Black Friday's coming, and if you've been meaning to replace your child's bed, now might be the time to do it. Perhaps their feet are getting dangerously close to the end of the mattress, or maybe you've had enough of squeezing past the bed to reach the wardrobe every morning.

Whatever has prompted the search, we'd suggest working out exactly what you need before the sales start. At Children's Bed Shop, we have plenty of different beds to choose from, but the cheapest one won't necessarily suit your child or the bedroom.

Check what you're actually saving

You've probably seen those Black Friday offers with enormous discount percentages plastered across the screen on some stores. They certainly catch your eye, but we'd look at the actual price rather than the percentage. Say you've found two similar single beds. One costs £180 after a 40% reduction, while the other costs £160 with just 15% off.

Unless the more expensive bed offers something extra that you need, why pay the additional £20? Check the delivery charges and whether the mattress comes with the frame, too. You don't want to reach the checkout and discover that your bargain costs considerably more than you expected.

Don't buy a bed your child will soon outgrow

This is particularly important if your child is somewhere between a toddler bed and a full sized single bed. We understand why parents like toddler beds. They're low, they're reassuringly small, and they don't take up much room. But if your four year old is already tall for their age, how much longer will they fit comfortably?

A standard single bed might be a better purchase. You could add a suitable bed guard if your child needs one, rather than buying another smaller bed that they'll soon outgrow. At Children's Bed Shop, we offer different sizes and styles, so you can weigh up the options before spending your money.

Get the tape measure out

You'd be surprised how much room a bed actually needs once you add a ladder, some drawers or a desk underneath. Before you order, measure the bedroom and think about how your child uses it. Can they still open the wardrobe, or will the bedroom door catch the corner of the frame? Is there enough room to sit at the desk? The measurements are even more important with mid sleepers and high sleepers. Check the distance between the mattress and ceiling, not just the overall height of the bed.

Think about the mess you want to tackle

If you're forever picking toys off the floor, the Black Friday sales might give you the chance to sort out the storage problem at the same time. A cabin bed with drawers could free up the space currently occupied by a separate chest of drawers. Or perhaps your child needs somewhere to put the building sets, board games and other things that never seem to fit anywhere.

Don't automatically go for the bed with the most storage, though. Think about whether your child can reach the drawers and use them without your help. You'll find several space saving designs at Children's Bed Shop, including beds that make better use of smaller bedrooms.

Take a proper look at the frame

A children's bed has a fairly demanding job to do. Apart from sleeping, your child might use it for reading, playing and building the occasional den. Look at the frame materials, the mattress supports and the manufacturer's instructions. If you're considering bunk beds, have a good look at the guard rails and the ladder. Also, remember that the top bunk isn't suitable for children under six. You'll also need to check the maximum mattress depth so the guard rails can do their job properly.

Remember the mattress and delivery

Does your chosen bed include a mattress? If not, you'll need to allow for that in your budget. Check what size you need, especially if you're buying a toddler bed or a raised bed. With Christmas approaching, don't forget to check the delivery arrangements. Find out when the bed will arrive, whether you'll need to assemble it and what happens if you need to return it.

Have a look before the sales begin

You don't have to wait until Black Friday to decide what you want. In fact, we'd encourage you to browse our range at Children's Bed Shop beforehand. Work out the size, style and storage you need, then you'll know which offers deserve your attention. A good Black Friday purchase isn't simply the bed with the biggest discount; it's the one that makes your child's bedroom work better without stretching your budget.