What Are the Most Popular Types of Beds for a Bedroom?

If you are hunting for a ready list for the most popular types of beds for a bedroom, then you’re in the right place. Below is a complete breakdown of the most popular bed types found in UK bedrooms today, from space-saving divans to statement four-poster frames, so you can work out which one fits your space, style and budget.

We’ve covered 22 bed types in total, grouped by function: storage-focused frames, style-led frames, multi-function and space-saving options as well as beds designed for kids or shared rooms. Use the jump links below to skip straight to the type you’re interested in, or read on for the full guide.

Most Popular Bed Types at a Glance

Storage-Focused Beds

Divan and ottoman beds are the two most common types sold under the umbrella term ‘storage beds’ – if you’re searching for a bed that doubles as extra storage space, these are the two frames to start with.

Ottoman Beds

An ottoman bed uses a gas-lift mechanism to raise the entire mattress base, revealing a large storage compartment underneath. It suits small bedrooms or anyone short on wardrobe space, since the storage area typically spans the full size of the mattress. The main consideration is floor clearance – you’ll need enough room at the side or foot of the bed to lift the base fully.

Divan Beds

A divan bed pairs an upholstered base with a matching mattress, often with two or four built-in drawers for storage. It suits anyone who wants a practical, no-fuss setup, since the base and mattress are sold as one coordinated unit. The trade-off is that divan storage is more limited than an ottoman’s, as it’s split across smaller drawer compartments rather than one open space.

Frame & Style-Focused Beds

Platform Beds

A platform bed is a low-profile frame with a solid or slatted base strong enough to support a mattress without a boxspring. It suits modern, minimalist bedrooms thanks to its clean, low-to-the-ground look. Because there’s no box spring lift, platform beds can feel lower than other frames, which is worth checking if you find it hard to get in and out of a low bed.

Panel Beds

A panel bed features a solid headboard and footboard panel connected by side rails, giving it a structured, classic silhouette. It suits bedrooms going for a traditional or transitional look without the curves of a sleigh bed. Panel beds are generally more affordable than upholstered or statement frames, though they offer less cushioned comfort against the headboard.

Upholstered Beds

An upholstered bed has a frame and headboard wrapped in fabric, faux leather or velvet, adding softness and warmth to a bedroom. It suits anyone wanting a hotel-style, cosy finish, since the padded headboard makes sitting up in bed more comfortable. Fabric upholstery does need more regular cleaning and care than a wooden or metal frame.

Sleigh Beds

A sleigh bed has a curved, raised headboard and footboard that echo the shape of a horse-drawn sleigh. It suits traditional or elegant bedroom schemes where the bed frame itself is meant to be a feature. Sleigh beds tend to be bulkier than platform or panel frames, so they work best in medium-to-large bedrooms.

Wooden Beds

A wooden bed is built from solid or engineered timber, prized for its durability and natural look. It suits bedrooms going for a warm, timeless aesthetic that works with almost any decor style. Solid wood frames are heavier and can be pricier than metal or upholstered alternatives, but they typically last longer.

Metal Beds

A metal bed uses an iron or steel frame, often finished with decorative finials or slim, industrial-style rails. It suits vintage, industrial and Scandinavian-inspired bedrooms where a lighter visual frame is preferred. Metal frames are generally lighter and easier to move than wood, though they can creak more over time if not well-built.

Four-Poster Beds

A four-poster bed has a vertical post at each corner of the frame, traditionally used to support curtains or a canopy, though many modern versions leave the posts bare as a design statement. It suits large, high-ceilinged bedrooms where the bed is meant to be the room’s focal point. Because of the height and footprint of the posts, four-poster beds need more overhead and floor space than most other frame types.

Canopy Beds

A canopy bed has a lightweight overhead frame designed specifically to hold drapes or fabric, without the full corner-post structure of a four-poster. It suits anyone after a softer, more romantic look without committing to the scale of a true four-poster frame. The canopy fabric itself needs periodic washing or dusting, since it sits above head height and can collect dust over time.

Multi-Function & Space-Saving Beds

Sofa Beds

A sofa bed functions as seating during the day and unfolds into a bed at night. It suits studio flats, small bedrooms and living rooms that need to double as an occasional guest room. The main consideration is mattress comfort, since sofa bed mattresses are generally thinner than a standard mattress.

TV Beds

A TV bed has a built-in mechanism at the footend that raises a television into view and lowers it out of sight when not in use. It suits anyone who wants to watch TV in bed without a television taking up permanent visual space in the room. Because of the lifting mechanism, TV beds are typically deeper and heavier than a standard frame, so it’s worth checking room dimensions before buying.

Ambassador Beds

An ambassador bed is a deep-buttoned, upholstered frame with a tall, statement headboard, designed to give a bedroom a luxury, boutique-hotel feel. It suits bedrooms where the bed is meant to anchor the whole room’s design. The tall headboard does need a bedroom with enough wall height and space to let it stand out rather than feel cramped.

Day Beds and Trundles

A day bed is a sofa-style single bed frame that works as seating by day and sleeping space by night, while a trundle adds a second, pull-out mattress underneath for extra guests. It suits kids’ rooms, guest rooms and small box rooms that need to serve more than one purpose. Trundle beds do add extra weight and mechanism complexity compared to a standard single frame, so check the pull-out mechanism quality before buying.

Murphy Beds (Wall Beds)

A Murphy bed, also called a wall bed, folds vertically up into a wall-mounted cabinet when not in use, freeing up the entire floor space during the day. It suits studio flats, home offices and any multi-use room where floor space is at a premium. Installation is more involved than a standard bed frame, since Murphy beds usually need to be fixed securely to a wall or stud frame.

Folding & Rollaway Beds

A folding or rollaway bed is a portable frame that folds flat and rolls away on castors for easy storage between uses, sometimes referred to as a guest bed. It suits anyone who hosts guests occasionally but doesn’t have room for a permanent spare bed. The mattress on a folding bed is generally thinner than a standard mattress, so it’s better suited to occasional rather than everyday use.

Adjustable Beds

An adjustable bed has a motorised base that lets you raise or lower the head and foot sections, usually controlled by a remote. It suits people managing back pain, acid reflux, snoring and anyone who simply likes reading or watching TV propped up in bed. Adjustable bases need a compatible mattress that can flex with the frame, so it’s worth checking compatibility before buying.

Kids & Multi-Sleeper Beds

Bunk Beds

A bunk bed stacks two beds vertically on a single frame, maximising floor space in a shared room. It suits siblings or shared bedrooms where floor space is limited but two separate sleeping spaces are needed. Most bunk beds have a minimum recommended age for the top bunk, so it’s worth checking safety guidance before buying for younger children.

Mid Sleeper Beds

A mid sleeper bed raises the mattress to roughly desk height, leaving space underneath for storage, play and a small desk. It suits kids’ bedrooms where you want extra floor-level function without the full height of a high sleeper. Because the bed is raised, a guard rail and secure ladder are worth checking for younger children.

High Sleeper Beds

A high sleeper bed raises the mattress to near ceiling height, freeing up the entire space underneath for a desk, wardrobe and seating area. It suits small kids’ or teens’ bedrooms where maximising usable floor space matters most. The extra height means high sleepers are generally recommended for slightly older children, so check the manufacturer’s age guidance.

Cabin Beds

A cabin bed integrates a desk, shelving and wardrobe space directly into the bed frame itself, rather than simply leaving open space underneath. It suits kids who need a dedicated study area but don’t have room for a bed and desk as separate pieces of furniture. Because everything is built into one frame, cabin beds are less flexible to rearrange later than separate bed and desk pieces.

Gaming Beds

A gaming bed is built around a gaming setup, often combining a raised or mid-height frame with an integrated desk, shelving for consoles and sometimes LED lighting. It suits teens or young adults who want their sleeping and gaming space combined in one footprint. Gaming beds tend to be bulkier and more expensive than a standard mid or high sleeper, given the added desk and tech-focused features.

How to Choose the Right Bed Type for Your Bedroom

• Start with your bedroom’s size: small or box rooms benefit most from ottoman, divan and high/mid sleeper beds, since these build storage or function into the frame rather than needing separate furniture.
• Next, think about storage: if you’re short on wardrobe space, an ottoman bed offers the most, while divan drawers suit smaller top-ups.
• Budget matters too: panel and metal beds tend to be more affordable entry points, while upholstered, ambassador and sleigh beds sit at a higher price point for the added design impact.
• Finally, consider who’s using the bed: kids’ rooms benefit from bunk, mid sleeper and high sleeper frames, while shared or multi-use rooms suit sofa beds, day beds and folding beds.

For a deeper walkthrough of everything to weigh up before buying, see our full guide on what to consider when buying a new bed or bedroom set.

Bed Size

Choosing the right bed size is just as important as getting the style right. A bed that’s too big can overwhelm a small room, while one that’s too small won’t give you (or a partner) enough room to sleep comfortably. Standard UK sizes range from Single and Small Double through to King and Super King, so it’s worth measuring your room and factoring in space for wardrobes, bedside tables and walking room before you decide.

For a full breakdown of dimensions and matching mattress sizes, check out our detailed guide on UK Bed & Mattress Sizes.

What is the most popular bed type in the UK?

Divan beds and ottoman beds are among the most popular bed types in the UK, largely because they combine a mattress and storage-friendly base in one practical unit. Upholstered and panel beds are also widely bought for their style-led, comfortable finish.

What’s the difference between an ottoman bed and a divan bed?

An ottoman bed lifts the entire mattress base using a gas-lift mechanism, revealing one large open storage space underneath. A divan bed instead pairs a fixed or drawer-fitted base with the mattress, offering smaller, compartmentalised storage rather than one open area.

What’s the difference between a four-poster bed and a canopy bed?

A four-poster bed has a full vertical post at each corner of the frame, creating a tall, freestanding structure. A canopy bed uses a lighter overhead frame designed mainly to hold drapes or fabric, without the same corner-post structure or scale.

Are platform beds better than divan beds?

Neither is objectively better; it depends on what you need. Platform beds suit a low-profile, modern look and don’t require a boxspring, while divan beds prioritise built-in storage and a softer, upholstered base. If storage is your priority, a divan is the stronger choice; if a minimalist look matters more, a platform bed fits better.

What bed type is best for a small bedroom?

Ottoman beds, divan beds and high or mid sleeper beds tend to work best in small bedrooms, since they build storage or extra floor space into the frame itself. For a full breakdown of space-saving options, see our guide on the best types of beds for small bedrooms.

What’s the best bed type for kids sharing a room?

Bunk beds are generally the most practical choice for siblings sharing a room, since they stack two full sleeping spaces into one frame’s footprint. Mid sleeper and high sleeper beds are also strong options if each child has their own room but limited floor space.

Is an upholstered bed more expensive than a traditional bed?

Upholstered beds are generally pricier upfront due to the fabric, foam padding and additional labour involved in construction, while traditional wooden or metal frames tend to be more budget-friendly. That said, prices vary widely within each category depending on materials and brand, so it’s worth comparing specific models rather than assuming one style always costs more. For a full price comparison alongside comfort, durability, maintenance and storage, see our exclusive guide - Upholstered vs Traditional Beds.

Can you recommend some comfortable and stylish beds?

The best pick really depends on the look you’re going for. A plush upholstered ottoman bed suits a glamorous or boutique hotel-style bedroom, while a clean-lined wooden frame works better for Scandinavian or minimalist spaces. For tailored recommendations across styles like Modern, Industrial, Rustic and Farmhouse and more, see our detailed guide to Comfortable and Stylish Beds.

What’s the best bed and mattress set for my bedroom?

The right combo depends on your bed frame type, sleep preferences and budget. A firmer memory foam mattress might suit an ottoman storage bed, while a pocket sprung mattress often pairs well with a traditional wooden frame for extra breathability. Rather than buying separately and guessing at compatibility, check out our Best Bed and Mattress Set guide for curated combos to match different bedroom needs.

What makes a bed ‘functional’ and how do I choose one?

A functional bed is built to do more than just look good and offer somewhere to sleep, featuring built-in storage drawers, ottoman lift-up bases or headboards with USB ports and shelving. The right choice depends on what you actually need day-to-day, whether that’s extra storage, easy access or multi-use features. For a full look at the most practical options, see our Comfortable and Functional Beds guide.