Sleep Easy – Buy Quality
The centerpiece of any inviting bedroom is the bed. It doesn’t matter how expensive the carpeting and dresser are—it’s the bed that sets the mood and atmosphere of the entire bedroom.
The size of bed that you should put in your bedroom depends on the size of the room and also on the needs of the person or persons who will be sleeping in it. In a smaller bedroom, the choice of mattress size will probably end up as a compromise. You can put a king size bed in a room that’s less than 13 by 13 feet, but to really make a bedroom look its best, a bigger room is needed for a king bed. Nonetheless, if one or both of the sleepers are tall or heavy, then king size may be the only way to go.
King size beds come in several size variations. The standard king size mattress is 76 by 80 inches. The California king is 72 x 84 inches. A super king mattress is 72 x 78 inches, and there’s also a novelty size called the grand king offered by Select Comfort that measures a whopping 80 by 98 inches. All these variations of course take different sheet sizes.
Queen size beds are the size of choice for people with smaller rooms who still need some room to move at night. The queen mattress measures 60 by 80 inches. Simmons makes a novelty size queen bed at 66 by 80 inches.
A full size bed, also called a double bed, measures 53 by 75 inches. For many years, this was the standard size for a couples’ bedroom, while king and queen size beds were an anomaly. In recent years, however, the full size bed has become the standard for people who sleep alone, while couples have gravitated toward the larger size mattresses.
Twin beds, also called a single bed, measure 38 by 75 inches. Single people have moved away from the twin for their sleeping arrangements, and nowadays a twin size bed is most likely to be occupied by a child.
Most mattresses have a thickness ranging from six to 18 inches. Innerspring mattresses are the most common type. These have an outer layer of upholstery that encloses a foundation over an innerspring core. It’s this core that gives the mattress its support for the body of the sleeper and determines how firm the mattress will feel.
Innersprings are made of coiled steel wire. A firmer mattress will have more coils than a softer one. The gauge, or thickness of the steel wire in the coil, also determines how much the mattress gives when someone lies down on it. Coil gauge with a lower number is firmer than coils with a higher number because thinner coils have higher numbers. Thin coils are often gauged at 14, while the thickest coil gauge available is 12.5.
Coils are often connected together with wires to keep them from spreading apart under body weight. Another way to help the mattress keep it shape is to construct it with a pocket to hold each coil. Some different types of coils include Bonnell, Marshall, offset, and continuous. Each has a somewhat different construction pattern.
Not all mattresses are the innerspring type. They can be made of visco-elastic memory foam, a synthetic polyurethane compound that shapes itself to the contours of your body. Organic mattresses made from natural materials are becoming increasingly popular in a health-conscious world. These can include latex mattresses made from natural rubber, and other natural fibers such as cotton and wool.
Most beds give the most comfortable sleeping experience and last longer when placed over a foundation. There are three main types of mattress foundations. Box springs are made of super heavy duty springs encased within a rigid frame. Box springs give the most comfortable sleeping experience for most people, but they can make a mattress sag. A dense block of foam under the coils can prevent this problem. Always buy your mattress and box spring at the same time so they can wear at the same speed.
A wood foundation consists of a series of slats within a frame that provide very firm support beneath the mattress. They’re called “zero deflection” foundations, or sometimes an “ortho box.” Grid foundations use both steel and wood to support the mattress and also create a very firm sleep experience.
Mattresses are covered with upholstery to provide softness and comfort. Upholstery is multi-layered. The insulating layer encases the coils in a layer of mesh or other type of fiber and stabilizes the middle layer, which provides the cushioning. The middle upholstery can be made from any number of different materials, including felt, polyester, cotton, or memory foam. The quilt is the outer layer and is made of softer materials to give the mattress a soft surface. Finally, the ticking is the fabric that encloses the mattress and comes in a variety of colors and styles. Pillow top mattresses consist of extra quilting beneath the top ticking for additional comfort.
A good mattress should last at least a decade to 15 years, and memory foam or latex mattresses should last 15 to 20 years. Many factors can shorten or lengthen the life of a bed, include the weight of the sleeper, moisture, and how well the mattress is maintained.
A mattress lasts longest if placed on a firm base. Rotating a mattress every three months will keep it from developing low spots, and unless it’s a pillow top, it should be flipped twice a year. Avoid bending or folding your mattress, and don’t put excess weight on the handles. Don’t let moisture soak into the mattress if you clean it. The most you should do is use a vacuum or a slightly damp cloth. A mattress protector can make the ticking look good far longer than if you go without one.
When your bed gets uncomfortable, it’s time for an inspection. If you feel springs bulging through the upholstery or see sagging or lumps, it’s time to replace your bed.
Bunk beds are a fantastic way to make the best use of a room’s space. They’re especially good for children’s bedrooms and are attractive additions to rustic décor. It’s important to buy a good quality bunk bed set in order to maximize safety.
Make sure the top bunk has guard rails—not one but two, one on either side. You won’t need guard rails for the lower bunk as long as it’s no more than 30 inches tall.
Futons have been appearing in college settings and small apartments for years, but lately they’ve gone mainstream. They’re modern-looking and stylish, and they can be converted from a sofa into a bed and back again. Many people, particularly young adults, prefer their firm support over an innerspring mattress for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Futon is a Japanese word, and the futon is the standard sleeping arrangement in Japan, placed right on the floor. The Japanese are minimalists about their bedding, with no need for headboards, frames, and box springs. During the day the futon is simply rolled up and put away.
American futons are frequently purchased with convertible frames that can be switched from a sofa to a bed with ease. The early frames were made of wood and folded the futon mattress from end to end in three panels. The more modern futon frames are made of metal, often in pleasing colors, and fold the futon in two panels, from side to side. Folding futon frames are a lot more user friendly than sofa beds and weight a lot less. They’re comfortable for sleeping or sitting and are often the only guest bed you’ll ever need.
Futons have gone through a lot of improvements since they first came over from Japan. A traditional futon is thicker than its Japanese counterpart and can be filled with synthetic fibers, or with natural ones such as cotton or wool. Most futons don’t have springs, but they are available with innersprings for a higher price.
Futons are low-maintenance but should be shaken out and fluffed once a month or so to restore their loft and get rid of dust. If you like a firm sleeping experience and a stylish, modern-looking addition to your décor, they’re a great choice.