How To Choose The Right Bed

Did you know that the average person spends a third of their lives in bed? That could potentially be 200,000 hours or more! Because it's such a significant amount of time, you'll want to make sure that you choose the right bed for you and your mattress!

Investing in the correct foundation can noticeably improve your quality of sleep and overall well-being, which is why choosing the correct bed is more important than you might initially think.

Your bed also needs to be an appropriate style and size for the room it is placed in, making it a place that you'll want to spend a lot of time in!

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Still, with so many sizes and styles to choose from, it's worth taking some time to think about what you really want...and need. Which bed would best suit both you and your bedroom? Well, EZ Living Furniture has put together a comprehensive guide to help you decide on the one that will enhance both your comfort and your interior.

Top 10 Bed Types

1. Sleigh beds

2. Sofa beds

3. 4 Poster beds

4. Bunk beds

5. Triple sleepers

6. Divans

7. Ottoman beds

8. Day beds

9. High sleepers

10. Trundle beds

Sleigh Beds

Aptly named, a sleigh bed typically refers to a bed with an attached headboard and footboard, which are both usually curled inward (or scrolled) - hence the sleigh reference. A sleigh bed features a design that will instantly lend a touch of drama to any bedroom. Boasting incredible visual impact, it would be an impressive centrepiece for any space. Something worth noting, though, if you are a tall person, a bed with a footboard might not be the best choice for you, because it can impact your sleep position and leave you unable to fully extend.

Sofa Beds

If your home is tight on space, and a spare bedroom seems like a pipe dream, a sofa bed could be the perfect solution. A sofa bed will enable you to create a versatile living space - sofa by day, bed by night! Should the occasion arise where you need to accommodate guests overnight, they easily transform into a comfortable bed. Sofa beds are a great investment and offer impressive comfort throughout the day and night, and better still, you won't need to compromise on style!

Four-Poster Beds

Four-poster beds bring a sense of grandeur to any home. These beds originally date back to medieval times and were a symbol of both wealth and status...and they still kind of are today! Tall posters served multiple purposes back in the day while providing privacy, insulation, and supporting drapes for added warmth. The height of a four-poster bed was a practical feature because rooms were often cold and drafty, so the added height helped to keep sleepers warm. Now, these beds are available in both traditional and contemporary designs, and while they certainly add visual appeal, these eye-catching pieces are not recommended for small rooms with low ceilings as they can come across as overpowering.

Bunk Beds

Like a sofa bed, a bunk bed features two items but with the footprint of only one. Bunk beds are ideal for smaller kids’ bedrooms because they fill vertical space rather than floor space. This opens up a room, allowing for better utilisation of the extra available space.

The additional floor space could be used as a play area or for storage, like desks, chests and other furniture. And when children get older, most bunk beds can be separated into two single beds.

Triple Sleepers

Bunk beds are available in a variety of styles. A traditional bunk bed typically features two single beds, with one on top of the other; however, there is also something known as a triple sleeper. Triple sleepers are bunk beds, but with a twist. Usually, a double or small double bed sits on the floor while a single bed sits overhead. These are perfect if you need to accommodate three children in the same bedroom, or if a visiting guest needs to share with a permanent resident of the home.

Divan Beds

Divan beds are simply an upholstered shallow base on which to place your mattress. These strong wooden boxes are often split in two for greater manoeuvrability. Divan beds are a great option for small bedrooms as they tend to be narrower when compared to a typical bed frame. A standard bed frame design surrounds the mattress, meaning they are usually wider. Divan bases can usually be purchased with a matching headboard, but there is also an option to pair your divan with a contrasting headboard.

Also read: The ULTIMATE mattress buying guide (TIPS & TRICKS included)

Ottoman Beds

Ottoman beds are a great option for small bedrooms lacking essential storage. In an ideal world, every bedroom would have a wardrobe, chest of drawers, and bedside lockers, but sometimes, it simply isn't possible to accommodate all of it, particularly when the bedroom in question is small.

It can be hard to incorporate all of the storage you need into your home. An ottoman or storage bed offers valuable space beneath to tidy away linens, clothing or anything that you can’t squeeze into your cupboards. Typically, the storage underneath can be accessed using handles, which, once lifted, initiate gas struts to assist you with the lifting/weight.

Daybeds

Daybeds can sometimes be confused with sofa beds, but there is a difference, we swear! A daybed features head ends and foot ends; a sofa bed or futon usually won't. These handy hybrids instantly create a multipurpose room and would be perfect for studio apartments, student accommodation, children's bedrooms, studies, and even a spare bedroom. Like a sofa bed, a daybed provides stylish seating by day and a comfortable sleep surface by night.

High Sleepers

High sleepers are essentially a bunk bed without the bottom bunk. This raised bed with bare space underneath allows those with a small bedroom to maximise the use of their space. This area is perfect for anyone with a small bedroom, but particularly children, where you could create a dedicated study zone or play area. This is a bed that grows with a child, too, because when they hit their teenage years, this available space could also be transformed into their own chill-out zone or used for storage.

Interesting Read: Top tips to make your mattress last longer

Trundle Beds

Trundle beds are single beds that feature another pull-out bed underneath. The mattress with a base underneath usually has wheels so it can be pulled out or pushed in easily. This bed type would be an excellent investment for a child who regularly has sleepovers because a trundle enables a parent to magic up a spare bed in an instant!

10 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Bed

1. Size

2. Storage

3. Style

4. Material

5. Budget

6. Headboard

7. Footboard

8. Weight the bed can take

9. Height of the bed

10. Mattress

Size Matters

As the size of your bed could impact your comfort, it is tempting to choose the biggest bed that you can squeeze into the space. But don't forget, you might also need to accommodate a wardrobe, chests, lockers and more too! That super king-size bed that you dreamed of could completely take over the room, making moving around difficult, and leaving no remaining space for the storage you need. To avoid this, mark out the footprint of the bed where you wish to position it using newspaper. You can then decide whether a single, small double, double, queen-size, king-size or super king-size bed would be the best choice for your individual space.

Storage Matters Too

If you are working with a small bedroom, then it's likely that you'll need to utilise hidden storage, rather than typical bedroom storage solutions. You'll need to consider a bed like an Ottoman, a daybed or perhaps a divan with storage drawers?

Ask yourself this - does your bedroom always feel cluttered? Would it be possible to accommodate another chest? If your bedroom is a mess and another piece of furniture isn’t an option, an appropriate bed could provide the solution to your storage issue.

A Style That Suits Your Space

Whether you are simply investing in a new bed or you are treating your bedroom to a complete makeover, the style of the bed you choose will be a major consideration for many. Would a contemporary piece complement your décor, or do you favour a more traditional look? Would you prefer a homely feel, a touch of drama, impressive grandeur or chic simplicity?

Material Questions

While it might not be your first consideration, it's important to think about the impact of colour and texture on your room. Do you adore the sumptuous feel of luxurious velvet, the gorgeous grain of solid oak or the chic simplicity of contemporary fabric? And will it work in the room you plan to place it in? Will it blend cohesively into your space or stand out like a sore thumb? Another consideration, of course, is your bed linen, which will need to work with your bed's material and the paint colour you've chosen for your walls.

Should You Bust Your Budget?

When it comes to any project, it's best to establish your budget at the outset. If you are completely revamping your room, think about what portion of your budget you should dedicate to your bed. If your preferred bed is annoyingly over your budget, consider what compromises you could make elsewhere. It might be worth stretching your budget a little, given that your bed is such an important purchase and one which will serve you for many years.

Heavenly Headboards

An appropriate headboard can bring a little drama to your interior and ensure your bed is the focal point of the room. However, a very high headboard can make low ceilings feel even lower, and a colourful, ornate or quirky headboard can dominate a room. But it's all about personal taste and the style you are hoping to incorporate.

Quick Read: TIPS on how to decorate your bedroom the best way

Fabulous Footboards

Some bed frames, like sleigh beds, feature footboards. These finishing touches can be incredibly stylish and can create a striking bed design that creates a statement piece for your bedroom. Of course, footboards can be problematic if you are tall, so if you are unsure as to whether a footboard would work, place a large piece of cardboard or an old door at the foot of your existing bed to see how a footboard might feel in the space.

Weighty Issues

Take into consideration the weight that you expect the bed to support. Not only does the bed frame have to provide countless hours of peaceful sleep to those who lie on it, but it also needs to be able to take the weight of the mattress too!

A Head for Height

Bed bases vary in height, and this could influence your choice. Do you find it difficult to climb into a higher bed? Are you prone to falling out of bed? Do you sleepwalk? Would you find it difficult to lift a mattress onto a higher bed? A lower style could be a safer and more practical option, while a higher bed would better suit larger spaces. And don’t forget your bedside lockers and nightstands that might be quite a bit lower than the bed height. If you are reaching out in order to place your device or book into your locker, moments before falling asleep, it may be difficult if you cannot actually see the top of the bedside table.

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Marvellous Mattresses

Restful sleep is vital to your health and well-being. While a stylish bed frame will lift your spirits and enhance your home, it is your mattress that will ultimately dictate how well you sleep. Do you require a firm, medium or soft mattress? Would you benefit from memory foam for pressure relief? Do you need a temperature-regulating style to remain comfortable throughout the year? The extensive EZ Living Furniture range offers mattresses boasting all of the features that you need to sleep soundly, night after night.

Final Thoughts

There is much to think about before choosing your bed, but it will be time well spent. We hope that our guide will help you to make the right decision. Maybe we have mentioned a few issues that you hadn’t previously considered. Perhaps we have reminded you how important your bed really is. We are confident that you will find the perfect bed at EZ Living Furniture. The one that complements your décor, suits the size of your room and solves a few problems. 

Call into any of our stores nationwide or shop online, and speak to one of our sleep specialists for expert advice and ideas.

Don't "bed" off more than you can chew; use our guide to find a stylish and durable bed frame/base for your home.

If you are a minimalist, read this superb article on minimalist decor ideas

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