THE FRAME GAME
The best way to choose the right bed frame? Sleep on it, says Riya Patel. But also check the slats, bounce and assembly
March is National Bed Month – the perfect time to think about giving your sleeping environment a boost. Many retailers have offers that extend to whole bedroom ranges, but the basic bed frame remains the most important element to get right and plan around.
In the base, look for sprung slats, which have a slight rise to them and aren’t too far apart. The bounce in these gives your mattress good support and absorbs movement as you change your sleeping position.
Tall, solid headboards are good if you like to sit up and read in bed, or for piling soft cushions against. Metal headboards are less comfortable, especially if they have large gaps between the struts the pillows can disappear into.
When buying, be sure to measure the size of your frame compared to your mattress, to avoid any discrepancies – European mattress sizes, used by brands such as Ikea, for example, differ slightly to standard UK sizes. We’ve listed the dimensions of each bed frame we included (height x width x length).
Most bed frames require self-assembly, although some brands offer assembly services free of charge, while others ask you to pay an extra fee.
Heal’s Morten Bed Grey Upholstered Headboard: from £649, heals.com
Dimensions: 99cm x 140cm x 203cm (double), 99cm x 156cm x 213cm (king) Self-assembly required: No, Heal’s will provide an assembly team for free Heal’s is known for its high-end offering and you can usually expect a price tag that matches the quality of its wares. The Scandi-style Morten bed is refreshingly mid-priced, but still has an excellent finish. The upholstered headboard section adds a touch of comfort to the whitewashed oak frame. Tapered legs and a slim profile make it useful for smaller spaces. There are a number of other pieces, from sofas to sideboards, in the Morten range.
Ercol for John Lewis Shalstone double bed frame: from £899, johnlewis.com
Dimensions: 106cm x 151cm x 213.5cm (double), 107cm x 166cm x 223.5cm (king) Self-assembly required: Yes (or pay £29 for assembly) Natural materials are warm to the touch and bring a calm atmosphere to the bedroom. The Shalstone bed is made from solid oak, veneers and poplar wood, with an exceptional quality of construction. Traditional dovetail and finger joints give the frame strength, angled struts on the headboard provide a modern touch, and the sprung birch wood slats add a layer of comfort. The Shalstone range also features chairs, tables, drawers and more.
Bensons for Beds Hip Hop Wooden Bed Frame: from £189, bensonsforbeds.co.uk
Dimensions: 157cm x 100 cm x 208cm (single), 157cm x 130cm x 208cm (small double), 157cm x 145cm x 208cm (double), 157cm x 160cm x 218cm (king) Self-assembly required: Yes
This reasonably-priced frame is popular for its ease of assembly, understated design and sturdy build. It’s made from a combination of solid ash and veneer, which looks good from afar, but the veneers prove a little thin when seen close up. The metal base comes with bowed sprung slats; be aware it comes up smaller than the frame and is less suited to heavier mattresses. Elsewhere in the Hip Hop range you’ll find drawers and wardrobes.
Feather and Black Sienna Rattan Bed: from £795, featherandblack.com
Dimensions: 160cm x 148cm x 204cm (double), 160cm x 163cm x 214cm (king), 160cm x 193cm x 214cm (super king) Self-assembly required: Yes (or pay £40 for assembly)
If you’re looking for a dose of escapism, Feather and Black’s grand Sienna bed is made in oak and rattan and has the style of a something you’d find in a luxury holiday resort. The oak has a weathered finish to make it look like a well-loved antique. The scrolling profile on the generous headboard, end and legs echo the style of French furniture. It has a sprung slatted base that gives a good level of comfort and support. If you want to style out your room entirely, then there are plenty of options in the Sienna range, from footstools to benches.
Ikea Kopardal Bed Frame: from £99, ikea.co.uk
Dimensions: 104cm x 142cm x 201cm (double), 104cm x 162cm x 211cm (king) Self-assembly required: Yes Just a snip under £100 gets you a decent metal bed frame with minimal style and a striking black finish. Better for spare rooms, this budget bed is basic on the detailing, and the headboard needs a lot of bolstering for comfort. Birch wood ply slats are bought separately and there are three types to choose from depending on your budget. It might be a good idea to test this frame out in store first.
Marks and Spencer Dawson Grey Bed Frame: from £263.20, marksandspencer.com
Dimensions: 98cm x 103cm x 201.5cm (single), 98cm x 151.5cm x 211.5cm (double), 98cm x 166.5cm x 211.5cm (king) Self-assembly required: No, Marks and Spencer will provide an assembly team for free
The subtly-detailed Dawson has a New England-inspired style and a soft grey-painted finish. It’s made from sustainably-sourced wood, certified by the FSC, and has a solid feel for a frame in this price range. The mattress does sit low, with an under-bed space that is only 19cm. The slats are solid rather than sprung, and the headboard is solid. Matching bookcases and wardrobes are available.
Dreams Sherwood Dark Wooden Bed Frame: from £399, dreams.co.uk
Dimensions: 110cm x 144cm x 202cm (double), 110cm x 159cm x 212cm (king), 110cm x 190cm x 212cm (super king) Self-assembly required: Yes (or pay £28 for assembly)
The curved head and end of the well-priced Sherwood frame give it a stately look. It’s robust too: made in solid oak and veneers, stained and finished to a good quality. You can choose from solid or sprung slats (an extra £59), and a finish of dark wood, natural oak or grey.
La Redoute Aimone Bed: £505, laredoute.co.uk
Dimensions: 131cm x 145.5cm x 198.5cm (double) Self-assembly required: Yes Full of French charm, the romantic Aimone bed has a steel frame with a beautifully curved rail and flourishes. The finish has been given an antique look that suits a bedroom with shabby chic style. The headboard has wide gaps between the rails – pile up lots of pillows to improve comfort. The slats on all bed frames at La Redoute need to be bought separately, from £95. Note that this one is only available as a double.
Maisons du Monde Fergus Bed: from £459, maisonsdumonde.com
Dimensions: 95cm x 164cm x 232cm (king), 95cm x 184cm x 235cm (super king) Self-assembly required: Yes Upholstered beds usually come a lot more expensive than this, making the Fergus great value. The plump pillow-style headboard is a fun touch; it’s filled with foam and fibre for a firm yet soft feel. The bed itself is made from pine, with plywood slats. The covering is a linen cotton mix that comes in a beige version too.
Cotswold Co Chantilly Bed: from £399, cotswoldco.com
Dimensions: 105cm x 109cm x 206cm (single), 105cm x 154cm x 206cm (double), 105cm x 171cm x 213cm (king), 105cm x 196cm x 217.5cm (super king) Self-assembly required: Yes (comes part-assembled)
The classic style of the Chantilly bed makes it a good choice to outlast interior trends. The high solid headboard and end protect the mattress well, and the headboard gives good support for leaning against. It comes part-assembled, and putting together the rest is fairly easy to follow. The paint finish is brilliant white, which some may not find practical. There are a number of other furniture and storage options in the Chantilly White range, from chests of drawers to dressing tables.
The verdict
The Heal’s Morten bed is a great mid-priced solution. It has an upholstered headboard for comfort where you need it (most fully upholstered beds are in the £1000+ range). It has the solid feel you’d expect from a wooden frame (no veneers here), but not the bulkiness – a good contemporary choice for small bedrooms.
Have we missed any brands? Do you agree with our expert’s choices? Drop us a line with any feedback or questions on indybest@independent.co.uk