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Original poster

Best bed for a very heavy person?

49 replies

rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:44

Hi hope it's ok to put this here - wasn't sure where else would work.

We are in the process of getting a new double bed for visitors, but it's slightly delicate situation as BIL is pretty heavy - we think >20 stone - and we also think responsible for breaking some slats on our previous mattress frame.

So I'd be grateful for suggestions of frames and mattresses that would be best - we don't want to spend a huge amount for a bed that will be rarely used.

NB there isn't really an option to increase bed size - the room will be quite tight as it is, and also to add to the issue DH would like to continue to store his large bags of mountaineering equipment underneath so a Divan may not work.

Thanks for any suggestions.

OP posts:
Mosaic123 · 28/01/2023 15:47

Would there be a extra heavy duty blow up one? No slats to break.

CouldOfIsntRight · 28/01/2023 15:48

you can get reinforced beds for heavier people, is that an option?

www.reinforcedbeds.co.uk/pages/strong-heavy-duty-beds

Myneighboursnorlax · 28/01/2023 15:48

We’ve used this website before www.reinforcedbeds.co.uk and they have a sale/clearance section which is usually reasonable

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Home improvement
Ilovewheelychairs · 28/01/2023 15:50

I'm well over 20 stone, and my husband is probably about 19. We've had two slatted beds from John Lewis- about £200 maybe? Both still going strong 6 years later with one now used as our spare. No broken slats or anything. This is our current one: www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-grace-upholstered-bed-frame-king-size/p3717473

Was cheaper when we bought it 6 years ago!

If you're particularly worried about slats going, get a non slatted bed. Divan or similar? I think they tend to be more expensive though.

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:51

@Mosaic123 we want to put a proper bed in the room, plus some of our guests have reduced mobility so a blow up on the floor doesn't work as well.

OP posts:
Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:56

Ah there are a few on that reinforced website that would work.

@Ilovewheelychairs i'm not sure we have enough space to pull out the drawers for a divan and we do need the storage - but thanks for the link unfortunately not enough room for a king.

OP posts:
SpeckledlyHen · 28/01/2023 15:57

I maybe being thick but I can't see that you need a special bed for that weight. I am about 12 stone and my husband about 14 so that's a combined weight of 26 stone, also add in our dog who is 5 stone - 31 stone in total and we have never needed a special bed or broken slats in beds. Even an old bed we bought some 31 years ago didn't struggle with our weight (although it creaked like hell the moment you so much as blinked). I should imagine a lot of couples combined weight far more than your BIL and don't need special beds.

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:58

@SpeckledlyHen I also suspect BIL doesn't pay much care or attention when heaving himself onto beds. He has also damaged bed frames in holiday lets. He might be quite a lot more than 20 stone, it's difficult to gauge weight.

OP posts:
Ilovewheelychairs · 28/01/2023 15:58

@rookiemere the link is to a King but they have it in a double too. My parents have just bought one!

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:59

Also combined weight is different from one person weight as it's spread rather than just being in one area.

OP posts:
Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 15:59

Thanks @Ilovewheelychairs I will have another look.

OP posts:
catinboots123 · 28/01/2023 16:00

Just buy a divan

rwalker · 28/01/2023 16:08

Just buy a normal reasonable quality slatted bed
then get a couple of sheets of mdf to put over the slates to spread the weight
could remove them for other guest

if a normal bed can cope with a couple (25 stone plus ) shagging then 1 overweight BIL should be ok

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 16:11

rwalker · 28/01/2023 16:08

Just buy a normal reasonable quality slatted bed
then get a couple of sheets of mdf to put over the slates to spread the weight
could remove them for other guest

if a normal bed can cope with a couple (25 stone plus ) shagging then 1 overweight BIL should be ok

I do like that idea !

OP posts:
Ilovewheelychairs · 28/01/2023 16:11

@SpeckledlyHen is right though- I've been heavy all my life, and as I said upthread am much bigger than 20 stone now. Have been 20 or thereabouts for probably 15 years or so. I have never once broken a bed. Not my own, or any bed of any friends or family or hotel I have stayed at. Even the cheap ones and not even when my husband and I DTD.

A bed with a heavy person sleeping in it once in a blue moon should easily be able to cope, wherever you buy it from.

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 16:18

I totally agree and I'm not sure how it's happening but certainly bed slats on our old frame were broken - and BIL and SIL had the cheek to complain that the bed was uncomfortable- and he's the only person we can think of that caused it.

He's maybe a lot heavier than 20 stone and as I say, it wasn't just our bed that he has done it to.

OP posts:
aharddaysnight · 28/01/2023 16:20

I'd still recommend a divan, my one opens from the top so has quite a bit of storage space and no drawers to pull out. Takes up less space than a normal double.
www.sosoftbeds.co.uk/product/lewis-plain-ottoman-bed-with-optional-mattress/

icanwearwhatiwant · 28/01/2023 16:28

Ilovewheelychairs · 28/01/2023 16:11

@SpeckledlyHen is right though- I've been heavy all my life, and as I said upthread am much bigger than 20 stone now. Have been 20 or thereabouts for probably 15 years or so. I have never once broken a bed. Not my own, or any bed of any friends or family or hotel I have stayed at. Even the cheap ones and not even when my husband and I DTD.

A bed with a heavy person sleeping in it once in a blue moon should easily be able to cope, wherever you buy it from.

I think perhaps the op was hoping this would turn into a bit of a fat-bashing session though. Otherwise I could add that I bought an ordinary cheap bed 20 years ago and (at perhaps a similar weight to BIl) have had no issues at all 🤷🏽‍♀️
I've not been particularly careful with it and have flopped heavily onto it many times.
Perhaps BIL is using it as a trampoline? 😜

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 16:30

No I don't want a fat bashing session at all. I'm just trying to get some advice on a sturdy bed that won't break. I'm no light weight myself.

OP posts:
Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 16:31

If we hadn't found broken slats on the other one and have experience of BIL breaking a frame in a holiday rental, I wouldn't have started this thread.

OP posts:
RedCarsGoFaster · 28/01/2023 16:32

Just get an ottoman bed. Bags of space for storage, works as a divan for the bed itself, easy to raise the top to access the storage.

I'm 20+ stone and never ever broken a slat on a bed. If the bracing is in proper placing - corners, centre of the bed etc, it shouldn't matter about his weight.

Original poster
rookiemere · 28/01/2023 16:32

It may be true that my dislike of BIL is seeping through. He's not a very considerate person, but that's nothing to do with his weight.

OP posts:
Squ1ggle · 28/01/2023 17:00

We bought an odd size bed from here for our sons box room and was very impressed for the price, it's solid wood so something like this would do you. Says it can take up to 40st. Just don't buy a mattress from them, it was dreadful.

www.strictlybedsandbunks.co.uk/5ft-kingsize-samson-5ft-kingsize-solid-pine-bed-frame-560

Darthwazette · 28/01/2023 17:04

Get an ottoman style divan. No slats to break and the entire under bed area available as storage

LavenderHillMob · 28/01/2023 17:11

A firm mattress - medium are up to 16 stone so you definitely need firm.

A slat bed is ok and you can add extra slats to make it strong, but a divan would spread the weight better. It's often sitting on the edge, with the weight all in one area that causes problems.

Some retailers include weight guides in their specifications.

Top tip - check your dining chairs too. A lot of modern chairs are only suitable for 80kg which is about 12 & a half stone.