Gothic Romance - on a Budget (Ikea Noresund Bed Frame)

Member Name: jasminesarah

Product:	Ikea Noresund Bed Frame
Date:	30/08/08 (1008 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Dramatic looking, sturdy bed - super cheap!

Disadvantages: None - I love it!

When I moved house last year it was time for a new bed. It was also time for a new TV, sofa and fridge, so I was looking for things on a budget! Having put up with a very basic pine bed for years, I was determined to get something attractive. I had a look round locally but everything was looking quite pricey - and there weren't many beds I liked available anyway.

Hooray - Ikea to the rescue! I still can't believe the price of this bed! Listed catalogue price is £71 at the moment, although this is just for the frame and you need to buy bed slats (the bit that that the mattress sits on) separately. The complete price is well under £100 and simply cannot be beaten in terms of quality. I saw it in the store and fell in love with it - it is very sturdy and ok it isn't real wrought iron but it doesn't have the tinny, plastic-y feel of (less!) cheap alternatives. It has a romantic look about it, a teeny bit gothic - the picture here really doesn't do it justice, in store you'll see it piled high with inviting cushions and bed linen in sumptuous colours.

Ikea beds are slightly more generous than the ones we are used to in the UK, this one measures in at 210cm x 147cm, requiring a mattress size of 200cm x 140cm. Usual UK double mattresses are 190cm x 137. These means they are a great idea if you're tall or would like a little extra room. Ikea also offer this bed in a larger size, which would equate to a Uk Kingsize, but again, is a little larger, at 200cm x 180cm (Mattress size).

This is something to bear in mind if you want to buy a new bed and use your old mattress you may find it is a little small. I decided to buy a new mattress at the same time, and chose a Sultan Hogbo sprung mattress for £100. This appears to have gone up to £140 at current prices. I would still strongly recommend it as it is just as comfortable as my previous mattress, which cost 3 times as much! It is generally recommended that a mattress is replaced every ten years, but Ikea confidently guarantee theirs for 25 years!

Of course, if you don't live near Ikea, and/or don't have suitable transport, you do need to factor in the cost of delivery. I live 80 miles away and Ikea don't deliver to my area, at least not at a sensible price! However, by doing a quick internet search I found a local company who do delivery trips. (If you live in Devon message me and I'll recommend them, but I'm sure there are others all over the country). My delivery charge was £40 for this and a couple of other items.

As is usual for Ikea products, the bed arrived flat packed. Construction was surprisingly simple and didn't take long, once again I was impressed with how sturdy and well made the bed was. I was soon lounging on it with a book and a cup of coffee! I completely love this bed. I can't think of a single criticism! The design won't be to everyone's taste, but if you do like the look of it I'm sure you won't find a better one, certainly not in this price range. Matching items are available - I have a bedside table and dressing table mirror. There is also a wall mirror and I have seen a wardrobe (metal framed with fabric cover) and cabinet/dressing tables that may not be exactly the same range but would go very well.

I've had this bed over a year now, and can't fault it at all.


From www.ikea.com:

Key features
Space under the bed can be utilised with our bed storage boxes.
Designer:
IKEA of Sweden
Assembled size
Length: 210 cm
Width: 147 cm
Footboard height: 103 cm
Headboard height: 143 cm
Mattress length: 200 cm
Mattress width: 140 cm

This product requires assembly

Good to know:
SKORVA midbeam keeps your mattress in place and secures the cross-braces. It is included in the price, but is packaged separately.
Slatted bed base, mattress and bedlinen are sold separately.

Care instructions
Wipe clean with a cloth damped in a mild cleaner.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Head and footboard/ bed sides:
Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating
Midbeam:
Galvanised steel

Summary: What a bargain!