Choosing a New Bed

If the average person sleeps between 7 and 8 hours per night, this means that over the course of a life-time, we could potentially spend more than 26 years in bed asleep. Surely it makes sense, then, to ensure that all that time is spent in comfort and luxury? And what better way to do so than to invest in a brand new solid oak bed and mattress!

Turning your bedroom into the relaxing retreat you deserve can do wonders to the quality of your sleep. For tips and advice on choosing the right bed frame, read on.

Choosing the right size

The key to a good night’s sleep is ensuring that you have enough room to sleep comfortably. The key question is whether you should you opt for large single beds or go for small double beds? Will a double bed be too small but a king-size bed too large?

For the most part you are going to be dictated to by the size of your room and the space available but we would always recommend going for the more spacious option where possible. Considering how much time we spend sleeping – as well as how much of an impact a good or bad night’s sleep can have on the following day – it is well worth making the extra investment.

Additionally, whilst all of our beds take standard UK size mattresses, the size of the bed frames do vary. So if you are looking for a single solid oak bed but have floor space to fill, rather than opt for a double bed why not check out our Tokyo solid oak single bed which has a larger bed frame than most?

Which wood?

When looking for wooden beds, if you’re after quality as well as comfort then you have three main options; Oak, Mango or Mahogany. For a more classic look, the luxurious mahogany Sleigh bed is the stand-out choice and will ensure your bedroom has the elegant centrepiece it truly deserves.

If the contemporary look is more up your street, then our Shabby Chic solid mango double bed offers style in abundance and demonstrates a contemporary twist on a classic design that will fit comfortably in both a modern or a classic setting.

Last but by no means least, if an oak double bed is what you’re searching for to turn your bedroom into a relaxing retreat then we would urge you to check out our rustic oak beds. The rustic style is currently one of the hottest trends in home design and it is no coincidence that this is presently our best-selling range.

Each bed has matching bedside cabinets, chest of drawers and wardrobes available so you could always go one step further and treat yourself to a complete bedroom make-over!

Turn your bedroom into the sanctuary you’ve always wanted this autumn…

As the crisp autumn air finally dissipates any last hopes of a ‘proper summer’, you might be thinking about preparing your home for the colder months. Perhaps it’s time to get the winter duvet out, along with the winter coats; or perhaps it’s time to go the whole hog and give your bedroom that much-needed makeover?

Why not take a look at the following bedroom styles to get some inspiration…

French Bedroom Furniture

French furniture is the ideal way to turn your bedroom into a relaxing retreat. In particular – Louis Philippe style furniture – with its softly rounded lines and scrollwork, will add a sense of luxury and opulence that can prove irresistible after a hard day’s work.

It goes without saying that the most important item of bedroom furniture is the bed. So why not choose one that was made to be the centre of attention? Crafted from premium grade solid mahogany timbers, a traditional sleigh bed can transform your bedroom – from plain, dull and dreary to chic, elegant and enticing. It’s an ideal choice if you fancy something a little different to a classic oak bed.

Sleigh Solid Mahogany Bed

Our Sleigh Solid Mahogany 3 Drawer Bedside Tables are designed to be the perfect accompaniments to the Sleigh bed. Characterised by elegantly flared cornices, curved feet and antiqued button handles they complement the gentle curves and clean-cut lines wonderfully.

Rustic Bedroom Furniture

If you prefer oak wood furniture, you might want to consider investing in rustic bedroom furniture. Our ever-popular Rustic Solid Oak range (pictured) is ideal for contemporary and traditional homes alike. Crafted by skilled joiners from premium grade solid oak, it’s distinguished by softly rounded corners, antiqued drop bar handles and a subtly aged finish. 

Rustic Solid Oak Bed

For a charming country-cottage look, try decorating your rustic bedroom furniture with pastel coloured soft furnishings, such as cushions or throws. Alternatively, if you want a contemporary yet classic look, try adding splashes of bold primary colours. The furniture will create a timeless appearance, while the daring colours add an edgy, contemporary feel.

For more ideas and inspiration, take a look at our entire collection of wooden beds. They each form part of larger ranges, which means you can find matching bedside cabinets, chest of drawers and dressing tables.

The Rise of Shabby Chic Furniture

Shabby chic furniture is one of the hottest new trends in home interior design…

Shabby Chic Solid Mango Chest of Drawers

Age adds character. Whether it’s a wardrobe or small side table, a piece of furniture with an aged, rustic appearance can help turn a house into a home… Shabby chic is a type of interior design where furnishings are selected for their age and signs of wear of tear, or where new items are made to look old by various forms of distressing. It’s no wonder this style is so appealing – in an age where mass consumerism has resulted in mass interior design (i.e. bland flat-pack furniture), shabby chic furniture and shabby chic accessories are an excellent way to inject a room with some much-needed instant charm.

The best thing about shabby chic furniture is that you don’t have to own a traditional country cottage to enjoy it; shabby chic works just as well in inner city apartments and urban town houses.

Shabby Chic Solid Mango Wardrobe

The most popular colour for shabby chic furniture is a white wash effect. However, pastel colours are also very effective on shabby chic furniture, especially when paired with delicate floral patterns.

Where Can I Buy Shabby Chic Furniture?

A popular way to find items of shabby chic furniture is to visit charity shops or antique fairs. However, for those of us who don’t have the time to spend hours scouring second-hand stores, you can buy new items which have been made to have a vintage appearance. Our Shabby Chic furniture range is crafted by hand using premium grade solid mango wood, which is painted with a matt cream paint and then rubbed down to produce an aged, antiqued effect. This finish is wonderfully enhanced by softly sanded down corners, chamfered legs and tapered feet. The mango tops are left unpainted, as the natural hues of this exotic timber create a fascinating contrast with the cream paint.

So whether you’re looking for shabby chic bedroom furniture or shabby chic chairs and table for the dining room, we highly recommend you take the time to pursue our gorgeous range. For more information on shabby chic furniture, see our Shabby Chic furniture collection.

Cotswold Furniture

Cotswold Furniture is Steeped in History

The Cotswolds have a rich history of design, especially in the fields of Cotswold furniture, arts and crafts. Inspiration is said to be due to the stunning scenery and beautiful architecture of the area. There is one person who should also be given credit for the reputation of high quality Cotswold furniture: Ernest Gimson (1864 – 1919).

The Forefathers of Cotswold Furniture

Modern Cotswold furniture owes much to Ernest Gimson, as he helped kick-start the movement. Born in Leicester and trained as an architect, he moved to the Cotswolds in his early thirties “to live near nature” where it is said his creative stimulation was at its highest.

After a brief stay work took his to Somerset, but it wasn’t long before he moved back to Cirencester in Gloucestershire where he set up a Cotswold furniture workshop to indulge in his true passion of Cotswold furniture design. This Cotswold furniture was hand crafted from solid hardwood by highly skilled craftsmen under the renowned cabinet-maker, Peter van der Waals.

Painted Solid Oak
Cotswold Furniture

Cotswold Furniture has an Exceptional Reputation

The Cotswold furniture that he designed in this time was highly structural and obviously drew on his architectural experience. A reputation quickly grew that Cotswold furniture was strong, well crafted, high quality and attractive. This reputation lasts to this day with original pieces fetching thousands of pounds at antique auctions.

Oak Furniture Land Continues the Cotswold Furniture Standards

Oak Furniture Land is based very close to where Ernest Gimson set up his Cotswold furniture workshop. Our designers are influenced by the same idyllic scenery and the history of the Cotswold furniture industry. We use this to blend Cotswold furniture traditions with other international and modern designs to create a vast choice of unique designs and ranges.

The legacy of beautiful, sturdy, high quality hand crafted Cotswold furniture runs through the company and our staff.