Buying a bed is a bit like choosing a partner. It all starts with excitement, but you could end up with back pain, no space, and regrets you didn’t see coming.
You might think all beds are the same. Something flat. Somewhere to sleep. But the truth is, a bad bed can mess with your nights, your mornings, and your mood before 9am.
This isn’t about design trends. Or hotel-style bedrooms. This is about beds that work for real homes, with real floors, and real people who fall asleep halfway through a film.
Here’s what to think about before you commit.
- Start with the Size (and Be Honest About It)
You might want a super king. But if it means pushing the wardrobe into the hallway, maybe think again.
UK mattress sizes are as follows:
- Single: 90 x 190cm
- Small double: 120 x 190cm
- Double: 135 x 190cm
- King: 150 x 200cm
- Super king: 180 x 200cm
Measure your room. Then measure it again. Allow for walking space, drawers that open, and bedside tables that don’t feel like they’re wedged in as an afterthought.
And if you’re sharing a bed with someone who likes to sleep like a starfish, go one size up. For your sanity.
- Think About Storage (Because You Always Need More)
Storage beds aren’t just for small flats. They’re for anyone who owns more than one duvet and doesn’t want to see it ever again.
Ottoman beds lift up from the base and give you one big hidden compartment. Great for boxes, spare bedding, and items you pretend you’re going to sell online.
Divan beds offer drawers—two or four, depending on how the room’s laid out.
Bed frames with space underneath work too, but only if you’re willing to keep the dust under control and use proper storage boxes.
If your floor space is limited, make the bed do the hard work. It’s already taking up half the room.
- Choose a Mattress That Won’t Punish You
This part’s personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all mattress. Despite what the people on telly say.
Here’s the quick version:
- Memory foam moulds to your body but can feel warm
- Pocket sprung gives more support and moves less when someone turns over
- Hybrid mixes both and suits most people
Don’t pick based on what sounds fancy. Pick based on how you sleep.
Side sleepers need something softer. Back or stomach sleepers usually need something firmer. If you’re unsure, a medium firmness is the safe middle.
And if you wake up feeling like your mattress fought you in the night, it’s not the right one.
- Consider the Headboard (or Don’t)
Some people love a headboard. Others lean against a pile of pillows and forget it’s even there.
If you like to sit up in bed with a book, pick something like a padded 4ft 6 double headboard. If you just want something that stops the bed from marking the wall, go for a low-profile one.
Or skip it altogether. A bed can still look finished without one, especially if your room’s tight on space. A wall-mounted lamp and a good pillow does the same job without taking up floor.
- Don’t Forget the Height
This bit gets missed all the time.
A mattress that’s too low makes it hard to get out of bed. One that’s too high makes you feel like you’re climbing into a bunk.
If you’ve got bad knees, go higher. If you’ve got sloping ceilings, go lower. Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress and ask yourself if you’re going to hate it at 6am on a workday.
Also think about storage. Drawers won’t open if your bedside tables are too close. Lift-up ottomans need clearance at the foot of the bed. Think before you buy—or enjoy crawling across your bed to open a drawer like a very sad ninja.
- The Delivery Bit Matters More Than You Think
Beds are heavy. Mattresses are awkward. And your stairs are probably narrower than you remember.
Before you order anything, check:
- Will it fit up the stairs?
- Does it arrive flat-packed or as one piece?
- Do they carry it upstairs or leave it at the door?
Also check the returns policy. If you change your mind, you’ll want a plan that doesn’t involve dragging a king-size mattress back to the post office.
Not a Fast Purchase
A bed is not a throwaway purchase. You’ll spend more time on it than on your sofa. Or with most of your family.
Get the size right. Think about how you sleep. Don’t buy something just because it looks good in a showroom. Buy what works in your house, for your back, and for your everyday life.
And if you need help? We’ll tell you the truth about mattresses, storage beds, and whether that headboard is really worth it. No sales fluff. Just the right bed for your very real home.
The rest—sheets, pillows, fancy throws—you can fuss over later. When your back doesn’t hurt.
