Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Spacious, loads of storage, high up, great colour |
| Disadvantages: |
Difficult to put together |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
::MY EXPERIENCE::
For the past two weeks, I have been spending nights, wrestling with myself, trying to get to sleep on a creaky little fold-away bed, with no more than a flat pillow and a crotty sleeping bag. It seemed like I had been waiting for the arrival of my new bed for a lot longer that a fortnight, and when it finally arrived early morning, I was so releaved! Not all was perfect thought!
First of all, the bed itself had to be put together. And being the complicated style that it is, this was not an easy task! I decided to keep out of the way while my elders carted the sections up the stairs, piece by piece. It seemed to be a steady journey over in the van, as the only mark on the wood was a tiny scratch on one of the side sections, so it's not as if anybody was going to notice this almost-invisible scar!
With every drawer, plank and side in the
bedroom, it was time for the real grafting to begin...with me hidden well away in the living room!
I could hear the work going on from downstairs, I was sure the ceiling was going to cave in (but luckily it didn't!). I so badly wanted to go and see how it was coming along, but I didn't dare attempt it, too much fuss for me! And after about four hours, my new bed was finally ready! Climbing up the stairs, and entering my bedroom, cauciously, I saw my bed standing in front of me. Oh god. It was so bigger, chunkier, than I had imagined! It appeared to be a lot taller than stated, and it towered above me (ok, Im a small person, but that's beyond the point!). I 'stroked' the wood on the side. It was so smooth and fresh! I love pine, it's always been a favourite of mine!
I studied each section of the bed carefully. First of all, the wardrobe. Just by the size of the door, it was obviously going to be quite small. The door itself was a pretty little shade of pale pink, very girlie! It was quite stiff, but I image it will slacken off over time! Inside, there was a single rail, and it was not too spacious in depth. I guess it is a practical place to keep my uniform and perhaps my jackets, so they are separate from my everyday clothes! And at a stretch, I could pile in a few pairs of shoes! Unfortunately, this was no magic wardrobe, with a hidden world at the back.
Moving on, I decided to explore the three drawers. Again, the front of each were that splendid pink shade, making it just that little bit more special! I gripped the shiny silver handle and slided out the first drawer, then the second, then the third. They were not too heavy, and slid out quite smoothly. The depth of the drawer is quite good, just big enough to stand up a DVD on its side with the spine showing. But I shant be keeping DVDs in it, but my pyjamas (oh how I adore my new Doctor Who ones! ).
After my exploration with the drawers, I stood up and stared at the cupboard above them, again with the pink door! How deep was it I wondered? Was there shelves inside? There was only one way to find out! Carefully pulling back the door (as with the wardrobe door, it was quite stiff), I revealed what was inside. There was no shelves. It was just a hollow cupboard. It was rather deep though, and very spacious! It seems like the perfect place to store a few books and folders, up out of the reach of my siblings' little fingers! I think I'll attatch a child-lock, just in case!
At the far end of the bed, there is a section which is built specifically for computers, with a pull-out plank for a keyboard. There's a circular hole on the top panel where the monitor would go, to slide down the wires. Practical thinking with the manufacturing there! The gap between that section, and the pull-out bit underneath is quite big, so not only can you fit a keyboard on it, but I suppose speakers could go on too, or anything else for that matter! But I'm an awkward person, I like to be different. So I am not going to use this section for a computer! The pull-out bit, I haven't decided its purpose yet, but the upper section is quite large, it makes a fantastic display piece. All my ornaments can be stored on there now, and a few photo frames too (complete with photos!). That was just what I needed, as I have little shelf space on my walls!
Now for the last part of the bed, how to get on top! The steps are attached to the bed, running up the middle, rather than sticking out a bit like a ladder. They are quite easy to climb up and down, but I never use the very top one, it seems far too high! They are quite shiny, whether that is because they are new, or they have been made like that, so clambering down in the dark with bed socks on may not be a sensible idea!
On top, it is amazing! Because it is high up, my sister and brother can't get on it (or if they do, they know I'll flip!) so it's like my own special space, my world! Now I can have fluffy pillows and little teddies (!) without them getting sticky or thrown about (ooh there's a thought, I can get that Playboy fleece throw now!). The sides are quite high too, so when I lie down I cannot see over them! Splendid.
But the best is not over! If you leave a slight gap between the bed and the wall, you can sneak in behind. This would be weird if the bed was solid, but thankfully it's not! There is so much space at the back of the bed! It can be used for storage, or as a secret hideout (for younger kids of course, not myself!) I was truly amazed when I discovered this part!
Last night I slept in the bed for the first time, and what a fantastic snooze it was!
::THE BED ITSELF::
We ordered the 'mid sleeper' bed in pink, from Choice catalogue. I seem to have an addiction to catalogues, I'm forever browsing through them! And the fact that you can pay in installments is simply marvelous! So when I needed a new bed, I jumped straight to the catalogue and flicked through the pages. This pretty in pink bed stood out on the page, drawing me closer in. This was definitely the bed for me!
It was priced at £199, not bad for a bed AND all that storage space! (though NOW I have bought it, it's went down to £169. Typical.) So we ordered the bed, and there was nothing left to do but wait.
Measurements...
Height 150cm
Width 95cm
Length 194cm
We did measure this out to make sure it fitted, but it just seems so much bigger when it is built up!
In the catalogue, it did not say anything about a mattress. We looked at a few of the other beds, and some said 'mattress needed', others said 'mattress included'. The description for my bed, a mattress was not mentioned at all. So we assumed it would be given with it.
The day the mattress was due, I checked the status online to make sure everything was in order, no problems. Then I noticed something. It said 'mattress not included'.
How stupid is that?! They should have said so in the catalogue. I mean, what if you did not have access to a computer or anything to view it online?! This was a bit unfair! Nevertheless, we purchased a mattress elsewhere! Most certainly not from Choice!
Ok, you may think that since the bed is pink, it aint suited to you! Fortunately, it comes in a dark blue colour too! And if the silver handles would clash in your all-wood bedrooms, you also get bun-head handles in the wood included, so you have even more choice!
If you wanted more than just a bed, in the same range you can also find various other pink and blue furniture pieces for your bedroom; wardrobes, drawers, toy box, desk, bedside cabinet.
I'm hoping to improve my bedroom at a later date, with the wardrobe, drawers and the desk! Fingers crossed they will go down in price too when it comes round to purchasing!
*****
Now my bed is all finished, and it is perfect! I have my brand new pink duvet cover with the cat on (I think it's from the RachaelHale range), and when I go shopping later today, I think I'll hunt for some new pink cushions!
I would recommend this bed to anybody, mostly younger people though. It is not suitable for anybody under the age of six, apparently! I'd say it's best for teenagers, and anybody with a small bedroom and lack of storage space!
For what you get, it's not expensive! Perhaps there is a downside when it comes to constructing it though, as my mam said the plans were extremely difficult to read, even for my Grandad, who used to be a builder!
So, if you are prepared to fight with the nails and the screwdriver to built up this bed, you can have somewhere perfect to sleep, and store all your belongings. Create your own world on this brilliant bed, just like I did!
Display pictures
