Why Does My Bed Creak When I Move?

You’re all tucked up in bed, ready to drift off into a restful slumber when suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere comes an almighty creeaakk. Not exactly the peaceful night's sleep you were hoping for. 

So, why does your bed creak every time you move – and what can you do to fix it? Let’s dig into the causes and solutions together. Scroll on to learn more 

What’s causing all that noise? 

There are a few usual suspects when it comes to a creaky bed. Most of them are simple fixes – and don’t worry, you probably don’t need a whole new bed (though if you do, we can definitely help with that too). 

1. Loose joints & bolts 

Over time, the joints in your bed frame can work themselves loose – especially if you’ve moved house or swapped bedrooms recently, or if the bed’s seen a few years of use. Every time you move, those wobbly connections shift and rub together, making that classically infuriating creaking sound. 

2. Wood on wood (or metal on metal) 

If you’ve got a wooden bed frame, sometimes the slats or frame parts can creak just from rubbing against each other. And the same goes for metal frames – if the parts aren’t sitting snugly, they can clang, squeak or groan with every movement during the night. 

3. The mattress itself 

Mattresses can make noise too – especially older spring mattresses. If the springs are worn or starting to break down, you might hear them twanging or groaning under pressure. If your mattress is the source of your bed creaking during the night, it’s usually a very good sign that it’s time to start shopping for a new one. 

4. The floor 

Not all creaks come from the bed. Uneven floorboards can creak under the weight of your bed – or under you when you move about. Think this could be the case? Try moving the bed slightly and see if the sound follows. 

How to stop the creaks 

Here are a few easy fixes to get your bed back to its quiet, restful best. 

Tighten everything up 

Grab a spanner or screwdriver from your trusty toolbox and give your bed frame a once-over. Tighten all the bolts, especially around the headboard and footboard – even if they don’t look loose, a tiny wobble can cause a big creak. 

Add some padding 

Where wood meets wood, try adding a little felt or rubber padding. Even folded-up fabric between slats and the bed frame may help dampen the noisiness. For metal bed frames, a quick squirt of WD-40 on joints can work wonders too. 

Check the slats 

Make sure the slats are sitting properly in their slots and aren’t cracked or warped. Reposition any that look out of place – or consider replacing them if they’ve seen better days. 

Rotate or replace your mattress 

If your mattress is more creaky than comfy, it might be time to flip, rotate, or even upgrade. Remember: not all mattresses need turning (aka flipping). Some mattresses are one-sided which means only one side of the mattress should be slept on. For more information, check out our How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress blog post. 

Not sure if it's time for a new mattress? We’ve got a handy guide for that too. 

Time for a new bed? 

If you’ve done all the above and your bed’s still creaking like it’s got something to say, it might just be time for a fresh start. At Bensons for Beds, we’ve got a great range of sturdy, stylish bed frames and whisper-quiet mattresses that are built to last – no creaks, no groans, just great sleep. 

Why does my bed creak when I move: final thoughts 

A creaky bed isn’t just annoying – it can actually negatively impact your sleep quality. But in most cases, the fix is simple (and quick). So, tighten those bolts, check the slats, and enjoy the sound of sweet silence. Hopefully. 

And if your bed has just given up? You know where to find us. 

Browse our bed frames and mattresses now or pop into your local Benson’s store for friendly, expert advice.