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Our mission is to take the guesswork out of finding the perfect sleep products.
We've dedicated hundreds of hours to testing mattresses and sleep accessories, and rely on a team of testers of differing weights, temperature preferences, and sleeping positions to evaluate each product.
Tested products are granted the Sleep Hero tested stamp of approval, a mark of our review's reliability.
If we haven't personally tested a product, please be assured that we invest significant time and energy into scouring the UK market and researching the best recommendations, and we work with a team of sleep experts who review our articles, ensuring that the insights we provide are not only relatable but also reliable.
Different Simba bed frames
Before deep-diving into the discussion on the Simba Orion bed, let’s quickly guide you through the Simba bed selection.
Currently, Simba Sleep UK offers a few bed frames.
These are:
- Simba Orion (£): A classic frame with linen effect and a five-buttoned headboard.
- Simba Platform (£): A budget-friendly bed base without headboard.
- Simb Atlas (££): A minimalist bed frame with clean headboard.
Each bed frame is available in a variety of different colour options.
While each frame is slightly different, they are all handmade in the UK from 100% recyclable materials and sustainably-sourced birch.
They also all feature the same slat base system. 🔧
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We tested the Simba Orion bed frame, but many of the key points we’ll discuss further down will apply to all the Simba beds.
Simba Orion bed frame design
The Simba Orion is a classically designed bed frame featuring a five-buttoned headboard and upholstered in a linen-feel fabric with a spill-resistant finish. 💦
It's well suited to smaller bedrooms or those not looking for much fluff and frill, while still being quite elegant.
The Simba Orion is available in three different colours.
The colour options include:
- Fossil (a slightly darker shade of grey)
- Cloud (a lighter beige-grey)
- Sweatshirt (a smooth, light grey)
- Ink blot (a dark blue-black)
All choices are made in a practical stain-resistant finish with a linen feel that creates a barrier on the fabric to protect it from moisture and spillage.
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The main fabric features linen from 61% recycled polyester and 39% BCI cotton.
The linen fabric has a needlefelt lining of 100% polypropylene.
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The frame also comes with tiny wooden legs made of 100% beech. 🌳
Simba bed frame sizes
There are a few measurements that become relevant when looking at bed frames. 📏
These include the length and width of the frame itself, the measurements from floor to slats where you place your mattress, under-bed clearance space, and the total height from the floor to the top of the headboard.

The exact dimensions of the Simba bed frame will differ depending on your bed size.
The Simba Orion frame is available in the following dimensions:
- Simba Orion double bed: 147 x 231.5 cm (57.8 x 91.14 inches)
- Simba Orion king: 162 x 241.5 cm (63.77 x 95.07 inches)
- Simba Orion super king size: 192 x 241.5 cm (75.59 x 95.07 inches)
The height from floor to slats, under-bed space, and headboard height are the same for all sizes.
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The floor to slat and floor clearance measurements are also similar for all Simba bed frames.

This means that you can use the below to guide all of your Simba bed base purchasing decisions.
These are the dimensions:
- Floor to slats: 29 cm (11.4 inches)
- Floor clearance: 13 cm (5.11 inches)
- Floor to top of headboard: 104 cm (40.9 inches)
You’ll notice that some of these figures are pretty low, which may or may not work for you.
A low-height bed
The Simba Orion only measures 29 cm (11.4 inches) from floor to slats.
This is the same for all Simba bed frames.
Your bed will undoubtedly feel relatively low unless you have a thick mattress.
We paired the Simba Orion bed with the low-height Simba Essential mattress (measuring 20 cm / 7.8 inches) and definitely felt that more height would be appreciated.
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That said, this is very much a matter of personal preference.
Low-height beds have a huge fanbase, so this may just be perfect for you.
Low-height beds are often great for a more minimalistic feel.
They're also well-suited to parents with small children, who may want to climb into bed at night, as well as people who prefer sleeping on floor mattresses or being low to the ground.
But if you’re looking for a very my-bed-is-my-throne feel, the Simba Orion frame may not be best for you. 👑
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Unless, of course, you pair it with a thicker mattress like the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid or the Simba Hybrid Luxe.
Limited under-bed space
The biggest downfall, in our opinion, of the Simba Orion frame (and all other Simba bed frames, for that matter) is the limited under-bed space.
The clearance space underneath the bed only measures 13 cm (5.11 inches).
While aesthetically this is very pleasing and looks quite elegant, we consider the low clearance space a negative for two reasons:
- Most bedrooms in the UK aren’t very large, so the low under-bed clearance is a bit of wasted space as it can’t really be used for storage. We’ve searched for low-height under-bed storage solutions but haven’t found anything decent.
- Dust is likely to accumulate, but getting under the bed with a broom or vacuum cleaner is almost impossible, making cleaning a bit cumbersome.
Of course, the former won't be an issue if you have a large bedroom and ample storage space elsewhere. 🤷♀️
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But if you want to maximise your space, you may be better off looking at a bed with storage space, like the Nectar Ottoman Storage Bed.
Wasted space behind the headboard
Another less-than-ideal dimension problem comes with the headboard. 😞
The headboard is slightly curved, which, again, is aesthetically quite pleasing and not a problem at all if you have a larger bedroom.
But even with the top of the headboard touching the wall, you’ll still have an additional gap of 13 cm (5.11 inches) between the wall and the rest of the bed frame.
This means you’ll lose an additional 13 cm (5.11 inches) of bedroom space - and be stuck with further cleaning dilemmas.
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This isn't ideal for UK-sized bedrooms. 🤦♀️

But what the Simba bed frame lacks in space-savviness, it certainly makes up for in terms of the Simba-Flex slat system and ease of assembly.
We'll look at those two factors next.
Good storage bed frames:
The Simba-Flex slat system
Each Simba bed base comes with the Simba-Flex slat system. 💪
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From sleeping on the Simba bed, we can confidently say that this system works beautifully and offers good support.
The Simba-Flex slat system is engineered to offer tailored support, responding to your shoulders and lower back area.
This slat system is more responsive than standard slats by offering extra bounce.
Standard slats are generally placed straight on the frame, but the Simba-Flex features an extra spring system.
The slat system also offers much better pressure relief, allowing you to enjoy a more comfortable sleep.

You’ll also find triple-cushioned, narrower slats around the shoulder area and firmer, extra-wide slats around the lumbar region, which requires more support.
This unique zoning system ensures that your mattress is well supported, enhancing body support where required and allowing for a bit more slack where not.
We found this much more supportive than standard slats, which are spaced more equally throughout.
Slats also allow air to circulate easily between the base and mattress.
This enhances airflow and encourages breathability, meaning heat and moisture can escape your mattress. ❄️
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This keeps you cooler and more comfortable, even in hotter weather.
We certainly never felt too hot sleeping on this frame, despiting testing during a UK summer heatwave!
How to set up the Simba bed frame
The thought of putting together a large item of furniture will undoubtedly fill most of us with dread. 😳
But Simba’s bed bases are straightforward to assemble.
We'll look at the full process further down, but here's a quick overview:
This is still probably the easiest frame we’ve ever put together.
While the brand proudly boasts you can put the whole frame together in 10 minutes without any tools, this claim isn’t entirely valid - in our experience, at least.
With two people taking on the task, it took about 40 minutes from unpacking the boxes to being able to jump into bed!
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And, indeed, you don’t need any tools - though a scissor or knife to cut open the cardboard boxes may come in handy. ✂️
So, how do you put a Simba bed frame together?
With no tools and an (almost) perfect design, the Simba Orion bed base really was a breeze to put together.
The parts all come delivered in several sturdy cardboard boxes, so we’d recommend starting by unpacking each box and placing the pieces roughly where they ought to be.
Luckily, the slats are also already pre-assembled, and all you need to do is connect the two halves. 😅
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Here’s our step-by-step guide for putting together the Simba bed.
1. Click the sides of the bed frame together
This really is a breeze as long as you have someone to hold the sides up for you while you click them into place.
The parts aren't overly heavy either, so even average-strength individuals will manage.
2. Insert the wooden legs
Once the sides have been clicked into place, you can screw in the wooden legs to keep everything in place.
Here we'd definitely recommend someone holding the frame up so you can get underneath to see where the legs go.
3. Add the FlexiSlat grip & legs
Fasten the two FlexiSlat grid halves with the provided screw-and-leg pieces, then position them onto the frame.
This is the only part we really struggled with, which we explore in a tad more detail further down.
4. Sleep
Add your mattress and bedding, and enjoy a good snooze. 💤
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Was it really that easy?
Clicking the sides together and adding the wooden legs was super easy. 👌
The only part we struggled with was fastening the two FlexiSlat grids together.
It worked all right where the slats are wider as the screw-and-leg piece fit easily, but getting it in the correct position where the slats are tighter was a bit of a struggle.
This definitely required a bit of manoeuvring and some manpower.
If you struggle, we'd suggest getting someone with some muscle power to help with this part.
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Everything else was an absolute breeze, though. 💨
The ease of assembling and dismantling the Simba bed is just about every reason you need to get this frame!
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At one point in our testing process, we had to move rooms and, keeping the slat system together, it took a mere 10 minutes to disassemble and reassemble the frame.
What if you hate DIY?
Even though the Simba Orion bed frame is super easy to put together, it does still require some DIY.
If you're absolutely against this, we'd recommend opting for something even easier, like the Emma divan bed frame.
Alternatively, it could be worth looking into companies like Bensons for Beds and Dreams, who offer bed assembly services.
What does it feel like to sleep on the Simba Orion frame?
We loved sleeping on the Simba Orion bed frame.
Some notable features:
- The bed frame is elegant but still quite minimalistic, giving it a very classy feel.
- The headboard is great for leaning against when sitting in bed, making this a great option for people who spend a lot of time in their rooms.
- The bed frame is very sturdy. Many slatted frames creak and wobble, but we didn't experience any of this with the Simba bed frame.
- It really was very easy to assemble and disassemble, making it quite convenient for people who move around more often.
- The slat system allows for good ventilation for your mattress, so we slept cool and comfortably even in a heatwave.
Even though Simba offers a few options with flat headboards - or no headboards - we love the look and feel of the Simba Orion.
It's one of the cheapest bed frames in the Simba store but looks much more elegant than some of the other options.
What does the Simba bed frame cost?
Simba products aren’t the cheapest on the market.
You’ll find much cheaper options from competitor brands, like Emma beds.
But, despite their often high price tag, these are high-quality products that are well worth the investment.

This is because every aspect of the frame is made with attention to detail, and you can rest assured that you're getting the best quality out there!
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Simba bed frame discounts
In addition, you’ll rarely have to pay full price for a Simba bed. 🎉
Simba Sleep offers frequent sales and promotions.
These can get you over 50% off your purchase.

If there are any Simba promotions currently running, they’ll be advertised throughout this page.
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Also, check out our discounts page for all UK promotions or sign up to our newsletter to get the best deals straight in your inbox.
Try one of the Simba mattresses
No reasonable bed frame would be complete without one of the best mattresses on the market - and Simba is perfect for that!
We’re huge fans of the classic Simba Hybrid mattress.
It features a mixture of quality pocket springs and foams, comes with a 200-day trial period, and has a 10-year gurantee!
But, the brand also offers other more budget and premium versions to suit anyone’s taste and budget.
They even have a memory foam and environmentally-friendly options!
Our favourite Simba mattresses:
What else does Simba offer?
In addition to the bed frames and mattresses, Simba Sleep also offers a range of other five-star-rated sleep accessories. 🌟
These include:
- Simba Hybrid duvet and Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 duvet
- Simba Hybrid mattress topper
- Simba Hybrid pillow
- Simba weighted blanket
- Simba bedding
We’ve included links to a few of our favourites below.
Our favourite Simba Sleep accessories:
Simba bed delivery
Simba bed frames all come with free delivery within the UK, generally within three business days. 🇬🇧
Expert Logistics delivered our frame, and there was excellent e-mail correspondence to communicate expected delivery times.
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Unfortunately, the time kept on being pushed out - probably due to the luck that is London traffic. 🚕🚙🚗
But, the bed still arrived within the given time frame.
The delivery team was also very kind, delivering the boxes straight to the room of our choice.
While contactless options are available, carrying the extra-large boxes can be quite cumbersome. 📦
We’d recommend letting the team carry the boxes to the required room.
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Simba bed return period
Simba beds, unlike the Simba mattress, don’t come with a trial period. 😩
If you change your mind, you can return the unopened boxes within 14 days of delivery for a full refund.
Once the boxes have been opened, you can no longer return the frame.
Should you buy the Simba bed?
We love our Simba bed frame.
The bed is beautiful and so easy to put together - an absolute dream!
The only thing we don’t like about the Simba bed is that it’s not the best in optimising space. 🤷♀️
If you have a very small bedroom, we’d recommend looking for a more space-savvy option.
But if you have an average-size or even larger bedroom, the Simba bed frames are a perfect fit for anyone looking for comfortable elegance.
Contact Simba Sleep UK
Customer service: To contact Simba Sleep directly for complaints, support, or queries, please e-mail them at hello@simbasleep.com or visit their live online chat. The customer services team is available Monday to Friday, from 9 am - 5 pm., and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Registered office: Simba Sleep, The Stable Yard, 60 Petty France, Westminster, London SW1H 9E