Looking to Buy a Bed?

- Categories : Bedroom

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Featured item: Madison - Queen Headboard

Read any article about buying a bed, and without fail, you will be regaled with the statistic that we all spend a third of our lives sleeping (and most of that on our beds, hopefully). This statistic does not apply to parents of young children, who spend a third of their lives wishing they were sleeping. It also does not apply to owners of kittens, puppies or small dogs with psychological issues (and their neighbours) - who spend a third of their lives wanting to throw large, breakable objects at their bedroom walls…

Brunette lady having coffee  sitting in a bed with grey and white bedding and grey upholstered headboard

Whatever group you fall into, the decision to buy a bed that’s going to help you make the most of your hard-won sleep time is crucial to your health and sanity. It’s also the one thing that’s actually in your control.  So, whether you’re moving to a new home, giving your current bedroom a facelift, or looking to buy a bed for the first time, here’s a few things to think about to get you on your way to hitting the hay with comfort, style and sanity intact.

Top view of family bed with mom, dad, two kids and a cat is sleeping

Size… does it really matter?

There’s no two ways about it - when it comes to beds and mattresses, SIZE MATTERS. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The bigger your mattress, the less likely you are to be disturbed by any sleeping partners in the equation—of the adult, child, or animal variety. Of course, if you both prefer to keep things super snuggly, all power to you. But if you’re like most of us, then more space = better sleep = maximum sanity. Plus, extra awesome morning stretch sessions! 

Front view of acacia wooden bed and pedestal  on zebra hide

Featured item: Carlisle Bed - Queen

So, if you’re starting fresh, go for the biggest mattress size that’s practical for the size of your bedroom. Of course you need space for basic bedroom furniture and some room to walk around. But if the choice is bigger bed vs. ‘nice-to-have' furniture, rather cut back on non-essentials, and prioritise your sleeping comfort. After all, it is called a bedroom.  The following guide can be used as a rule of thumb to figure out what size bed your bedroom can comfortably handle:

Bed

If you find you’re a little strapped for space, or on the borderline between mattress sizes, opting to buy a bed set with storage space is one great way to optimise. You can also check out some other bedroom furniture tips to maximise space. 

Curly haired women sleeping in bed with white bedding and white upholstered headboard against white wall

If you’re upgrading your mattress size, you’ll also need to upsize all your bedding. (If you’re just upgrading from standard to extra length, don’t stress about  hunting down an ‘extra length’ duvet, but your old fitted sheets are definitely not going to cut it!)

Image of mattress floating on white clouds against blue sky

Featured item: Mattress

Mattress Options

Of course, one of the key ingredients for a good night’s sleep is an awesome mattress. Choosing between the hundreds of mattress options out there can be daunting, but essentially, your top priorities should be quality and comfort. No one can tell you what’s going to be the perfect mattress for you – it comes down to what works best for your body and sleeping habits.

That said, there are definitely some guidelines around firmness level, and the pros and cons of memory foam, innerspring and latex mattresses that can help you make a well-informed decision in picking your sleep soul-mate. 

Wood and metal bed and pedestal in rustic bedroom with wooden floor

Featured item: Cecily Bed - Queen

Styles and materials

So, you’ve got your ideal mattress and bed size in mind (extra-length king, am I right?). Now you’ll want to think about everything that goes with, to take it from being “just a bed,” to becoming your sleep sanctuary. It needs to look good, and feel good. That doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, or hit “copy+paste” on the latest edition of home makeover. It’s about finding that look that hits the spot for you and gives you your moment of zen.  

Three close ups of different beds - one is wooden, middle one is a metal bed and upholstered brown bed to the right

Maybe it’s time to go retro with a metal bed frame? Or perhaps a fresh, warm and natural look in a wood base or bed set to complement your other bedroom furniture. Even a fabric base cover can be a great way to refresh a tired look.

Just make sure that the design of your chosen (or existing) base doesn’t clash with your mattress design. In most cases this won’t be an issue – nearly all mattresses are suitable for all kinds of bases. But the base can affect how the mattress feels, and in some cases, its optimum longevity.

As a general rule, it’s safer to go for a solid vs. slatted base, especially in the case of memory foam mattresses, which rely on uniform weight distribution. For more on the technicalities of mattress-base pairings, find out how to choose the right base for your mattress. If you’re weighing up metal vs. wooden bed frames, here are some pros and cons:

Bedroom with white metal double door on the left and blue velvet and golden metal framed bed against dark grey wall

Featured item: Venus Metal Bed Base - Queen

Metal bed frames can be a really practical choice because…

  • They’re more affordable
  • They’re less susceptible to damage from water, fire or bugs
  • Metal is lighter than wood and easier to move around
  • They’re often adjustable, so upgrading your mattress size in future won’t be a problem.

On the downside, metal bed frames can start to squeak and creak over time, and are a bit more limited in terms of styles.

Rustic bedroom with white walls, light wood floors and wooden bed, pedestal and chest of drawers agains

Featured item: Voyager Bed - Queen

Wooden bed frames offer the benefits of…

  • Great looks, and a much wider range of styles, colours and materials to choose from
  • More customization – you can opt for having your base higher off the floor to give you more storage space under the bed (and an awesome hiding spot for the kids/cats/dogs when you’re mad at them)
  • More versatility – wood offers a neutral palette that will fit in with just about any décor style.

Keep in mind that wooden bed frames are generally more expensive, a lot heavier to move around, and may take a bit more time to set up, particularly if you’re attaching a separate headboard.

Close up of grey upholstered wing-back headboard and same headboard on white background

Featured item: Headboards

Headboards 

headboard can be that key piece to really set the tone and style of your bedroom – from Victorian-style upholstery, to the charm and warmth of natural wood, to a chic panel design in wood or fabric, or perhaps something totally different.  And if you really want to be a la mode, consider a headboard in velvet (oh yeah, velvet is back!). If you’re not sure about the whole idea, consider these top benefits of having a headboard and learn how to choose the right headboard type for you.

Brunette girl stretching out in bed with white bedding and grey upholstered headboard

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to keep you feeling on top of the world. So, if the world is doing everything in its power to rob you of that precious commodity, make sure you at least have the bed and bedroom you’ve been dreaming of—it’s the best bet for getting that sweet eight hours of oblivion you deserve.

Acacia wood bed with white bedding and brown scatter cushions and matching acacia wood pedestal