How to Attach Steel Frames to a Wooden Headboard and Footboard

Metal bed frames can easily attach to wooden headboards and footboards.

Wooden headboards and footboards can transform the way your bed looks, but connecting them to steel bed frames may get confusing. Since wooden headboards and footboards are generally designed to connect with wooden rails with hooks on the end, steel bed frames are incompatible. There's no way to connect the two unless you use a bed hook adapter kit for each end of the bed. The hooked adapters fasten to the end of the rails, creating a perfect fit between wood and steel. No tools are required for assembly because modern steel frames and adapter kits come with everything you need for the task.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Bed hook adapter kits, with bolts and nuts

Instructions

1. Set up the steel bed frame by connecting the center cross pieces and the cross pieces at the head and foot of the bed frame. Metal bed frames do not need any additional tools to assemble. Align the arms from each side and slide the metal pin into the slot until it catches. Connect all three arms, then move the bed frame to the part of the bedroom where it will reside.

2. Hold one of the bed hook adapter brackets up next to the head end of one of the rails. Align the bolt holes between the bracket and the bed rail. Insert a bolt and use your fingers to fasten it with the nut. Repeat on the other rail.

3. Fasten the adapter brackets to the foot end of the steel rails the same way, by inserting the bolts and fastening the nuts with your fingers.

4. Set the headboard in front of the head end hook-adapted rails. Locate the slots or grooves on the legs of the headboard, which are created during manufacturing in anticipation of accepting hook-in wooden rails. Align the hooks with the slots and insert them. Press down to engage the hooks, and test the stability of the connection by moving the bed frame.

5. Align the footboard with the foot end hook-adapted rails. Insert the hooks into the slots on the legs, then press down firmly. Slide the bed into its final location.

Tips & Warnings

• If the wooden headboard and footboard are bolt-in style instead of hook-in, simply bolt the bed frame directly on, rather than use an adapter.

• While you don't necessarily need any additional tools to attach steel frames to a wooden headboard and footboard, some people like to tighten hex nuts with a wrench.

References

• The Sleep Shop: Bed Hook Adapter Kit
• Bed Frame Parts: Hook Plates
• Bowles Mattress: H2034 Assembly Instructions
• Planet Bed: Hook Plate Conversion Adapter