A made-to-measure bed can be useful when a standard size does not suit the room, the mattress or the way you want the bedroom to work. The important point is to start with accurate measurements and a realistic discussion about which parts of the design can be altered.
Revival Beds has handcrafted solid wood beds in Nottinghamshire since 1983. Every bed is made to order, and bespoke dimensions or design changes can be discussed before manufacture. That is different from claiming that every bed can be shaped around any wall, alcove or sloping ceiling: what is possible depends on the chosen bed, the required dimensions and safe access to the bedroom.
Made to order and made to measure: what is the difference?
Made to order means your bed is produced after you order it, rather than being taken as a finished frame from warehouse stock. You can select the bed design, timber and finish from the available options.
Made to measure goes further. It involves changing dimensions or selected details to meet a particular requirement. This might mean discussing a non-standard width or length, adapting the height of a headboard or footboard, or finding a practical solution for a room with restricted space.
Not every alteration is suitable for every design, so our team checks the request before the bed is made.
Which measurements should you take?
Begin with the usable floor area, not just the headline width and length of the room. Allow space for doors and drawers to open, for bedside furniture, and for comfortable movement around the bed.
- Measure the available width and length at floor level.
- Check skirting boards, radiators, sockets and projecting window sills.
- Measure the height beneath sloping ceilings where the headboard will sit.
- Allow enough room for wardrobes, drawers and bedroom doors to open.
- Confirm the intended mattress size as well as the external dimensions of the bed frame.
If you are unsure, contact us before ordering. A small difference in the external frame size can matter in a tight bedroom.
Can a large wooden bed fit upstairs?
The route to the bedroom is just as important as the space inside it. Narrow staircases, tight turns, low bulkheads and awkward landings can prevent a large completed component from reaching the room.
Where access may be restricted, we ask for measurements of the stairs, doorways and tightest turning points. These can be checked against the bed components before manufacture.
Our beds are assembled in the bedroom and, where required, can be produced in kit form. For example, headboard and footboard posts can be assembled on site instead of travelling through the property as part of a large completed section. This is particularly helpful for Super King, Emperor and other substantial beds.
What if the mattress is the access problem?
A mattress cannot be dismantled like a wooden bed frame. For difficult access, a zip-link mattress can provide a practical solution: two separate mattress sections are carried into the bedroom and zipped together on the bed.
Zip-link construction is commonly associated with Super King mattresses and larger sizes, but Revival Beds can also supply a King size zip-link mattress. This can help in homes where even a conventional King mattress would be difficult to manoeuvre upstairs.
Learn more about made-to-measure and zip-link mattresses.
Choosing the timber, finish and design
A bespoke size should not distract from the fundamentals of a good bed. Look at the quality of the timber, the strength of the joints, the side rails and the support beneath the mattress.
Revival beds are handcrafted from solid wood and are available in oak or pine options, depending on the design. A choice of finishes makes it possible to coordinate the bed with other furniture without pretending that the product is fitted joinery.
Our solid wooden beds are supplied with a 10-year guarantee. You can explore the current collection on our solid wooden beds page.
Delivery and installation
Our specialist two-person delivery team brings the bed into the chosen room and assembles it for you. Delivery and installation are included for UK mainland customers, subject to the conditions and exceptions in our delivery information.
If you buy a new mattress from Revival Beds, we can also remove your old mattress and arrange for it to be recycled for an additional fee.
Read about delivery and installation.
A practical checklist before ordering
- Measure the bedroom and the complete access route.
- Choose the mattress size before confirming bespoke bed dimensions.
- Tell us about sloping ceilings, tight turns or low stair bulkheads.
- Ask which alterations are possible for the bed design you prefer.
- Consider a zip-link mattress if access is restricted.
- Confirm space for surrounding furniture and opening doors or drawers.
A made-to-measure bed should solve a genuine problem without creating a new one. By checking the room, the access route and the mattress together, we can agree a bed that is practical to manufacture, deliver and enjoy for years to come.
