Where to buy a bed – the best places to buy a stylish and affordable bed frame for a dreamy bedroom

These bed brands will offer you style AND substance

Purple bedroom with built-in ledge for display behind the bed
(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

No bedroom would be complete without a bed. The clue is in the name, after all. But while everyone knows that having a bed in the bedroom is hugely important, knowing where to buy a bed is something that can be tricky to navigate.

If you’ve already done your homework and found the best mattress on the market, you’ll know that a high-quality mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep. But the foundation of a mattress is a high-quality bed frame that will help keep your mattress in good condition and keep any creaking or slipping at bay. It is also a key piece of furniture for bringing your bedroom ideas to life. so they need to work hard. 

The right bed frame can add both style and substance to your bedroom, whether that is a split ottoman double bed, or platform frame. We’ve taken the hassle out of buying the best bed by rounding up our favourite bed brands that we return to time and again. This way, you can feel confident knowing that the bed you buy will suit your budget and style. 

Where to buy a bed - the quick list 

12 of our favourite places to buy a bed

With more and more people tightening their purse strings, we’re always on the lookout for the most affordable furniture on the market. But we’d be lying if we said that beds were cheap. As they’re arguably the biggest part of your bedroom, beds will always be more expensive than your average blackout curtains and even the best pillows.

You don’t have to sell your soul to buy a new bed, though. Below are beds that will not only suit all kinds of bedrooms but also all kinds of budgets. That way, you can choose what works for you, your style, and your wallet. 

1. Marks & Spencer

These aren’t just any beds… they’re M&S beds. And while Marks & Spencer isn’t specifically a bed brand, that hasn’t stopped them from venturing into the world of comfort and offering some of the most affordable beds on the market. From simple wooden frames to plush velvet beds, M&S has quickly become one of our favourite places to buy a bed in recent years. 

2. John Lewis

John Lewis is one of our favourite bedding brands, so it should come as no surprise to learn that it’s also one of the best places to buy a bed. And while many people associate this brand with high prices, you’ll be happily surprised to learn that its beds are extremely affordable. 

From simple modern frames to raised upholstered beds, John Lewis is perfect for those who want a no-nonsense addition to their bedroom. 

3. The White Company

At Ideal Home, we’re huge fans of The White Company. And while The White Company beds aren’t as cheap as some of the other bed brands on this list, this company prides itself on being a luxury brand with premium products. So, you know that your hard-earned money will be going towards something that will last a long time while also making a statement in your bedroom.

4. DUSK

If you want to live a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget, DUSK has got you covered. Offering luxury bed frames that are all available in double, king size, and super king size, this brand is perfect for those who want to kit out their master bedroom or jazz up their guest bedroom. And while they look expensive, these beds definitely won’t break the bank.

5. Simba

Known as one of the best bed brands in the business, Simba has quickly become one of our top places to buy everything from mattresses to pillows and duvets. The impeccable quality from this brand is unmatched, which is why it’s also become one of our favourite places to buy a bed.

While these beds are a little more expensive than some of the others on this list, we’re always keeping track of the best Simba discount codes so you can get more bang for your buck.

6. Habitat at Argos

Offering on-trend furniture at an affordable price, we’d circle everything in the Habitat at Argos catalogue if they had one. 

But the thing we love most about this brand is that it offers something for everyone, no matter whether you’re after a TV bed frame or you’re looking for a frame without a headboard so you can bring to life your own DIY headboard idea. If you can think it, Habitat probably has it. 

7. Dreams

This brand has long been telling us to sleep on a bed of dreams, and we’re very happy to oblige. The bed frames at Dreams are so well made it would be a shame not to try them out for yourself - especially as they have sizes to suit every home. Yes, this brand prides itself on offering eight different sizes, from toddler beds to super kings. Because of this, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs. 

8. Darlings of Chelsea

Although Darlings of Chelsea has made a name for itself as one of the best brands for sofas and sofa beds, it also thrives in the bed department. Offering luxury designer beds and frames, all of its beds are made using the highest quality hardwood frames and luxury fabrics. Of course, that does mean that the price is bumped up a little bit, but the products are definitely worth the extra pennies. 

9. Furniture Village

Furniture Village has long been one of our favourite places to buy a sofa, which is why it might not come as a surprise to learn that it’s also one of the best places to buy a bed. 

After all, this brand is known for offering top-quality furniture for an affordable price - and that’s exactly what you want from a bed brand. And if you want our opinion, its ottoman beds are some of the best in the business. 

10. IKEA

Famous for its flat-pack furniture, IKEA is a budget option for those who are willing to put in the work and build their bed themselves. But while the Swedish brand may be an extremely cheap alternative to some of the more premium brands on this list, the quality is still high. 

In fact, IKEA beds have evolved over the years, with many of them offering neat storage solutions many people with small bedrooms can take advantage of. 

11. La Redoute

If you’re wondering where to buy a bed, let us introduce you to one of our favourite brands. La Redoute is one of the best brands for homeware, and its bed selection is second to none. There are so many sizes and styles on offer, and while many of these beds do come come with slats, it’s important to note that some don’t. You can buy them separately if needs be, though.

12. Wayfair

With over 6,000 beds on the Wayfair website, it’s fair to say that you’re spoiled for choice if you’re looking for the best places to buy a bed. Offering so many different style options for so many different budgets, this brand really does have something for everyone. Yes, what we love about Wayfair is that it’s already extremely affordable - and that’s before we mention the Wayfair discount codes.

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to buy a bed?

If you want to buy a bed on a budget, it’s best to opt for practicality rather than style. Choose a platform-type bed frame that offers the standard slats and support without added extras such as an integrated headboard or storage options. 

But that’s not to say that you can’t buy a stylish and practical bed frame on a budget. There are so many bed brands out there that offer both style and practicality for an affordable price, you just need to shop around, find the best prices, and keep your eyes peeled for deals and discounts.

However, it’s important to remember that sometimes buying cheaper isn’t better. For a large piece of furniture like a bed, we’d suggest avoiding bed frames that seem suspiciously cheap. It may be that they are made from low-quality materials, or are poorly constructed. 

Instead, opt for mid-range brands that offer fairly affordable options that will last longer. And if you can, splurge on a well-respected premium brand so you know you’re getting a top-quality product. 

Is Ikea bed good quality?

IKEA beds are notoriously affordable, and this can be a major draw for people looking for the best place to buy a bed. They’re often made from wood, which is an extremely durable material for a bed frame - despite the fact that it might not look as high quality as upholstered beds. 

Of course, the quality of your IKEA bed ultimately depends on the quality of construction. If you struggle to follow flat-pack instructions and miss a few steps, you could affect the overall quality of your bed frame. 

From a personal point of view, though, I’ve had an IKEA bed frame for five years. During that time, it’s survived being taken apart and put back together three times when I’ve moved house. It’s still in fairly good shape, and while I know it won’t last forever (especially as I’m growing tired of the plain wood aesthetic), I’m pleased with how well it's held up. 

How much should a bed cost UK?

Although we wish this question had a simple answer, it doesn’t. With so many bed brands and so many different bed options out there, it’s impossible to put a price on how much a bed should cost.  

After all, you could buy a bed frame for as little as £150 from a budget brand. This will normally be made from a cheaper material like wood, and it’s highly unlikely that it will have any added extras, such as a headboard or extra storage options. 

At the other end of the spectrum, you could buy a high-quality premium bed frame for as much as £3,000. This will normally be made from higher quality materials and come in a more luxurious form, such as an upholstered ottoman bed or a sleigh bed. As you can imagine, these more expensive beds should also last longer. 

Ultimately, you need to decide how much you want to spend on a bed. We’d suggest putting aside around £500 for a double bed, so you can ensure you’re buying a high-quality product that won’t break the bank too much but also won’t break after a few months, either. 

Well, there you have it. These are the best bed brands out there - so which one will you choose? 

Lauren Bradbury
Contributor

Lauren Bradbury is a freelance writer and major homes enthusiast. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Chichester in 2016, before dipping her toe into the world of content writing. After years of agency work, writing everything from real-life stories to holiday round-ups, she decided to take the plunge and become a full-time freelancer in the online magazine world. Since then, she has become a regular contributor for Real Homes and Ideal Home, and become even more obsessed with everything interior and garden related. As a result, she’s in the process of transforming her old Victorian terraced house into an eclectic and modern home that hits visitors with personality as soon as they walk through the door.