The Technique of FURNITURE MAKING

Bed sizes

Ideally, single beds should be as wide as the out­stretched elbows of the sleeper and certainly not less than 2 ft 6 in (76 cm) wide, with 3 ft (91 cm) more convenient. Double beds should be not less than 4 ft (122 cm) wide, with 4 ft 6 in (137 cm) or 5 ft (152 cm) preferable. Mattress lengths are usually standard at 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) for people up to 6 ft (183 cm) tall, but can be supplied up to 7 ft (213 cm) long. For easy making, heights should be about 20 in (508 mm)

461 Simple solid oak bedhead and footboard by Edward Barnsley c. 1940

to the top of the over-mattress but the modern tendency is to place divan beds either on or about 6 in (152 mm) from floor level, which is not so hygienic and more difficult for the bedmaker.

Beds take different forms of which the most popular are:

1 legless sprung-base supports with either steel channel or wood framing for connection to orthodox bedsteads (bedhead and foot), and with spring or foam over-mattresses;

2 divan beds in which a wood-box framework on stump legs is sprung with metal mesh or coil springing covered with fabric, on which a sprung or foam over-mattress is laid, and with a headboard screwed to the box framework. Both forms are specially made, and the furniture - maker is only concerned with the provision of bedheads and feet or divan headboards.