Beds: how to choose and buy at a good price, with delivery and assembly
Bed size starts with the mattress
Standard sleeping sizes are 90×200 for one person, 140×200 or 160×200 for two, and 180×200 for plenty of room. There are also 80×190 and 120×200 beds. But the size of the bed and the size of the sleeping area are not the same thing: the frame can be wider than the mattress by the thickness of the sides. So in your request write the sleeping size, and give the outer dimensions of the bed if the room is tight.
Decide in advance whether you are buying the bed with a mattress. If not, check that your mattress will fit the frame.
Base, mechanism and storage
A slatted base (orthopaedic) holds the mattress better and lets it breathe, unlike a solid board, which matters in humid weather. A lift-up mechanism opens a roomy box under the mattress: handy for bedding, but cleaning under the bed needs the lifting. Pull-out drawers are convenient when the mattress is heavy. Look at the height too: a low bed suits a small room, a high one gives more storage.
Frame material
- Solid wood (sheesham, teak, pine) is strong and lasts long, but costs more; pine is softer, sheesham and teak are harder.
- Particle board or MDF is cheaper and looks good, but is worse at standing up to repeated dismantling.
- Metal is light and strong, and suits minimalist interiors.
- An upholstered frame in fabric or faux leather needs care.
How it works with BlaBlaPrice
The price of a bed often varies by maker and lead time, so it makes sense to collect several offers. You write one request, and shops and makers reply in the chat with the model, price, lead times and delivery. Sellers can see where their offer stands and can improve their terms. It is free for the buyer, and only the seller you choose sees your contacts. More: How it works.
What to put in your request
- Type of bed — double, single, three-quarter, upholstered, platform, loft, bunk.
- Sleeping size.
- Mechanism and storage — lift-up, drawers, orthopaedic base.
- Frame material.
- Colour and style, headboard height.
- Mattress — whether you need one and what type.
- New or second-hand.
- Delivery and assembly, floor.
- City and budget.
Example: “I need a new double bed 160×200 with a lift-up mechanism, solid wood frame, orthopaedic base, light colour. With a medium-firm mattress. Johannesburg, delivery and assembly. Budget up to R 5,900.”
How to compare, and what to avoid
Check what is in the price: mattress, slats, lift-up mechanism (gas struts), headboard. Ask about the maximum load on the bed and the thickness of the slats. For solid wood, ask which wood and whether it is solid or veneer. Check lead times: some models are made to order and take several weeks.
A typical mistake is choosing a bed without thinking about carrying it up the stairs or the width of the doors: beds usually come apart, but the parts are long. Another is buying a bed without checking that a mattress of the right height fits into the frame. For sleep, also look at mattresses and bedroom furniture.
