Metal vs Wooden Bed Frames: How To Pick Which Suits Your Bedroom Style and Budget?
A bed frame does more than support your mattress. It also sets the tone for the room, whether you prefer the clean lines of metal, the natural character of wood or something softer and upholstered. At Simba, our bed range includes metal, wooden and upholstered designs, giving you plenty of scope to choose a frame that works with your bedroom as well as your mattress.
The right choice comes down to the look you want, the amount of space you have and the features that matter most to you. Here’s how metal and wooden bed frames compare.
How Metal And Wooden Bed Frames Differ
The biggest difference is the material and the effect it creates in the room.
- Metal might seem less cosy or “colder” than a wood frame, but it really depends on the model you choose. Our Blenheim Bed, for example, uses a steel frame with nickel plating and a satin finish, creating a modern interpretation of a classic metal bed.
- Wood brings natural colour, warmth and a rustic cosiness into the bedroom. We use several different timber constructions across the range rather than relying on one material throughout. The Ashdown and Sherwood beds feature UKTR ash, while the Yasumi range uses responsibly sourced European oak. Other designs, including the Epping and Fernley, incorporate FSC-certified European oak and oak veneer as part of their construction.
Both approaches give you a supportive foundation for your mattress, so your choice can be led largely by the style and features you prefer.
Choosing A Style For Your Bedroom
Metal beds can introduce structure without making the design feel overly heavy. An open metal headboard also allows more of the wall behind the bed to remain visible, which works beautifully if you've already chosen wallpaper, panelling or a strong paint colour.
Wooden beds create a different atmosphere. Natural grain and warm timber tones can add depth to a neutral bedroom while pairing easily with everything from crisp white bedding to warmer, layered colour schemes.
There is plenty of variation within the wooden category too. A simple ash frame creates a different look from a low oak platform bed, while details such as upholstery, rattan or built-in storage can take the design in another direction entirely.
That means you don't necessarily have to choose between a traditional wooden bed and a contemporary metal one. Both materials can work across a wide range of bedroom styles depending on the individual frame.
Simba's Wooden Bed Range
Our wooden collection covers several distinct looks: the Ashdown and Sherwood designs make ash a prominent part of the frame, while the Yasumi collection uses European oak across a range of platform and headboard styles.
The Fernley introduces woven rattan detailing alongside its wooden construction, adding another natural texture to the room. The Epping combines a wooden look with ottoman storage, giving you useful space beneath the mattress without needing additional freestanding furniture.
There’s also upholstered options within the wider bed collection if you like the warmth of a wooden structure but prefer a softer finish around the headboard.
You can explore our current bed frames and bases and filter the collection by material, size and storage.
Considering Your Budget
Material is only one part of what determines the price of a bed. Size, construction, storage and additional design details all play a role, so it's useful to compare complete frames rather than assuming one material will always cost more than another.
Within our wooden range, there are options at several price points, including ash, oak and storage designs. Finance is also available on qualifying orders, allowing the cost of a new bed to be spread across monthly payments.
When you're comparing two frames, think about which features you'll actually appreciate in the room. You might prioritise built-in storage, a statement headboard, a low platform design or simply a frame that works particularly well with the rest of your furniture.
Storage Or A Simpler Frame?
Storage can be just as important as material when you're choosing a bed. A minimalistic platform or open-frame design keeps the focus on the shape and finish of the bed itself. If you'd like to make more use of the space underneath your mattress, an ottoman design provides integrated storage within the footprint of the bed.
Our Epping Ottoman Bed is one example, combining a wooden aesthetic with under-bed storage. The wider range also includes upholstered ottoman beds if you prefer a softer look.
This can be particularly useful when you're furnishing a bedroom where additional wardrobes or drawers would take up valuable floor space.
Assembly And Delivery
The number of packages your bed arrives in depends on the model, as different designs have different components and construction. If you'd rather have the bed assembled for you, our VIP Delivery service costs £50 and includes installation of your bed, as well as removal of your old bed and all packaging.
Matching Your Bed Frame And Mattress
Whichever material you prefer, make sure your frame and mattress are the same size.
Standard Simba bed sizes include:
- Single: 90cm x 190cm
- Double: 135cm x 190cm
- King: 150cm x 200cm
- Super king: 180cm x 200cm
Some ranges may also offer additional sizes, so check the individual product page before ordering.
The overall height of your setup is worth considering too. A low platform bed creates a different profile from a taller frame with a deep mattress, so looking at the dimensions of both products can help you picture how the finished bed will sit in the room.
Choosing Between Metal And Wood
If you love clean lines and the character of a metal frame, a design such as the Blenheim can create a strong focal point while retaining an open appearance around the headboard.
If you're drawn to natural texture and visible grain, our wooden collection gives you options ranging from ash frames to European oak platform beds, rattan detailing and storage designs.
There isn't one material that works best for every bedroom. The useful question is which combination of material, shape, storage and finish works best with the room you're creating.
FAQs
Yes. The Blenheim Bed uses a steel frame with nickel plating and is available with a satin finish, offering a metal alternative to the wooden and upholstered designs in the wider bed collection.
Simba offers several beds featuring solid timber. The Ashdown and Sherwood ranges use UKTR ash, while Yasumi designs use responsibly sourced European oak. Construction varies between models, so check the individual product specifications for the exact materials used.
It depends on what you want from the space. An open metal frame or low platform design can create a streamlined look, while an ottoman bed can make use of the area beneath the mattress for storage.
Yes. The Epping Ottoman Bed combines a wooden aesthetic with integrated storage beneath the mattress. Simba also offers other ottoman styles across its wider bed collection.
Yes. VIP Delivery costs £50 and includes installation of your bed and removal of the packaging, so the frame can be set up for you when it's delivered.
