Choose a TV bed – A TV bed puts a large TV (typically 32-50″) 6 ft or so away from you, transforming your bedroom into an entertainment hub. But not all TV beds are created equal, and since they are a substantial investment, it’s essential to know what to look for.
Join us below for a foolproof guide to choosing a TV bed in 2024.
How to choose a TV bed
Measuring up
TV beds are longer and wider than other bed frames because the footboard contains a motorised TV mount.
So, you need to measure for your bed frame and not use mattress dimensions (e.g., 150 x 200 cm for a king) as your reference point.
To move comfortably around your TV bed, you need at least 45 cm around the sides or 30 cm if you’re happy with a bit of a squeeze.
TV size
Your TV‘s viewing size (e.g., 45″) and depth (thickness) are the two critical dimensions to ensure your TV bed can accommodate it.
Some TV beds have smaller brackets and only accommodate TVs up to 32″, while others have more substantial mounts for TVs up to 50″.
For example, the Kaydian Design Appleby (pictured above) supports TVs up to 43″, while the Sweet Dreams Nova will take a TV up to 32″.
Pictured: Sweet dreams Nova 4FT 6 Double TV Bed. Priced £1320 (save over £500 on RRP) Available from Bedstar
In-built speakers
You can get TV beds with built-in speakers and soundbars.
The most basic set-up is a TV that relies solely on TV speakers—fine for casual use but not great for gaming and movies.
A step up is a TV bed with a subwoofer and a soundbar like the Star TV Ardor to replicate the quality of a small home movie configuration.
An upgrade on that is a model with 2.1 surround sound, like the TV Beds NW Walkworth – perfect for medium and large bedrooms.
But for the ultimate audio-visual experience, 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos surround sound is the gold standard. You can get that with the Edge Dolby Atmos.
Pictured: Walkworth 4FT 6 Double Ottoman TV Bed – 2.1 Speakers – Slate Grey. Priced £1457 (Save over £500 on RRP) Available from Bedstar.
Connectivity
Most TV beds have a remote control to operate the footboard TV mount, and some have physical buttons on a control panel.
USB ports (A and C) are helpful and built into the sides of your bed to eliminate the need for bulky chargers for your electronic accessories.
Bluetooth is another useful addition for controlling the audio and TV mount from your phone—a top feature for playing music through your phone.
In-built storage
Whether you have a small bedroom or not, in-built storage is a fantastic feature for your bed frame. It can hold all your bedding and bulky items.
TV beds with ottoman storage—a lift-up mattress platform—are the best because they use the entire bed’s underside as storage space.
Since the TV mount is at the foot of the bed, ottoman storage in TV beds usually has a side-lift configuration to facilitate access to the storage.
Assembly difficulty
TV beds aren’t any more challenging to assemble than standard bed frames, although they take longer due to having more components.
The process goes like this:
- Build the frame
- Mount the headboard
- Install the slats or base
- Mount the TV bracket
- Connect everything up and go
Expect the build to take 2-3 hours.
Also, just a word of caution: TV beds are extremely heavy once built. Ensure that you build it in the spot where it will live.
Budgeting
A low-end TV bed with a soundbar will set you back £700 to £900 (save for any clearance sales on mid-range models).
If you want surround sound and handy connectivity features like Bluetooth, expect to pay £1,000 to £1,500 for a double or king.
Luxurious models with substantial headboards, Dolby Atmos, and voice control can cost north of £2,000. Shop the sales to grab a bargain.
Debz Louise is a plus-size blogger based in Yorkshire. Behind many nationwide campaigns such as #WeaAreTheThey & winner of Best Blogger at the UK Plus Size Awards, she talkas about life as a plus-size 40-something woman in South Yorkshire.
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