Buying a New Bed – Some Helpful Tips

Buying a new bed should be a long-term investment, yet the Australian furniture market is crowded with options that prioritise low cost and clever marketing over genuine quality. From bargain-basement imports sold online to overpriced beds from large bedding retailers, it can be difficult to separate value from hype. Unless you see the Australian Made logo, you can safely assume the bed itself has been manufactured overseas, even if the company promotes itself as Australian owned.

Many imported beds are made from rubberwood or rainforest timbers, selected for price rather than strength or sustainability. The environmental impact of these materials is significant, and the resulting products are often short-lived. Another common shortcut is the use of plywood slats, which may look acceptable at first but rarely provide long-term support.

Beds with split side rails should also raise concerns. These designs exist to reduce freight costs, not to improve strength. They’re usually easy to spot, relying on a support leg halfway along the side rail to compensate for weaker construction. Over time, this can lead to flexing, movement and unwanted noise.

High prices don’t always equal high quality. Some heavily advertised online brands use very “Australian-sounding” names while manufacturing offshore. Even at a premium price, these products can still fall short of expectations.

At Australian Furniture Makers, we build real furniture in our modern Ballarat factory. Our beds are constructed using solid timber bed slats, super-strong side rails, and heavy-duty Maxilock bed fittings to ensure long-lasting strength and stability. Every bed is backed by a 5-year structural warranty, giving you complete peace of mind.

Many of our products — including bed heads, bed ends, bedsides and storage drawers — are delivered fully assembled, not flat-packed. We also deliver our own furniture, ensuring it arrives in pristine condition. Our delivery area includes Ballarat, Melbourne, Geelong, Adelaide and many Victorian regional areas. If your postcode isn’t recognised, please contact us for further information.