DURHAM SLEIGH BED FRAME

The Durham Sleigh Bed Frame is a bed that understands what a bedroom needs. The sleigh silhouette a gently outward-curving headboard paired with a lower matching footboard is one of the oldest and most trusted shapes in furniture design. It is a form that has remained in use for centuries not because of fashion, but because it works. The curves enclose the sleeping space in a way a flat-topped bed cannot, giving the room a feeling of completeness and warmth that is immediately apparent when the bed is in place.

What makes the Durham stand out within the sleigh bed category is the combination of the classic silhouette with a genuinely wide range of upholstery options. Most sleigh beds come in wood solid or painted or in a single fixed fabric. The Durham gives you over 25 choices across Plush Velvet, Naples, Boucle, Linoso, and Marble, so the sleigh shape can be dressed in whatever suits the room. In a deep jewel-toned velvet it becomes rich and opulent. In cream or white boucle it reads as clean and contemporary. In a mid-tone Naples or Linoso it settles into the room quietly and lets everything else take its cue.

The headboard and footboard are both upholstered in the same fabric, giving the Durham a consistent, finished look from every angle. The curves are built into solid timber frames the outward sweep of the headboard and the lower roll of the footboard are structural, not decorative additions, and they hold their shape correctly through years of daily use. The main frame is solid timber and engineered hardwood throughout, with a full-width solid wood slat base included as standard. Under-bed drawer storage is available as an add-on at checkout.

Every Durham Sleigh Bed Frame comes with a 100-day free trial and a 5-year warranty covering the frame, headboard, and footboard a bed built for the long term, covered for the long term.

PRODUCT OPTIONS

Size & Pricing

All sizes compatible with standard UK mattresses. Mattress sold separately. Note: the footboard sits at the end of the bed allow additional floor space beyond the mattress length when measuring your room.

Fabric & Colour Options

Both the headboard and footboard are upholstered in the same fabric throughout the Durham looks consistent from every angle. Fabric samples available on request.

Storage / Drawer Options

Drawers are built into the base and sit flush with the exterior no visible fixings, nothing to interrupt the Durham's upholstered finish from the side.

Headboard Height Options

The sleigh curve is most impressive at the 54 and 60 inch settings the outward sweep of the headboard has more room to arc and creates a more commanding presence in the room. The footboard height is proportional to the headboard setting chosen.

KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS

🔹 Classic Curved Sleigh Headboard

The Durham's headboard follows the defining sleigh shape a gentle outward curve that sweeps from the base upward and rolls back at the top, giving the bed a softly enclosed, cradling quality at the head end. The curve is built into a solid timber frame and holds its shape correctly through years of use. It is a headboard profile with genuine furniture heritage that reads as considered and complete in any bedroom setting.

🔹 Matching Upholstered Footboard

The Durham includes a matching footboard upholstered in the same fabric as the headboard a lower, outward-rolling curve that completes the sleigh silhouette at the foot of the bed. The footboard is what separates a sleigh bed from a standard upholstered frame: it gives the bed a finished, enclosed look from every angle and makes the sleeping space feel more contained and deliberate. Both ends are upholstered identically so the Durham looks consistent whether you are looking at it from the side, the front, or the foot.

🔹 A Silhouette With Heritage Updated for the Modern Bedroom

The sleigh bed shape has been in continuous use for centuries across European furniture traditions. The Durham takes that silhouette and builds it in upholstery rather than wood bringing the classic form into a contemporary context without losing any of what makes it distinctive. The result is a bed that has the warmth and character of a traditional sleigh bed with the softness and fabric versatility of a modern upholstered frame.

🔹 25+ Fabric & Colour Combinations

Over 25 options across Plush Velvet, Naples, Boucle, Linoso, and Marble let you choose how the sleigh shape presents itself in your room. Deep jewel-toned velvets give it an opulent, traditional feel. Light neutrals in Boucle or Linoso give it a fresh, contemporary reading. The fabric is applied consistently across both the headboard and the footboard, so the choice carries through the whole bed.

🔹 Solid Timber Frame Curves Built In

The curved headboard and footboard are both built over solid timber frames shaped to the sleigh profile from the start not flat panels bent into position. The main frame is solid timber and engineered hardwood throughout, stays firm and silent under normal use, and holds its shape correctly over years of daily use.

🔹 Solid Wood Slat Base Included

A full-width solid wood slat system is included as standard, providing even mattress support right across the frame. Compatible with all standard UK mattress types pocket sprung, memory foam, and hybrid and arrives ready to fit straight out of the box.

🔹 Optional Under-Bed Drawer Storage

Add two or four drawers at checkout and choose which side they open from. Drawers are built into the base and sit flush with the exterior no visible fixings, no disruption to the upholstered finish between the headboard and footboard.

🔹 Four Headboard Heights Available

Choose from 40, 48, 54, or 60 inches measured floor to the top of the headboard curve. The footboard height adjusts proportionally to the headboard setting. The 54 and 60 inch options give the sleigh curve its most impressive sweep and are recommended for larger rooms and master bedrooms.

🔹 All Standard UK Sizes Available

The Durham is available from single through to super king, all cut to standard UK mattress dimensions. Every size accepts a standard UK mattress with no adjustments needed. Remember to allow additional floor space beyond the mattress length for the footboard when measuring your room.

🔹 100-Day Free Trial

Sleep on the Durham for up to 100 nights before making your final decision. If it is not right for you within that period, contact the Macba Beds team and they will take you through the next steps no pressure, no rushing.

🔹 5-Year Warranty Frame, Headboard & Footboard

Every Durham Sleigh Bed Frame is backed by a 5-year warranty covering the frame, base, headboard, and footboard against manufacturing defects including the curved timber structures of both ends. If something is not right due to a fault in materials or workmanship, Macba Beds will repair or replace it.

🔹 Free Tracked UK Delivery & Easy Assembly

Free tracked delivery is included on every order to mainland UK addresses no minimum spend, no hidden charges. All fixings and an Allen key are in the box. Both the curved headboard and footboard arrive pre-finished and attach to the base during assembly. Most customers complete the full build in under ninety minutes.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

SIZE GUIDE & ROOM PLANNING

Important: the footboard adds depth beyond the mattress length. Measure from the wall to at least 30–40cm beyond the end of the mattress to ensure comfortable clearance for the footboard and access around the foot of the bed. All sizes accept standard UK mattresses. Mattress sold separately.

DELIVERY & ASSEMBLY

Delivery

Free tracked delivery is included on every order to mainland UK addresses no minimum spend, no hidden charges. You will receive a tracking reference by email as soon as your order is dispatched. Due to the number of components in a sleigh bed build, delivery may be made in more than one package. Deliveries to Scottish Highlands, Northern Ireland, and some remote postcodes may take a little longer get in touch with the Macba Beds team before ordering if you need to confirm timescales for your area.

Assembly

The Durham arrives flat-packed in clearly numbered components. Both the curved headboard and the curved footboard arrive pre-finished and attach to the main base frame during assembly no shaping or bending on site. All fixings and an Allen key are included. Most customers complete the full build in under ninety minutes. Due to the number of parts in a sleigh bed frame, having a second person available during assembly is helpful, though the build is manageable alone. The Macba Beds team is available by phone or email if you need help at any point.

CARE & MAINTENANCE

Upholstery Headboard & Footboard

Use a soft upholstery brush or vacuum on a low setting for everyday cleaning, moving in the direction of the fabric on both the headboard and footboard. The curved surfaces of a sleigh bed gather dust along the full length of the arc work methodically from one side to the other rather than using a single stroke across the curve. For spills, blot immediately with a clean dry cloth do not rub. For marks, use a lightly damp cloth with a small amount of mild fabric cleaner and leave to air dry away from direct heat. Do not use a steam cleaner. Keep both ends away from prolonged direct sunlight to preserve the fabric colour consistently across the full bed.

Curved Frame Structures

The sleigh curves are built into solid timber frames and require no specific maintenance beyond keeping the fixings tight. Do not apply force against the curves from the outside for example, avoid using the footboard as a step or the headboard curve as a push point when repositioning the bed. The curves are structurally robust under normal use but are not load-bearing surfaces.

Footboard Clearance

Ensure the footboard has adequate clearance from the wall or any furniture at the foot of the bed. A gap of at least 15–20cm between the footboard and the nearest surface is recommended to allow the bed to settle without the footboard pressing against anything and to make it easier to make the bed and change bedding.

Frame & Drawers

Check and tighten all fixings every few weeks, particularly during the first month. This keeps the main frame rigid and both end pieces secure. If drawer runners begin to stiffen, a small amount of candle wax or dry lubricant along the track will restore smooth operation quickly.

Slat Base

Check the slats periodically to ensure they are all correctly seated in their holders. Press any shifted slat back into place by hand. Keeping slats evenly distributed gives the mattress consistent support right across the frame.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What exactly is a sleigh bed what makes the Durham one?

A: A sleigh bed is defined by its silhouette a headboard and footboard that both curve outward from the base and roll back at the top, resembling the curved runners of a traditional sleigh. The Durham has both: a gently arcing curved headboard and a lower matching footboard with the same outward roll. Together they give the bed an enclosed, complete look from every angle that a standard upholstered frame without a footboard simply does not have. The sleigh shape has been used in furniture design for centuries and remains one of the most recognisable and enduring bed silhouettes available.

Q: Does the Durham come with a footboard included?

A: Yes the matching curved footboard is included as standard with every Durham Sleigh Bed Frame. It is upholstered in the same fabric as the headboard and forms the lower curved end of the sleigh silhouette. There is no additional cost for the footboard. Both ends are built over solid timber frames shaped to the sleigh profile, so the curves are consistent across the full bed.

Q: Do I need to allow extra room for the footboard?

A: Yes this is an important planning consideration for any sleigh bed. The footboard adds depth beyond the mattress length at the foot of the bed. When measuring your room, allow at least 30–40cm beyond the end of the mattress length to give the footboard comfortable clearance from the wall and allow easy access when making the bed or moving around the foot end. If your room is tight on depth from the wall to the door, contact the Macba Beds team before ordering and they can confirm the footboard dimensions for the size you are considering.

Q: Can I get the Durham without a footboard?

A: The footboard is a fundamental part of the Durham's sleigh silhouette and is included as standard the bed is designed and proportioned with both ends in mind. Removing the footboard would leave an incomplete frame that is not how the Durham is built or intended to be used. If you want a curved headboard without a footboard, the Alice Curved Headboard Upholstered Bed Frame may be worth considering instead.

Q: Will this bed fit a standard UK mattress?

A: Yes. Every size of the Durham is made to standard UK mattress dimensions, so your mattress will fit properly with no gaps. The mattress sits within the frame between the headboard and footboard it does not need to be a special size. Remember that the footboard adds depth beyond the mattress at the foot end, so factor this into your room measurements before ordering.

Q: Which fabric suits the sleigh shape best?

A: The sleigh silhouette works beautifully across all five fabric ranges, but it behaves differently in each. In Plush Velvet particularly deeper tones like Steel, Black, or Navy the curves catch and reflect light along their length, giving the Durham a genuinely opulent, traditional feel that echoes the heritage of the sleigh form. In Boucle or Cream Linoso the same curves read as softer and more contemporary. In Naples the weave texture adds an artisanal quality to the arc. Fabric samples are available on request so you can compare in your own room before committing.

Q: How long does delivery take and is it actually free?

A: Yes free tracked delivery is included on every order to mainland UK addresses. No minimum spend, no extra charges at checkout. You will receive a tracking link by email once your order has been dispatched. Sleigh bed frames have more components than a standard upholstered frame and may arrive in more than one package. If you are in a remote area, contact the Macba Beds team before ordering to confirm timescales for your postcode.

Q: How hard is it to assemble and how long does it take?

A: Most customers complete the full build in under ninety minutes. Both the curved headboard and footboard arrive pre-finished the curves are already built in and they attach to the main base frame during assembly. All fixings and an Allen key are included. Because of the number of components in a sleigh bed build, having a second person available is helpful, though it is manageable alone. The Macba Beds team is on hand if you need assistance.

Q: Does the bed make noise or creak?

A: Not when assembled correctly. The solid timber and hardwood construction keeps the frame quiet under normal use. Make sure all fixings are fully tightened at both the headboard and footboard attachment points during the build, and check again after the first couple of weeks.

Q: Can I get a fabric sample before I order?

A: Yes fabric samples are available on request. Because the fabric is applied to both the headboard and footboard, the choice has a big impact on the overall look of the Durham from every angle. Seeing the material in your room before ordering is well worth doing. Contact the Macba Beds team and they will send out samples for your shortlisted choices.

Q: What is the 100-day free trial?

A: Every Durham Sleigh Bed Frame comes with a 100-day free trial. That is over three months to sleep on it and be completely certain it is right for your bedroom. If you are not satisfied within that period, contact the Macba Beds team and they will guide you through the next steps no rush, no pressure.

Q: What does the 5-year warranty cover?

A: The Durham comes with a 5-year warranty covering the frame, base, headboard, and footboard including the curved timber structures of both ends against manufacturing defects. If anything is not right due to a fault in materials or workmanship, Macba Beds will repair or replace it. The warranty applies to normal residential use. Contact the team with your order number if you ever need to make a claim.

Q: What is the returns policy?

A: You can return an unused, unassembled item in its original packaging within 14 days of delivery. Because the Durham is built to your chosen fabric and colour specification, made-to-order configurations may have different return conditions the full policy is on the Macba Beds website. To start a return, contact the customer support team with your order number and they will take it from there.

Q: Does it come with a mattress?

A: No the Durham is sold as a bed frame only. This lets you pair it with a mattress that suits how you sleep and what you want to spend. The solid wood slat base is compatible with all standard UK mattress types including pocket sprung, memory foam, and hybrid. The Macba Beds team can help if you are unsure which to choose.