Bed buying guide

If you’re wondering how to choose a bed, you’ve come to the right place. The Furniture Village bed buying guide covers all the different types of bed available, helps you work out what bed size is right for you, offers bed style suggestions and has top tips when buying a bed. Read on to learn more about beds.

Things to consider when buying a bed

So, what bed is right for you? If you’ve already started looking for a new bed, you’ll know that there are hundreds of different types of beds, bed frames and divan beds to choose from. Narrow the field by asking yourself a few key questions.

A focal point for your bedroom

Whatever the size of your bedroom, a statement upholstered bed frame can be the focal point around which you create a fabulous new bedroom. A new bed can establish a design style – like contemporary or glamorous – or anchor a colour theme.

More bedroom storage

If your bedroom chests of drawers and wardrobes are overflowing, think creatively about bedroom storage especially if yours is a compact bedroom. A divan set with drawers or an ottoman bed frame will provide useful extra storage space without taking up any extra floor space.

A new-look bedroom

A complete bedroom furniture set – bed frame, wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside table – can be an effortless way to transform your bedroom. Oak bedroom furniture is a timeless look, or mix and match a contemporary upholstered bed with modern sliding door wardrobes.

A base for an existing mattress

If you have a mattress that you love, you may be looking for just a new bed base. As most traditional bed bases come as part of a divan set, which typically comprises an upholstered base plus mattress, consider either a wooden, metal or upholstered bed frame for your existing mattress.

Traditional bedrooms

If you love the timeless look of traditional furniture, choose a wooden or metal bed frame and add pieces of furniture that have a classic feel to them, like an upholstered bench or a dressing table.


Be inspired: Shop Furnitureland bedroom furniture for traditional real wood bed frames and bedroom furniture in a wide variety of beautiful styles.

Contemporary bedrooms

With clean lines, minimal details and a neutral colour palette, contemporary bedroom style is calm and relaxing. Keep the clutter contained by opting for a divan set with storage drawers, and choose a simple geometric headboard.


Be inspired: Sleek and well-engineered, the Rauch range of bedroom furniture includes wardrobes and chests of drawers in a choice of contemporary finishes.

Urban bedrooms

The industrial furniture look works just as well in a bedroom as is does in a living space or dining room. If you love rustic wood combined with weathered metal accents, opt for an industrial bed frame and sturdy wood bedroom furniture.


Be inspired: Shop our industrial bedroom furniture collection for on trend wooden bedroom furniture with urban flair.

Glamorous bedrooms

Turn your bedroom into the stylish sanctuary you’ve always wanted. A tall and elegant headboard paired with high-shine bedroom furniture creates an understated opulent look. Add modern wall art for a grown-up approach to glamour.


Be inspired: Shop our ALF furniture collection for stunning bed frames and bedroom furniture, designed and crafted in Italy.

Luxurious bedrooms

Dial up the luxury with an upholstered bed frame, ideally with dramatic scrolled head and foot ends, deep buttoning and velvet upholstery. Pair your choice with warm oak bedroom furniture for a stylish and inviting space.


Be inspired: Our gorgeous upholstered bed frames come in all kinds of luxurious styles, from the heavily embellished to the dramatically geometric.

Scandi bedroom style

Light, airy and relaxing, the Scandi bedroom look is easy to put together and easy to love. Opt for a pale wood bed frame or a divan bed upholstered in a calm neutral colour, and pair with pale oak bedroom furniture, fluffy rugs and off-white walls.


Be inspired: Iconic by design, Ercol bedroom furniture combines retro curves and angles with modern Scandi style notes.

Headboards

A headboard is an easy way to turn a simple divan base and mattress set into a stylish and eye-catching bed frame. Available in a huge array of styles, headboards are usually padded and upholstered so they’re comfortable to lean against when you sit up in bed.


Most headboards are either strutted, which means the part that’s visible above the mattress is supported on wooden legs or struts, or floor standing, which means they're fully upholstered from top to floor for a more finished look.

Pillows

After the right mattress, having the right pillow is absolutely vital to a good night’s sleep. As well as providing head and neck support for comfort, pillows also help promote optimum spinal alignment – and an aligned spine can help prevent back pain.


Like mattresses, pillows come in a range of comfort levels, usually soft, medium and firm. You also have a choice of fillings, including man-made like polyester and memory foam, and natural like down and feather. Pillows degrade over time, so change yours at least once a year.

Bedroom furniture

If you’re investing in a new bed, now’s the perfect time to rethink your entire bedroom look. Make life easy by opting for the bedroom furniture that matches your bed frame or, if you’ve chosen an upholstered divan set or bed frame, explore different bedroom furniture styles from brands like Ercol and Wiemann.

At a minimum you’re going to need a wardrobe, a chest of drawers and one or two bedside tables. If your bedroom lacks storage space, consider a storage bed and be creative with furniture – a wooden bedside cabinet with drawers can double as extra clothes’ storage.