When it comes to choosing the optimal bed frame from your room, there are many things to consider. You spend a third of your life in the thing, so it’s important to get it right. We all know how hard it is to function after a night of interrupted sleep.
Your boudoir is your sanctuary, a place of calm and relaxation and the model you choose can make a huge impact on this. Standing pride of place in the space, it will set the tone for the rest of your décor.
Style is therefore worth considering, but so is functionality and comfort so you can wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed.
From storage beds, to futons, there’s designs to suit all needs. A daybed could be a versatile option as it’s a bed, bench and sofa all rolled into one that is great for guests but also acts as a far more elegant solution than air beds or the aforementioned futons.
There are also ottoman beds that come complete with hydraulics to reveal additional places to stash your belongings, help you declutter and keep the likes of bed sheets hidden away.
Divans are some of the most comfortable on the market and are made up of a wooden frame that is upholstered in the fabric of your choice with the most common being velvet, cotton, leather, wool, chenille or tweed. If there are drawers underneath, they are built in.
Open-frame beds are a minimalistic options that are generally constructed in metal and have a modern feel. These tend not to overpower the space and will allow you to easily mix and match furniture as they are dressed up and down by bedding or the accompanying furnishings.
Beds with a slatted headboards and footboards are also hugely common and are generally made from wood. These tend to be some of the most durable, constructed to stand the test of time.
You may prefer an option with a soft headboard, particularly if you like to breakfast, read or watch TV in bed. Throws and decorative pillows can bring style points and elevate the comfort levels if you want to opt for the more blank canvas aesthetic that simplistic wood designs bring.
Size matters – and when it comes to your bed; the bigger, the better. If you can fit a king-sized frame in your space, go for it. But if only a single or a double can squeeze, there’s options aplenty. Pay particular attention if you are looking to use the underneath area for storage that there is enough space to open drawers or pull out the boxes.
You need not spend a fortune to make your bedroom a place of comfort and serenity. Save your pennies on what really matters – a solid mattress – and see our pick of the best cheap bed frames below that will work for all manner of interior design styles and are kind on the bank balance too.
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John Lewis & Partners Bonn Upholstered Bed Frame
Available as: Single (£199) and King (£349)
You can always count on John Lewis to bring a touch of luxury and this bed frame does exactly that without costing the earth. The Bonn is a classic with a curved headboard that has a warm, welcoming feel. It is covered in a grey hued material that is designed to be as durable as the wooden frame underneath.
It includes smart slats that are wider at the pressure points where it matters - shoulders, lumbar and feet - to provide extra support and promote better spinal alignment. When building the bed, these are indicated through grey slat caps over the traditional black ones.
Buy now £349.00, John Lewis
Julian Bowen Maine Bed Wooden Bed
Available as: Single (£315), Double (£375) and King (£419)
In the neutral colour palette of dove grey or surf white, the Maine bed can easily be paired with any other furniture item, but we suggest matching with tonal shades to bring a soft, sleep-inducing look. The timeless aesthetic is achieved with a lacquered finish and New England-style paneling - a motif that could be replicated on the wall.
The base is crafted from solid pine and the design can be matched with the other pieces from the same range, which includes bedside tables, tall chest drawers and a wide chest of drawers.
Buy now £315.00, Mattressman
Emmerson Upholstered Low Rise Bed Frame
Available as: Single
Oozing with elegance and yet without the price tag typically associated with it, the Emmerson style has a luxe velvet finish. It’s given further sophistication by the steel blue hue which makes a lovely alternative to grey, while still boasting the same neutrality.
It has a low-rise design so isn’t ideal if you’re looking to use the space underneath your bed for storage but instead enhances a minimalistic aesthetic, placing the importance on your boudoir as a sanctuary for sleep. The material is stitch-quilted at the headboard that has a rounded design and the frame is finished off with coned wood-effect legs.
Buy now £299.00, Dreams
Habitat Margot Velvet Kingsize Bed Frame
Available as: Double (£360) and King (£405)
If you’re looking to spruce up your bedroom without committing to a paint job, this tall headboard frame from Habitat has gravitas. The popular teal hue brings a five-star hotel feel with added luxury from the smart ribbed design. This is a statement bed if ever we’ve seen one.
Buy now £234.50, Argos
John Lewis & Partners Swirl Metal Bed Frame
Available as: Double (£299) and King (£349)
Inspired by the enduring appeal of Art Deco furnishings, this bed frame has an understated opulence yet has modern sentiments. While the swirling shape brings a retro touch, the choice in material - a black metal - brings it into the realm of the graphic and contemporary. The frame comes alongside sturdy and supportive sprung slats.
Buy now £299.00, John Lewis
Habitat Lavendon Double Bottom Opening Otto Bedframe
Available as: Single (£195), Small Double (225), Double, and King (£265)
Hoarders rejoice! This ottoman bed from Habitat gives you the chance to stash away your treasured possessions out of sight with a hidden underbed area. The end lifts to reveal the storage space below - a saviour for those looking to pack a lot of possessions into a smaller area - and uses a gas-powered lift so no elbow grease is required.
The bed frame is covered in a faux leather that has sophisticated edge. The headboard is padded to elevate the comfort of your morning cuppa in bed and the mattress (not included) will be kept secure with sprung wooden slats.
Buy now £235.00, Argos
Donaldson Metal Bed Frame - Double
Available as: Double
Classic and elegant with a boudoir feel, the Donaldson bed frame is a nod to vintage French styling with its curvature. It is crafted from metal and covered in a white painted finish that will fit among any curated interiors. There’s a one year guarantee for added peace of mind.
Buy now £199.00, Dreams
MALM Bed frame, high, white/Luröy - Double
Available as: Standard Double (£183), Standard King (£215) and 180 x 200cm (£255)
This is a bestselling bed frame at Ikea for a reason. The piece is exactly what the Swedish flatpack label excels in - simple, effective and timeless designs that will sit in any bedroom and give it a homely feel. There are three colours available; white, black and stained oak veneer as well as two choices in slatted bed bases depending on the support that you’re looking for. It can be placed freestanding or affixed to the wall.
Buy now £183.00, Ikea
M&S Mila Bed
Available as: Single (£299), Small Double (£349), Double (£349) and King (£449)
Don’t underestimate the homeware offering at M&S. The brand deserves your attention for far more than your Colin the Caterpillar needs. There’s affordable, on-trend furniture aplenty - including the Mila bed that’s available in six shades to suit your aesthetic. From the pale pink hue pictured to a bolder ochre (and all the neutral colours in-between), it’s a striking piece that is further enhanced by the large, curved and padded headboard. There’s also an impressive 10-year guarantee.
Buy now £249.00, M&S
Habitat Aspley Small Double Bed Frame
Available as: Single (£280), Small Double (£195), Double (£205) and King (£225)
Your hunt for a bed frame may have found its conclusion with this inoffensive design from Habitat. Combining function with a steadfast design sure to see you through your bedtime routine for years to come, it’s a durable item that you can rely on. The subtle design can be paired with more intricate and brightly hued soft and hard furnishings to let them do the talking or keep it minimal to bring calm to your sleep space.
Buy now £190.00, Argos
Dawson Bed Frame
Available as: King (£169)
This is a very traditional bed frame in both its aesthetic and its construction. It has a lovely grained finish that gives it a country retreat feel and will tick all the boxes when it comes to choosing a timeless, affordable bed frame that will last. Buy better and you’ll only need to buy once.
Buy now £169.00, Very
Argos Home Marietta Small Double Metal Bed Frame
Available as: Single (£180), Small Double (£200), and Double (£210)
If the elegant fairytale-worthy scroll design wasn’t enough to draw you in, then we suspect another detail may just. Not necessarily noticeable the first time that you look at it, take a closer peek and you’ll spot the added ornate detail of crystal at each corner of the frame. It has a polished white finish and a year’s guarantee.
Buy now £200.00, Argos
FLEKKE Day-bed frame with 2 drawers
Available as: 80 x 200cm
The versatility of a day bed knows no bounds, particularly if guests are a frequent occurrence in your home or you’re looking to maximise the space in a studio. This option from Ikea has underneath drawers for storage with a wooden slat lid that opens out flush. The cushions are then unfolded to create the double bed mattress that fits perfectly into the gap created. Click the link and watch the video to appreciate the ease of this very smart small home solution.
Buy now £299.00, Ikea
