Everything You Need to Know Before Making a Decision
During the pandemic, shopping online for home essentials like beds was very much the norm. Searches for buying a bed online increased by a whopping 45% in 2020 according to research by Furniture Village, one of the UK’s biggest furniture retailers. However, as soon as the shops opened, our interest in shopping online for beds decreased. Could this mean we don’t trust buying this bedroom staple piece online?
Whilst we were all forced to shop entirely online during the pandemic lockdowns, the first signs of re-opening had many of us back in our favourite stores. When they opened their doors to the public in 2021, search engines registered an 18% decline in searches compared to the year before.
However, this slight decrease was expected according to Tom St Quintin - Bed Buyer at Furniture Village: “Buying a bed online requires customers to overcome their concerns about digital shopping. From losing the ability to see and test the bed in person to not having access to in-store experts, there are still many fears related to making expensive purchases on the internet.”
Retailers are aware that many of these factors are keeping customers away from their websites. Many are making their digital store-fronts friendlier with online chats for quick access to expert advice, extensive product ranges that overshadow the ones in the physical stores and easy-to-use filters for easier decision-making.
According to Tom St Quintin, when it comes to beds, the online process for finding the right one comes down to 10 standard considerations:
1. What is your budget? One of the best ways to start narrowing down your options is by deciding on your budget upfront. Focusing on ‘value for money’ instead of ‘cheap’ can make the difference between a great online purchase and one you’ll come to regret.
2. What is the right bed size? Beds usually come in one of five standard sizes: single, small double, double, king and super-king. A good tip when buying a bed online is to think about the bed you currently have and deciding whether you want something similar or an upgrade.
3. How much room do you have? Ideally you should have enough space for your furniture, plus good room to walk about. So, even though you’ve been dreaming of a super-king bed, this choice might leave you feeling cramped and uncomfortable if you’re short on space.
4. What type of bed do you like? From divan beds with platform tops or sprung tops, to ottomans with conveniently built-in storage, there are many wonderful choices to ponder over. Ottoman beds saw the highest number of Google searches out of all bed styles in 2020 and 2021, while divan beds registered an increase of over 50% in searches last year, a sign that beds with handy storage solutions are increasingly popular. Surprisingly, upholstered beds are not as popular as they used to be, with searches for this option decreasing by 20%.
5. What about the right mattress? A top tip is to buy your new bed and mattress at the same time. Different bed frames can change how a mattress feels, so it makes sense to buy both and get your comfort level just right.
6. What headboards match your room best? Headboards are a great way to add a bit of character to your room. They are available in a wide range of beautiful colours and come in upholstered, metal and wooden designs.
7. What bed frames complement your interior design? From cool metallic bed frames to rustic wooden ones, there are many different styles to consider. And if you need to make the most out of a small space, a pull-out bed that folds away below the original is ideal.
8. What height should the bed frame have? The ideal bed height depends on your age and height. You should be able to sit down on the edge of the bed and have your feet sit flat on the floor. Beds that are too high or too low should usually be avoided.
9. What about storage? Ottoman beds offer plenty of storage, allowing you to store spare blankets, pillows or even your out-of-season wardrobe. If you have a small bedroom or you’re struggling for storage space, buying a bed online that offers a hidden, handy solution might be the perfect solution.
10. What assembly options and delivery do you prefer? Always check the delivery options. Ideally, you want your bed to be delivered safely to the room of your choice and assembled for you.
The experts at Furniture Village also noticed some interesting trends in bed style preferences. Scandi, traditional and mid-century are the only trends that saw an increase in searches in 2021. The most popular style trend for a bed is modern, an option that saw the biggest increase in search in 2020.
Whether you prefer to buy your bed in store or you’re used to the convenience of online shopping, using the handy tips above will make finding the bed of your dreams a much easier process.
Discover more with Furniture Village’s quick guide on how to buy a bed online here: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/bed-buying-guide-considerations.html. You can also explore all the new interior design styles for 2022 at the Home of Inspiration hub: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/the-home-of-inspiration
ENDS
For more information
Paige Aldred
tmwi, acting on behalf of Furniture Village
01789 404180
Note to editors:
Furniture Village is one of Britain's largest independent furniture retailers with 54 stores nationwide. Since 1989, they have remained a strong family business, offering high-quality, beautifully designed furniture at a great price.
