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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Impossible bed dilemma— AIBU? Am I missing the solution?

167 replies

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 02:18

Very tired lone mum with a frazzled brain. I have moved house but still have my mattress on the floor as I can’t solve this bed dilemma— maybe you can help work it out.

I got rid of my gorgeous oak frame as it was too big. These are what I need to find:

  • is small enough to fit up very small twisty staircase (probably flat pack then)
  • is very sturdy and doesn’t squeak/wobble
  • can be assembled by me
  • has space under for storage, not a low bed
  • I’m also not sure whether to downsize to a double which would fit the room, or persevere with king size
  • the wall behind my bed is the flimsy wall of the partitioned off shower room. I want a headboard to lean on but don’t understand how they work.

I am so tired out by life and just want to solve it so I can have a lot of sleep in the new house. Hopefully someone who likes logistics will help me.

OP posts:
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16
Frillysweetpea · 22/08/2026 11:11

Frillysweetpea · 22/08/2026 10:54

Look at the John Lewis options - some of them come with free assembly. We did this when we had a tight moving schedule but had completed the purchase before the move (lucky, I know). My parents let them in in our absence beforehand and their guys did a great and tidy job of putting the beds up. It was a big help on moving day. Sounds like you could do with a hand.
(Edited to say: yeah, don't stick a headboard on a flimsy wall!)

Edited
Show quote history

Sorry, not free assembly - I've just checked. Maybe it used to be or I've a bad memory. But very reasonable cost on simple frames: £30-50; about £150 if you choose an Ottaman frame for storage. You'd get a cheaper bed and set up buying roll under storage separately but the Ottaman is a great idea if you can afford it. Here's an example:
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-clyde-ottoman-storage-bed-frame-double/brushed-weave-beige/p112837257

John Lewis CLYDE OTTOMAN STORAGE BED FRAME, Double, Brushed Weave Beige

Buy John Lewis Clyde Ottoman Storage Bed Frame, Double from our Beds range at John Lewis & Partners.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-clyde-ottoman-storage-bed-frame-double/brushed-weave-beige/p112837257

Frillysweetpea · 22/08/2026 10:54

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 02:57

I worry about having a headboard stuck to the very thin partition wall my head is against (the wall of the separated off bathroom). Will it collapse?

Look at the John Lewis options - some of them come with free assembly. We did this when we had a tight moving schedule but had completed the purchase before the move (lucky, I know). My parents let them in in our absence beforehand and their guys did a great and tidy job of putting the beds up. It was a big help on moving day. Sounds like you could do with a hand.
(Edited to say: yeah, don't stick a headboard on a flimsy wall!)

fruitpastille · 22/08/2026 10:38

Agree with other posters about Warren Evans. Lovely wooden bedframes that are built in situ by them. We've got one in our attic bedroom.

Pearlstillsinging · 22/08/2026 10:22

canklesmctacotits · 22/08/2026 02:48

Headboard: get one that’s nailed to the wall rather than attached to the frame. It’ll reduce the number of parts that could squeak.

Bed: get a futon style solid thing with built in storage. Low to the ground but high enough for storage. They exist, won’t be flat pack but will be able to slide up the stairs, especially if two single bed things that can be zipped together to make a double.

Not if the wall is flimsy!

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 22/08/2026 10:20

backformoreofthesame · 22/08/2026 09:15

Single mum with a king sized bed? Unless you are unusually large a single would be fine - we have gone mad over the last 20 years with bed sizes

also look at windows / we pulled bed in through windows once

How ridiculous. What adult wants a single bed? And what if she meets someone, or her child wants to sleep with her sometimes?

Original poster
lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 10:16

Also, the wall to the bathroom is something I had to get rebuilt as it was dreadful before. It’s ok now, but still thin. In my room my head is against that wall, to my left are two windows with radiator under, at my feet the alcove wall with the old chimney breast, to my immediate right the door. So the bed has to go here.

OP posts:
Original poster
lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 10:10

The removal men got my kingsize mattress up but by bending it a lot and it is not as comfy as before, so maybe it got ruined.

Yes, I am having to buy more furniture than I thought. The whole process has been stressful and I’m worried there’s about to be a house price crash too and I was unwise … but that’s another issue. I’m just so tired and this thread is amazing. I’ll definitely get one of the recommendations, just going through them to see which will fit boxes of stuff underneath.

I hadn’t heard of rolled mattresses how brilliant.

I’m usually good at problem solving but being a lone parent is so exhausting I am really grateful to everyone helping.

It is sad getting rid of nice things. I gave my giant oak bed frame which was very beautiful to a woman from freecycle who was a paramedic that had escaped an abusive marriage and was restarting life on the Isle of Wight— so a nice story.

OP posts:
Askandyforcompo · 22/08/2026 10:10

Hotel Contract Beds will cut their divan bases into pieces so you can get it up the stairs. They do headboards that bolt to the divan base.

PrincessofWills · 22/08/2026 09:48

The wooden white Malm bed frame from IKEA is great. I have a superking but it comes in double size too.

NeedToKnow101 · 22/08/2026 09:46

NeedToKnow101 · 22/08/2026 07:29

I have this bed too. In the wood colour. I’ve had it for about 15 years now and still love it so much; it never squeaks @lemonadecartotally solid, the rounded corners mean no scrapes if you bump into it, and it looks great. Also I got it in the sale. It’s not difficult to assemble. I’ve had metal—framed beds, they always squeak and move around.

Show quote history

I mean in wood, not wood colour. It’s wood. 😂

DisforDarkChocolate · 22/08/2026 09:44

Lots of places offer an assembly service, we even have a local company that does this too.

Would a traditional divan that has a two part base work?

Having moved last year I've come to the very annoying (and expensive) conclusion that you end up buying a lot more new furniture that you thought you would, isn't it annoying when you have something you love!

Cloverroll · 22/08/2026 09:40

Vegandiva · 22/08/2026 02:38

I loved my IKEA metal frame which has a sturdy built in headboard, they don’t seem to do the girly swirly one anymore but the basic one is cheap and you can dress it up with nice linens and cushions. Will come flat packed so you can get it up the stairs.

As for the mattress there are loads that come compressed so arrive really small and then it will expand once you get it up the stairs (memory foam type).

Good luck! I know how making all these decisions can be overwhelming sometimes 🫣

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/stjaernoe-bed-frame-white-luroey-s79563365/

Agree with this. Easy to assemble (try googling to find a video to show you), loads of storage room underneath, can chuck things like dressing gowns and towels over the end 😄.

UhOhRatPoo · 22/08/2026 09:40

TISSHA · 22/08/2026 09:35

Seconding two mattresses, called zip and link if you want to google. We also have a twisty staircase and this was the only way that worked.
All well and good if they come compressed into a roll, no problem at all getting a double mattress IN. The problem comes when you have to get it OUT again . If the mattress gets too bent then the springs can deform quite easily, and you will have a permanently lumpy mattress.

She already has a king size mattress up there, which sounds like it was brought unrolled from a previous home.

fishonabicycle · 22/08/2026 09:38

And get a double!

Catza · 22/08/2026 09:37

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 09:30

It’s definitely not a wind up post!

The staircase is tiny because the front door was moved to the side of the house, so the staircase now comes off the middle room (it is an unaltered Victorian terrace). It turns a sharp 180 then goes up the (tiny thin) bathroom and just a little square of landing with the rooms coming off. The bathroom wall goes to my room and is hollow— you know, a plasterboard wall like you’d get when something is partitioned off.

You don't need to worry about collapsing the wall. There are wooden studs behind that plasterboard and most modern houses will have this as internal walls with people sleeping against them. So take this variable out of your thinking.
You can keep your king mattress so you don't need to worry about the boyfriend.
Get an ottoman bed. Happy beds have a lot of options.
Task rabbit of you need help putting it together. But shouldn't need to as you can ask your boyfriend.

TISSHA · 22/08/2026 09:35

Seconding two mattresses, called zip and link if you want to google. We also have a twisty staircase and this was the only way that worked.
All well and good if they come compressed into a roll, no problem at all getting a double mattress IN. The problem comes when you have to get it OUT again . If the mattress gets too bent then the springs can deform quite easily, and you will have a permanently lumpy mattress.

katmarie · 22/08/2026 09:32

We have an ottoman, it came in several boxes, and we put it together. The headboard is an integral part of the overall frame, and is very sturdy to lean against. We’ve had it ten years and it’s never squeaked. Tonnes of storage space underneath too.

Original poster
lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 09:30

It’s definitely not a wind up post!

The staircase is tiny because the front door was moved to the side of the house, so the staircase now comes off the middle room (it is an unaltered Victorian terrace). It turns a sharp 180 then goes up the (tiny thin) bathroom and just a little square of landing with the rooms coming off. The bathroom wall goes to my room and is hollow— you know, a plasterboard wall like you’d get when something is partitioned off.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 22/08/2026 09:29

I got the, Tribeca Wooden Ottoman Bed from dreams. They put it together and take the packaging away. I've had it since September, I'm opening it often and have had no issues. It doesn't squeak and the frame means it isn't leaning on the wall. I got the matching side tables as well.

FizzingAda · 22/08/2026 09:24

I got a metal double bed frame from Amazon to replace a very old bed. If you search for 'metal (double) bed frame there are loads. Mine has a headboard with a shelf. It comes flat packed, you have to assemble it yourself, but a tool was provided. It would go up your twisty staircase no problem. It has plenty of room underneath, and I keep shoes and things in boxes u deer eat h. It is pretty solid, doesn't move or wobble, and cost about £80. There are lots of variations on Amazon.

Pipsquiggle · 22/08/2026 09:22

If you are sharing your bed with someone fairly regularly then don't size down. Your sleep quality will suffer.

Also pretty sure we have a space saver bed from get laid beds with drawers

Swonderful · 22/08/2026 09:20

A divan will give you a lot more space than a framed bed. You can get one that splits in two to get up the stairs.

catsflorafauna · 22/08/2026 09:20

thisisplanetearthapparently · 22/08/2026 04:55

We had the same issue with our attic room (twisty staircase) so we went with one like this.

https://comfybedss.co.uk/products/split-divan-bed-base?variant=42849956069615&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21409605575&utm_content=pmax&utm_ad=&device=c&network=x&target_id=&location_id=1007251&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21409611773&gbraid=0AAAAApASk6EEYnmYPMZ-OwWUcit9gDZUi&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs7_SWG28NcTk_q-nhb77oEpDElU3UynEGokgt4NL56acnbaijoqpMGBoC13QQAvD_BwE

Omg how am I only seeing this now! What a genius idea!

OP no head for a headboard. Got a divan base last year (fab storage) and put some panelling on the wall behind the bed. Really ties in the whole room, 0% squeaking.

backformoreofthesame · 22/08/2026 09:15

Single mum with a king sized bed? Unless you are unusually large a single would be fine - we have gone mad over the last 20 years with bed sizes

also look at windows / we pulled bed in through windows once

caringcarer · 22/08/2026 09:15

Order double bed from IKEA. Get it delivered as heavy. Buy memory foam.matress as comes rolled so easy to get upstairs. Get a local handyman to make the bed up for you.

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