Types of bed

                                           Types of bed

help you make the right decision.

When it comes to choosing a bed, there are many things to consider. Durability, size and storage space are top of many buyers’ lists. Design is just as important too, particularly when the bed is the main focus in the room.

Beds are one of the most important pieces of furniture in the home - people do spend approximately one third of their lives in them after all. Nothing affects your daily performance more than sleep, and we all know how difficult it can be to function after a restless night.

Before you rush straight into buying a mattress, make sure you take some time to pick the perfect frame first.

What is a guest bed?

A guest bed is a style of bed featuring a second mattress that can be neatly tucked away underneath the main frame. This allows you to use it as a single bed on a normal day, and simply pull out the additional mattress when guests come to stay. The second mattress sits in a bed frame, so there’s minimal fuss involved.

The highly practical bed features spring assisted legs, which enable the additional mattress to be raised and become level with the main bed. You can then extend it from a single to a double mattress if desired.

What are the benefits of a guest bed?

A guest bed is an ideal way to discreetly add more sleeping space to the home. Perfect for designated guest rooms or children who love to have sleepovers, they give you the versatility of hosting without compromising on comfort. Guests get the benefit of sleeping in a proper bed, and you don’t need to take up space in your home with an additional bed frame for occasional guests.

If you don’t have space for a permanent guest room in the home, fold-away guest beds are a great temporary sleeping solution. They may take up a little bit of cupboard room, but they’re an innovative space saver. Stand-alone, folding guest beds are compact and can be stored away easily until required. Sturdy support legs unfold automatically and the bed can be ready for guests to soundly sleep on within minutes.

See all of our guest beds

What is a divan bed?

One of the most popular and simplistic designs, a divan bed is essentially a base made of two parts that are joined together with a bracket. The base usually sits on castors or gliders, and drawers are often built into the base to provide underbed storage. A headboard is then required to complete the bed.

Divan beds are a versatile solution if you’re looking for a bed that also meets your storage needs. The good thing about divan beds compared to regular beds is that you can close the drawers to hide what’s kept underneath, keeping your room looking and feeling tidier.

Types of divan bed

Two types of divan base exist: the sprung edge and the platform top. The traditional divan bed has the sprung edge design, which is a base made up of coil or pocket springs that provide cushioned support for the mattress. This helps to minimise the wear on the mattress over time.

The platform top has a hard top and gives an overall firmer feel to the bed. The platform top is often the cheapest option, but despite the price is tends to work best with particular mattresses (such as non-sprung memory foam or solid latex).

As well as being a practical choice, divan beds are available in various different styles and colours. You can choose from a variety of sizes too – divan beds are available in as small a size as a compact single (2ft 6).

See all of our divan beds

What is an ottoman bed?

An ottoman is a style of bed that enables you to easily lift your mattress, without disturbing the covers or pillows, to reveal a hidden storage compartment underneath.

No matter the size or style, or the number of pillows or blankets you have, the bed’s gas struts make access simple. You can also keep the mattress lifted to free up your hands when putting items away.

Ottoman beds can come with either one large storage space, or a space that’s split into sections. Whichever you choose, the space is always accessible by lifting the mattress.

What are the benefits of an Ottoman bed?

Available in a leather or wooden frame, an ottoman is the ultimate bed for smart storage. With the bed placed directly on the floor, the entire space below the slatted base can be used to store your belongings. It can store just about anything, including extra pillows, bed linen and clothing.

The simple but stylish design of the Ottoman offers up to four times more storage space than the divan and provides a practical solution for smaller rooms struggling to fit everything in.

If lack of space in the bedroom is a major issue, an Ottoman could be a wise addition to a room. You could even scrap the drawers and use the Ottoman as a sole storage space.

See all of our ottoman beds

What is a sleigh bed?

A sleigh bed is a style of frame that can be likened to that of a traditional sleigh. They often feature a large, wide headboard that curves outwards at the top, and a footboard that’s larger than most, and follows the same curving design as the headboard.

The sides of the bed frame are also larger than most, and while the height of the bed is similar to standard, this means storage space is decreased to make space for the ‘sleigh-like’ side panels. Sleigh beds stand on four feet, and some may feature a gap big enough to store very small or flat items underneath, but most styles are very close to the floor.

Choosing a style of sleigh bed

The sleigh bed has been adapted in recent years to work within a contemporary design scheme. They have a sophisticated feel, with slender curves and statement headboards. Vintage designs often feature delicate carvings.

Traditional sleigh beds add an antique, French-inspired feel to the room. A range of wooden materials, including oak and mahogany, are frequently used as frames for classic designs. If you desire a modern update, upholstered and leather variations are available.

They’re designed to be the focal point of a room - the beds are often feature pieces, known for their size, grandeur and elegant design.

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What is a mid-sleeper bed?

A mid-sleeper bed is a happy medium between a standard single bed and a single high-sleeper bed. They give you the benefit of an increased amount of storage underneath the bed, and your children the novelty of having to climb a ladder into bed, without being above your head height.

The space underneath can be empty to be used for storage or additional features, such as desks and bookcases, can be built into the framework.