Who doesn’t love falling into a comfortable bed at the end of a long day? You can’t beat a good night’s sleep, and a quality bed is a significant investment that will last you years of use. Choosing the right bed depends on practicality, style, and budget. Some bulkier beds will have extra storage space, while others are perfect for homes short on space. From divans and bedsteads to small singles and luxurious king-size beds, here’s our guide to choosing the bed of your dreams.
These are the traditional beds many of us are used to, with side rails, a headboard and a footboard. They come in various styles and materials, with metal, wood and upholstered options available. Bedsteads use slats to support the mattress, which can be static (firm support) or sprung (more cushioned support). The attached headboard saves you from buying this separately, making it a popular option. Storage space underneath the bed is exposed and can be limited, and bedsteads can be more expensive than other beds.
Divan beds are essentially the base of a bed and don’t include the headboard or footboard. They’re great value and customisable, making them a popular option. Your mattress will lie on either a platform or pocket sprung top, with the pocket spring providing a more cushioned base.
Divans often have plenty of concealed storage and take up less floor space, making them a great practical choice. Many divans come in two pieces, which makes moving them reasonably easy.
Day beds are versatile options that are great for kids' rooms, spare rooms, or homes where you're short on space. The bed often extends out and can be made into a double, although there is usually only room for one person on their own. The mattress lies on either link springs or slats, sometimes storing an extra pull-out bed underneath. Daybeds are a practical addition to any home as a cross between a sofa and a bed.
Storage beds combine practicality and design, offering the entire space beneath the mattress as storage space. They look like bedsteads and offer a little more style than plain divans. Many storage beds operate a hydraulic system that allows the entire mattress to lift up, while others feature wheeled drawers you can pull out.
Wooden beds provide a warm feel to a room and feature a beautiful, natural graining that will be unique to each bed. You can choose from various woods, from traditional oak and pine to rich mahogany and walnut. Composites and veneers are great alternatives, providing the look and feel of a wooden frame, but at a fraction of the cost.
Leather and faux leather bed frames look and feel luxurious. They can dominate a room, making your bed a lovely focal point. They are easy to clean and are durable, lasting years of use. Unlike genuine leather, faux leather doesn’t fade or crack over time. However, it’s this element of ageing that makes natural leather so desirable. Authentic leather will be more expensive than faux, but well-made faux leather certainly looks like the real thing!
Metal beds are versatile and can be found in sleek and modern to antique and traditional designs. Lightweight and low maintenance, they are usually easy to assemble and won’t warp over time, unlike wooden beds (although they can develop an annoying squeak!) They also take up less space than other beds and offer a great value bed frame that will last you years.
The options for upholstered beds are virtually endless, with textures and colours to suit almost all decor schemes. Upholstered beds look beautiful and wealthy, and a soft headboard is a luxurious bonus for those who like to sit up and read in bed. While upholstered beds are a sought-after option, they stain and scratch easily, which you’ll need to consider if you have young children or pets.
The size of your bed will be determined by how many will be sleeping in it. Whilst a double bed sounds like it will fit two people, two adults sharing a double have as much room as a baby in a cot!
Single → 90cm x 190cm (3ft x 6ft 3")
Double → 135cm x 190cm (4ft 6" x 6ft 3")
King Size → 150cm x 200cm (5ft x 6ft 6")
Super King Size → 180cm x 200cm (6ft x 6ft 8")
The Range offers an extensive collection of desirable bed frames and mattresses in a varienty of sizes and styles, helping you find the perfect place to rest your head.
