Choosing an Adjustable Bed Base, Headboard, and Drawers

You only have a choice of adjustable bed base if you’re looking to buy a double adjustable bed (4ft 6in or above), for two people.

6ft single adjustable bed base containing two mechanisms & mattresses

In this situation, you'll no doubt want two separate mattresses (could you imagine the arguments otherwise…?!)  And so you have the choice of one single adjustable bed base containing both mechanisms, or a twin base, which would give you two completely separate beds.

Why would you choose a twin adjustable bed base over a single?

Well, a twin base would be a wise idea if there’s a possibility you may want to separate the beds in the future.

6ft Twin Adjustable Bed Base

For example, I’ve had several customers whose spouse had a deteriorating mobility condition (e.g. Parkinson’s, MS, etc.), and could no longer manage the stairs. So they were able to move one of the beds downstairs into a newly converted bedroom.

On the other hand, I’ve also had customers who wanted their adjustable bed to look as much like a ‘normal’ bed as possible.  They preferred the neatness of a single base (and chose wireless handsets so as not to have ‘giveaway’ wires).

Many people don’t realise a single base is an option on double beds. If you’ve looked around online, you’ve probably seen most double adjustable beds have twin bases.

They will also likely be delivered as complete beds, as in, the mechanisms are screwed into the bed bases.

But we have a unique way of making base surrounds, whereby the panels fasten together at the corners. We deliver the bed in pieces and assemble it in your bedroom, which means we can get around tighter corners, negotiate lower ceilings, and access upper floors more easily than if it was a complete bed.

Adjustable Bed Sizes

Adjustable bed frames come in 2ft 3”, 2ft 6”, 3ft, 3ft 6”, and 4ft.

(4ft 6” frames are available, but I don’t advise you getting one unless the bed is going in a ground floor bedroom with easy access.  They’re normally too big to fit upstairs and negotiate a landing).

The standard length for adjustable bed frames is 6ft 6”.  Although some are available in 7ft, and it’s possible (for us) to trim down certain frames. 

For 5ft and 6ft beds, two frames are used.  Although if only one person is going to be using in the bed, it is possible to synchronise the two frames so they move together.

Bespoke Adjustable Bed Base vs. Off-the-Shelf

Now depending on where you buy an adjustable bed, it will either be made to order, or off-the-shelf.

Off-the-shelf beds are usually supplied as a complete unit.  As in, the adjustable mechanism is fixed into the base surround. 

The problem with this is, it can be very difficult to manoeuvre a complete adjustable bed around your home, especially if it has to go upstairs.

It also means 5ft and 6ft beds consist of two separate beds joined together.  I’ve had a lot of customers in our showroom assume that was the only option for larger beds.

But we devised our own way of making adjustable bed base surrounds, whereby the panels fasten together at the corners. 

So we can make a single surround for a 5ft or 6ft bed, because we can deliver it disassembled, not as one solid base.

This also means we can also get around tighter corners, negotiate lower ceilings, and access upper floors more easily than if it was a complete bed.

And, once assembled, it doesn’t look like an adjustable bed.