A teak wood bed design is the bed most Indian families hope to keep for a lifetime. Teak, known as sagwan in Hindi and segun in Bengal and Assam, is oily, stable and resists termites well.
This gallery has 12 teak bed design ideas: simple frames, modern sagwan wood bed design looks, head box and storage beds, and carved royal styles. Each picture lists size, finish and a carpenter note. We also show you how to judge real teak so you are not sold sapwood or a cheaper wood with a dark stain.
Want more storage ideas in the same wood? See our head box bed page.
Simple Sagwan Bed Design for Daily Use
Plain sagwan lets the golden grain do the work. These frames are what a careful carpenter builds when the wood is good enough to show.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, clear melamine
- StorageNone, open legs
The headboard is one wide panel chosen for its grain. Clear melamine keeps the golden brown colour of the teak.
Tell your carpenterPick the headboard board yourself at the timber yard and ask for heartwood with no pale sapwood strips.
- SizeDouble 48 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, satin PU
- StorageNone, open legs
Rounded rails and a soft curve on the headboard feel smooth to touch. It is a good teak bed for a room shared with small children.
Tell your carpenterAsk for all rail edges rounded to a half inch radius and the curve cut before polishing.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, honey melamine
- StorageNone, open legs
A slim teak frame on short legs keeps the guest room uncluttered. Teak holds its shape, so it stays square even when used once a month.
Tell your carpenterShort legs of 6 inches with a 10 inch rail give a sitting height near 20 inches with a 6 inch mattress.
Teak Wood Bed Design Latest: Modern Sagwan Looks
Teak takes a matte finish well, which is why it is the top pick for a modern sagwan bed design. Keep the lines clean and let one detail lead. Our modern wooden beds page shows more styles.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, matte PU
- StorageLift-up box
Fluted teak strips across the headboard catch light from the window. The matte PU makes it look current, not shiny.
Tell your carpenterAsk for fluting cut in solid teak strips glued to a 12 mm ply back, then sealed all round.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, cane, natural PU
- StorageNone, open legs
A woven cane insert in a teak frame looks light and breathes in humid weather. The low base gives it a relaxed, lounge feel.
Tell your carpenterFit the cane in a groove with a bead; then old cane comes out and fresh cane goes in quickly.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak veneer, satin PU
- StorageLift-up box
The headboard runs across the wall and carries two floating side tables. There are no legs to mop around.
Tell your carpenterAnchor the long headboard to the wall with hidden brackets so the side tables can take weight.
Teak Wood Head Box Bed Design and Box Storage
Box beds in teak last for decades because teak does not swell much in monsoon. Ask for teak on the visible parts and MR plywood inside the box to keep the cost sensible. See also segun wood box beds.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, walnut melamine
- StorageHead box shelves
The head box has two sliding shutters and an open shelf in the middle. Books, medicines and chargers stay within reach.
Tell your carpenterKeep the head box 9 to 10 inches deep, or the pillows push too far down the bed.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak and ply, PU
- StorageHydraulic lift
Gas pistons raise the top to reveal a full storage box. Teak sides and plywood inside keep the bed strong and the weight in check.
Tell your carpenterPick pistons rated for this lid's weight, and check if the shop's figure covers one piston or the pair.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildTeak, honey PU
- Storage4 side drawers
Four drawers on the sides mean you do not have to lift the mattress to get things out. It suits a home where elders use the bed.
Tell your carpenterUse full extension soft-close channels and solid teak drawer fronts with ply drawer boxes.
Carved Teak and Maharaja Bed Design Sagwan Style
Teak carves cleanly, so it is a favourite for royal and wedding beds. Light carving costs far less than full carving, so decide how much you want before asking for a quote. For bigger royal frames, see maharaja beds.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, dark walnut
- StorageLift-up box
A single carved floral band along the top of the headboard adds detail without making the bed heavy to dust.
Tell your carpenterAsk for the carved band as a separate strip fixed on, so it can be polished easily.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, gold shade polish
- StorageLift-up box
A tall crown, carved posts and a box base make this a statement bed for a large master bedroom. It needs at least 12 ft of wall width.
Tell your carpenterCheck the room height. A crown headboard of 6 ft needs at least 9 ft of ceiling.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak, natural PU
- StorageLift-up box
Carved vines on the base panels match a lighter carving on the headboard. The box gives full storage under the mattress.
Tell your carpenterAsk for carving at least 6 mm deep so it still shows after two coats of polish.
How to Judge Real Teak in a Shop or Timber Yard
Teak is called sagwan in Hindi and segun in Bengal and Assam. It is one wood with three names, so do not pay extra for a name. Check these things:
- Colour: good heartwood is golden to medium brown. Pale strips at the edge are sapwood and are weaker.
- Feel: teak feels slightly oily or waxy when you rub a cut face. This oil helps it resist termites.
- Grain: look for even, mostly straight grain without large knots or cracks.
- Dry wood: ask whether the wood is seasoned. Wet wood shrinks later and joints open.
- Treatment: even teak should be treated against termites before polish.
Teak from older, slow grown trees usually has more oil and deeper colour than young plantation teak. Ask the yard where the wood came from and how old the logs were.
Teak Compared with Other Bed Woods
| Wood | Stability in monsoon | Termite resistance | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teak (sagwan) | Very good | Good, natural oils | Golden brown |
| Sheesham | Good when seasoned | Good after treatment | Brown with dark streaks |
| Mango wood | Fair | Needs treatment | Light, mixed grain |
| Rubberwood | Fair | Needs treatment | Pale, even |
Plywood and laminate are covered on the wooden bed design hub.
Looking After a Teak Bed
Dust with a soft dry cloth. Do not use a wet cloth on polished teak, as water marks can turn white. Keep the bed a few inches off damp walls in the rainy season. Once in a few years, a carpenter can sand lightly and repolish the bed so it looks new again. Tighten the bed bolts once a year to stop creaks.
Questions people ask
Is sagwan the same as teak wood?
Yes. Sagwan is the Hindi name for teak, and segun is the name used in Bengal and Assam. All three mean the same wood.
Why is a teak wood bed design costlier than other wood?
Teak grows slowly and is in high demand because it is stable, oily and resists termites. Good heartwood with even grain costs the most, and carving adds labour on top.
What is the latest sagwan bed design?
Right now people are picking fluted or cane teak headboards with matte PU, low frames and headboards that run across the wall with floating side tables. Light carving on a single band is also popular.
Can a teak wood bed design have a box and drawers?
Yes. Most teak box beds use teak for the headboard, legs and outer panels, and MR plywood for the box floor and top board. This keeps the bed strong and the weight manageable.
How do I know my carpenter used real teak?
Ask to see the wood before it is cut and look for the oily feel and golden colour. Pale strips are sapwood. Keep one small offcut so you can compare it with the finished bed.
Does a sagwan double bed design need polish?
It needs some finish to keep dust and moisture out. Melamine polish is common, and PU is harder. A clear finish shows the golden grain best.