How Long Does It Take to Assemble an Upholstered Bed Frame? A 2026 Guide
Our upholstered beds arrive mostly pre-built, in two or three boxes, so assembly is a short job for two people. If you'd like it done for you, our VIP Delivery team will install the bed for immediate use and take all the packaging away. This guide explains what arrives, what's involved in putting it together, how to prepare your room and which delivery option to choose.
What Arrives On the Day
Every Simba upholstered bed is delivered in two or three separate boxes depending on the size and design you've ordered. As a guide, the longest box measures 16cm high × 206cm long × 37cm deep and contains the base. The tallest box contains the headboard and measures 148cm high × 202cm long × 21cm deep. You'll find the exact dimensions for your chosen bed on its product page.
Beds are delivered in wrap made with recycled plastic and corner protection. The parts are pre-assembled as far as possible, so what you're doing is connecting them, not building the bed from scratch.
What Assembly Involves
Simba upholstered beds arrive mostly pre-built, but the assembly process depends on the design and base you've chosen. Your bed comes with instructions to guide you through the process.
Generally, you'll need to position the base sections, connect them where necessary and attach the headboard and any remaining components as directed in the instructions. The precise steps will vary between a standard base, a drawer base and an Ottoman, which has a lifting mechanism that requires particular care. Follow the instructions supplied with your bed rather than assuming every model is assembled in exactly the same way.
It's worth having a second person available to help manoeuvre the larger sections safely. Before you begin, clear enough space to work around the frame and check that all the necessary parts are present. If you'd rather leave assembly to a specialist team, you can select VIP Delivery at checkout.
Preparing Your Room
A few minutes of preparation makes assembly much easier.
- Clear the space. Move the old bed out, clear the floor where the new one will go and make sure you have room to walk around all sides.
- Measure the access route. Check your stairs, landings and doorways against the box dimensions on the product page.
- Protect the floor. Lay the packaging out under the base sections while you work.
- Have your mattress ready. If it's a Simba Hybrid® in a box, keep it sealed until the frame is up, then unroll it straight onto the base.
Or Let Us Do It For You
If you'd prefer not to assemble the bed yourself, choose VIP Delivery at checkout for an additional fee. A specialist team installs your bed for immediate use and removes all the packaging, and, for £50, they'll also take your old bed or mattress away for recycling at the same time. With VIP Delivery you'll be contacted directly by the courier to agree a convenient time, you'll get a live tracking link on the day and the driver will call within an hour of arrival.
Standard delivery for our design-your-own beds is a two-person delivery to your room of choice, and costs £30. This doesn't include installation.
Old Bed Removal
Replacing your old bed at the same time as your new one arrives means you won't need to arrange a separate collection or find somewhere to store the old frame in the meantime. You can select old bed removal and recycling at checkout, allowing the collection to be coordinated with your new bed's delivery.
Removal costs an additional £50 with standard delivery. With VIP Delivery, which includes bed installation and packaging removal, old bed removal costs £50 extra, bringing the total to £150. Availability may vary by location, so check the options and charges displayed at checkout before placing your order.
Please have your old bed dismantled and ready for collection before the delivery team arrives, as Simba doesn't offer a disassembly service. Keep the parts indoors and accessible so the crew can remove them safely while bringing your new bed into place.
Timing the Mattress
If you've ordered a mattress with your bed as part of a bundle, everything in your order is usually delivered together. You can prepare the room and assemble the bed first, then unpack the mattress once the frame is ready.
If you've chosen a boxed Hybrid® mattress, keep it sealed until the bed is assembled. Then place it directly onto the base, unroll it and remove the plastic packaging. The mattress is ready to sleep on after six hours and reaches its full shape within 72 hours. Natural Hybrid® mattresses arrive flat and are ready to use straight away, so there's no need to allow time for expansion.
Ordering a bed and mattress together can make planning easier because you can coordinate the delivery and get your new sleep setup ready in one go. Just check the delivery and installation options included with your chosen bundle, as these can affect how much you need to do yourself.
A Bed That's Ready For Years
Once your bed is up, a few habits keep it looking its best. Use a vacuum cleaner or soft brush to remove surface dust weekly, keep upholstered furniture out of direct sunlight to avoid fading, and blot any spill straight away with a soft, dry cloth, working from the outside edge inwards. Every Simba bed comes with a 200-night trial and a 10-year guarantee, and you can protect the fabric against accidental stains and damage with our 5-Year Accident Cover starting at £22.
If you're still choosing, you'll find all of our design-your-own beds in one place, with upholstered designs in a wide range of colours and textures, and you can order free fabric swatches before you decide.
FAQs
Everything you need is included with the bed, and the parts arrive mostly pre-built. If anything is missing or unclear, contact our Customer Care team at hello@simbasleep.com and they'll sort it out.
Usually within 10 working days. The courier will contact you directly to arrange a convenient date. For non-mainland UK and Highlands addresses, please allow up to three weeks.
The base sections and headboard are large, so we'd recommend two people. If that isn't possible, VIP Delivery is a good option.
With standard delivery, the packaging is left with you. With VIP Delivery, the team removes all of it.
Check the box dimensions on the product page against your access route before you order. If you're unsure, email hello@simbasleep.com with your measurements and we'll advise.
