Flat sharers can choose a high gloss bed well by starting with three questions: how big is the room, how long will you stay, and how much storage do you need? In most shared flats, a double gloss bed with built in drawers or an ottoman lift gives the best balance of comfort and space, while a light finish helps a small bedroom feel brighter. Check the stairs and doorways before ordering, and pick a frame that is straightforward to dismantle for your next move.<\/p>\n
Sharing a flat changes how a bedroom works. It often becomes your living room, office and storage cupboard all at once. That makes the bed the most important purchase you will make for the room, and our selection of high gloss beds UK<\/a> includes frames designed with compact rooms and storage in mind. You can also see how they sit alongside wardrobes, drawers and bedside tables in our full modern bedroom furniture UK<\/a> collection.<\/p>\n In a shared home, the communal areas belong to everyone. Your bedroom is the one space you control completely. You may work from it, relax in it and keep almost everything you own in it. A bed that takes up the whole floor or offers no storage quickly makes the room feel cramped.<\/p>\n A high gloss frame suits this kind of room because its reflective surface spreads light and visually lightens the furniture. It also wipes clean easily, which helps when one room is doing several jobs.<\/p>\n Start by measuring the floor space and marking any radiators, sockets, windows and the direction the door opens. Many rooms in converted Victorian houses and purpose built flats have awkward alcoves or chimney breasts, so a precise sketch helps.<\/p>\n Then measure the journey to the room. Narrow communal stairwells, tight landings and low doorways are common in shared properties. Check the width of every turn. Most gloss beds arrive flat packed, but larger headboards and storage bases still need a clear path. It is far easier to check now than to discover a problem on delivery day.<\/p>\n A standard UK double, roughly 135cm wide, is the most common choice for flat sharers. It is comfortable for one person and workable for two, and it fits most double bedrooms with space to walk around. A small double, around 120cm, can be the better option in compact rooms where a desk or wardrobe also needs to fit.<\/p>\n King size beds feel luxurious but can overwhelm a typical rental bedroom. Before choosing one, check that you will still have around 60cm of clear floor along the sides you need to use and in front of any drawers or wardrobe doors.<\/p>\n In a shared flat, the space under the bed is valuable real estate. Gloss beds with drawers in the base hold clothes, bedding and shoes without needing an extra chest of drawers. Ottoman style frames, where the mattress lifts on gas struts, offer even more volume for suitcases and seasonal items.<\/p>\n Drawers are easier for daily access, while an ottoman suits bulkier items you use less often. Consider which you need more. If the bed sits close to a wall or wardrobe, check that drawers have room to open fully.<\/p>\n For anything that will not fit under the bed, our range of modern clothes storage UK<\/a> includes rails and compact units that work in rented rooms. Where a fitted wardrobe is not available, sliding wardrobes UK sale<\/a> save space because their doors do not swing into the room.<\/p>\n White gloss is the most popular choice for small rooms because it reflects the most light and suits almost any landlord’s paint colour. Grey gloss is a little more forgiving of marks and pairs well with magnolia and off white walls, which are common in rentals. Black gloss makes a stronger statement but shows dust and fingerprints more readily.<\/p>\n Since you probably cannot repaint, choose a finish that works with the walls you have. Hold a sample photo against the wall in daylight and lamplight to see how it looks.<\/p>\n Flat sharers tend to move more often than homeowners. A bed that is simple to take apart and rebuild will save you time and stress. Look for frames with clearly labelled fittings and keep all the instructions and spare bolts in a labelled bag taped to the base.<\/p>\n It also helps to choose a size that is likely to suit your next room. A standard double is the safest bet, because it fits most bedrooms and most bedding is easy to find in that size.<\/p>\n Gloss beds come in a range of profiles, and the shape of the frame affects how much room it seems to take up. A low headboard keeps sightlines open and suits rooms with a window above the bed or a sloping ceiling. A tall, panelled headboard makes a stronger statement and gives you something comfortable to lean against when you read or work from bed, which many flat sharers do more than they expect.<\/p>\n Some frames include built in shelving or a ledge on the headboard. In a room where there is no space for a bedside table, that ledge can hold a phone, a glass of water and a book. Check its depth before relying on it, and make sure there is a socket within reach.<\/p>\n Frames with rounded corners are kinder in tight rooms. If you often walk past the foot of the bed in the dark, a softened edge is less likely to catch your shin, and it is less prone to chipping when furniture is moved.<\/p>\n A gloss frame sets the look of the room, but the mattress decides how well you sleep. If you are buying both at once, check the internal dimensions of the frame and choose a mattress depth that suits it. Very deep mattresses can sit awkwardly above a low frame, while thin ones may leave a visible gap.<\/p>\n Bear in mind that ottoman beds lift the mattress with gas struts, so a heavy mattress may need stronger struts to open smoothly. Most specifications list a suitable weight range. For drawer beds, a sprung slatted base gives good support and allows air to circulate, which helps in rooms that are kept closed during the day.<\/p>\n Bedrooms in shared flats often sit next to each other with thin walls. Gloss beds with a solid, well fitted frame tend to be quieter than lightweight designs that creak or knock against the wall. Check the frame is level once assembled, and add felt pads behind the headboard if it touches the wall.<\/p>\n Consider guests too. If friends or partners stay over, a double with easy access on both sides is more comfortable for everyone and avoids someone climbing over the other.<\/p>\n Once the bed is in place, arrange the rest of the room around it. Position a compact desk near the window for daylight and keep the area at the foot of the bed clear. A wall mirror opposite the window will double the light reflected by the gloss frame.<\/p>\nWhy Your Bedroom Matters More in a Shared Flat<\/h3>\n
Measure the Room, Then the Route In<\/h3>\n
Choosing the Right Size<\/h3>\n
Storage Is the Priority<\/h3>\n
Picking a Finish That Works<\/h3>\n
Think About Your Next Move<\/h3>\n
Headboards and Frame Styles<\/h3>\n
Comfort Comes From the Mattress<\/h3>\n
Living With Housemates<\/h3>\n
Making a Small Room Work Harder<\/h3>\n