4ft beds in every style

Small double beds remain a popular way of retaining space in small rooms and their popularity means that an abundance of designs are now available to suit most rooms.

Small doubles are 4ft beds that provide enough sleeping room for 2 people, whilst providing an additional 6 inches of space at the side for a more comfortable fir in smaller spaces. There are lots of designs to choose from, some of my favourites include:

4ft bed antique style

4ft antique style bed

Giving modern homes a more traditional feel on the inside is a popular way of decorating at present and as a result antique style beds remain a common choice.

This small sized antique style bed is a great example and the white finish will make it suitable for many rooms without having to worry about the decoration.

Modern 4ft leather bed

Modern 4ft leather bed

This modern brown leather bed is so similar to some of the most popular beds available today you would be forgiven for thinking it is a standard size, but in fact this is also a small double.

There is an added advantage with this bed as well, ottoman style storage is an additional space saving solution that allows for storage underneath the bed.

Contemporary Small Double Bed

Contemporary small double bed

For those looking for something slightly more modern or unusual, this contemporary bed is just one example of the newer designs available.

Created specifically with design in mind, the size of the bed is still smaller than a standard double, but the look is of something more modern than your average bed!

New year, new leather bed?

Items such as beds are popular at the time of year, partly because of the discounts and sales available and partly (I think) because lots of us look to make a fresh start in January. A clean slate for your home often means new furniture as well as decorative items and accessories.

Leather beds are amongst the most wanted styles at the moment, with fashionable colours such as brown and cream coming out top with consumers and black and white options also seemingly popular.

Modern Double Leather Bed

Metal frames serve several useful purposes and, I think remain so popular because of their versatility of installation. If, like many of us, it would be difficult to install a whole bed into your home, then purchasing a frame will almost certainly make it easier to manouvre. Metal bed frames also come in several styles and colours from black antique looking beds to modern frames in silver.

Wooden beds can also come 'flat packed' and are well loved for kids beds as they are easy to maintain and in some cases can be painted in a variety of colours.

To be honest, I find the best way of choosing a bed is to test some out (along with the mattresses) in your local store and then search for your favourite online as the sales have quickly spread to the internet as well and tge choice available tends to be far greater.

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.