Squeaky or Creaking Ottoman Bed? How to Silence It

A noisy ottoman bed is annoying but rarely serious — the cause is almost always mechanical, not structural, and most fixes take minutes.

Are ottoman beds noisy by design?

No. A well-built frame with a solid timber base and quality gas struts should be near-silent in normal use. Persistent noise is a maintenance issue, not something you have to live with.

Cause 1: Loose bolts

The most common source of creaking is bolts that have worked loose over time, especially at the leg and side-rail joints. Go over every fixing with a screwdriver or Allen key and re-tighten — this alone fixes most cases.

Cause 2: Dry hinges or strut mounts

The metal hinge points where the struts meet the frame can squeak if they've dried out. A small amount of silicone spray lubricant (avoid oil-based products, which attract dust) on the pivot points usually silences it.

Cause 3: Slats rubbing against the frame

If individual slats aren't seated properly in their brackets, they can rub and click under movement. Check each slat is fully seated and hasn't shifted out of its clip.

Cause 4: An uneven floor

A frame rocking slightly on an uneven floor will creak at the legs. Adding felt pads under the feet, or shimming the low corner, often solves this.

Why timber frames squeak less than chipboard

Chipboard and cheap composite frames flex more under load, which is why lower-quality ottoman beds tend to develop noise faster. A solid timber frame holds its joints tighter for longer.

Related reading

Struts feeling weak too? See our gas strut replacement guide. Shop our solid timber-framed ottoman beds.