Buying a solid wood bed: wood type, construction, dimensions – and why you should try it out

In short: You choose a solid wood bed in four steps: wood type, construction (solid or glued from staves), dimensions including recess depth, and the matching combination of slatted frame and mattress. The first three can be prepared on screen. The fourth is best decided lying down.

1. The wood

We make our solid wood beds in seven timbers: maple, beech, heart beech, oak, ash, cherry and walnut. All are oiled and waxed so the grain remains visible.

• Beech, maple, heart beech: light to warm in tone and the least expensive timbers. Heart beech has the liveliest figure.
• Oak, ash: stronger grain, medium tone.
• Cherry, walnut: the darkest and finest timbers.

On request we stain beech in the shades cherry or chocolate. Wood darkens over the years, cherry most noticeably – on the finished bed in our store you see the timbers as they will look in your bedroom.

2. Solid or glued from staves

Solid beds consist of continuous solid wood parts. In the stave-glued version, narrow solid wood staves are glued into components. This uses the timber more completely, gives parts that are especially stable in shape and lowers the price. Both are solid wood, not veneer and not chipboard. We offer the beds Seattle, Oregon and Gibraltar in the stave-glued version.

3. Dimensions, extra length and recess depth

The frame adds to the sleeping area: the size table of each bed states how many centimetres to add in width and length. Measure the space and remember doors, window casements and radiators.

Extra lengths of 210 and 220 cm are possible for many models – sensible from a height of about 1.90 m. Double beds get a centre rail for two separate slatted frames.

The recess depth matters: how deep the slatted frame and mattress sit in the frame. Flexible slatted frames need at least 10 cm. Low futon beds such as Tokyo (6 cm) or Kobayashi (8 cm) are meant for roll-up slats and a futon. If you want to keep your mattress, bring its height and the height of the slatted frame.

4. Trying it out: bed, slatted frame and mattress together

Whether a bed is comfortable depends on the interplay of frame height, slatted frame and mattress. All our solid wood beds are matched to our natural latex mattresses and slatted frames. In the store you can try the combination you will have at home.

It helps to bring:

• the dimensions of the space and the ceiling height under a sloping roof
• your height and preferred sleeping position
• height and size of mattress and slatted frame if you want to keep them
• some time: ten minutes in your usual sleeping position tell you more than sitting down briefly

Our bed store is in Berlin-Charlottenburg, Kantstraße 13, 500 metres from Zoo station. We are open Monday to Friday from 11 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Delivery and assembly

Within Berlin and to Potsdam our own team delivers into your home for a flat rate of €50 and takes the packaging away; assembly is available by arrangement. Elsewhere in Germany we deliver for €70 to the first lockable door. Collection from our warehouse in Großbeeren is free of charge.

Need storage as well?

Then look at beds with drawers or with storage under the sleeping area. Our guide solid wood storage beds explains the differences.

Frequently asked questions

Is a stave-glued bed a solid wood bed?

Yes. Stave-glued components consist of solid wood throughout, made of glued staves instead of one piece. They are especially stable in shape and cost less than the solid version.

Will my existing slatted frame fit a new solid wood bed?

Usually yes, if the sleeping area matches and the recess depth is sufficient. Tell us the height of your frame and we will check the combination with you.