How to buy a wooden bed

It’s said that we spend up to a third of our lives in bed so choosing the right one to get your nightly forty winks may well be the most important furniture choice of all. Whether you’re replacing an old bed you’ve had for years or furnishing a new home from scratch, our handy guide will help you avoid too many sleepless nights and ensure you find one that’s up to playful pillow fights and bouncing children alike.

Is it time to get a new bed?

When you wake up in the morning, are you rested and raring to attack the day with gusto, or are you still tired and riddled with aches and pains? If the latter is the norm, it’s probably time to get a new bed or, at the very least, a new mattress. Or have you just got married or moved in with your partner and need a bigger bed for your new home? Whatever the reason, we’re sure that one of our beautifully made wooden bed frames together with a carefully chosen mattress and comfy pillows will soon have you sleeping like a baby.

Why buy a wooden bed?

Your bed frame is the foundation on which you build a good night’s sleep, and generally speaking, the bigger the bed, the better the sleep. But of course, the size of your room may determine the size of your bed, or it may be that you’re buying a bed for child’s room or a guest bedroom. One thing for certain is you can’t go wrong with a wooden frame. In a range of styles both traditional and contemporary, we have a wide choice from singles right up to king size beds. Built to last and beautiful to look at, all of our wooden beds come with sturdy slats that will support your choice of mattress. With a wooden bed you also get:

Strength – wood is naturally strong and a bed made from oak, for example, will get stronger as time goes on.
Durability – a wooden bed should, with care, last you a lifetime.
Style – naturally timeless, wood will work well in most backdrops so even if you change your wallpaper, you won’t need to change your bed.
Practicality – wood is easy to care for: a wipe with a damp cloth is usually all that’s required on a regular basis to get rid of dust.
Versatility – wood can be stained and varnished, painted and distressed and finished with wax or lacquer to achieve a desired look.

Ideal for guest rooms, children’s rooms and smaller bedrooms.

Perfect for couples or singletons who like a bit of room to stretch out, a double bed will fit neatly into most average size bedrooms without dominating the space.

If you have the room, a king size bed is the luxurious choice. Making a superb focal point in a master bedroom, there’ll be plenty of space for even the most restless sleeper to move around without disturbing their partner.

Other things to consider

Things to consider when buying wooden bed

Before you make your final choice, there are a few other things worth considering.

Frame height – important if you want to use the space under the bed for storage. Also, a lower bed may be more suitable for a younger child so there’s not so far to fall. And in a room with low ceilings, a lower bed will look more balanced.

Headboards and footboards – a headboard is great for piling pillows up against for reading in bed and can make a real style statement too. A low foot board is a practical choice as it helps make a room feel less cluttered.
Slats – they can be sprung or rigid but more important is the distance between them. Too far apart and they won’t provide the necessary support for your mattress. Too close and the mattress won’t be able to breathe which can affect its longevity and attract dust mites. The optimum distance between slats is about 9cm.

Mattresses

There’s a bewildering choice of mattresses available. Should you go for firm? Or will a softer mattress suit you. What’s the ideal number of springs or the best filling? What’s the difference between open coil and open sprung? Will a pocket sprung mattress be better? What about a mattress without springs? The mattress you choose will depend on what kind of sleeper you are and to help you choose, we recommend you read this article from The Sleep Council before you part with your money.

Blanket Boxes

The ideal complement to your bed, a blanket box will store extra bedding, throws and cushions and will look splendid at the end of your bed. Most of our ranges have one to suit and they make the perfect finishing touch to any bedroom.

Styles and finishes

Consider the natural warmth, durability and character of oak or the versatility and practicality of pine. Think about painted furniture to freshen up your space and create an atmosphere of restful calm, or the exotic appeal of handcrafted sheesham wood.

Oak furniture is the classic choice. It brings natural rustic beauty, will last for decades and gets better looking as the years go by. Plus it works well in both modern and more traditional settings.

Nothing beats pine for versatility and value. It’s brimming with character, easy to work with, sustainable and can be made into a huge range of gorgeous furniture which lends itself to a variety of styles and finishes.

Painted furniture will make your room feel bigger. It adds brightness, encourages relaxation and sits well with both dark and light backdrops.

Ideal for adding a hint of the exotic to your bedroom, sheesham wood is a dense Indian hardwood that can be crafted into uniquely characterful pieces of furniture that will stand the test of time.

How to care for your bed

With a little bit of care and attention, your bed frame should last for years.

Good quality beeswax applied very six months or so will nourish the wood, provide protection and ensure it stays looking its best.
Wipe off spills immediately with a damp cloth then use a dry cloth to finish the job.
Avoid placing your bed in direct sunlight to avoid fading, or too close to a radiator to prevent joints and veneers weakening.