Creating my own bedroom design for my new home

I am so excited to be moving in to my new home later this month, but there are so many things to consider before I move in, despite the event only being a couple of weeks away.

Principally I have been looking at the furnishings and decoration in each of the rooms and like so many other people, as this is a new home I want to have new furniture to match!

White Leather Bed

My first decision for the bedroom had to be the bed, and like I have said on this blog so many times, it was the first and most expensive decision to make. After much deliberation I decided to choose something that would match the built in wardrobes (white), so I opted for a white leather double bed along with white furnishings including a rug, bedside tables and chair as well as throws and cushions to match.

This will be my first white room and I hope to make it feel bright and lively so it assists me with waking up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead each morning!

In the past I have chosen to create bedrooms that are cosier, using warmer colours such as reds, browns and beiges and although they make the room feel warm, sometimes I have felt that the colours make me too cosy and less likely to get up.

It’s been an interesting process trying to decipher how I want my new bedroom to feel and although the "whiteness" might be seen as a disadvantage because of the brightness, I quite like the idea of having a room that will hold onto some light when I am on my own.

Getting less but paying more for a small double bed

It seems crazy, but when you look closely at the price of a 4ft double bed you will probably find that an identical product with in a standard double size (4ft 6in) is cheaper.

However there is good reasoning behind this logic and its a trend that has continued in the bed industry (and many other manufacturing industries for that matter) for several years.

Sweet Dreams Arquette double bed

Despite requiring less materials, the 4ft double is less popular (although that is a trend that seems to be changing) and as a result there are more costs associated to making a smaller number of the product overall. It seems like an odd scenario, but from a manufacturers perspective is likely to make good business sense.

A good example is this Sweet Dreams Arquette double bed - at present the price online for a standard sized double can be found for £169.99, but the small double is more expensive at £179.99. An extra £10 for 6 inches less space!

The bed design shown here is a popular one, so the price is probably at the lower end of the scale anyway, but the difference in the two costs represents more than 5%, a surprising amount when you consider there are far less materials involved here.

If you look at the bed industry over the last 20 years you might also notice that the king size bed has been through a similar price process with the average price dropping more and more over recent years.

But there are always offers and deals on various beds that change on a regular basis, so finding something suitable for your home at the right price should always be possible.

Could bespoke furniture provide a complete solution for your bedroom?

Finding furniture that is right for your home is always important and when you are considering your bedroom (in my opinion) it is even more vital the bed itself and the other items around it create a tranquil atmostphere to aid a peaceful night of sleep.

Bespoke Oak Bedroom Furniture

Many people find they can't find a solution right for them that comes off the shelf - pre packed DIY furniture is not always the right answer and as a result, manufacturers of bespoke oak furniture are helping many homeowners to find the right solution.

Of course there are lots of advantages to creating your own furniture, including:

•  A choice of colours and materials can be used to create furniture that works with both your bed and the decoration of your bedroom.
• Accurate measurements can be used to ensure that furniture is built specifically with the room in mind and fitting to the most obscure nook or cranny.
• Choices of furniture are wide and creating your own will mean you ca pick and choose what you get. Dressing tables, chests of drawers, wardrobes and bedside tables are all popular, but end tables, chairs and storage chests are also popular for gap filling.
• Manufacturers often provide a fitting and installation service, which can help with saving time and effort when installing the pieces.

A furniture manufacturer will be able to assist in confirming all the required information as well as providing a range of furniture possibilities for you to choose from.

Could memory foam be the way to modernise a traditional bed?

For some time now, everyone seems to have been talking about memory foam mattresses. I can remember when they first arrived on the scene a few years ago. Here in the UK they were limited to the shopping channels and seems to be very expensive.

Traditional Metal Bed

These days they are available both on the high street and through well known branded bed sellers, so if you have a traditional metal bed, small double bed, upholstered king size or just a single there is likely to be a memory foam mattress that will fit.

When it comes to making the choice though it is often best to try out the firmness and comfort of a mattress yourself and get the right fit. As I have said here before, nothing can be more important than a good nights sleep and using the wrong mattress over time can start to make that a tall task.

Of course it is a matter of opinion, for every consumer I have heard say great things about the product there has been another that still prefers their traditional sprung mattress. Some people find the mattress toppers do the job, but if your mattress needs renewing it will just be a matter of time before the whole thing has to be replaced anyway.

For more information and advice on finding a memory foam mattress (or indeed any mattress) that is suitable for your needs I would reccommend speaking to a bed supplier that offers several brands, that way you will have a wider variety of styles to choose from.

Modern and traditional ideas for guest beds

Guest bedrooms receive far more attention these days, with decor and furnishings in keeping with the rest of the house, it seems we want to make our stayover visitors feel more welcome than ever before these days.

The styles of guest bed available have come on a long way since the days of the traditional foldaway. Guest beds with trundles are becoming popular. These styles of bed are often dressed to look like comfortable seating areas during the day and then the spare bed (stored beneath) can be rolled out and raised to create a double bed in the evening.

Foldaway Guest Bed

Looking at the designs of guest beds you can see there are some distinct differences between the styles available, with wooden and leather designs more popular for a modern or minimalistic home as well as antique style beds that are well suited to more traditional decor and cottage living. However with the right furnishings, all the different types of bed can fit in well in many homes, the most important factor is probably making sure the bed is comfortable enough for your guests when they stay!

Matresses that fit the bed properly are also an important consideration for this reason. In many cases guest beds are sold without a mattress, so be sure to check whether you need to order one seperately when making your purchase.

Of course, guest beds are not just required in a room of their own. Sometimes a stored or fold away bed is necessary for a childrens bedroom if friends come to stay. These types of beds can be especially useful for those with limited space in their home.

Is sharing a bed better for your health?

It doesn't matter why you are purchasing a new bed or mattress, at the end of the day all everyone really wants is a good sleep and the pursuit of good sleep is a big consideration for some many of us.

With this in mind I was interested to read recently that a study has shown that sharing a bed is better for your health that sleeping in a single bed. The reasons for this seem to be broad and despite the fact that so many of us suffer with partners who snore, have regular nightmares and move about in the night causing much disturbance.

Small Double Bed

Of course if you are looking to purchase a new bed, there are things you can do to help mitigate these issues. Comfort and suitability are both considerations here.

Bed warmth

We all have a temperature we are most comfortable at. Many of us sleep outside the bed during the summer months in order to cool down, so choosing not only a bed frame, but also a quilt and sheets that help reduce the warmth is also important. As small double beds become more popular this is an even bigger problem as the heat from 2 people will trap more easily in the smaller space.

Bed materials

You might also want to think about the type of bed you are using. Some materials for the frame will be warmer than others and (although this is down to personal preference) you might find some designs less comfortable than others.

Mattresses

Probably the most important thing to think about is the mattress, especially when it comes to comfort and temperature. Whether you want something firm or soft, it is often a good idea to 'try before you buy' with many consumers checking mattresses in stores before making a decision and purchasing their choice online.

Time to get a new mattress?

The bed we use every day is one of the most important pieces of furniture at home and in most cases much time and effort is put into considering both the design of the bed frame and the bedding used on it.

However it seems the statistics show quite a different trend is taking place with one of the most important aspects of the bed - the mattress.

Mattress example in white

According to recent reports, the vast majority of us are sleeping on mattresses that are either too old or not maintained properly and many people are ignoring the signs of bugs that might be living in them. There are lots of ways you can improve the hygiene of your mattress, not least by using the hoover on the surface to collect the dust particles that will have arrived during the night.

Mattress comfort is another consideration and I was surprised to read that some people are sleeping with a mattress that is the wrong size for the bed. I presume this is in an effort to save money and / or space (depending how the room is set up).

Checking the firmness of your mattress should also be considered when you are looking at purchasing one. Firmness will wear over time and typical signs of this include spring openings on the fabric and dips in the mattress itself.

Frankly, a mattress is not an expensive item to replace and if you already have a sturdy bed frame you might be able to replace it on its own. If you are looking for a whole new bed then most manufacturers will tell you to replace the mattress too, this way the new mattress can adapt to the new bed, rather than reforming based on the shape of the old one.

For more information on selecting the right mattress for your needs, speak to a specialist with a wide range of products available who should be able to provide you with some choices that are suitable for your needs.

Maximise your spare room space with a triple bunk bed

I have spoken on this blog several times about the advantages of purchasing a small double bed as a way of saving space in your home - especially when considering a spare room or guest room.

 However, if you have a large space that (for whatever reason) needs 2 beds, there is another solution that may work better and will save some of that all important floor space.

Triple Bunk Beds

Wooden Triple Bunk Bed

Triple bunk beds have space for 3 people to sleep with a single bed on the top bunk and a double bed at the bottom.

Frame styles for the triple bunk bed are often the same as standard bunks - wooden and metal frames are popular and tend to be simpler for the user as their self assembly can be very fast.

In addition to this the bottom double has a much larger storage area beneath so there is extra space for out of season clothing, bed linen and other bulky space wasters!

The image pictured on the right shows a standard sized triple bed - the single on top is 100cm wide and the double below is 147 cms wide, making them ideal for children and adults alike. These standard sizes often make it simpler to choose a matress, as the styles are easy to source, purchase and install once the bed is ready.

Metal Triple Bunk Bed

The image on the left also shows a triple bunk bed with a metallic frame - as you can see the style of the frames makes them suitable for most homes and easy to clean and maintain if they are being placed in a childs bedroom. Besides this one of the other popular features here is that the double bed can be folded out into a sofa when its not in use - this makes great use of the space and works even better when a child has a friend to stay.


Due consideration should also be given to the mattress itself and although cheaper 'occasional use' matresses are available, there are also standard matresses that will fit and offer your guests a good night of sleep.

Bed designs that provide space saving solutions

Like many others, your bed is likely to be one of the largest and most used items of furniture in your home. With many people spending upwards of 50 hours per week in their bed it is no wonder we are all searching for something that is both comfortable, affordable and (most importantly) suitable for the space we have available.

4ft Beds have become far more popular in recent years and I believe this is a sign of the current economic climate. With home owners, renters and landlords all looking to save money, downsizing your home and the furniture within it can be a useful way of doing so.

As I mentioned, beds are one of the largest items you will have in your home and as a result are also likely to be one of the most expensive, but purchasing a small double bed might be a solution that saves both space and money at the same time.

Saying that, saving on money and space doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise on quality.

4ft Leather Beds

4ft Leather Bed

This example of a small leather bed shows that you can still purchase a stylish and modern design whilst still saving the space in your home.

Popular dark brown faux leather is used here, but options are available for black and white styles as well as real leather (obviously at an additional cost).

4ft Metal Beds

As I have mentioned on previous posts, Metal beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit both modern and more traditional homes.

Manufacturers use the same designs to create a small double bed with metal frame that once again saves space and may even provide some additional storage solutions beneath the bed!

The 4ft width saves about a quarter of width when compared with a standard double, which can mean many rooms that were previously thought to be single can now be created as double.

So whether you are looking for a bed for your guest room or something for you to personally use on a daily basis, there is no reason that a small double can’t look stylish and be comfortable and affordable all at the same time.