The secret to sleeping well isn’t just in your mattress; beds have the power to transform our sleep one night at a time. And if you’re here, it means you’ll want your new bed to do exactly that. Unsure where to start? We’ve compiled the ultimate guide to buying a new bed, here to make the process as easy as possible for you. Which means covering all the practicalities – like measurements and storage – but also the personal side. Your bed isn’t just there for your mattress. It’s there to hold you and support you, and it needs to feel like somewhere you can relax, restore and refresh in. So without further ado, here’s how to pick a bed. And not just any bed, but the perfect bed for you.
Determine your budget
When you’re deciding how to select a bed, budget is high on the list of things to consider. While it’s tempting to reach for the cheapest option, that doesn’t always mean it’s the best. Balance your budget with quality, considering who your bed is for, how long you want your bed to last, and the materials a bed is made from. For example, if it’s a single bed frame for growing teenagers, you won’t need it to last ten years; a Double Bed may be the smarter investment in the long run.
At Simba, we know everyone deserves to sleep well, which is why we’ve designed a range of high-quality bed frames to suit all sleep styles, lifestyles and budgets. So once you’ve decided on how much you’re able to spend, explore our range of beds to find the right style, colour and fabric for you. We might have made it hard to choose just one, but we can promise each frame is crafted to match perfectly with our award-winning mattresses and all standard UK sized mattresses. Because some things really are better together.
Comfort comes first
It’s not just your mattress that needs to be designed with comfort in mind: your bed frame does, too. That’s because the base of your bed can affect how firm your mattress is. Solid slats enhance firmness, since they’re set in place. Sprung slats allow for more flexibility, offering more gentle support that moves with your mattress. And Divan beds have either a platform-top – which feels firm – or a sprung base. This kind of base has springs under where your mattress lies, making it feel more, well, springy.
Some of our Simba beds have sprung slats for flexible support, and our Divan bases are platform top for a firmer feel. They’re designed as innovatively as possible to work with your mattress, and to help offer you the support you need to sleep better every night.
Consider how much storage you need
If you don’t have much storage space in your room, it’s not just cupboards that can help; storage beds are an innovative way to keep your bedroom clutter-free. There are two main types of storage beds to choose from: Divan beds, or Ottoman beds. Divan beds with two drawers are great for storing extra bedding, like pillows and blankets; with four drawer options, you can slip extra items like jumpers in, too. But when it comes to what beds are best for families, there’s a pretty clear frontrunner; our Ottoman Beds have the maximum storage capacity of all our beds. Perfect for storing clothes, toys, and so much more.
Whatever you go for, Simba has a range of storage beds to suit every need. And with a variety of colours, fabrics and designs to choose from, you won’t ever have to compromise on style.
It’s all about the size
Before you buy a bed online, you want to make sure it’s the right fit for your bedroom. Not just in terms of measurements, but who your bed is for. Single beds are a good choice for younger children and twin set ups, Double beds are popular for teenagers and guest rooms, and King size beds are our go-to for couples. For a more luxurious sleep, we recommend Super King beds. It’s time to grab your tape measure to see exactly how much space you’re working with. To help you make the right choice, you’ll find bed measurements on every Simba bed product page. Note they may differ depending on the design you choose.
Just make sure you don’t forget to check the headboard measurements of your preferred bed, too. Selected bed bases – like Melrose and Didsbury – have winged headboard designs, making them slightly wider than others.
Look around the room
For those who like to keep their homes up to date with emerging trends, bedrooms can feel like the best place to let their inspiration take hold. That goes for both the style and shape of a bed, to the colours. Which is the best bed to buy for a minimalist feel? We find that Wooden Beds – with their clean lines and simplicity – are the perfect choice; we’ve also seen an influx of neutral colourways lately, with browns, greys and earthy greens lending a calming feel to any space. They’re timeless, meaning you don’t need to be out of pocket to keep up. And we’ve got you covered for both, since there’s a range of colours and premium styles to choose from with selected Simba beds.
Keep it personal
We can’t tell you how to choose a bed, but we can tell you that it’s the perfect time to let your personal style shine. As the place we spend a third of our lives, it’s important to make an informed decision. And it needs to feel just right, since it’s our safe space, a haven from the hustle and bustle of daily life. That’s where selected Simba beds come in. Each design offers a range of colours, fabrics and headboards to choose from, handcrafted by expert bed makers before being delivered to you. From Velvety Peacock to Linen-feel Vanilla, your bed is designed to look as stylish as it is comfortable. And it’s for this reason we recommend our Upholstered Beds – a dream combination of comfort, style and texture, with storage options to boot.
Other things to consider
No bed frame buying guide is complete without all corners covered, so here’s some more information which might help you make your perfect choice.
How do I find the right mattress for my bed?
All our Simba beds are designed to match with any UK standard size Single, Double, King and Super King mattress, so all you need to know is the size of the bed you’ve selected before you look for a mattress. If you want optimum, long-lasting support, we recommend pairing your bed base with one of our award-winning mattresses. Not only are they engineered to address a variety of common sleep problems, but they work in tandem with our bed bases to offer comfort for all sleepers. Not only that, but you can get 25% off both when you buy a Simba mattress and bed in a sleep bundle. And they each come with our 10-year guarantee. Win, win.
Where do I put my bed?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to bed placements. And if you’re working with a smaller space, your decision might have already been made for you. Want some inspiration? Some people like to have their bed in the line of natural light, to help their Circadian Rhythm stay aligned, whereas others might wish to place theirs away from the door. There are some suggestions that a calm bedroom can help us sleep better, so sometimes it’s not just about how your bed placement looks. Rather, how it feels.
If you’re lucky enough to have a large bedroom, you might want to switch up your bed placement depending on a variety of factors – like the season. If this is you, here’s our handy guide to the Dos and Don’ts of Feng Shui.
Will my bed be easy to build?
The good news is that all Simba beds are designed to be easily built – unlike the flatpack days of old. Most arrive pre-assembled, so they should be simple to assemble. The even better news is that our premium beds come with VIP delivery, which means our specialist delivery team can install your bed for you, free of charge.
How long will my bed frame last?
Rest easy: Simba beds are made to last as long as our mattresses; each one comes with a 10-year guarantee – which means you won’t be buying beds over and over again. In the rare chance something happens to your bed during that time, our guarantee covers you for manufacturing issues.
How sustainable is my new bed base?
We know that people are trying to make choices that allow them to live as sustainably as possible, and sleep is no exception. Each Simba bed is made with transparently sourced and recycled materials where possible. We also offer free, carbon-neutral delivery with every bed. Find out what steps we’re taking towards a more sustainable sleep here.
