Choosing a bed.

It is estimated that you spend a third of your life in bed and that sleeping in an uncomfortable one is equal to losing 1 hours sleep at night. So a bed is an important purchase and care must be taken to get the right one for you.

A few things to consider when choosing a bed:

Size

Beds come in a number of sizes:

Single - 36" wide x 75" long
Double - 54" wide x 75" long
King - 60" wide x 78" long
Super King - 72" wide x 78" long

Which size you get depends on what you want it for, what build you are and what space you have available. Measure up floor space carefully so that you know how much space you have available.

Type

The three main types of bed are:

Divan - are essentially bases for mattresses and either have springs which allow the mattress to adapt to the body's contours, or a solid top which provides firmer support. Many divans have drawers to provide additional storage. In addition to the divan you will also need to purchase a headboard.
Bedstead - again these are bases for a mattress and are more decorative than divans. They can provide a definite classic or contemporary look to your bedroom. A 'bowed slat' (or 'sprung slat') bedstead will give more cushioned support than 'solid slat'.
Sofa-bed - are sofas that fold out into a bed and are generally used to provide extra bedspace in rooms with multiple purpose.

Support

The main support is provided by the mattress which may come with the bed or be a seperate purchase. If you need help then read our article on choosing a mattress.

Style

The decision to make here is whether to co-ordinate or contrast with your other items of bedroom furniture.

Budget

How much money do you have available and what would you like to spend. It is sensible to spend as much as you can to get the right quality, particularly when purchasing a mattress.