Beds Glossary: Every Term You Need to Know

This beds glossary explains the terms you are most likely to meet when choosing a bed in the UK, from frame styles such as divan, ottoman and sleigh beds, to bed sizes, base types and mattress constructions. Knowing what each term means makes product descriptions far easier to compare and helps you choose a bed that suits your room and the way you sleep.

We have grouped the terms into themed sections, so you can find what you need quickly. Whether you are browsing our modern beds UK sale range or comparing pieces across our wider bedroom furniture UK collection, this guide should clear up any jargon along the way.

Bed sizes

Single: A UK single mattress measures 90cm by 190cm. Suited to children, teenagers and guest rooms where space is limited.

Small single: A narrower option, usually around 75cm wide, often used in children’s rooms and cabin beds. Sizes can vary between makers.

Small double: Sometimes called a three quarter bed, a small double measures 120cm by 190cm. It gives a single sleeper extra room without the footprint of a full double.

Double: The standard UK double measures 135cm by 190cm and remains a common choice for main and guest bedrooms.

King size: A UK king size measures 150cm by 200cm, offering more width and an extra 10cm of length compared with a double.

Super king: At 180cm by 200cm, a super king suits larger rooms and couples who want generous personal space.

External dimensions: The full width, length and height of the bed frame. These are always larger than the mattress size and are the measurements to use when planning your room.

Frame styles

Bed frame: The structure that holds the mattress, usually including side rails, a headboard and a base of slats or a solid platform.

Bedstead: A traditional term for a bed frame with a headboard and footboard, often used for metal and wooden designs.

Bunk bed: Two or more beds stacked vertically, a practical answer for shared children’s rooms.

Cabin bed: A raised children’s bed with storage, drawers or a desk built into the space beneath.

Daybed: A bed designed to double as seating, typically with a back and sides. Useful in studies and guest rooms.

Divan: A bed made of a fabric covered base, often on castors or small feet, with an optional separate headboard. Many divans include drawers in the base.

Drawer bed: A frame with drawers built into the sides or foot, giving easy access to stored items. Needs clear floor space beside the bed for the drawers to open.

Four poster: A bed with a tall post at each corner, sometimes joined at the top by a frame for curtains or canopies.

High sleeper: A children’s or teenagers’ bed raised high enough to fit a desk, seating or storage beneath.

Mid sleeper: A bed raised to a medium height, with storage or play space underneath, suited to younger children.

Ottoman bed: A bed with a base that lifts, usually on gas struts, to reveal a large storage area beneath the mattress.

Platform bed: A low frame with a solid or slatted surface that supports the mattress directly, without the need for a box base.

Sleigh bed: A bed with curved, scrolled headboard and footboard, named for its resemblance to a traditional sleigh.

Trundle bed: A second, lower bed that slides out from beneath the main bed, often used for sleepovers and guests.

TV bed: A bed with a television lift built into the footboard, allowing the screen to rise when needed and disappear when not. Our modern TV beds UK show how this works in practice.

Headboards and frame details

Buttoned headboard: An upholstered headboard with buttons pulled into the padding to create a quilted pattern.

Channel tufting: Vertical padded channels running up the headboard, giving a tailored, contemporary look.

Chesterfield: A style of deep buttoning, often in leather or velvet, borrowed from classic sofas.

Centre rail: A support running down the middle of the frame from head to foot. Larger beds usually have one, often with extra legs, to prevent sagging.

Footboard: The panel at the foot end of the bed. Some beds have a low footboard, others none at all.

Headboard: The panel at the head of the bed, which can be upholstered, wooden, metal or leather. Some are fixed to the frame, others are mounted on the wall.

Side rails: The long sides of the frame that connect the headboard to the foot end and support the slats.

Upholstered: Covered in fabric, faux leather or leather over padding. Upholstered beds feel softer and quieter than hard frames.

Wingback: A headboard with side panels that curve forward, giving a cocooning, hotel style feel.

Bases and supports

Gas lift: The pistons used in ottoman beds to raise the base with little effort and hold it open safely.

Slats: The wooden strips that span the frame to support the mattress. The gap between them affects both support and ventilation.

Solid slats: Flat slats that give a firmer feel beneath the mattress.

Sprung slats: Slightly curved slats, sometimes called sprung or bowed slats, that flex a little to add comfort and absorb movement.

Solid base: A continuous panel rather than slats. It gives a firm feel but allows less airflow beneath the mattress.

Mattresses

The mattress shapes comfort as much as the frame, so it helps to know the main types. Browse our mattresses UK range alongside your frame to make sure the two suit each other.

Firmness: How soft or firm a mattress feels. Labels vary between makers, so treat them as a guide rather than a precise measure.

Hybrid mattress: A mattress that combines springs with layers of foam or other fillings, aiming to balance support and comfort.

Memory foam: A foam that softens with body heat and moulds to your shape, relieving pressure on shoulders and hips.

Open coil: A mattress with springs connected together in a single unit. Usually lighter and simpler in construction.

Pocket sprung: A mattress where each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, so springs move independently. This reduces the movement you feel from a partner.

Mattress topper: A removable layer placed on top of a mattress to change its feel, usually softer.

Rolled mattress: A mattress compressed and rolled for delivery, which expands to full size once unpacked. Useful for homes with narrow stairs.

Materials and finishes

Bouclé: A looped, textured fabric with a soft, nubby feel, increasingly used on headboards.

Faux leather: A man made material that resembles leather, easy to wipe clean.

High gloss: A smooth, reflective finish that bounces light around the room.

Solid wood: Timber used throughout a component, rather than as a surface layer.

Veneer: A thin layer of real wood bonded to a stable core, giving the look of solid wood with good stability.

Velvet: A soft fabric with a short, dense pile that gives rich colour and a luxurious feel.

Assembly and care terms

Flat packed: Delivered in parts for assembly at home. Helpful where stairs or doorways are narrow.

Castors: Small wheels fitted to the base of some divans so the bed can be moved for cleaning.

Floor clearance: The gap between the floor and the underside of the frame. Higher clearance makes vacuuming easier and can leave room for storage boxes.

Weight capacity: The maximum load a frame is designed to support, including the mattress and sleepers. Check this if you are choosing a frame for heavier mattresses.

Removable covers: Fabric covers on some upholstered beds and headboards that can be taken off for cleaning.

Mattress protector: A fitted layer that guards the mattress against spills and wear, helping it stay fresh for longer.

Putting the terms to use

Once you know the vocabulary, product listings become much clearer. Start with size and external dimensions, then decide on frame style, base type and storage. Our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room sizes shows how to apply these measurements in a real bedroom.

If you are furnishing the space around the bed too, our explanation of side, end and lamp table terms for UK homes clears up another set of terms that often cause confusion.

You can browse beds by size and material at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a divan and a bed frame?

A divan has a fabric covered base that supports the mattress directly, often with drawers. A bed frame is an open structure with side rails and slats, usually with legs.

What does three quarter bed mean?

It is another name for a small double, which measures 120cm by 190cm in the UK.

Are sprung slats better than solid slats?

Neither is better in every case. Sprung slats add a little give and comfort, while solid slats feel firmer. Check the mattress maker’s guidance on recommended bases.

What is the difference between pocket sprung and open coil mattresses?

In a pocket sprung mattress, each spring moves independently in its own pocket. In an open coil mattress, the springs are linked together, so movement travels further across the surface.