Bed Buying Guide: Top Tips on How to Choose a New Bed

Are you searching for a new bed and unsure where to start? The Beds Are Uzzz complete bed buying guide is designed to help you choose the best bed for your budget, space and sleep needs. This guide takes you through the different bed styles, sizes and designs available ensuring you feel informed when buying your next bed.

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Signs it’s time to buy a new bed

It may be time to buy a new bed if you:

• Are sleeping on a bed that is broken or damaged
• Need more space when you sleep
• Would like to find a design that better fits your bedroom decor and personal tastes
• Need more storage in your bedroom
• Need a bed that better suits your sleep needs

Where to buy a bed:

Many people think that you have to visit a showroom to buy a bed, but that’s not necessarily the case. You can also buy a bed online from a trusted retailer like Beds Are Uzzz. Really, it all comes down to personal preference. Visiting a showroom may help some to visualize better how the bed will look in their space, whilst offering the chance to physically see and touch the bed. However, if you already have a good idea of the type of bed and mattress you need, shopping online is a great way to access more variety from the comfort of your own home.

What is the best bed to buy?

Choosing a bed is a highly personal process. That’s why, when it comes to answering the question ‘What is the best bed to buy?’ there is no fixed answer. It all depends on your personal preferences, budget, space and of course, requirements.

The different styles of bed

Divan Beds

A divan is a bed base with a wooden structure, covered in fabric. Generally speaking, divans are designed to be paired with a certain mattress, therefore you wouldn’t typically buy a divan bed base, without buying the pairing mattress.

That’s because the divan is made specifically to support its pairing mattress’ structural design which is responsible for ensuring maximum comfort, support and longevity. A typical divan base is made to the exact measurements of its pairing mattress, giving the entire bed a compact and sturdy look. To bring everything together and provide neck support, a headboard is either screwed into the divan base or can be floor-standing.

A highly customisable bed choice: when buying a divan bed, there are many different divan bed fabrics, mattress tensions and headboard designs to choose from. You can also select from a range of divan base structural designs, including a coil sprung base, a platform top base and a pocket sprung base, all of which support different types of mattresses.

They are suitable for a range of budgets: there are budget-friendly divan options to choose from, as well as luxury designs.

Storage options available: divan beds are often available with drawer storage options. These are available in 1 drawer, two drawers or 4 drawers multiples that can be positioned at the side or end of the bed.

Size options: divans are available in sizes Small Single (75x190cm) up to Emperor (217x215cm).

A divan bed is a great bed option for:

• Those seeking highly personalised tensions
• Those with aches and pains and in need of a specific level of support
• Optimising bedroom storage
• Contemporary and traditional bedroom designs

Ottoman beds

An ottoman bed has a lift-up mechanism that enables you to raise the mattress to reveal storage space within the bed base. Many divan beds are available with ottoman storage, lifting from either the foot end or one side of the bed.

A selection of styles to choose from: similar to divans, ottoman beds have an upholstered bed base and headboard. There’s a great deal of choice when it comes to selecting a fabric and colour that compliments your bedroom design.

Increase your storage capacity: these are a superb option when in need of additional bedroom storage space. If you’re looking for as much storage as possible, an ottoman bed is a great option.

Achieve a tidier bedroom: many people stuff things like shoes, spare bed linen, boxes and blankets under the bed, which can make a bedroom feel cluttered. An ottoman bed allows you to reduce that cluttered feel, storing away belongings in a way that makes your bedroom feel much tidier and more organised.

An easy-access design: ottoman beds have a mechanism that ensures you can easily lift the top of the bed base and mattress. They typically feature gas-lift hydraulics which means you can lift and leave the ottoman open whilst accessing the space.

An ottoman bed is a great option for:

• Smaller bedroom spaces
• Achieving additional storage space
• Those seeking an upholstered bed design
• All budgets
• Contemporary and traditional bedroom styles

Adjustable beds

For ultimate personalised comfort, look no further than an adjustable bed. With the ability to change the bed and mattress position, you can find superior comfort and custom support. They are available in a range of sizes designed for one or two sleepers.

Discover customised alignment: using a remote control, you can recline the mattress to a custom setting you find most comfortable.

Buy with a mattress: when you buy an adjustable bed, you’ll need a special mattress, as recommended by the bed manufacturer. These mattresses are available in a range of tensions and styles to provide optimal comfort.

Choose from a range of headboards: there are lots of different headboard design options to choose from to achieve both style and comfort.

Choices for two sleepers: the bed has two individual recliner mattresses, enabling each sleeper to personalise their sleep space.

An adjustable bed is great for:

• Those in need of additional support on painful pressure points
• Those who like to read or watch TV in bed
• Those who need help getting in and out of bed
• People with certain breathing conditions

Bed frames

A bedframe, also referred to as a bedstead, is a standalone bed base on which a mattress sits. Unlike a divan bed base, a bed frame typically has either a solid slatted or sprung slatted bed base structure.

A bed frame with sprung slats has slats with a slight curve which creates a more sprung feel that reacts to movement. Solid slatted bed frames have bars of timber slats spaced evenly horizontally across the bed frame. They provide a firmer feel.

Bed frames are available in a wide range of styles including:

Wooden beds

A traditional bed style that has timeless appeal, wooden bed frames are a popular choice amongst those seeking a more rustic look. They are often made from oak or pine and are available with a varnished or painted finish. Wooden beds are a particularly popular bed frame option thanks to their versatility when set inside a range of bedroom designs. What’s more, they are generally considered a more budget-friendly option. Across the wooden bed frame range, you can find high and low-foot-end designs, wooden bunk beds and four-poster wooden beds.

Metal bed frames

Metal bed frames are available in a choice of designs. From more modern chrome-style metal bed frames to traditional Victorian-style metal bed frames, they work well in a range of bedroom settings. They too are a budget-friendly option with a minimalist appeal.

Upholstered beds

Because of the different fabrics, colours and headboard styles available, the versatility of this bedframe style makes the upholstered bed a popular choice. They offer a particularly cosy look and feel, and depending on the style you choose, can work well in both traditional and contemporary bedrooms.

Grey upholstered bed frames are particularly popular at the moment, for their contemporary look. Amongst those looking for the ultimate bedroom centrepiece, bolder colours, such as blue, green, yellow and other bold statement-making colours have become particularly popular. Choose from a range of different styles including those with buttoned, high and cubed headboard designs.

TV beds

Made for those who love to watch TV in bed, TV beds feature a built-in space to house a television. They also often feature a range of tech devices including speakers in the bed, a multifunctional remote control, Bluetooth connection and USB ports.

How to choose a bed style

Consider bedroom decor

Are you looking for something fairly minimalistic and elegant to make the room feel bigger, or would you prefer your bed to take centre stage as the core focal point of the bedroom?

For a more minimalistic look, wooden and metal bed frames are a great option. However, if you’re all about bringing a little wow factor to your bedroom with a statement-making bed, consider something like a bright and colourful divan bed, an upholstered bed or even a leather bed.

Factor in storage needs

If storage is your top priority, your best options will always be a divan with drawers or an ottoman. These bed styles are also great options if you’re looking to save space and declutter your bedroom. With a selection of fabric, colours and headboards to choose from, there is great potential to find a storage bed that suits both your sleep needs and storage requirements, as well as your bedroom decor ambitions.

Understand your comfort needs

If unmatched personalised comfort is your number one priority, a divan bed with a suitable mattress or an adjustable bed are two options you may want to consider. You’ll also need to factor in what type of mattress you’ll choose. If you’re looking for a specific style of mattress, such as a memory foam or pocket sprung mattress, you may need to buy a specific type of bed base, such as a divan or sprung slatted base to ensure optimal mattress support. You can find tips and advice for buying your next mattress here.

How to choose the right bed size

Getting the size of your bed right is important. A bed that is too small can interfere with sleep quality, whilst a bed that is too big for your bedroom space can make the general feel and feng shui of your bedroom cluttered and cramped.

Get your tape measure out: measure the size of your bedroom. Consider what size bed already fits within the space and how that makes your bedroom feel. Is there room to go a size bigger, or do you need to choose a smaller size that creates a more minimalistic bedroom feel?

Know your bed sizes: UK bed sizes correspond to UK mattress sizes. However, depending on the style of bed that you choose, it is important to remember that your actual bed base or frame may be wider than the mattress.

Typically, divan bed bases are true to mattress size as they are made to support all corners and lengths of the divan mattress. However, bed frames may have a few extra centimetres in width, particularly if the mattress slots into the frame with enclosed sides.

Here are the standard UK mattress sizes:

If you can, always go for a bigger bed:
Without compromising bedroom space, it’s always worth opting for the biggest bed size that you can. Upgrading from a double to a kingsize is very common, as many sleepers find better comfort in the extra sleep space a kingsize offers.

The best beds for small bedrooms

In bedrooms with limited space, it’s even more important to find the right bed size. For single bedrooms, a single divan with drawers is a great option as it allows you to create a comfortable sleep space for one person, whilst taking advantage of additional storage space. If you have the space, a small double is also a great bed size to consider.

Alternatively, you may wish to choose a bunk bed. This is an effective option for guest bedrooms for children’s bedrooms where you can make space of vertical room space without taking up too much floor space with two beds.

The best beds for large bedrooms

Is there room for a larger bed? Why not take advantage of the extra space with a super kingsize or emperor bed? This can help you to utilise extra bedroom space whilst making the room feel more balanced.

The best beds for taller people

Taller people need additional bed length to provide full body support. A kingsize bed offers an additional 10 cm in length. Whilst this may not seem like a lot, it can often make a big difference. Taller people may also benefit from a wider bed, providing more space to stretch out. For that reason, a super king or even an emperor mattress are two bed size options well worth considering if you are tall. 

The best bed size for two sleepers

For two sleepers, we’d advise that you choose a bed size no smaller than a standard double. Whilst a small double can accommodate two sleepers, it may feel like a bit of a squeeze. The larger your body frame, the more space you’ll need to feel optimum comfort at night.

If you or your sleep partner have a specific comfort need or require additional support for sore joints, pressure points and body pain, you may wish to consider an adjustable bed with two mechanically independent sides. This will give both you and your sleep partner the flexibility to change sleep position based on individual comfort and support needs.

Find the perfect bed with Beds Are Uzzz

We are committed to helping you to find the right bed. Stocking a vast range of bed styles manufactured by popular and trusted brands, there really is something for everyone across our bed collection.

Shop online or in store

You can shop the range online, or visit your local showroom. Find your local showroom below, or if we’re a bit far away for you and you’re looking for some bed-buying help and advice, you can reach out to one of our bed experts via live chat or over the phone.