Bed Buying Guide
When choosing the bits and pieces of your dream bed, it can be confusing. There’s so much information out there, along with mattress types, headboards and storage options to consider… but let us help you out before you lose any sleep. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about choosing a bed, so when it comes to making a decision, you’ll have enough information to know exactly which bed is for you.
Don’t forget: If you’re going for a divan base with drawers, you’ll need enough space to pull out the drawers without having to move your other furniture. If you have a very small room and rely on under-bed storage, you might find that a lift-up ottoman better suits your needs as it is easier to access in a small space. Which leads us onto….
A bed frame (or bedstead) is different from a divan and ottoman base, as it refers to a frame that you put your mattress on, rather than a box base. A bed frame is made up of the head end, foot end and side rails which are all fitted together. These have a more delicate look than platform bases, and the mattress nestles snugly on slats rather than sitting on top of the platform as with a divan.
Bed frames can be manufactured out of lots of different materials, such as metal, brass or wood, and come in a huge range of styles to suit an array of interiors. Here at British Beds Direct we specialise in making gorgeous upholstered bed frames, all of which come complete with a headboard, and some with a footboard too.
We have two types of fabric bed frames in our collection:
Bed frames (without storage)
This classic design sits up off the floor on short beech or chrome legs, has solid pine wood slats, and are also available with and without a footboard.
While we’re on the subject of frames, a note on footboards… You might love the look and feel of a tall footboard, but be aware that they can take up space. First, think about how the layout of your bedroom works.
It’s super important to let your space ‘breathe’, as this benefits your wellbeing as well as your sleep cycle. If you have a narrow space at the foot of your bed, adding a footboard into the mix might be a bit, well, awkward. However, if you’re lucky enough to have lots of room to play with, then the snug, tucked-in feel of a footboard might just suit you down to a T.
Ottoman bed frames
A great mix of the classic frame with all the storage perks of an ottoman, we also have fabric ottoman bed frames. These come complete with a headboard, which sit directly on the floor. Rather than having a platform top, these are sprung-slatted with reinforcement for extra support. Of course, these don’t come with a footboard, because the top of the base swings up to reveal all that nifty hidden storage.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEADBOARD
Now for that throne feel! Our headboards are available in two categories: the statement, floor-standing headboards, and the smaller, strutted mount headboard.
Floor-standing headboards
Put simply, these eye-catching headboards stretch right down to the floor. These headboards can make a real style statement and elevate the interior of your bedroom. They are also extremely sturdy, standing strong behind your divan or ottoman base. When assembling, you simply screw each of the bolts through the headboard slots in the base, for easy attachment.
Having a tall floor-standing headboard is a strong look, so it’s important to make sure your room is big enough to carry it off. Of course you need enough space to move around freely, but also from a visual perspective, having too much in-your-face furniture packed into a small room can make things feel a bit claustrophobic. It’s best to keep it roomy for a dreamy night’s sleep.
Strutted mount headboards
For those looking to achieve a more subtle look, a mounted headboard is a more lightweight option that is suitable for a wide range of bedrooms. It fixes directly to the bed base and doesn’t stand on the floor. It attaches to your divan base with bolts in the same way as the tall headboards, but it has shorter struts. An advantage of this is that the headboard is fully adjustable, so any time you change your mattress, you’ll be able to move your headboard to the comfiest height.
Different headboard styles
Depending on the kind of bedroom feel you are after, there are all sorts of styles of headboards to choose from. Go for simple, geometric fluting with stitched lines for a contemporary look, or if it’s a retro Victorian vibe you’re after, choose the deep, diamond buttoning of a classic Chesterfield. Curves can feel a little more traditional; or a winged floor-standing headboard is an ideal choice if you have the space to make it stand out.
Want to learn more about choosing the best products to achieve your perfect night’s sleep?
Head over to our mattress buying guide to find out more about picking the right design for you.
