Upholstered beds

It's a bed whose headboard and frame are padded and covered, rather than in exposed wood or metal. The result looks and feels softer, with a headboard that is comfortable to lean against when you read. The covering comes in a range of colours and materials, which are best seen in person.

For everyday cleaning, simply vacuum the headboard and frame with a soft brush attachment. Deal with stains straight away, following the manufacturer's instructions for that upholstery. Some models have removable covers and others don't: if that matters to you, ask us when choosing your bed.

A storage bed gives you extra space for duvets and out-of-season clothes, but it's heavier to move and you can't clean underneath. A bed on legs looks lighter and leaves the floor clear, which makes cleaning easier. If you're short of wardrobe space, go for storage; if you want a more airy bedroom, choose legs.

Look at the wall first: a tall headboard fills an empty wall nicely and gives the bedroom character, while a lower one leaves room for pictures or shelves. If you like reading in bed, choose a soft headboard high enough to lean against. The stitching pattern, vertical, squares or diagonal, also changes the style a great deal.