Choose a bed frame using two sets of measurements: the mattress space inside the frame and the furniture's full footprint outside it. A queen-size mattress label does not tell you how far a padded headboard or footboard will project into the room.
Match the mattress and support
Check the required mattress width, length, thickness and any stated weight range. Read the support requirements for both the frame and mattress, including slat spacing or a centre support where specified. A mattress that squeezes between the rails is not necessarily the intended fit.
Measure the complete bed
| Measurement | What to include |
|---|---|
| External length | Headboard depth, footboard and any projecting fittings. |
| External width | Side rails, upholstery and legs, not just the mattress. |
| Finished height | Frame support height plus the actual mattress and any topper. |
| Access | Drawers, gas-lift travel and the route around the foot of the bed. |
Plan the room and delivery
Tape the outer footprint on the floor and open nearby wardrobe and bedroom doors. Check the headboard against windows, switches and sockets. If the mattress will sit above or below a side rail, think about how that changes the way you get into bed and reach a bedside table. Compare packaged dimensions with stairways, landings and lifts, and check which components require assembly. Keep mattress-size measurements separate from delivery-package measurements. If replacing only the frame, record the mattress dimensions from the existing mattress or its label before selecting the new frame's variant.
Compare the options
Catalogue example: Bed Frame Queen, Fabric, Grey. Check the current specifications, contents and availability on the product page.
Plan the next detail
- How to Measure a Bedroom Before Buying Furniture
- Australian Bed Sheet Sizes: Mattress Depth and Fitted-Sheet Fit
More Bedroom & Bedding guides.