How to Customise Your Cozey Ara Bed: Headboards, Frames & Fabrics

Your bed should suit your bedroom, your style and the way you live. You shouldn't have to accept one fixed combination of headboard, frame, storage and fabric simply because you like a particular design.

When shopping for an upholstered bed, customers often find themselves making compromises.

A bed might have a beautiful headboard but the wrong frame shape. Another might offer storage but only in one colour. A third might look perfect in photographs but take up more room than expected.

At Cozey, we wanted to change that.

We developed the Ara Upholstered Bed as a customisable system rather than one predetermined bed design.

Customers can choose their headboard, frame shape, storage configuration, fabric, colour and selected upholstery finishes.

We also wanted Ara to carry over some of the strongest advantages of our modular sofas: manageable delivery, simpler assembly, removable and machine-washable fabric covers, and the ability to change individual components after purchase.

Ara was designed around four priorities:

• Structural stability: A supportive steel foundation designed for everyday residential use.
• Compact delivery: Components that can be transported through real homes more easily than one oversized assembled frame.
• Simpler assembly and moving: Modular construction that's practical to put together and take apart.
• Personalisation: The ability to choose how the bed looks and functions, with options to update selected components over time.

This guide explains how to choose the right Ara configuration, what each headboard was designed to achieve, how much space different options require, and how customers can adapt their bed as their needs change.

On This Page

1. 1. What Can You Customise on the Cozey Ara Bed?
2. 2. Which Ara Headboard Should You Choose?
3. 3. Exact Ara Headboard Dimensions: Full, Queen and Australian King
4. 4. What Is the Total Installed Depth of Each Ara Bed?
5. 5. Round vs. Square Bed Frames: What's the Difference?
6. 6. Exact Ara Bed-Frame Dimensions in Australia
7. 7. How Should You Choose Between Regular Seam, French Seam and Channel Tufted?
8. 8. Which Ara Fabric and Colour Should You Choose?
9. 9. Should You Choose Storage or Non-Storage?
10. 10. Can You Change Your Ara Bed After Purchase?
11. 11. What Is Ara's Most Popular Configuration?
12. 12. How Does Ara's Modular Construction Help With Delivery and Assembly?
13. 13. Which Ara Configuration Is Best for Your Bedroom?
14. Final Thoughts: A Bed Designed Around Your Preferences

1. What Can You Customise on the Cozey Ara Bed?

Ara Upholstered offers several independent design choices.

Ara Upholstered customisation choices

Compatible upholstered headboards and bed frames can be combined within the same bed size.

For example, customers can pair a Round frame with a Square headboard.

Or they can select a Square storage frame with a Pillow headboard.

We wanted these choices to be meaningful.

The frame shape changes the bed's appearance.

The headboard influences its design and how comfortable it may feel when sitting upright.

Storage changes how the bed functions.

And the upholstery's texture and colour influence how the bed works with the rest of the bedroom.

For us, customisation isn't simply offering more colours.

It's giving customers control over the different parts of their bed.

2. Which Ara Headboard Should You Choose?

We developed four upholstered headboards, each with a different design intention.

Ara headboards compared

Round: Modern, Versatile and Easy to Style

Round is our most popular upholstered headboard.

We designed it to create a modern appearance through soft, curved edges.

The silhouette is contemporary without being overly decorative.

That makes it relatively easy to incorporate into different bedroom styles.

It also has a more compact front-to-back footprint than Pillow and is a more accessible headboard choice than Pillow or Extended.

If someone wants a modern upholstered bed that works with a wide range of interiors, Round is usually our first recommendation.

Square: Classic and Structured

Square was created for customers who prefer straighter lines and a more classic aesthetic.

It emphasises clean geometry rather than curves.

The complete installed depth is the same as Round, so the decision between these two headboards is primarily visual.

Round is softer and more contemporary.

Square is more structured and classic.

We wouldn't describe either as inherently better.

The right choice depends on the type of bedroom you want.

Pillow: Designed for Comfort When Sitting Up

Pillow has a different design purpose.

We wanted to create a plush, relaxed-looking headboard that also provides more comfort for customers who sit upright in bed.

Its large upholstered cushions create a softer surface for leaning back while reading, watching television or relaxing.

For customers who regularly use their bed for activities beyond sleeping, this can be an important benefit.

Pillow is our preferred headboard for customers who prioritise comfort while sitting upright.

The trade-off is its depth.

The cushions project further forward than our Round and Square headboards.

For Queen and King configurations, a Pillow Ara is approximately 11.4 cm (4.5 inches) deeper overall than a Round or Square configuration.

That matters when planning a smaller bedroom.

If you rarely sit upright in bed, you may prefer the more compact Round or Square headboards.

If you enjoy reading in bed every evening, Pillow may be worth the additional room it occupies.

Extended: A Luxurious, Hotel-Inspired Statement

We developed Extended for customers who want a more luxurious, elevated bedroom aesthetic.

Its wide headboard creates a strong focal point and can help fill a larger wall.

The intention was to evoke the feeling of a beautifully styled hotel bedroom.

Extended is particularly effective in spacious primary bedrooms, especially when the bed is centred against a large feature wall.

However, the headboard requires considerably more wall width than the other designs.

For example, an Extended Queen headboard measures approximately 293.7 cm wide.

That's almost three metres.

Interestingly, Extended is also relatively slim front-to-back.

So it requires more width, but not more room depth.

That distinction can make a major difference when choosing between Pillow and Extended.

3. Exact Ara Headboard Dimensions: Full, Queen and Australian King

When comparing headboards, we recommend looking at three measurements:

• Width: How much wall space the headboard occupies.
• Height: How tall the headboard is and how prominently it appears in the bedroom.
• Depth: How far the headboard itself projects front-to-back.

Headboard Width by Bed Size

Headboard width by bed size

These are the overall widths of the individual headboards.

Headboard Height and Depth

Headboard height and component depth

These measurements describe the headboard components, not the entire assembled bed.

What Do These Measurements Tell Us?

There are several useful differences.

Pillow is narrower than Round and Square, but significantly deeper.

That means Pillow may fit a narrower wall while still requiring more room from front to back.

Extended is substantially wider than all other headboards, but its relatively slim profile helps limit its depth.

For a customer with a large feature wall but limited front-to-back floor space, Extended may actually fit more easily than Pillow.

For someone with a narrower room who prioritises sitting comfort, Pillow could be more suitable.

This is why we recommend comparing exact measurements rather than assuming one headboard is simply larger than another.

4. What Is the Total Installed Depth of Each Ara Bed?

The dimensions above describe the headboards themselves.

For bedroom planning, the most important front-to-back measurement is the complete assembled depth of the bed, including its headboard.

Total installed depth by headboard and bed size, in centimetres

These correspond to the following approximate measurements in inches.

Total installed depth by headboard and bed size, in inches

Example: Choosing an Ara Queen for a Smaller Bedroom

Imagine your bedroom has limited space between the headboard wall and a wardrobe.

A Queen Ara with Round headboard requires approximately 223.5 cm of front-to-back space.

With Pillow, that increases to approximately 235 cm.

That's an additional 11.4 cm.

In a spacious room, that difference might be insignificant.

But in a compact apartment bedroom, it could affect the space available to walk around the bed or open other furniture.

If you rarely sit upright, Round or Square may offer a better balance.

If reading in bed is an important part of your routine, Pillow's additional comfort may justify the space.

What About Extended?

The complete Extended Queen is approximately 222.9 cm deep.

That's slightly less than Round or Square.

However, its headboard is much wider.

This makes Extended particularly interesting for customers who have a broad wall but want to preserve front-to-back circulation space.

The right decision depends on your room's actual proportions. If you'd like help working out what fits, you can book a free design consultation.

5. Round vs. Square Bed Frames: What's the Difference?

Ara also lets customers personalise the shape of the bed frame.

Round Frame: Soft and Modern

Round has curved exterior edges and a contemporary appearance.

It's our most popular frame design.

We wanted it to feel modern, comfortable and versatile across different interiors.

When paired with the Round headboard, the complete bed has a consistent, soft-edged silhouette.

Square Frame: Clean and Classic

Square emphasises straight lines and clean geometry.

It offers a more structured, classic look.

Some customers prefer this appearance because it feels simple and understated.

Do They Have Different Dimensions?

No.

Within the same bed size and storage configuration, the Round and Square frames have the same nominal outside dimensions.

The difference is the exterior styling.

Both use Ara's underlying modular steel structural foundation.

Can You Mix the Headboard and Frame Styles?

Yes.

Compatible upholstered headboards and frames can be combined in the same bed size.

For example, a Round frame can be paired with a Square headboard.

A Square frame can be paired with a Pillow headboard.

And either frame style can be paired with Extended.

We wanted customers to be able to choose the different components independently.

6. Exact Ara Bed-Frame Dimensions in Australia

The following dimensions describe the bed frame itself, excluding the headboard.

They apply to both Round and Square frame styles.

Ara frame dimensions by bed size, non-storage and storage

W = width, D = front-to-back depth, H = bed-frame height.

The storage frame is slightly wider than the non-storage frame because of its exterior drawer configuration.

Why Is the Australian King Different?

The Australian King Ara is designed around Australian King mattress dimensions.

Its frame is narrower than the North American King version.

The Australian King non-storage frame measures 202.3 cm wide.

The Australian King storage frame measures 205.7 cm wide.

These measurements should be used when planning an Australian bedroom.

Does the Headboard Extend Beyond the Frame?

Yes.

For example, an Australian King non-storage frame is 202.3 cm wide.

Its Round headboard is 212.4 cm wide.

Its Extended headboard is 322 cm wide.

The Extended headboard therefore creates a much wider feature across the wall, even though the underlying frame accommodates the same Australian King mattress size.

When measuring your bedroom, use the larger of the relevant frame and headboard widths.

What About Mattress Compatibility?

Cozey's Australian Ara range is offered in Full, Queen and King sizes.

Australian and North American mattress conventions aren't always identical.

Always check the actual mattress-fit measurements for the bed you're ordering.

This is particularly important if you already own a mattress or are purchasing one from another manufacturer.

7. How Should You Choose Between Regular Seam, French Seam and Channel Tufted?

Headboard shape isn't the only aesthetic decision.

We also developed different upholstery finishes to suit different design tastes.

These treatments are primarily decorative.

They don't create different levels of structural strength.

Regular Seam: Modern and Classic

Regular Seam provides a clean, understated appearance.

It's designed for customers who prefer a modern-classic bedroom.

The seam detail doesn't compete with the headboard's overall silhouette.

We recommend it to customers who like minimalist design or want something versatile.

French Seam: Relaxed and Bohemian

French Seam creates a more relaxed, textile-oriented appearance.

We developed it for customers who prefer a softer, boho-inspired aesthetic.

The seam becomes part of the design, adding character without making the bed feel overly formal.

Channel Tufted: Elevated and Aspirational

Channel Tufted introduces repeated upholstered detailing.

We designed it to create a more elevated and aspirational appearance.

It's particularly suitable for customers who want their headboard to feel like a prominent design feature.

Which Finish Is Best?

There isn't a universally better finish.

For clean, classic styling, choose Regular Seam.

For a more relaxed bedroom, consider French Seam.

For a more decorative, elevated headboard, consider Channel Tufted.

The available finish combinations depend on the selected headboard, so customers should check the current Ara configurator for supported options.

8. Which Ara Fabric and Colour Should You Choose?

We wanted Ara to offer the kind of fabric personalisation that customers already appreciate in our sofas.

Rather than restricting the bed to one upholstery material, we wanted people to choose the texture and colour that best suited their bedroom.

Ara draws from Cozey's familiar upholstery range, with options that can include performance fabrics, chenille, Aquaforte™, velvet and bouclé, depending on the current assortment.

Start With the Bedroom's Overall Look

Consider the room's flooring, wall colours, natural light and existing furniture.

A lighter fabric can create a softer, airier appearance.

A richer or darker colour can create contrast and make the bed a stronger focal point.

The same headboard may feel very different in two fabrics.

Texture Matters as Much as Colour

A smooth fabric creates a different visual effect from a pronounced bouclé.

Chenille can contribute a softer-looking texture.

Velvet can create a different sense of depth and richness.

We recommend looking beyond the colour name and considering how the fabric feels and looks in person.

Order Fabric Swatches

Where available, ordering swatches is one of the best ways to choose upholstery.

A fabric can appear different in daylight, warm indoor lighting and photographs.

Viewing it alongside your bedding, flooring and wall colours can help avoid surprises.

Are Ara's Covers Removable and Machine-Washable?

Yes.

The supported upholstered frame and headboard covers are removable and machine-washable according to their fabric-specific care instructions.

This was particularly important to us.

We wanted to bring one of the strongest practical advantages of Cozey sofas into the bedroom.

A fabric-covered bed may collect dust, hair and everyday marks.

Being able to remove eligible covers makes cleaning more practical.

It also allows customers to refresh the bed's appearance without necessarily replacing the underlying structure.

Washable doesn't mean stain-proof, snag-proof or maintenance-free, but it gives customers more options for caring for their furniture.

9. Should You Choose Storage or Non-Storage?

Ara Upholstered offers both Round and Square frames with or without integrated storage.

The storage version includes four side-access drawers, with two on each side of the bed.

Why Did We Choose Four Drawers?

We wanted to create storage that customers could access easily.

With lift-up beds, accessing stored belongings generally involves raising the mattress platform.

We preferred an arrangement where customers could retrieve items independently.

For example, someone can open an Ara drawer and retrieve a spare doona cover while their partner is sleeping.

There's no need to raise the mattress or remove pillows and bedding.

Each drawer opens separately.

How Much Storage Does Ara Have?

The following are the nominal internal dimensions of each drawer.

Nominal internal dimensions and volume of each Ara storage drawer

There are four drawers in each storage configuration.

That gives approximately:

Combined nominal internal volume of four drawers by bed size

Each drawer has a separate maximum load of 9 kg.

The actual quantity of belongings that fits will depend on their size, shape and how they're arranged.

What's the Main Disadvantage of Storage Drawers?

They require space to open beside the bed.

Nightstands, walls or nearby furniture can obstruct them.

Before selecting storage, consider whether you'll be able to access the drawers conveniently.

For a room with very limited side clearance, a non-storage frame may be the better choice.

Is Storage Worth the Additional Cost?

It depends on how you use your bedroom.

If you have limited cupboard space or regularly need somewhere to store bedding and clothing, the extra functionality can be valuable.

If you don't need the additional compartments, a non-storage configuration may offer better value.

We wouldn't recommend paying more for a feature you don't intend to use.

10. Can You Change Your Ara Bed After Purchase?

Yes. One of the defining characteristics of the Ara Bed System is that customers can change supported components after purchasing the bed.

We didn't want personalisation to end at checkout.

Can You Change Your Fabric or Colour?

Yes.

Customers can purchase compatible replacement covers for the upholstered frame and headboard.

For example, someone who originally chose a neutral colour can later select another available fabric or colour.

The underlying steel foundation can remain.

Can You Change Your Headboard?

Yes.

Customers can purchase another compatible headboard and its matching fabric covers.

For example, someone might initially choose Round because it suits a smaller apartment.

After moving into a larger bedroom, they may decide that an Extended headboard better suits the new space.

They can keep the steel foundation and replace the headboard with the appropriate compatible components.

Can You Convert From Non-Storage to Storage?

Yes.

Customers can retain the main steel structure and existing headboard.

To add storage, they need the compatible storage-frame components, covers and drawer assemblies.

They don't need to replace the entire bed's steel foundation simply because they want storage.

Can You Remove Storage Later?

Yes.

Customers can change from a supported storage configuration to non-storage.

The steel structure and headboard can remain.

The conversion involves removing the drawers and installing the appropriate non-storage exterior frame components and covers.

Can You Change the Frame Shape?

Within compatible Ara Upholstered configurations, customers can change the relevant exterior frame components and covers.

This allows changes to the frame's visual appearance while keeping the underlying structure.

What Should You Check Before Making Changes?

Replacement components need to match the bed size, product family and supported production version.

Customers should contact Cozey's Customer Happiness team to confirm which components and covers are required.

Availability may vary, and not every replacement part or conversion kit is necessarily listed separately online.

We recommend using approved compatible components rather than improvising structural changes.

11. What Is Ara's Most Popular Configuration?

Our most popular upholstered combination is Round headboard + Round frame + Storage.

There are several reasons we believe this configuration appeals to customers.

The Round design is modern and versatile.

Its curved shape works with many different interior styles.

It's also a more accessible headboard choice than Pillow or Extended.

And storage adds useful everyday functionality.

Although the storage version costs more than the non-storage configuration, customers appreciate the value of four accessible drawers.

For many people, this combination provides a strong balance of design, functionality and price.

Does That Mean It's the Best Choice for Everyone?

No.

If you regularly sit upright in bed, Pillow may be more comfortable.

If you have a large feature wall, Extended may create the bedroom aesthetic you prefer.

If you love straight lines and classic geometry, Square may be the better choice.

And if you don't need storage, there's no reason to pay for it simply because it's popular.

Our most popular configuration is a useful starting point, but the right choice should reflect your own needs.

12. How Does Ara's Modular Construction Help With Delivery and Assembly?

Customisation was one of Ara's main design priorities, but it needed to work alongside practical delivery and assembly.

We wanted a bed with a sturdy structural foundation that could still be transported in manageable components.

Ara uses a four-quadrant powder-coated steel frame, supporting legs and laminated veneer lumber slats.

The frame sections, exterior panels and headboards are delivered separately.

This makes a large bed more practical to bring through apartment entrances, hallways and staircases.

Is Ara Easy to Assemble?

The main frame uses hand-fastened and clip-on connections.

Storage configurations require additional drawer assembly, including screws and an included Allen key.

The assembly steps depend on the selected frame and headboard.

We recommend following the official guide for your configuration and having another adult available when handling larger components.

What if Your Boxes Arrive on Different Days?

Ara is a multi-box product.

Individual packages may travel separately through the carrier network.

Wait until all the required boxes have arrived before beginning assembly.

Some packages may arrive later than others even when they're part of the same order.

Check your tracking information and contact Customer Happiness if a package remains unaccounted for.

Where Are the Assembly Guide and Fabric Covers?

The legs, fabric covers and printed assembly guide are usually packaged together in a smaller box.

The digital assembly guide and video resources are also available through Cozey's support resources.

13. Which Ara Configuration Is Best for Your Bedroom?

There isn't one combination we'd recommend to everyone.

Different customers have different priorities.

Recommended Ara configuration by main priority

Our Advice for Compact Bedrooms

Start by measuring the room in both directions.

If room depth is limited, Round or Square may be more practical than Pillow.

If wall width is limited, avoid assuming an Extended headboard will fit simply because the mattress does.

And if you're choosing storage, check the clearance needed to open the side drawers.

Our Advice for Larger Bedrooms

Extended can create a strong focal point across a wider wall.

It can make the bed feel more integrated into the room's overall composition.

However, a large room doesn't automatically require a large headboard.

If you prefer a simpler, more understated appearance, Round or Square can be equally appropriate.

Our Advice for Customers Who Sit Up in Bed

Choose Pillow if plush back support matters to you.

The extra cushions were specifically designed to create a more comfortable upright experience.

Just make sure the room can accommodate the additional depth.

Final Thoughts: A Bed Designed Around Your Preferences

When we developed Ara, we wanted to bring the Cozey approach to modular furniture into the bedroom.

We wanted customers to be able to choose the headboard shape they loved, the frame design that suited their style, the storage configuration that matched their needs and the fabric and colour that worked with their home.

We also wanted the bed to offer the same practical advantages customers appreciate in our sofas.

That includes removable, machine-washable covers, compact delivery, simpler assembly and the ability to change individual components instead of replacing the entire bed.

Round and Square offer different design languages.

Pillow provides a plush look and greater comfort for sitting upright.

Extended creates a luxurious, hotel-inspired statement.

Storage adds useful everyday functionality.

And replacement covers, headboards and compatible frame components let customers adapt their bed over time.

Underneath those choices, Ara uses the same thoughtfully designed steel structural foundation.

Our goal wasn't simply to create a bed with lots of options. It was to create a customisable bedroom system that customers could make their own—and continue adapting as their preferences and living spaces change.

That's what makes Ara more than just a bed. Explore the Ara Bed System.