Bed buying guide

A practical, room-first guide to choosing the right bed frame, size and mattress combination — written for UK homes.

Start with the room

The right bed begins with three numbers: the length and width of the wall the headboard will sit against, and the distance from that wall to the nearest obstacle (radiator, wardrobe, window). Add 60 cm on either side for floor clearance and you have the maximum mattress footprint. Note that for most UK homes a king (150 × 200 cm) is the sweet spot — superkings (180 × 200 cm) demand a generous room.

Frame styles

Style	Pros	Watch for
Divan	Storage drawers, ottoman lift, no slats to creak	Heavier to move; fabric ages
Slatted wood	Breathable, classic look, repairable	Slat spacing <7 cm matters for warranty on most mattresses
Metal	Cheaper, lightweight	Creaks if joints loosen — recheck bolts annually
Upholstered	Soft headboard, hides storage	Pets and pale fabric do not mix
Ottoman gas-lift	Best storage capacity in the trade	Needs clearance above the bed to open

Bed sizes (UK)

Size	Width × Length (cm)	Best for
Single	90 × 190	Child / single adult, small rooms
Small double	120 × 190	Single adult who wants room; guest rooms
Double	135 × 190	Two adults, modest room
King	150 × 200	Two adults, typical UK master bedroom
Superking	180 × 200	Two adults, generous room
EU / Euro double	140 × 200	Continental beds — check linen availability

Headboard mounting

Three options: bolt-on (attaches to the divan), strut (bolts to the wall), or floor-standing (attaches to the frame). Strut is usually best for a clean look but needs solid wall fixings — not plasterboard alone.

Mattress + frame compatibility

A pocket-sprung mattress will fail prematurely on a flat solid base. A memory-foam mattress on widely-spaced slats will sag through the gaps. We can sense-check compatibility before you commit — bring or photograph your existing base if you are only buying the mattress.

Delivery, removal, assembly

Beds are bulky; we strongly recommend our assembly service for divans and ottoman lifts. We can also remove your old bed at the same visit for a small fee — ask at the time of order.

Trying before you buy

Bed-buying is one of the things that just works better in person. Come into the showroom, lie down, take ten minutes. Don't rush. If two of you are sharing, both of you should try.

Last updated 2026-05-26 · J & M McEwen, Kirkwall