Bed frames aren’t rocket science, but there are tens of thousands to choose from, so if you’re oohing and aahing over your purchase, we don’t blame you.
The good news is there are only a few things you need to know:
- Bed frame sizes
- Bed frame types
- Mattress choice (skip if you already have one)
Read on for our complete (and concise) guide to choosing a new bed.
Popular upgrades
Double to king
This is by far the most popular upgrade.
You might be surprised to know that a standard double bed frame—one with protruding legs and thick proportions—can take up as much space as a king-size divan because it has a base the same length and width as the mattress.
So, it’s always worth measuring to see if you can fit a king.
King to super king
A super king gives you 30 cm more width than a king, which is roughly equivalent to one person sleeping on their back!
The trouble with super kings is that it’s easy to underestimate their sheer size. You need a minimum of 45 cm clearance around your bed at all sides to comfortably walk down it and not limit your bedside table choices.
Bed frame types
Divan beds
Pictured: The Naples Bed Company 3013 Front Drawer 4FT 6 Double Fabric Bed Frame – Grey.
A divan bed has a sturdy base of solid wood, plywood, or metal surrounded by padding and fabric, creating a solid foundation for your mattress.
With divan bases, headboards are optional, but adding one is well worth it so that you have something soft to lean against.
Standard beds
Pictured: Callis 4FT 6 Double Bed Frame, priced £548 available from Bedstar.
A standard bed frame is made from wood or metal and stands on legs. It usually has space left for boxes underneath the mattress.
Some people prefer the look of a standard bed because it takes up less visual space, even if it has larger dimensions overall.
Ottoman beds
Pictured: Limelight Polaris 5FT Kingsize Ottoman Bed – Blue, £610.98 GBP. Available from Bedstar.
An ottoman bed is a divan with a lift-up mattress platform on hydraulic struts. When you lift it, the mattress shoots upward to reveal storage underneath.
Ottomans offer unbeatable storage space and have no drawbacks other than they cost around 40% more than regular divans.
TV beds
Pictured: Star TV Monty TV Bed – Ginie Grey
TV beds provide the ultimate vantage point, allowing you to put your TV only about 6 feet away from you and hide it when not in use.
You can also get TV beds with built-in soundbars and surround sound, which will give you a fantastic entertainment experience while in bed.
Bed frame sizes
You can choose between a small single, small double, double, king, or super-king bed.
- Small singles – 75 x 190 cm: Suitable for young children.
- Singles – 90 x 190 cm: Perfect for children and twin bedrooms.
- Small doubles – 120 x 190 cm: Suitable for teenagers.
- Doubles – 135 x 190 cm: The minimum for couples.
- Kings – 150 x 200 cm: A better option for couples (and those with kids).
- Super-kings – 180 x 200 cm: The luxurious option for massive bedrooms.
Mattress choice
First things first, set a budget.
£300 is enough for a single, £400 is a decent chunk for a double, while £500 is good for a king. For a super-king mattress, look to spend around £600.
Once you’ve set that budget, you can filter products and immediately discard anything that is out of your price range.
The best technologies are as follows:
- Pocket springs: look for a spring count over 1,000 (up to 2,000 is ideal).
- Memory gel: regulates temperature better than memory foam.
- Latex foam: conforms like memory foam but is super responsive (bounces back), providing unbeatable support.
- Hybrid technology: combines pocket springs with foam but in a different arrangement for a softer feel.
Sleep trials are useful, but you shouldn’t really need them if you pick a mattress from a good brand and a firmness that suits your sleeping style.
Get a medium mattress if you sleep on your side, a firm one if you sleep on your tummy, and a medium-firm one if you sleep on your back.
