Born from NASA technology and perfected for sleep.
Last updated: December 2024
Over 90% of us spend five hours or more in bed every night. That’s one of the many reasons choosing the right one is so important. Whether function or style is your main consideration, we know there are lots of options out there, so how do you pick one? From divan bed bases to adjustable, leather to metal, let's explore the many different kinds of bed frames available. We’ll also share our advice on how to choose a bed that’s perfect for you.
There are lots of reasons that your current bed might not be doing the job anymore, especially if you’ve had it for a while. Signs you need a new frame include:
It squeaks when you move around
It sags in the middle
You wake up with back ache
It doesn’t suit your bedroom anymore
Bed frames generally last a long time, especially high-quality ones, so it might have been a while since you've had to replace yours. When looking for a new frame, you should really consider why you need one. It can help answer a lot of questions about what to get this time around. For example, if your bedroom is feeling a little cluttered with your current bed then it may be time to downsize or buy a frame with a storage solution. We recommend getting a new bed frame around every 10 years, but many people have theirs for up to 20!
Whether it's simply time for something new or you're looking to address specific issues, there's a bed to suit you. To discover the best type of bed frame for you, we'll address some common questions you may have when browsing beds.
Classic and simple, wooden beds have been popular for many years. Get the rustic look with natural wood stains like oak or pine that bring warmth to the room. Or you could choose a neu-tral white wooden bed frame for a versatile option that will easily complement your bedroom décor for years to come.
Upholstered bed frames add a touch of luxury to your bedroom with plush, soft- touch materials like velvet, cotton, and twill. It’s easy to take the comforting feel of your bedroom to the next level with a fabric bed. They are available in a range of colours and styles including soothing grey, rich navy, and pretty pinks, so you can pick one that expresses your personality.
Leather and faux leather bed frames are a modern choice that add a statement finish to any room. Smooth to the touch, they give a luxurious look and can be easily styled in glamorous bed-rooms. They also look great with contrast textures, like faux fur and chunky knits.
Sturdy and stylish, metal bed frames became popular during the Victorian era and have re-mained a timeless choice ever since. As metal is malleable, you’ll have many looks to choose from. Discover opulent, elegant designs to add an ornate vintage look, or simple, sleek lines for a contemporary feel.
Our tech beds are made to impress with a range of fun and practical features. 55% of us spend the hour before bed watching TV, so why not get cosy as you unwind? Browse the range to discover beds with hidden TVs, sound systems, and even our sleek gaming bed for late-night sessions.
For more inspiration on these materials, check out our post on tactile texture design in the bedroom.
If you're looking for ways to make the most of your bedroom, then choosing a bed with in-built storage can help make things easier. There are plenty of bed frames that come with hidden compartments, so you can find the style that works best for you.
These feature a side or foot-end opening that lifts from the base to reveal roomy storage space underneath. Great for hiding away clothing, spare bed linen and shoes, this is one of the best options if you want as much storage as possible.
Most divan bed bases come with drawers that slide out of the side of the bed. Neat and efficient, many people love the divan for its hidden storage and how easy it is to access your belongings. With many divan bed bases, you can also choose the number of drawers you need, ensuring you have space to keep all of life’s extras close at hand.
Interested in storage solutions? Find out more about the range with our storage bed guide.
As well as the type of frame, there are a few different types of bases: platform, sprung, or slats. Many of us are familiar with slats as these are the most common, but are they right for you? Let's explore the options to find out the pros and cons of each.
Sprung slats are an upgrade from solid slats. The bars are slightly curved upwards, which gives them some spring so they can provide reactive support to your movements while you sleep. This shock absorption helps you sleep better at night and takes some of the pressure away from your mattress so it lasts longer.
Solid slats are bars of timber spaced across the bed frame to support your mattress. As the name suggests, solid slats are indeed solid and fixed in place with no give. We recommend looking for slats between 7.5 - 9cm apart, to ensure your mattress has enough support. Overall, solid slats are a good choice to give a sturdy base for your mattress for a firmer feel, and the spacing encourages airflow which is vital for a cool night’s sleep. Slatted bed frames also tend to be more affordable, making them a great option for spare rooms.
Lastly, we have divan bed bases. These come in two styles: platform and spring. Platform bases have a solid top which offers firm support and a sturdy base for your mattress. Spring bases have built-in springs to offer a more cushioned and softer base for your mattress. Depending on how much support you need at night, you might want to consider the firmness of your mattress when de-ciding what kind of divan bed base to get.
We know that looks are a big factor when buying furniture, especially something like a bed frame that can be your room's most prominent feature. Thankfully, our beds come in a huge range of designs, colours, and materials including velvet bed frames, metal and wood. All of which can be beautifully styled from season to season. Explore the Dreams Inspiration section to find tons of helpful tips on how to create the bedroom design you've always wanted. From ultra-modern, minimalist bed-rooms to how to make a small bedroom look bigger, we have everything covered for you.
Arguably, the most important factor when deciding what size bed to get is if it can fit in your room. It's vital to accurately measure where the bed is going and consider factors such as space for the drawers if you get a divan bed base, or how statement headboards or raised foot ends will work with your available floorspace. Once you've looked at our bed and mat-tress size guide to understand the standard measurements, you can get more detailed ad-vice with our guide on how to measure your home for a new bed.
Once you've chosen your new bed, you can also start to think about the right mattress. Picking the best mattress for you is crucial to getting the sleep you deserve, so take a look at our mattress buying guide to find out more about the types of mattresses, fillings, and how your sleep style can affect your choice.
For some of us, overnight guests can be a regular occurrence, so investing in a guest bed can make things a lot easier when it comes to hosting. But what exactly is a guest bed and why should you get one? Essentially, a guest bed just means a sleep space that is temporary and can be stored away or used for another purpose when there's no one staying.
Our space-savvy collection of guest beds features day beds, air beds, clever folding beds, sofa beds, and practical storage options. We understand that not everyone has the luxury of a spare bedroom, so our collection is designed to fit into any nook or cranny of your home while providing a cosy and comfy sleeping experience for your guests. Whether you have a small apartment, a home office, or a small guest room to work with, we'll help you maximise your space and get ready for wonderful sleepovers with your family and friends.
Get more advice with our nifty guide to guest beds. This goes over all the different types of frames, from temporary solutions to multifunctional furniture, as well as advice on how to make sure your guests are comfortable during their stay.
Just like adults, there are tons of bed frames for kids. If your little one is growing out of their pre-vious bed or just wants an upgrade, then look no further. The most important factors are age and height; for younger children, a smaller bed with sides is safest before moving to a full-sized bed or high bed.
Cabin beds are similar to bunk beds but lower to the ground. They usually come with a desk or storage options below the bed depending on your needs. Perfect for a multifunctional room, this gives your child a space for homework and other activities that's separate from the bed to ensure they can sleep soundly without distractions.
Bunk beds are not only great for children who share a room, they’re a good solution for storage too as they free up space in the room, or, if it’s a single bunk you can store things underneath. Discover our range of bunk beds including metal frames, wooden frames, and convertible frames.
Slightly lower than a high sleeper, mid-sleeper beds are great for younger children or if you only need the one bed. Many mid-sleepers are cabin beds that come with extra storage in the space below such as drawers, desks, and even pull-out sofas.
A high sleeper bed, also known as a loft bed, offers not just comfort and support, but a safe, secure and fun space for your child to chill out and sleep. As the name suggests, high sleepers are built high with a top bunk sleeping area and plenty of space below.
Discover our full kids' range to find the perfect match for your family. With plenty of styles and colours to choose from, you can choose a bed that suits their personality while providing life-proof solutions you’ll love, such as built-in storage and extra sleep spaces.
Explore the differences between our selection of divan bed bases.
For bedrooms big and small, we've collated a list of our best storage beds for you.
We’ve made it simple for you to weigh up the choices. Your visitors will be sleeping soundly.