Your bed is, or should be, one of the most important investments you make for your home. On average, we will spend 26 years in bed (that's about a third of our lives!) and we are all familiar with the health benefits of quality sleep and relaxation. For this reason, it is worth spending time to find the right designer bed and create your perfect bedroom, a sanctuary to get away from our busy lives, unwind, and which you look forward to retreating to at the end of the day.  We share with you here our top advice on choosing the perfect luxury designer bed.

Most of our luxury beds at Milola are available in extra long sizes, as well as custom widths by request, so if you are looking for a non-standard size do get in touch.

In contrast, contemporary bed designs like the  Bend bed and Flag Bed below are simpler and sleeker and work in many home interior styles.

That said, many modern bed frames take a nod from retro or mid-century styles, bringing a little of the past, to an otherwise modern design, as shown below with the Freedom Bed, which has a slight frame, with simple lines and modern metal feet, but with the addition of a captionné headboard.

Another consideration is whether you go for a Divan, a Classic Bed Frame or Box Spring.    

A divan base typically consists of a solid base (rather than slats) and often come with storage inside the base in the form of drawers or an ottoman storage box. A benefit of a divan bed is that the footprint is usually the same size as the mattress so if space is of a premium then it is definitely one to consider. If you like a firmer feel, divans can also offer this solid support for the mattress. However, don't forget with drawers that you need to have sufficient space in front to open them. Another downside of a Divan is from a style perspective they are usually plainer so may not suit your designer bedroom goals.

A Classic Bed Frame looks similar to a Divan, but has slats, which are built into the base. The slats work with your mattress offering flexibility depending on how your weight is distributed. There is sometimes the option to customise the type of slats depending on your sleeping needs. These beds may also have storage, which is accessed by lifting the slats. Classic Bed Frames come in many different styles so you are sure to find your perfect sleeping partner.

Last but not least is the Box Spring Base, which is of U.S origin and is very popular in luxury hotels. Its main feature is that it has a structure (called box or sommier) where instead of the classic slatted bases or divan top there is a spring frame. The combination of the mattress and the springs offers the ultimate in support and comfort, as together they adapt perfectly to the body. The downsides are the expense - they are often the more expensive base option, and do not have the option of storage.

At Milola, we offer a number of different bed base options and also a wide variety of options of beds with and without storage. The Metropolitan Bed is a great example of this, as shown below with a traditional thin frame on the left and a box frame on the right, which contains storage.

Bedframes are normally made of Wood or Metal. Wood is traditional and sturdy, but metal has it's advantages because it is lightweight and easy to clean; an important consideration for many following the pandemic. However, depending on the type of metal and quality of the structure, metal beds can rust and/or squeak, so it is important to check the attention to detail, quality and how they are made. Aluminium as a material is a good choice because it is hypoallergenic and lightweight. Italian bedmakers, Bolzan Letti is one of just a few companies making high quality structures entirely made of aluminium. 

If you want an upholstered finish, consideration should also be given to the type of fabric or leather.  This covering also tends to be the largest determinant of cost.  Therefore it is worth asking the shop about different coverings to fit with your budget.  

At Milola we are happy to discuss different upholstery options with you and send out fabric samples free of charge. 

You may also want to consider how durable the material is, is it washable and if it is sourced sustainably? For fabrics, durability can be determined using the Martindale scale, a test which simulates the number of abrasive rubs a fabric can take.  For general domestic use you should be looking for a score of over 25,000. The higher the score the more durable the fabric. You can also look at colour fastness, especially if the bed will be located in direct sunlight, as well as the extent to which the fabric is likely to pill.  For leather, you can also refer to it's resistance to tearing, cracking and water damage.

There are so many mattress choices on the market these days, it is often difficult to know where to start. Comfort is often determined by the position you sleep in and your weight, but it is still very subjective.   

Below we summarise the main mattress types: