Bed buying guide
As a leading UK supplier of home flooring it may surprise you to know that we are experts in all things beds too. We have been the trusted choice for carpets and flooring for over 30 years and we have been providing beds for 10 of those! You spend about a third of your life in bed, so it’s important to make sure the bed you choose is the right one for you.
Here at Carpetright, you’ll find a range of beds including bed frames, divans, storage beds and sofa beds in sizes ranging from small single beds perfect for a child’s room, to super king size ideal for the taller amongst us. With such a wide variety to choose from, you may find it hard to decide. We’re here to help by explaining the main differences in the types and sizes of beds available so you can make an informed decision.
We’ve created this expert buying guide to make it easier for you to find your perfect bed. In the video below our home expert, Lucy Alexander explains why putting a little thought into getting the right bed can help you sleep easier.
Create your perfect bed in 3 simple steps
Everyone deserves to sleep well; at Carpetright our sleep specialists can match you with your dream bed by following three simple steps. We’ll take into consideration how you sleep, how you need your bedroom to look and work, and how much you have to spend to help you create a bed just the way you like it. With endless ways of customising your bed to meet your exact specification, you can rest easy knowing you ordered the right bed at Carpetright.
Step 1: Choose your kind of comfort
The most important thing when you're choosing a bed is that 'ahhhh' feeling you get when you snuggle up at the end of a long day. And since we all sleep differently, finding your type of comfort should always be your first priority. The right mattress will help keep your spine in check and relieve pressure points all over your body. It means a deeper, comfier sleep throughout the night. There are four different types of comfort levels to consider. Lets find your match!
Softer comfort rating
Sink into a soft mattress that will mould to your body shape, helping to relieve your joints. If you sleep on your side, a soft mattress will ease pressure on your hips and shoulders, helping to prevent uncomfortable aches and pains in the morning.
Medium comfort rating
Medium mattresses provide more support than soft, enabling you to rest comfortably whilst reducing pressure on your joints. Perfect if you’re a fidgety sleeper, a medium mattress is comfortable and supportive in a variety of sleeping positions.
Firmer comfort rating
A great all-rounder, a medium/firm mattress is great for supporting your body however you sleep. Whether you snooze on your back, stomach or side, a medium firm mattress provides pressure relief on your joints to reduce uncomfortable aching.
Extra firm comfort rating
Are you a flat on your back or a splayed on your stomach sleeper? Then a firm mattress is for you. The firmer structure is designed to provide enough support to keep your spine perfectly aligned as you sleep, helping to reduce uncomfortable back pain.
Step 2: Types of bed
Divans
The structure of a divan base is strong and robust and supports the mattress giving you great support and comfort. Many divan bed bases offer integrated storage drawers making them ultra-functional as well as super comfy.
Frames
A bed frame or bedstead is the most traditional style of bed with built-in headboard and sometimes a footer incorporated. Choose from metal, wood, fabric, leather or faux leather finishes to achieve different looks in your bedroom.
Ottoman beds
An ottoman bed will give you everything that a divan will but with a whole lot more. Lift the mattress and you will find the whole of the bed base empty for you to store whatever you need to from blankets to spare pillows and even your shoe collection.
Storage drawers
A bed with drawers for storage makes great use of the space beneath your bed. With options for 2 drawers, 4 drawers and even continental drawers, you have plenty to choose from to increase the amount of storage you have in your bedroom.
Sofa beds
Offer your guests a great night's sleep with a stylish sofa bed. Our range of sofa beds are designed with style, comfort and practicality in mind. Why choose between somewhere for guests to sleep and somewhere for guests to sit, when you can have both without having to compromise on space.
Guest beds
Offer guests a relaxing stay with a guest bed from our range. They are a popular option for those who have guests to stay with them but are a little short on space. Our guest beds fold away for easy storage, but once opened provide a comfortable and supportive night’s sleep to suit you and your guests.
Unsure what kind of mattress you’re after? See our Mattress Buying Guide for advice.
Bed sizes
Single
Perfect for a guest bedroom or children's bedroom, a standard single bed measures approx 90cm x 190cm.
Double
Double beds are ideal for couples, or individuals who love to stretch out as they sleep. A standard double measures approx 135cm x 190cm.
King size
If you are over 6 feet tall or have a large bedroom with lots of space, ideal for couples, King Size beds measure approx 150cm x 200cm.
Super king
Perfect for master bedrooms, super king size beds measure approx 180cm x 200cm, making this the largest bed size that is widely available to buy.
Small single
A great option for small guest bedrooms or children's rooms, small single beds are ideal for areas limited on space and measure approx 75cm x 190cm.
Small double
Ideal for smaller bedrooms, small double beds are great for individuals looking for a little extra space to stretch out and measure approx 120cm x 190cm.
There is a bed size for every purpose, but a bed is nothing without the right mattress, so take a look at our range of mattresses to complete the perfect bed.
Step 3: Storage for beds
Now that you’ve selected your style and comfort it’s time to tailor your bed to suit your lifestyle. Matching your divan bed, bed frame or ottoman bed with the right mattress and headboard will complete the look. Storage is also something you should consider as there are some great space-saving solutions available that will keep your bedroom clutter-free and comfortable. Below we discuss the options – have your bed, your way.
Storage
Many divan beds can be ordered with different combinations of drawers within the bed base where you can stash spare blankets, pillows and other possessions. Out of sight out of mind as they say. Choose from 2 drawers, 4 drawers or continental drawers to increase the amount of storage you have in your bedroom.
• 2 drawers – Two large drawers are fitted on either side of the foot of the bed. A great option for smaller bedrooms where there might not be room to open side drawers.
• 4 drawers – Two full sized drawers are fitted down each side of the bed to give you the maximum storage space available.
• Continental drawers – Two small drawers are fitted on either side of the head of the bed. Ideal for those who have bedside tables or fitted furniture as they still allow you to use all the available storage space in your bed base.
• Ottomans – Ottoman beds are the ultimate space-saving solution. Lift the mattress and you will find the whole of the bed base empty for you to store whatever you need to from blankets to spare pillows and even your shoe collection.
Mattresses
A bed is nothing without a great mattress. Apparently we spend around a third of our lives in bed so it’s important to match your bed to a mattress that works for you. At Carpetright we have a wide range of mattresses to suit every kind of sleeper. Prefer soft or firm? Traditional springs or memory foam? Browse our range online or visit us in store where you can try out our mattresses and get advice from our sleep experts on how you can sleep right every night.
Read our guide to buying a new mattress or browse the range
Headboards for beds
Headboards are a quick and easy way to add comfort and style into your bedroom. They can be used to support your back and will also give your bed a stylish focal point.
Browse our headboard range for inspiration and ideas.
Beds delivered to your home
Expert delivery
Have your bed or mattress delivered and assembled in the room of your choice. Our expert delivery team will deliver your new bed or mattress at a time that is convenient for you.
Expert delivery & bed recycling
Alongside our expert delivery service where we'll also assemble your new bed or mattress in the room of your choice, we offer a bed recycling service to take away the hassle of having to dispose of your old one yourself.
Mattresses to take home today
Choose from our range of single, double and king size mattresses that are rolled up to easily fit in your car and can be taken home today from selected stores. Find your nearest store now.
Once you’ve got your new bed settled in and ready to use, make sure you know how to care for your bed to keep it fresh, clean and comfortable all year round.
Our beds are never beaten on price
At Carpetright we’ve made it easy to find the best deal on beds and mattresses. The Carpetright Price Promise means that you will always get the best price on beds with us. In short, we promise to you that we are never beaten on price. Find out more below.
Price promise
Getting the best price for a new bed or mattress has never been easier with the Carpetright Price Promise. Our promise to you is that we are never beaten on price. We guarantee that if within 28 days of purchase from us you find the equivalent divan, bed frame or mattress at a lower price elsewhere on a delivered bed or mattress of the same brand, we’ll refund the difference.
Conditions apply. To learn more and for full terms click here.
Our bed brands
Silentnight
With 70 years’ experience as the UK's favourite bed and mattress manufacturer Silentnight have made it their mission to help everyone find their perfect sleep solution.
Sealy
Sealy –it’s where sleep matters, where sleep is not just “something we all do”, or “time spent in bed” but more a question of when, where, why and how we can all sleep better. It’s that wholehearted commitment to the entire sleep scape that allows the Sealy Sleep Team to make mattresses that are not only different but made with love, passion & care right here in Britain.
Sleepeezee
Sleepeezee was founded in Croydon in 1924. Since then Sleepeezee has developed and grown into one of the leading and most respected bed manufacturers in the UK.
