The room is quite small, so I would not choose a "bed". Buy a mattress/spring/frame. (Takes up much less space and will not overpower the room.) Choose an object to hang on the wall to be used as a headboard. I have used large metal art, old metal pieces, wood carvings, wood lattice, two large framed pictures. It is limitless. Then choose your bedding, and window treatments (be sure if drapes, they go to the floor) don't use the entire space for a bed.

These are the timber beds I like...

Fargo (but in a lighter timber which is available)

Sanyo
AAgain in a light timber (which is available). Both beds are very similiar!

This is the one I love, but is out of my price range :(
Raveo


So any ideas for a bed would be much appreciated.

Look at the size of the rooms in the photos..much larger than yours.

Try using blue painter tape to tape out the size of a full/double or queen mattress. Add whatever space the upholstered beds have in plain vanilla masking tape. Take photos again. You might look at a timber-finish headboard that is constructed with attached side drawers to serve as nightstands.

yes, they are, but I'm not sure how much less space a divan base (I presume that is what you mean by mattress/spring/frame) is going to take up. I also generally prefer beds over divans. The fargo and sanyo beds do not have a big footprint, whereas the Orla (the upholstered) is a bigger I agree. I have already chosen bed linen (see second pic) and yes, curtains will go to the floor - the ones in the room are left over from the previous owners

No..a bed with no headboard or footboard..just on a frame.

I would definitely NOT get a footboard. Think bed frame and headboard. Fabric rather than wood to keep things soft and inviting. Also, because your bedroom isn't huge, I'd opt for solid color bedding to give the appearance of a larger room. I'd also reconsider having an accent wall. Opt for the same color on all the walls to open the room up. A lighter gray on all the walls would be nice. Keep the colors in your room all neutral - spa like. Only accents can be bolder. Take a good look at your pictures you like. All neutral. Then add mirrored or glass items as below for light reflection and some pizzaz.

IKEA has interesting options of beds without head boards that sit on a platform where you can put baskets into cubbies or cabinets. At least check them for ideas. To save money and if you are handy, build your own platform for bed.

I would consider buying a daybed which has open iron work on the back & sides that is twin size, with a trundle twin underneath to pull out & pop up. That way you can use the room for a single person, for a study for yourself or for two people when the need arises. Pick a very light colored daybed coverlet. (you may actually need to get a full size so the trundle is obscured.) Line the back & sides with pillows & bolsters to use as a sofa. Have a little round bedside table with a lamp on it sitting about 6 inches in front of it to one side.

Hang a narrow vertical mirror to bring in light from the window only hang it horizontally with a print on each side of the mirror. Use either woven blinds or a Roman shade on the window.

If you go with a daybed, you can get a small desk & upholstered chair to place in the room.

I like the idea of a daybed, but i think this is something I will do in the room I have downstairs. I also have another room upstairs still to do which I plan to have twin beds in it so for this room I want to have a double bed in it.

I would consider painting it all a light grey, but I'd rather try and put it together with the darker wall first. Although the pictures linked about are all a neutral palatte, none of them actually scream out to me 'I love this', it was rather just that I liked the style of the beds rather than the room. This is the linen I have for the room so it is essentially a block colour.

I'll go and have a look at upholstered bed heads/bases. What colour(s) should I be considering - I presume it's going to have to be light, but something that will work with white (so probably not cream)

Any headboard that is neutral. Light gray, dark gray, linen-look. You don't need a base unless you're entertaining a platform bed. A simple frame and headboard should suffice. You can consider a nightstand/mirror/art/lamps etc once you decide on your final wall color and headboard.

an arrangement like this would look nice with the fabrics and colours you are considering.

ref pic

The mirror will help to reflect light in the small space

the wall lamps will free up space for a dresser for clothing.

Also floor to ceiling and wall to wall curtains will open up the space and make it appear larger.

@Barbara, sorry, i think i'm getting confused with terms so i just want to check that we're on the same page. What do you mean by base / platform bed? By frame do you mean like this one (i would never buy this, just an example! )

I would have called that a base and the photos i posted above frames!

If you used a bookcase headboard you would have less need for nightstands, and could just use wall sconces or hanging lamps for bedside lights. I had one as a child (1970's) but I don't think they are very popular anymore.

Why not consider a Murphy bed for this room :)

I recently bought a small inn that we are converting into our personal home. I'm keeping 3 rooms as guest rooms for visiting family/friends ( we live in a tourist area), so I've been busy redecorating them. In the smallest room I painted the walls a darker color and put in a Q bed without a headboard or footboard. You don't need a Dresser in a guest room, which frees up plenty of space for a queen bed in a small bedroom. I layered 2 sets of large bed pillows, propped up, in lieu of a headboard. It looks great, and is quite cozy!
I do love an upholstered headboard, they give a calm, classy appearance to a room.
Since we have LOTS of visitors, I've learned a thing or 2 about guest rooms. A desk is not needed, but a chair is appreciated for putting on shoes and things like that. A dresser just takes up too much space, but a sofa table type thing gives a much needed horizontal surface (for their keys, wallet, phone, etc...) without taking up much space. Always have a space in the closet with some empty hangers for them to use. When I visit out of town family the guest room closets are always jammed packed with no available hangers and the rooms are always "decorated" with figurines, framed pics, candles, potpourri (just cast-off junk, really).
A bed, nightstand with lamp, and another horizontal surface are all that is needed or wanted! I provide each guest room with a laundry type basket of extra towels, and an extra blanket upon their arrival.
If possible, install a ceiling fan above the bed. Guests love that and it provides cooling comfort if needed.

IKEA has many option for you

First picture is a bed on a frame with no headboard.
Second picture is a platform bed.
Third picture is a bed in a small room with an accent wall like you want (although different colors) with a simple headboard and NO footboard.

Oh, and the first two pictures use wall hangings as the "headboards". And with a dark accent wall behind your bed, something like that, or the third picture, would work for you.

inspiration

inspiration

Thanks Barbara, that makes things clear now. I don't think I've ever seen a bed frame like the last pic here (Ireland) before which probably added to my confusion!

ahhh now I understand why you were confused. I'd be lost in Ireland, I'm sure, lol Always fun to learn new things!

I was in the paint shop today to get paint for a different bedroom I need to paint. Paint was on special and it was the same price to buy 2 x 2.5L tins as it would have been to buy just the one 2.5L tin I needed - so I walked out with a can of Dulux Dapple Gray and I'll be repainting this room all in the light gray.

Check out Wayfair or AllModern.com
I found these on the site but there are many options on both sites and price points which you can choose from.
The site has full descriptions and reviews which you should read before ordering. If there are any issues after purchase the company will make it right with you.
You do have to assemble items but that is why the prices are so reasonable. None of the beds below require a box spring (platform beds) which will save you money as well.

Baxton Studio Elizabeth Pearlized Almond Platform Bed

http://www.allmodern.com/Wholesale-Interiors-Baxton-Studio-
Elizabeth-Pearlized-Almond-Platform-Bed-

http://www.wayfair.com/Kingstown-Home-Mackenna-Wingback-Bed-88315B-KMDS1506.html

Savoy Viceroy Upholstered Wingback Bed

http://www.wayfair.com/DG-Casa-Savoy-Viceroy-Wingback-Bed-DGA1221.html

Take it from me. We live in a small mobile home with a small guest room. The one thing you don't want is something with a footboard. It's a shin-getter and takes up too much room trying to walk around it. It also makes the space look smaller. Choose a flat type headboard that fits up against the wall.

No footboard for a guest room bed. Tall guests will thank you for not having one!