If your bedframe is feeling too wobbly every time you sit on your bed, here’s how to reinforce a bed frame and all you need to know to make it hold more weight.
There are a few ways to reinforce a bedframe, which is excellent for those who want solutions at varying difficulty levels.
If you want a quick fix, focus on tightening all the screws and addressing or adjusting the joints in your bed frame. If you’re looking at more long-term fixes. In that case, you can consider replacing the support beam, adding more support beams to your bedframe, and considering replacing or investing in slats for even more support.
The better support system you have in place, the better it’ll be at holding more weight! I’ve discussed it all below!
Do bed frames have weight limits?
All bed frames have weight limits advertised directly at the store where you buy them. Sleepline explains that Twin, XL, and Full bed frames can hold 300-600 lbs (136-272 kg). Queen and California King can hold between 800-4000 lbs (362-1814 kg).
As I’ll talk about soon, there is more to consider than just the weight of the person using the bed frame, so think carefully about what you want to do.
How do I know if my bed frame is sturdy?
You can assume that your bed frame is sturdy if you aren’t experiencing any kind of problem with your bed frame itself. However, there are quite a few signs of a less-than-sturdy frame that many miss early on! These include:
- Wobbling
- Creaking
- Feels wonky
- Dipping at the sides or middle
If you’re noticing any of these, it’s probably worth looking at your bed frame to see if you’ve lost some of its integrity.
Even the best-quality bed frames can use a tune-up to some TLC after a while. They take a lot of stress every single night, after all, so it makes sense that they’ll start to show it after several years.
How much weight can an average bed hold?
I’m going to assume that, for this general question, you’re looking at the weight of the person sleeping in it! On average, a bed is designed to hold people who weigh up to 250 lbs (113 kg). You’ll find that manufacturers assume this is the west weight for beds that aren’t kids-sized beds!
How much weight can bed slats hold?
Bed slats are powerful, making them popular even in modern bed frames. They will comfortably hold up to 600 lbs (272 kg) and evenly distribute it across the frame.
How much weight can a bed base hold?
This is very similar to the slats. A bed frame can hold at least 500 lbs (226 kg), evenly distributing the weight.
So, why does this matter? Because your bed isn’t just the capacity of your weight. Your bed has to hold you (your partner, kids, pets, etc.), your mattress, and your box spring (if you have one). That’s a lot of weight, no matter how you look at it. So, the combined strength of the slats and the bed frame come in handy here!
Fun Fact: Did you know that an average mattress weighs 50-150 lbs (22-68 kg)?
Required tools to reinforce a bed frame
If you’ve decided to reinforce your bed frame, one of the best things you can do is figure out which bed reinforcement kit will work best for your bed frame type and size. These are dedicated kits to help you reinforce your bed frame itself. You’ll also need household tools to help you put those tools to use. These include:
- A drill with a screwdriver attachment (or a classic screwdriver)
- A socket wrench or tool with a 5/16” Allen key attachment.
- Circular Saw (If you don’t have a saw, Home Depot can cut the boards for you when you purchase them)
- A tape measure
- A level
- Someone to help you (optional, but highly recommended)
While reinforcing a bed isn’t hard, it is challenging because you’re working with a large bed frame. A second pair of hands will offer a lot of help.
How to reinforce a bed frame step by step
Whether you’re looking at reinforcing a metal or wooden bed frame, here is some more information on putting those tips I mentioned in the introduction into action!
- Tighten screws
- Take a look at your bed’s joints
- Replacing a support beam
- Adding a support beam
- Adding to or replacing slats
Tighten screws
One of the most common reasons your bed frame is shaky is that the screws have loosened over time. So, tighten all the screws (all of them), so they are hand-tight. If one of the screws is weak or stripped, replace it.
Another thing to do in this step is to consider adding heavy-duty screws to your bed frame. These can offer that sturdy feel that other kinds of screws just can’t do.
Take a look at your bed’s joints
Next, pay some attention to the joints in your bed. Are any of them at an angle? If so, you’ll want to ensure that you get everything back to “square” again. Use our level when you work at this since it’ll help you keep everything (literally) level and even around your frame.
You can also consider reinforcing the joints using wood glue. Just make sure that you get them perfectly level first!
Replace a support beam
Take a close look at the support beam for your bed. Does it look like it should? Does it seem weak or bending? You can replace the support beam much easier than you’d think.
If you decide to replace the center beam, consider getting a stronger one (metal vs. wood) to give you that extra security for your money’s worth!
Add a support beam
If one support beam isn’t enough, or you just want extra assurance, add another one! It can offer peace of mind and help you protect your bed frame’s integrity and comfort long-term. This may require more work and will be specific to your bed frame. You’ll find this easiest if your bed has additional support beams from the manufacturer of your bed, or consider free-floating ones!
Add to or replace slats
If you’ve noticed that your bed slats are broken or buckled, you should seriously consider replacing them. You can get new ones easily, and they’ll make a notable difference in their strength.
You can also add more slats to your bed frame if you’re using an older one with missing or only a few slats.
Should I repair a broken bed frame?
You should consider repairing a broken bed frame as long as the costs are going to be smaller than buying a new frame itself.
How do you reinforce broken bed slats?
If you’ve got broken bed slats, you’re probably dealing with wooden slats rather than metal ones. Metal slats are superior because they have better weight support for your mattress and the people and pets on the bed. Here are the steps to reinforce or repair broken bed slats:
- Sand down the slat to get it ready
- Blue cracks in it
- Clamp it overnight
- Apply plywood over the crack and glue it together
Ideally, you’ll just buy a new slat. But it’s nice to know that you can take a DIY approach if you want to.
Other ways to reinforce a bed frame
If you’re concerned about these reinforcing ideas, you can consider reinforcing your frame’s base instead. This would mean upgrading the base or considering mounting the base on something sturdy. Reinforcing the base will be more challenging than any of the above tips.
Does a full bed frame need center support?
Yes, a full bed frame is going to need center support. Generally, anything larger than a Twin bed will need a center support beam!
Should you screw down bed slats?
If your bed slats don’t attach to your bed rails, you’ll want to consider screwing them into the bed frame. It may take longer to assemble and disassemble, but it’s a great way to add extra strength!
How do I keep my bed slats from sagging?
From slats to the bed itself, you’ll want to ensure that your mattress is the right weight for your bed frame, and don’t go with a weight rating that is just above what you need — aim a bit higher!
Tip: Make sure the bed slats are sagging rather than the bed frame or mattress. Sleep Foundation explains that slats can help prevent sagging if used correctly.
If you need to help make your bedframe a little stronger and sturdier, you can consider tightening or replacing screws, checking and reinforcing the joints of your frame, replacing your support beam or adding more support beams, and replacing your bed frame’s slats! There are many ways to give your bed frame that extra security!
Know someone that is dealing with this problem right now? Consider sharing this article with them to help!
