Buying a Bed: The Complete Guide to Choosing Your New Bed

A new bed is a decision that lasts for years—yet it's often made in minutes, based on looks or price rather than the factors that really matter later: construction type, seat height, materials, and compatibility with the mattress. This buying guide walks you through the common bed types, explains what to look for in frames and slatted bases, and shows how size and storage play out in everyday life. The result is a decision that holds up not just in the showroom, but ten years down the line.

A bed often stays with you for ten years or more. Yet the decision is usually made in a matter of minutes—based on looks, price, or a first impression in the showroom. The real quality only becomes apparent in daily use: in the seat height when getting up, in how the frame material holds up over years of use, and in whether the slatted base actually suits the mattress you've chosen.

Which bed type suits you?

Four basic constructions dominate the market: the box spring bed, the upholstered bed, the solid wood bed, and the metal bed. Each has its own character—visually and in everyday use.

A box spring bed consists of an upholstered base unit with an integrated pocket spring core, a mattress, and usually a topper. The seat height is often between 60 and 65 centimeters, which makes sitting down and getting up noticeably easier—a detail especially appreciated by people with knee or back issues.

Upholstered beds consist of a padded frame into which you place a separate slatted base and mattress. They tend to sit lower, between 30 and 45 centimeters in seat height, and can vary widely in look depending on the upholstery fabric—from textured linen to smooth velvet.

Solid wood beds stand out for their durability and visible wood grain, which develops a richer patina over the years. Metal beds are usually the most slender option, and their delicate frames make them feel less bulky than upholstered models in smaller rooms.

Finding the right size: from single beds to family formats

Standard sizes range from 90x200 cm for single sleepers up to 180x200 cm or larger for couples. What matters isn't just the size of the room, but the freedom of movement you need at night. If you tend to move around a lot while sleeping, extra width tends to matter more than extra length.

For a full overview of all common sizes and special formats, see our separate guide to bed sizes.

Material and craftsmanship: what to look for

When it comes to the frame, the material determines look, weight, and maintenance. Solid oak or beech is heavier but more resilient than chipboard with a decorative veneer, which tends to show wear at joints more quickly. For upholstered frames, it's worth taking a close look at the fabric: linen and cotton blends look matte and textured, while velvet has a slight sheen and feels denser.

The slatted base affects how the mattress ultimately performs. Flexible, individually sprung slats adapt to the spine more effectively than rigid frames and are usually offered separately with most upholstered and solid wood beds.

Mattress and bed: why the two must be considered together

A new bed is only as good as the mattress on top of it. Box spring beds generally require specially matched mattresses suited to the firmness of the integrated spring core. Upholstered and solid wood beds, on the other hand, are compatible with most standard mattresses, provided the slatted base matches the type of mattress chosen.

For what matters when choosing a mattress—from firmness level to material—see our separate guide to buying a mattress.

Storage drawers and space: a practical bonus

Many box spring beds and some upholstered beds can be fitted with an integrated storage drawer or compartments. This is especially relevant in smaller bedrooms, where extra space for bedding, blankets, or seasonal clothing is often lacking. However, a storage drawer often increases both the seat height and the overall weight of the bed—both of which you should weigh against your available space and any stairs involved in delivery before buying.

Budget and lifespan: what a good bed costs

The price range for a new bed is wide and depends heavily on material, craftsmanship, and size. A sturdy solid wood bed, with good care, often lasts several decades, while an upholstered bed with a replaceable cover stays more flexible if your interior style changes later on. More affordable chipboard frames are usually lighter to transport, but more prone to wear at screw joints and edges.

The practical test before you buy

Can delivery realistically be managed in your home—through the stairwell, elevator, or narrow hallways? Check the width and height of the packaging against your door dimensions before you order. It's also worth taking a second look at the upholstery fabric: ask to see a sample swatch if possible, since colors and textures often appear brighter or smoother on screen than they do in the actual light of your bedroom.

Why Maison de Cocon

• Our "Beds & Mattresses" collection features box spring beds, upholstered beds, and solid wood beds in a coordinated palette of cream, greige, and navy.
• For every bed model, you'll find details on seat height, frame material, and available sizes, so you know what to expect before you buy.
• For each bed, we indicate which mattress sizes and slatted base variants fit, so you can match frame and mattress directly.
• Our customer service team answers questions about delivery, assembly, and care for individual models before you decide.

what really matters when choosing a mattress