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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Thread gallery
16
Globules · 22/08/2026 05:24

Your other option is to pay the company you buy the bed from to assemble it.

It then becomes the company's problem to get it up your stairs, not yours.

It doesn't have to be expensive.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/customer-service/services/assembly/

Having moved so many times in the last few years, it has amazed me how people who do the job every day can get furniture to fit through gaps that I never thought possible!

Impossible bed dilemma— AIBU? Am I missing the solution?
Fleetwoodquack · 22/08/2026 05:46

I had a small room but wanted the largest bed possible so got a space saving bed with headboard and storage underneath from Get Laid Bed Company. https://www.getlaidbeds.co.uk/wooden-beds/space-saver-beds which is wooden so I assembled it in the room. I recently got a mattress vacuum packed into a box from origin.

Space Saving Bed Frames - Compact Beds | Get Laid Beds

Upgrade to a solid wood space saver bed frame. Save floor space with a slimline profile. Enjoy an 11-year guarantee & 0% finance options. Shop compact beds!

https://www.getlaidbeds.co.uk/wooden-beds/space-saver-beds

Soontobe60 · 22/08/2026 06:02

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 02:28

Thank you, yes I have. It keeps recommending I get a bed from Amazon and so on. I just need some help from humans to solve the whole dilemma. I’ve never bought a bed before in my life and don’t really get it.

I know this is a boring question, sorry.

Edited

Don’t get what??? It’s a bed! Go to IKEA, look at what’s on offer, buy one, get it delivered. It’s not rocket science.
We have the Balestrand bed from there. It’s great - does exactly what you’re after.

Theunamedcat · 22/08/2026 06:08

Zinus Figari Double Bed frame -... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9R8GZY6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I got one of these for my teenage son arrived very small in a box and fit together easily he has boxes on wheels to store things underneath its been the easiest bed ive ever built ive got an ottoman bed myself and its shit slowly breaking im definitely getting one like ds when this one breaks

Amazon

Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9R8GZY6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-am-i-being-unreasonable-5569521-impossible-bed-dilemma-aibu-am-i-missing-the-solution

renovationqueen · 22/08/2026 06:11

I have 2 beds from DUSK and they’re fantastic. One is a storage ottoman and was super easy to assemble. They’re also really reasonably priced. Definitely have a look on there!

dusk.com/collections/beds-ottoman-beds?_gl=1146u4hv_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs75MiVLkEpf7uI-a7Jj0oRHAezjPHTxqtYxRO8Epmq-FB_aYmeGtmoxoC_ksQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAADNOeOU3I-vch9AJsxKcYMDKGpPN5

ChocolateCinderToffee · 22/08/2026 06:16

Warren Evans? I’ve been sleeping on one of their beds for 25 years.

https://warrenevans.com/beds

They assemble for free.

Barney16 · 22/08/2026 06:16

I have an IKEA frame which came flat packed. You can definitely put together a bed yourself. First time is the hardest then you just know how to do it. You have a mattress already ? But if a new one is needed buy a vacuum packed one. And some bungee cords at the same time so when you need to move it get rid of it you can roll it up. 🙂

Roseshavethorns · 22/08/2026 06:18

I had an ottoman bed delivered flat packed from Argos. The delivery guys just asked what room it was to go in. The same with the mattress from another company. Unless it says doorstep delivery only I have always had this.
The bed is really sturdy and was really cheap.

Stopsnowing · 22/08/2026 06:21

I have a divan bed with drawers - double.
the drawers come out and the frame is in two halves that slot together. Then the mattress goes on top. Very easy to get up my narrow stairs.

Stopsnowing · 22/08/2026 06:24

Like this:

Impossible bed dilemma— AIBU? Am I missing the solution?
Focusispower · 22/08/2026 06:24

We had to get a bed up to our loft room and wanted a king size with ottoman storage. We bought from Furl. Not cheap but excellent and assembled in situ. Bought a rolled mattress from Simba. Not sure it’s ever coming down though!

www.furl.co.uk/beds-for-lofts?srsltid=AfmBOopeDy51QVee9NGx7BvllJN-lFIbyTMZ_KHqymJUQB3lrc0p2NTA

Cailin66 · 22/08/2026 06:27

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 03:31

Thanks. Yes it’s a very small staircase leading from an interior room with a twist at the bottom— like a cottage staircase.

I bought this IKEA bed frame including headboard. It has loads of space underneath for storage. Using large plastic boxes. I think the beds with drawers are fiddly and a lot of space taken up by the mechanism.

As it comes as a flat pack you can taken it out of the box downstairs and bring it upstairs piece by piece. Handy measurements are in the link. One person can assemble this.

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ramnefjaell-upholstered-bed-frame-lining-cloth-50558982/

You can even wash the covering.

If you are two people I’d always want a King size. If it’s for one person only then a double, or even a small double will give you a lot more space.

i can also recommend this mattress, we have been very impressed with the quality given the price.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/valevag-pocket-sprung-mattress-medium-firm-light-blue-30450732/

RAMNEFJÄLL upholstered king bed frame - IKEA UK

RAMNEFJÄLL upholstered bed frame, lining cloth, Standard King

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ramnefjaell-upholstered-bed-frame-lining-cloth-50558982/

Savoretti · 22/08/2026 06:31

John Lewis
smaller choice but all good beds. Wooden frame, drawers underneath.
I’ve made all our beds up by myself, not hard to do at all

FatBottomGirlz · 22/08/2026 06:32

We have this one, it arrived flat pack. If you can get a mattress up those stairs you will manage this too although you might need to open the boxes downstairs and take bit up separately.. Comes as double or kingsize, we have the king-size and it's really solid.

dusk.com/products/madison-ottoman-storage-velvet-bed-ecru?variant=48972346360105&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21439363600&gbraid=0AAAAADNOeOU3I-vch9AJsxKcYMDKGpPN5&gclid=CjwKCAjw7p_UBhBlEiwAhpIs76P8quWIF7QLAuRFxjHQboWsCVu-n7bCjTWuODGAoREVGjZtA8QiDxoC7DAQAvD_BwE

cheekaa · 22/08/2026 06:37

ChocolateCinderToffee · 22/08/2026 06:16

Warren Evans? I’ve been sleeping on one of their beds for 25 years.

https://warrenevans.com/beds

They assemble for free.

Edited

I agree. They bring the bed in individual pieces and set it up for you in the room it is needed. The bed is solid. No squeaking etc. They have various styles, sizes etc. I just purchased the base ( without the mattress) and the staff on the telephone are extremely helpful.

martha79 · 22/08/2026 06:38

I've had a couple of ottoman doubles from Argos - packages have fitted up small staircases, and I did assemble the first one myself (was during lockdown, living alone, so not much choice). Would have been easier with help, but doable. They give a really decent amount of storage underneath.

babblingbumblingbandofbaboons · 22/08/2026 06:38

If you can get to a bed shop (Ikea, next home, dreams, bensons, dunelm, to name a few, but google your local shops) that will mean you can browse in person what you like and don’t like. This will also help if you’re thinking about downsizing to a double as you’ll need a new mattress and in store you can lie on the mattress and find one that’s comfortable for you. If you can’t get to a store, all of them have websites to browse and get a feel for what you like. Other websites include Dusk, Get Laid.

Frame beds will be metal or wood with slats, and will come in a variety of styles that you can store things under, either because the bed is high enough off the ground to fit things under or it has a storage element like an ottoman bed. These kind of beds would be delivered flat packed.

Divan beds (the ones with a flat base with drawers under) usually come as two parts, like half a bed each, that fit together with clips or bolts then the mattress goes on top.

With both kinds of bed the headboard is usually bought separately unless it’s a wooden frame which has the bit at the top and bottom of the bed like this 🛌.

Separate headboards are usually attached onto to the back of the bed, with the bed designed with a place for it to fit and be screwed on to save you having it on a wall.

No matter which type of bed or headboard you get, you’ll likely need to pay get it delivered to where it needs to be which means it’s on the company to get it up your stairs. Some companies also offer an assembly service, or you can buy that service somewhere else (like task rabbit).

Hope that helps a bit with the overwhelm - even a simple task can feel a lot of you’ve never had to do it before!

Knickerbockermisery · 22/08/2026 06:54

We have a divan base that is in two separate parts like this, so would be easier to get in a small space. They connect together and are fixed with bar that is screwed in so they don’t move about.
ours has a headboard that has two brackets that slide down on to brackets on the back of the bed, it’s not fixed to the wall.

Impossible bed dilemma— AIBU? Am I missing the solution?
PaterPower · 22/08/2026 06:56

lemonadecar · 22/08/2026 04:21

I would love a pretty ottoman like that it’s just I have this tiny staircase.

We’ve got one similar to this and it comes in pieces so easy enough to unpack and take up individually. You shouldn’t have any problems even with a smaller staircase.

Fiddlesticks1 · 22/08/2026 06:59

This from Bensons. I have it in white. Really pleased with it. Self assembly.
https://www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk/products/hip-hop-wooden-bed-frame/STK268011/

Impossible bed dilemma— AIBU? Am I missing the solution?
Needapadlockonmyfridge · 22/08/2026 07:00

I also have a very awkward staircase with a tight turn and low ceiling now, only flat pack or very small furniture can go up it!

I recently bought an ottoman like that posted earlier. I panicked it wouldn't fit up the stairs but it was fine. Put it together myself, but the shop would have done that for a fee (Bensons).

It is uber-comfy, no squeaking and loads of storage. I have an Emma mattress on top.

Edit to add- I found it was easier to get the Ottoman flat packs up the stairs than to get the old bed (drawer divan) down the stairs.