Beds

Choosing a bed frame

The frame does more than hold a mattress. It sets the height you climb into, how much floor the bed takes up, and how quiet it stays when you move at night. Start with the size that fits both the sleeper and the room, then weigh up material, whether you want storage underneath, and the mattress you plan to pair with it.

UK bed sizes

British bed sizes are standard, so a frame in any of the sizes below takes a UK mattress cut to match. Single is 90 by 190cm, small double is 120 by 190cm, double is 135 by 190cm, king is 150 by 200cm and super king is 180 by 200cm. Single and small double suit box rooms and guest rooms, double works for most main bedrooms, and king or super king give two sleepers more room where there is space around the sides.

Frames, materials and finish

Wooden frames bring warmth and take knocks well, from painted lines to solid oak with turned posts. Metal frames sit lighter and slimmer in a room. Upholstered frames add a soft headboard to lean against. Whichever you choose, look for a solid centre rail and proper legs on a double or larger, since that is where a frame usually gives out first.

Ottoman beds

Where floor space is tight, an ottoman frame lifts the whole mattress platform on gas pistons and opens the full footprint underneath as one deep compartment. It is the most space-efficient bed we stock, and it has a page of its own: see ottoman beds for the sizes we carry, how the lift works and what it means for your mattress.

Beds with drawers and divan bases

Where a full lift is more than you need, a drawer base gives you pull-out storage at the side of the bed. Drawers are quicker to reach into for everyday things and do not ask you to clear the top of the bed first, though they hold noticeably less than an ottoman and need floor clearance beside the frame to open fully. Divan bases sit between the two, with a solid upholstered base and drawers built into the side. Whichever you pick, storage adds height, so measure how far you want to climb into bed as well as what you want to put underneath.

Mattress fit and support

A frame needs the right base for the mattress to last. Sprung slats flex with you and suit most pocket and memory mattresses, while solid or closely spaced slats give a firmer feel. Check the frame takes the depth of mattress you want, and that the internal size matches the mattress size exactly so there is no gap at the sides. A mattress that fits properly wears evenly and stays put.

Delivery and assembly

Most frames arrive flat-packed for safe delivery, with the fixings and instructions to build them. Clear a bit of floor and get a second pair of hands for anything double-sized or larger. Delivery is free to the UK and worldwide on orders over £99, and if you have a question about a frame before you order, our team is happy to help.