I have a wooden bed frame, for which one of the sides is very slightly bent out (as shown in the picture). I would like to get it straightened because the slight bending out means that the slats that support the mattress on that side aren't held in place as firmly, so occasionally fall out. The bed is about 7 years old and unfortunately the shop that sold me the bed has gone bust in the meantime – so I don't think there's any reasonable chance of getting a replacement.
Is there any reasonable way to fix this? I don't know that much about DIY, but wood doesn't seem like a good material for simply bending back into shape.
(NB. Picture shows the bottom corner of the bed at the front of the picture not fully in place, with a gap showing. Don't worry about this – the bed was disassembled for room redecoration and I haven't yet fully reassembled it, hence the gap)
Best Answer
For a slight bend (warp) like that you can try setting the board on blocks at its ends and weighting the middle. Overcompensate somewhat (weight to the point that it bends slightly the other way. Heat may help, but should be moderate and dry for a finished furniture piece - this is not something to attempt steam-bending on. But if you have a hot attic you can do it in, that's perfect. Let it sit for a few days that way.
Alternatively, if the holes in the slat rail are not engaged by pegs on the slats (which would, of themselves, serve to pull the sides together and keep slats from dislodging) it might be simplest to run wire, strong string or small rope between the sides at several holes in the middle to pull this side in towards the other one.