Beds & Headboards
Aspire Store
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Seren Ottoman Bed - Velvet
£650
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Choose a sleeping size first, then compare the bed’s full external dimensions. Standard UK mattresses measure 135 × 190cm for a double, 150 × 200cm for a king and 180 × 200cm for a super king, but frames extend beyond these measurements. Mark out the complete footprint, including the headboard and footboard, and allow room for bedside furniture, wardrobe doors and walking around the bed.
An ottoman bed lifts to reveal storage beneath the mattress, making it useful where there is little room to pull out drawers. Drawer storage gives easier access to individual compartments but needs clearance beside or at the foot of the bed. Consider bedside tables, opening direction and what you will store. For an ottoman, check the permitted mattress weight and how the lifting mechanism operates before choosing your mattress.
Match the mattress’s exact width and length to the frame’s specified mattress size. Names alone are insufficient because UK, European and other sizing systems differ. Then check the mattress manufacturer’s requirements for the base, including slat spacing and support. Mattress depth also affects the finished sleeping height and how much headboard remains visible. Confirm what the listing includes: a styled photograph does not mean the mattress comes with the bed.
Sometimes, but the mounting method must be compatible. A strutted headboard attaches to suitable fixing points on the bed base, while a wall-mounted design needs appropriate wall fixings. Floor-standing headboards may also need attachment to the base or wall. Compare the headboard’s width, fixing positions and supplied fittings with your bed. A matching size label, such as “king”, does not by itself guarantee that the two will connect.
An upholstered bed introduces softness and fabric into the room, with a padded headboard providing a comfortable surface for sitting up. Timber brings grain and warmth, while an open metal frame can make the outline feel lighter. Consider upkeep alongside appearance: upholstery needs regular dust removal, and wood or metal finishes have their own cleaning requirements. Frame construction, support and assembly matter more to sturdiness than the material name alone.
Judge headboard height from the top of the mattress, not just from the floor. A deep mattress and stacked pillows can hide much of a lower design, while a tall headboard creates a stronger focal point. Mark its outline on the wall to assess the proportions alongside bedside lamps, artwork and windows. If you read sitting up, make sure the supportive or padded section reaches comfortably behind your back.