Getting a good night's sleep starts with the right bed, but with so many sizes, styles and storage options available, knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. If you're wondering how to pick a bed or asking yourself "do I need a new bed?", the answer comes down to finding the perfect balance between comfort, practicality, style and the space you have available.
The best bed for you should fit your bedroom comfortably, support your sleep needs and suit your lifestyle, but it should also help create a space where you genuinely enjoy spending time. After all, your bedroom is where every day begins and ends. Choosing the right bed can help transform it into a place you'll love waking up in every morning and look forward to returning to every evening.
Table of Contents
- What Size Bed Should I Get?
- What Style Bed Should I Get?
- Should I Get An Upholstered Or Wooden Bed?
- How To Make Sure My Bed Will Fit
- Bedroom Layout Tips
- What Is An Ottoman Bed And Do I Need One?
- What Bed Makes A Bedroom Look Bigger & More Expensive?
- What's The Best Bed To Buy?
- Should I Buy A Bed And Mattress At The Same Time?
What Size Bed Should I Get?
One of the biggest decisions when choosing a new bed is getting the size right. While it's tempting to go as big as possible, the largest bed isn't always the best choice if it leaves your bedroom feeling cramped.
Single Bed: Single beds are ideal for children's rooms, guest bedrooms and compact spaces. They're practical, affordable and leave plenty of room for desks, wardrobes and play areas. The standard UK size for a single bed is 90 × 190cm or 3ft × 6ft 3in.
Double Bed: Double beds remain one of the UK's most popular choices. They offer enough sleeping space for many couples while fitting comfortably into most modern bedrooms. They're also a great option for solo sleepers who like a little extra room to stretch out. The standard UK size for a double bed is 135 × 190cm or 4ft 6in × 6ft 3in.
King Size Bed: A king size bed gives couples more personal space and creates that luxurious hotel feel at home. If your bedroom can comfortably accommodate one, you'll likely appreciate the extra room every night. The standard UK size for a king size bed is 150 × 200cm or 5ft × 6ft 6in.
Quick Guide
Before choosing, make sure you'll still have enough space for:
- Bedside tables
- Wardrobes
- Chests of drawers
- Dressing tables or desks
- Walking space around the bed
- Door and wardrobe clearance
Top tip! A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 60cm of clear floor space around the bed wherever possible.
What Style Bed Should I Get?
When choosing a bed, it's easy to focus on current interior trends, but the truth is that most well-designed beds can work with a huge range of looks. Rather than picking a bed based on what's fashionable right now, it's often a better idea to choose a timeless design you'll still love years from now, then use the rest of your bedroom décor to express your personal style. The great thing about bedrooms is that they're one of the easiest rooms in the home to refresh. A change of bedding, wall colour, bedside tables, lighting or accessories can completely transform the look and feel of your space without replacing your bed frame.
For example, a simple wooden bed can feel warm and cosy when paired with soft throws, sage green walls and natural textures, or sleek and contemporary alongside monochrome bedding and black metal accessories. Likewise, a neutral upholstered bed can look effortlessly luxurious with rich velvets and metallic accents, or calm and minimalist when styled with crisp white bedding and natural woods.
When choosing a bed style, consider:
- Whether you'll still love the design in five or ten years' time
- How easily it will work with different bedroom makeovers in the future
- The colours and materials already present in your home
- Whether you prefer a statement feature or a more understated look
A timeless bed frame gives you the freedom to experiment with trends through smaller, more affordable updates, while keeping the foundation of your bedroom practical, stylish and built to last.
Trifle beige boucle fabric ottoman double bed
Should I Get An Upholstered Or Wooden Bed?
Both options have their advantages, and the right choice depends on your personal style and practical needs.
Upholstered Beds
Upholstered fabric beds usually have soft, comfortable headboards for reading in bed. They create a warm, luxurious feel and are available in a wide range of fabrics and colours so you can match existing décor or use it to create a focal point to build a colour palette around. They do require occasional fabric care, though. You can pair neutral fabrics with layered cushions and throws for an effortlessly boutique look.
Tilly green fabric king size ottoman bed
Wooden Beds
Wood bed frames are incredibly easy to maintain and keep clean. Plus, they’re timeless and versatile, able to suit a wide range of interior styles. It’s easy to refresh up an entire room’s look just by switching up bedding on a wooden bed frame. They often offer underbed storage space. But, they’re generally less cushioned when sitting up and can feel slightly more understated. Add texture through bedding and rugs to soften the look and bring warmth to the room.
Declan oak stain solid pine double bed
How To Make Sure My Bed Will Fit
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a bed only to realise it doesn't work in your space. Before ordering, measure:
- The room's length and width
- Window positions
- Radiators
- Wardrobes
- Existing furniture
- Doorways and staircases for delivery access
It's also worth thinking beyond the bed itself. Do you need room for a desk, for example? Or do you want to have a dressing table set up? You’ll also need to think about space requirements for things like chests of drawers or a wardrobe.
Top Tip: A quick sketch of your room layout, or marking sizes out on the floor in masking tape, can help you visualise everything before making a decision.
Bedroom Layout Tips
The layout of your bedroom can significantly influence how spacious, relaxing and practical it feels.
For Small Bedrooms: Choose a bed with built-in storage to reduce furniture requirements elsewhere in the room. Light colours and streamlined frames can also help create an airy feel.
For Long, Narrow Rooms: Position the bed against the shorter wall if possible. This can create a more balanced layout and improve visual flow.
For Larger Bedrooms: A larger room gives you more flexibility. Consider creating separate zones with seating, dressing areas or reading corners.
Think About Flow: You should be able to move comfortably around the room without squeezing between furniture.
For Awkward Bedroom Layouts: Features like chimney breasts, alcoves, angled walls and sloped ceilings can make bedroom layouts feel tricky, but they can also add character. Try working with these features rather than around them, using alcoves for storage and positioning your bed to create the most natural flow through the room. Sometimes a slightly smaller bed can actually make an awkward space feel larger and more functional.
For more ideas on creating a balanced, restful bedroom layout, take a look at our guide to using Feng Shui for better sleep.
Amelie cream fabric double ottoman bed
What Is An Ottoman Bed And Do I Need One?
Ottoman beds feature a lift-up mattress platform that reveals hidden storage underneath the entire bed. They're particularly useful if:
- Your bedroom lacks built-in storage
- You live in a flat or smaller home
- You have lots of spare bedding
- You need somewhere to store seasonal clothes
- You want discreet storage that keeps everything out of view and surfaces uncluttered
- You want to reduce the need for additional storage furniture
Bear in mind, though, an ottoman bed can cost more than standard bed frames and they usually require lifting access when retrieving items (though they’ll usually use hydraulic lifts, and some do come with electric motors, but again, these will be pricier).
Ottoman Bed vs Underbed Storage Drawers – how to know which is right for you
Both options can help maximise bedroom storage, but they're suited to slightly different needs. Ottoman beds provide access to the entire area beneath the mattress, making them ideal for storing bulkier items like spare duvets, suitcases and seasonal clothing. Underbed storage drawers offer less space overall, but they're often more convenient for everyday items since you can access them without lifting the bed.
If you're looking to maximise every inch of storage, an ottoman bed is usually the better choice. If you prefer quick access to frequently used items, a bed with storage drawers may be the more practical option.
What Bed Makes A Bedroom Look Bigger & More Expensive?
The right bed can completely transform the sense of space and the luxurious vibes of your bedroom.
Choose Lighter Colours Cream, beige, soft grey and white tones reflect light and help a room feel more open.
Avoid Overly Bulky Headboards Large headboards can look stunning in spacious rooms but may visually crowd smaller bedrooms.
Consider Raised Leg Designs Beds with visible floor space underneath often make rooms feel more open compared to heavier designs that sit flush to the floor.
Layer Your Bedding Even the simplest bed frame can look high-end when paired with beautiful bedding, cushions and throws. Our guide to dressing a bed like an expert is packed with ideas for creating that luxurious, designer-inspired finish.
Furniturebox’s Pick for Best Luxurious Bed to Make Your Room Look Bigger
If you're looking for a bed that balances luxury with space-enhancing style, our top pick is the Tilly Cream & Bronze Fabric Ottoman Double Bed Frame. The soft cream upholstery helps reflect light around the room, while the elegantly curved headboard creates a refined, boutique hotel feel without overwhelming the space. The slim bronze accents add a touch of understated luxury, and the hidden ottoman storage helps keep everyday clutter out of sight, making your bedroom feel calmer, tidier and more spacious overall.
What's The Best Bed To Buy?
There's no single "best" bed for everyone. The perfect choice depends on your room size, storage needs, lifestyle and personal taste. Here are some of our favourite recommendations for different types of sleepers.
Best Bed For A Couple With A Small Bedroom
Couples sharing a smaller bedroom often face a balancing act between comfort and practicality. Storage becomes even more important when floor space is limited.
Furniturebox Pick: Mabel Cream Fabric Ottoman Double Bed Frame
Our Mabel cream fabric ottoman double bed ticks plenty of boxes for compact bedrooms. Its hidden ottoman storage helps reduce clutter, while the light cream upholstery keeps the room feeling bright and open. The gently curved headboard adds softness without dominating the wall, making the bedroom feel more spacious overall. The subtle design also leaves room to position a mirror above the bed to bounce natural light around the room, or for Feng Shui enthusiasts, a decorative fabric hanging that creates visual interest without overwhelming the space or creating bad chi.
Best Bed For A Teen
Teenagers' tastes evolve quickly, so versatility is key.
Furniturebox Pick: Declan Dark Grey Solid Pine Double Bed Frame
Our Declan dark grey solid pine double bed offers a practical, affordable foundation that can easily adapt to changing décor trends over the years. The underbed storage space gives you room for stashing school books, sports equipment and the growing collection of belongings every teenager seems to accumulate.
Alternative Pick: Freja Cream Boucle Fabric Ottoman King Size Bed Frame
For teens wanting something a little more trend-led, our Freja boucle ottoman double bed delivers both style and practicality. The boucle finish feels effortlessly modern, while the ottoman storage provides plenty of hidden space.
Best Bed For Multi-Generational Living
Multi-generational homes often require bedrooms to work harder. Whether you're living with parents, supporting older relatives, welcoming adult children back home or simply sharing space with more family members, storage and versatility become especially important. Look for beds that make the most of the available footprint, offer hidden storage and have a timeless design that can adapt as family circumstances change. Beds with integrated storage can help reduce the need for additional furniture, freeing up valuable floor space and creating a calmer, less cluttered bedroom.
Furniturebox Pick: The Azure Solid Pine Bed Frame Collection
Our Azure solid pine bed frame collection is a fantastic choice for multi-generational homes thanks to its versatility. Available in single, double and king size options, as well as white or grey finishes, it's easy to create a coordinated look throughout the home while still catering to different room sizes and family members. Optional underbed storage drawers help maximise space, while the timeless solid pine design can be styled to suit everything from children's bedrooms to adult spaces, making it a practical choice that can adapt as family needs change over time.
Should I Buy A Bed And Mattress At The Same Time?
Though not essential, buying both a bed frame and a mattress together can make the entire bedroom upgrade process much simpler. A decent, supportive mattress is essential for good spine support, especially for kids and teens who are still growing.
Pros:
- Everything arrives ready for your new bedroom setup
- You know the mattress will be a perfect fit
- You can completely refresh your sleeping environment
- Your bed and mattress will wear more evenly over time
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost
- Your existing mattress may still have plenty of life left in it
Top Tip: If your mattress is over seven to eight years old, showing signs of wear or no longer providing the support you need, it may be worth replacing both together.
Love Where You Wake Up
Choosing a bed is about creating a bedroom that feels comfortable, welcoming and uniquely yours, just as much as it's about getting the right measurements. The right bed can improve your sleep, make everyday life more organised and help transform your bedroom into a space you genuinely enjoy spending time in. Taking the time to consider your room, lifestyle and future needs will help you choose a bed you'll love for years to come. And when your bed feels just right, everything else, from lazy weekend mornings to winding down after a busy day, becomes that little bit better too.
Still not sure which bed is your perfect match? Take our Bed Personality Quiz to discover the style, features and design that best suit your space, lifestyle and taste. Your dream bedroom, and a place you'll truly love waking up in, could be just a few questions away.
