Renters should look for a bed that is easy to move, quick to take apart and suitable for more than one room. In practice, that means a frame that dismantles with simple fixings, comes in manageable sections for stairs and lifts, needs nothing attached to the walls, and sits in a neutral finish that will suit whichever home comes next. Built in storage is a bonus, because rented properties rarely have enough of it.<\/p>\n
A frame from our collection of modern metal beds UK<\/a> ticks many of these boxes: metal frames tend to be lighter, slimmer and simpler to reassemble than many solid designs, and they pair easily with the pieces in our bedroom furniture UK sale<\/a> range as well as anything you already own. Below, we go through each point renters should check before choosing a bed.<\/p>\n When you own a home, you choose a bed for one particular room. When you rent, you are often choosing for the room you have now and the next two or three you have not yet seen. Tenancies end, landlords sell and work or family circumstances shift. The bed needs to travel well.<\/p>\n It also needs to respect the property. Most tenancy agreements restrict drilling, fixing items to walls or making changes to decoration, so anything that relies on wall mounting is best avoided. A good rental bed is entirely freestanding.<\/p>\n This is the single most important question. Look for frames that use bolts or simple connectors rather than glue or complex joinery. Ask yourself whether you could take it apart alone with a basic tool kit in an afternoon. If the answer is no, think carefully.<\/p>\n Keep the instructions and any spare fixings in a labelled bag taped to the underside of the frame. Future you, standing in an empty flat on moving day, will be grateful.<\/p>\n Check how many pieces the bed breaks into and how heavy each one is. Shared stairwells in converted houses can be narrow and turn tightly, and not every block of flats has a lift large enough for a long headboard. A headboard that bolts on separately is far easier to manoeuvre than one fixed to the side rails.<\/p>\n A king size bed might fit your current bedroom, but rental rooms vary widely and the second bedroom in many flats is compact. A standard double at 135 x 190 cm is the most adaptable choice for many renters because it suits a wide range of rooms. If you need more space, a king size at 150 x 200 cm is still manageable in most principal bedrooms.<\/p>\n Bear in mind that a larger bed also means a larger mattress to move. Some mattresses are difficult to bend through tight turns, so factor the mattress into your thinking too.<\/p>\n Some beds rely on a wall mounted headboard or brackets for stability. For renters, these are a poor fit. Choose a bed with an integrated headboard that bolts to the frame, and confirm that it is stable without leaning on the wall.<\/p>\n If you want the look of a tall statement headboard, choose one that is freestanding and bolts to the bed. Avoid adhesive hooks or strips for heavy items, as they can damage paintwork when removed.<\/p>\n You cannot always choose the wall colour, flooring or carpet in a rented home, so the bed needs to get along with all sorts of interiors. Neutral finishes do this best.<\/p>\n Strong colours and bold upholstery can look wonderful, but they may clash with the next landlord’s choice of carpet. If you want colour, bring it in through bedding, cushions and throws instead.<\/p>\n Rented bedrooms often come with small built in cupboards or none at all. A bed with drawers underneath or a lift up storage base can hold bedding, out of season clothes and luggage, freeing you from buying extra furniture.<\/p>\n If your frame has open space beneath it, low storage boxes on castors are a simple alternative. For rooms without a wardrobe, our range of clothes storage UK<\/a> includes freestanding rails and units that need no fixing to walls.<\/p>\n Some furnished lets include a mattress, but many tenants prefer their own for comfort and hygiene. When choosing one, consider how easy it will be to move. Rolled and boxed mattresses arrive compactly, though once expanded they behave like any other mattress.<\/p>\n Our range of mattresses UK sale<\/a> includes options to suit different sleeping preferences. Use a mattress protector from the start; it keeps the mattress fresh and makes it easier to take with you in good condition.<\/p>\n Upholstered furniture sold in the UK should carry fire safety labelling. If you are buying new, this will normally be in place. If you are inheriting a bed from a previous tenant or buying second hand, look for the label before you use it. Landlords who provide furnished properties have their own responsibilities here, so if a bed comes with the flat and you are unsure, ask.<\/p>\n Rented homes vary not only in floor area but in ceiling height and window position. A very tall headboard may look striking in a Victorian conversion with high ceilings, yet feel crowded in a modern flat or under the sloping ceiling of a top floor room. A mid height headboard is the safest choice when you do not know where you will live next.<\/p>\n The height of the bed itself matters too. A frame with a little clearance underneath allows you to slide storage boxes beneath it and makes the room feel lighter, because you can see the floor continue under the bed. Very low platform beds can look sleek but may leave you with nowhere to put things in a home without cupboards.<\/p>\n It is easy to focus so much on practicality that comfort becomes an afterthought. A bed that is easy to move but creaks, wobbles or sags will not serve you well for long. Look for sturdy slats with a centre support rail on larger sizes, and check that joints tighten firmly when assembled.<\/p>\n After each move, check every bolt once the bed has been in use for a week or so. Fixings can settle as the frame beds in, and a quick tightening keeps the bed quiet and stable. Keep the right size of hex key or screwdriver with the instructions so it is always to hand.<\/p>\n The bed is only one piece of a rented bedroom. Before choosing it, think about what else you will need to bring: a bedside table, a lamp, a mirror and possibly a wardrobe. Choosing them in a shared finish makes it easier to arrange them in different rooms, because they will always look as though they belong together.<\/p>\n For more ideas on making a rental feel like home, our piece on TV unit ideas for a rented UK flat<\/a> applies similar thinking to the living room.<\/p>\n Once the bed is chosen, think of the rest of the room in the same way: pieces that are freestanding, easy to move and neutral in finish. Bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and wardrobes chosen on the same principles will pair with metal and wooden beds alike, so you can build a bedroom that moves with you.<\/p>\nWhy Renting Changes the Brief<\/h3>\n
1. How Easily Does It Come Apart?<\/h3>\n
Sections and Weight<\/h3>\n
2. Is the Size Flexible?<\/h3>\n
3. Does It Stand Alone Without Wall Fixings?<\/h3>\n
4. Will the Finish Suit Different Rooms?<\/h3>\n
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5. How Much Storage Does It Add?<\/h3>\n
6. What About the Mattress?<\/h3>\n
7. Check Fire Safety Labelling<\/h3>\n
8. Is the Height Right for Different Rooms?<\/h3>\n
9. Will It Stay Comfortable Over Several Moves?<\/h3>\n
Thinking About the Whole Room<\/h3>\n
Moving Day Tips for Renters<\/h3>\n
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Putting Together a Rental Bedroom<\/h3>\n