Bed Guide

What you should consider

Bed Buying Guide – A Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Bed

Choosing the right bed is one of the most important decisions you can make for your home. Like leading UK retailers such as Dreams, John Lewis, and Bensons, we believe a good bed should support your body, suit your lifestyle, and stand the test of time.

At Hyder Living, we’ve been manufacturing beds for decades, supplying both retailers and homes across the
UK. This guide is designed to make the process simple, clear, and stress-free, whether you’re buying your first bed or upgrading to something more premium.

Why This Bed Guide Matters

A bed is not just furniture it’s where your body recovers, rests, and resets every night. The wrong choice can affect sleep quality,
posture, and long-term comfort.

This guide will help you understand:

Different bed types and bases
What makes a quality mattress and frame
How to choose the right bed for your space, usage, and comfort needs
What to expect from a well-made UK bed, beyond what you see on the showroom floor

If you’ve ever shopped at retailers like major high street partners, the terms may feel familiar but here we explain them plainly,
without jargon.

Straight forward Advice, From the Manufacturer

Unlike many buying guides written by retailers, this guide comes directly from a Premium UK bed manufacturer. That means honest, experience-based advice on:

What truly affects comfort and durability
What matters long term, not just on day one
Where quality is felt, not always seen

We don’t believe in overcomplicating things. Our aim is to help you choose a bed that feels right now and for years to come.

Designed for UK Homes & Lifestyles

All guidance in this bed buying guide is tailored for:

UK bed sizes and standards
UK homes, apartments, and bedrooms
UK expectations of quality, comfort, and value

Whether you’re furnishing a main bedroom, guest room, or rental property, this guide will help you make an informed choice with
confidence.

Let’s Get Started

Use this guide as a reference point much like you would when visiting a major high street retailer but with the added reassurance of insight from a manufacturer who builds beds every day.

If you have any questions along the way, our team is always happy to help.

Bed Size

One of the most crucial choices you will make while remodelling your bedroom is selecting the appropriate mattress and bed size. We've created a helpful chart to assist you choose the proper bed size for your situation, illustrating how large each size is. These are UK standard bed sizes.

Types of Beds Explained

The style and structure of the bed should suit your needs and preferences. From classic wooden frames to modern upholstered designs, or even practical divans, each type offers different benefits. Platform beds give a sleek, low-profile look, while adjustable beds add flexibility for reading or relaxation. Consider how you’ll use the bed day-to-day and choose a type that enhances both comfort and functionality.

Divan

✔ Space-saving
✔ Optional storage

Bed Frame

✔ Stylish & versatile
✔ Wood, metal or upholstered

Ottoman Bed

✔ Hidden storage
✔ Ideal for small rooms

Storage Beds

✔ Built-in drawers
✔ Practical solution

Divan Beds

Divan beds are one of the most popular bed types in the UK and are widely sold by retailers such as Dreams and Bensons.

What is a divan bed?

A divan bed consists of a solid upholstered base, usually paired with a mattress and optional storage drawers.

Why choose a divan bed?

Strong, supportive base
Excellent for mattress performance
Ideal for everyday use
Available with or without storage

Best for:
Main bedrooms, guest rooms, rental properties, hotels, and student accommodation.

Divan Bed Storage Options

One of the biggest advantages of a divan bed is the ability to add useful storage without increasing the overall footprint of the bed. Depending on how much storage you need and how easily you want to access it, divans can be configured with 2 drawers, 4 drawers, 4 continental drawers or a gas-lift ottoman base.

A 2 drawer divan provides practical everyday storage while keeping the other side of the bed clear, making it a good choice where one side of the bed sits against a wall or furniture.

A 4 drawer divan offers greater capacity, with drawers positioned on both sides of the base, but requires enough clearance around the bed for all four drawers to open.

4 drawer continental storage is designed with smaller drawers towards the head of the bed and larger drawers towards the foot. This allows the upper drawers to open more easily around bedside tables while still providing generous storage throughout the base.

For the maximum amount of storage, a gas-lift ottoman divan uses almost the entire space beneath the mattress. Gas-assisted mechanisms lift the mattress and platform to reveal one large storage area, making it particularly useful for bulky items such as spare bedding, duvets, pillows, towels and seasonal clothing. The main advantage is significantly greater storage capacity than drawers; however, drawer storage can be quicker and more convenient for items that you access regularly. When choosing between them, consider not only how much you want to store, but how often you will need to access it and the available space around your bed.