styles add a different texture and pattern. Choose a shape that works with the room’s furniture rather than judging the bed in isolation.

Check the model’s full width and height. A tall headboard can affect the space below a window or sloping ceiling, and upholstery can make a frame wider than its mattress size. Explore the designs in our upholstered bed frame collection.

Compare fabric colours in daylight and evening lighting

Screen brightness, camera settings and room lighting can change how an upholstery colour appears. A pale shade may look warmer beside beige walls, and a dark fabric can appear different under a bright window and a warm bedside lamp.

Order up to five free fabric samples and place them beside your flooring, wall colour and bedding. Look at them at different times of day. Keep the sample you prefer beside you when choosing the corresponding option on the bed page.

Think about texture as well as colour

Compare the feel and appearance of the actual fabrics offered for your model. Some have a smooth surface, while others have a more noticeable pile or texture. The direction of the pile can affect how light reflects from the upholstery.

Check the fabric’s care instructions before deciding. Do not assume that every fabric can be cleaned with the same product or method. If you need specific care information, contact our team with the fabric and colour name you are considering.

Plan the footboard and side rails

A taller footboard creates a more substantial appearance, but its position matters in a narrow room. Check the height and width of the footboard and the overall frame length against your available floor space.

If you already have a mattress, its thickness also affects the finished appearance. A thicker mattress raises the sleeping surface and leaves less of the headboard visible. Compare the mattress details with the bed’s specified headboard height.

Choose your base and storage option

Available bases vary by design. Check whether your selected option is a standard base, an ottoman lift or another configuration, and whether the displayed price includes it. A photograph showing storage does not automatically mean that storage is included in every option.

For a different base style, compare divan beds with drawer options and ottoman divan beds. Our bed style comparison explains the practical differences.

Check your final selection

Before checkout, confirm the bed size, fabric collection, colour, base and any mattress or assembly option. Match a separate mattress to the nominal bed size and check compatibility with the chosen base. Finally, measure the delivery route through doorways and stairs, including tight corners, using the component information available for the bed.

Read our bed sizing and ordering FAQs or send us the name of your chosen bed if you need help before ordering.