The time comes for all of us to buy a new bed.
Most of us spend almost a third of our lives sleeping. A huge portion of our lives are spent in bed.
Because of this, the Sleep Foundation recommends that we buy a new mattress every six to eight years.
That’s a lot more frequently than most people replace their mattresses, but it’s wise for your overall health. Old mattresses can break down over time and don’t offer your body the support that it needs.
The right mattress is important, but the right bed frame is important, too. You want a bed that can support your body every night, first and foremost, but you may also want to find a bed that has other features like shelves on the headboard or under bed storage.
If you’re thinking about buying a bed, good for you. There’s a lot to think about. Read on to learn more about getting the right bed for you.
How to Choose a Great Mattress
When it comes to buying a bed, the first decision you need to make is the mattress. A new mattress will literally change your life. You’ll sleep better and longer and your body will feel great, too. But, when you go to a mattress store, there are so many options from which to choose. How can one go about selecting the best mattress for their needs?
The first thing you need to decide is how big you want your new bed to be. Most people are familiar with the names for the different bed sizes, but they may not know what those sizes mean.
Size
This bed sizes chart will be helpful to you on your mission. If you sleep alone, you may only need a twin or full bed. However, if you share your bed with someone else, you’re almost definitely going to want something larger. Don’t forget to consider the amount of space in your bedroom as well. You may want the biggest bed you can find, but that may not be practical when you get it home.
Type
You should also consider mattress type. There are a number of different options in this realm, and the decision is very personal. There are foam mattresses, innerspring mattresses, and hybrid mattresses which combine the two. You can also buy latex mattresses or airbeds in which the firmness can be adjusted from night to night through inflation.
Price
You’ll also want to consider the price. Mattresses come at a wide variety of price points based on various factors including materials, type, size, and brand. It’s unwise to buy the cheapest mattress available – it won’t last long – but you don’t need to buy the most expensive mattress on the market either. Consider your budget and land somewhere in the middle; choose the best mattress that you can actually afford.
Try Before You Buy
Although mattresses-by-mail are becoming more and more popular these days, it’s wise to buy your bed from a mattress showroom so you can actually try out the mattress before you buy. Online mattress sellers all offer free return shipping, but the returns can be a hassle, which means you may end up settling for a new bed that you don’t actually want. Instead, visit a mattress dealer and try out a number of options until you find the perfect one for you.
How to Find the Best New Bed for You
Once you have chosen a mattress, it’s time to move on to selecting a bed frame. This choice is much more important than many think. You want a bed frame that is the proper size for your mattress and that can offer the support that you need.
A bed is made up of several different components and each of them deserves attention. Will your new bed come fully assembled or will you have to put it together? How far off the floor will it be once the mattress is added? Does the bed come with a headboard? Are their shelves built into the headboard? Is there under bed storage space or drawers?
Storage
If your room or home is small, you can greatly increase your storage space by choosing a bed that has storage options. The type of storage options and the space that they provide can vary drastically from design to design. Be sure to open all the compartments and take time to think about what you might keep in them.
Headboard
A simple headboard can really add to the overall look of your bedroom. Some are large and ornate; others are small and almost invisible. You’ll want to choose one that matches your bedroom decor or one that can be easily changed if you decide to redecorate.
Height
The height of the bed is also important. Some people may struggle to get in and out of a bed that is high off the floor, so keep that in mind when shopping. The demonstration mattress on the bed may be shorter than the mattress you chose so be sure to take that into account as well.
Type
There are also so many different types of beds to choose from. Do you want a traditional type of bed that includes box springs or would you prefer a platform type of bed? Canopy beds are most commonly used by children these days, but they are making a comeback for adults, too. Sleigh beds offer beautiful and comfortable design. When it comes to bed type, the choice is yours, and much of this decision is simply dependent on personal taste.
Happy New Bed Shopping
Shopping for a new bed is fun and exciting. It may seem like a large, complicated undertaking at first, but if you know what to look for when shopping for both the mattress and the bed frame, it can be an enjoyable adventure. It’s likely that you will spend a great deal of money on this shopping trip, but never forget how important this choice will be. Choosing the right bed will change your life for the better in a number of ways, and you’ll almost certainly wonder why you didn’t buy a new bed sooner. Good luck!
If you want to read more great posts about interior design and making your home a beautiful sanctuary for you and your loved ones, then check out the Interior Design Archives section of our site. You’ll find a lot of helpful information and inspiration there and we look forward to sharing it with you!