Double Bed Frames

Double bed frames are the size most Australian bedrooms land on when a single feels cramped and a queen would crowd the room. Early Settler's range covers timber, powder-coated iron and upholstered designs, so the frame can work with the room rather than fight it.

Early Settler’s double bed frames bring together considered designs for bedrooms of different sizes and styles, making it easier to choose a frame that feels at home in your space.

 

What are the dimensions of a double bed base?

138 x 188cm is the standard size of an Australian double mattress, though the frame around it always takes up more floor space. Across our collection, double bed frames measure 144 to 156cm wide and 195 to 207cm deep, so the footprint varies noticeably between designs.

That extra width often comes from details such as upholstered sides or posts. Check the measurements of the individual frame before buying rather than assuming every double frame has the same overall footprint.

 

Is a double bed for 1 or 2 people?

Double beds are most comfortable for one adult who wants genuine room to stretch out. It also works for two people who sleep close together or in a room that cannot fit anything larger, though two adults who like more space will find it tight.

Day to day, doubles suit guest rooms, teenagers moving up from a single bed frame, second bedrooms, and main bedrooms in inner-city apartments. Apartment bedrooms are usually built to a tighter footprint than a standalone home, and a queen or king can end up running close to wall-to-wall. A double fits that same room with clear floor left over, so you can open a wardrobe, get to both sides of the bed, and still fit a bedside table.

We have been fitting beds into Australian bedrooms since 1985, and the pattern holds: people rarely regret a bed being slightly smaller, but they do regret a room that only works if nobody moves. We would rather say that plainly than have you work it out after delivery.

 

How does a double compare to a queen bed frame?

For mattress size, a double measures 138 x 188cm, while a queen bed measures 153 x 203cm. That makes the queen size 15cm wider and 15cm longer. Split between two sleepers, that extra width works out to about 7.5cm each, roughly the width of a palm. The added length is what matters most for anyone approaching six foot.

The deciding factor is really the room. Every double bed frame in this collection is also available in a queen, so you can choose the bed size that fits your space without giving up the design you prefer.

 

How do I choose the right double bed frame for my room?

For a double bed, a room around 3.0m x 3.0m usually leaves comfortable walking space, with about 75cm clearance wherever you need to pass. That makes measuring especially useful in compact main bedrooms and guest bedrooms.

The frame itself can change how comfortably everything fits, so check these details before choosing:

• Headboard height – Heights across this collection run from 100cm to 200cm, which matters under a window or a sloped ceiling.
  
• Floor clearance – Every frame sits on legs, so the floor underneath stays clear and flat storage boxes slide in easily.
  
• Overall dimensions – Each product page lists the frame's height, width and depth, so you can measure against your own room before ordering.
  

 

Materials that suit the way you use the room

Choose powder-coated iron for a lighter visual footprint, timber for warmth and weight, or an upholstered bed frame if you like sitting up to read or work in bed. Early Settler sits between discount furniture retailers and high-end boutiques, so the focus is on materials suited to real bedrooms without a luxury budget.

Match the frame to how you use the room:

• Powder-coated iron suits smaller spaces because metal frames keep the profile slim and are easy to wipe clean. Choose a metal double bed frame when you want the room to feel more open.
  
• Acacia, Bayur timber and plywood bring the warmth of natural timber, with some timber frames using corner-blocked construction. Choose a timber double bed frame if you prefer the grounded feel of solid wood.
  
• Polyester upholstery with foam behind the headboard gives you a softer surface to lean against, while oak legs add timber detail. This suits anyone who regularly reads or works in bed.
  

 

Double bed frame styles for Australian bedrooms

Australian bedrooms can take plenty of different directions, from a four poster or Hamptons coastal white bed frame in antique white to vintage hand-painted designs with carved detailing. Scandi frames in light woodgrain feel quieter, while classic white metal can bring an industrial note without adding visual bulk.

For a softer, more luxe look, a contemporary upholstered double bed in neutral tones works well. If you are choosing between a white double bed frame and warmer honey finishes, seeing the colour in person across Early Settler's 54 Australian stores can make the decision easier.

 

Do I need a bed base with my double bed frame?

No. Every double bed frame in this collection includes slats, so the mattress sits directly on the frame and no separate bed base is needed. Slat materials vary by design, with plywood on some frames and solid timber or mahogany on others.

Those slats support the mattress while letting air move underneath, which is worth having in a spare room bed that sits unused between visits. What you are buying here is a frame and a mattress, not a frame, a base and a mattress.

If you are choosing the mattress at the same time, our double and queen mattresses are made to the same standard sizes, so match the mattress to the frame rather than the other way around.

 

Pair your frame with the rest of the room

The bed sets the tone, and the rest of your bedroom furniture either carries that look through or pulls the room in another direction. Pair your frame with bedside tables, a chest of drawers or dresser, tallboy, wardrobe and mattress. Because every frame here already includes bedheads, you can focus on the pieces around it.

Some designs sit within full collections, such as the Maldon collection, with matching bedside tables and drawers. Our in-house Melbourne design team develops collections as coordinated ranges, helping timber tones and proportions line up across pieces. If storage is the priority, the wider beds & bed frames range also includes bed frames with storage and gas lift bed frames. Let the frame lead, then choose the pieces that make the room feel like yours.

 

FAQs

Do double bed frames in this collection include mattress support slats?

Yes. Every double bed frame in this collection ships with its slat system included. Slat material varies by design, with plywood on several frames and solid timber or mahogany on others. Slat dimensions are listed in the specifications on each Early Settler product page, which is worth checking against what your mattress needs underneath it.

Is a double bed base long enough for tall sleepers?

Not always. A double is 188cm long, so anyone near or above 183cm will feel the end of the bed. A king single and a queen both run 203cm, which is the difference that counts here. Compare Early Settler's king single bed frames and queen bed frames if length matters more to you than width.

How do I assemble a double bed frame?

Every frame in this collection is flat packed, arriving in one to four cartons depending on the design. Lay out the parts, connect the side rails to the head and foot, tighten once everything sits square, then drop the slats in last. A second pair of hands makes the longer rails much easier. Downloadable assembly guides sit on selected Early Settler product pages.