Choosing the bed, complete guide.

The purchase of the bed must be well thought out, since this main element of the sleeping area turns out to be more than just a piece of furniture. Beyond its formal value, the bed, together with the base and the mattress, constitutes a real “rest system “with which you will have to deal eight hours a day for several years. In this article you will find important information to choose the bed that’s right for you. The aspects that we will take into account in this guide, as well as aesthetic, will be of a practical nature: dimensions, materials, custom upholstered headboards, footboard and any additional functions.

Before starting I remind you that whatever type of bed you choose, one aspect that you absolutely cannot overlook is the need to sleep well. To safeguard your health: first of all, the bed must be comfortable, spacious, equipped with an orthopedic base and hypoallergenic mattress.

Dimensions.

The dimensions of a standard double bed are suitable for mattresses of 160 x 190 cm, while the one and a half is for mattresses of 120 x 190 cm. There is also an English bed suitable for 140 x 190 cm mattresses.

Choose the size bed suitable for the number of people it will host and their physique, as well as of course according to the size of the room. Its length will have to be about 15 – 20 cm more than the height of the person who will sleep there, therefore for heights over 1.80 m it will be necessary to resort to tailor-made solutions both for the bed and for the bed base -mattress rest system .

Since in terms of comfort, the bed base and mattress represent the most important part of the bed, consider an adequate expense for a good sleep system and do not forget that the purchase of a double bed must be shared with the partner.

Make sure the size of the bed is compatible with those of the base and the mattress.

Materials.

The wooden bed and the textile bed are the ones, in my opinion, to be preferred. The first for strength and durability, guaranteed by a natural and resistant material such as solid wood. The latter are to be preferred for the comfort they give, thanks to their soft structure covered with the most disparate materials: from leathers, to the emotional materials that imitate it, up to the fabrics, rendered thanks to modern stain-resistant and easily washable technologies.

The upholstered beds covered in fabric can be combined with duvets and coordinated fabrics in the same color or pattern. If you like upholstered beds, make sure the covers are completely removable.

The brass beds and wrought iron are more expensive solutions, because often handcrafted and subjected to complex finishing processes. Indispensable in the most romantic styles. Beds of this type must absolutely be treated with procedures that limit the absorption of electromagnetic waves.

Headboard and Footboard.

The bed should also be comfortable for relaxing, for example, by reading or listening to music, rather than watching TV. In these cases, the presence of a sufficiently high and well-padded headboard to comfortably support the back can be essential.

The footboard completes the front of the bed, but I think it should be avoided at least in the case of small bedrooms . The footboard can not only limit the visual space in a small room, but in the case of beds with storage , it can be an obstacle to accessing the storage under the bed base.

Additional functions.

As mentioned, the bed, in addition to hosting our sleep, can be useful for reading or watching TV, but it can also perform other functions. Almost all types of bed available on the market can be equipped, for example, with a storage compartment for linen , or with side drawers and bookcases. These options, which expand the potential of the bed.

Thanks to this solution it is possible to free up space inside the wardrobes, usually invaded by pillows, blankets and bed linen . These can be placed under the bed, as well as bags, suitcases, etc…

The containment function in modern beds is generally performed by a compartment placed under a network. This is generally equipped with a servo-assisted opening by hydraulic pistons. There are versions with simple flap, or double action, that is with the bed in a raised horizontal position, to facilitate the undoing and preparation of bed linen.

If you need to make the most of the available space and you can’t give up a container bed , prefer a wooden bed with side drawers. These, being totally removable, allow easier cleaning. If you suffer from dust mite allergies , the solution with the mesh box is to be avoided. The free space under the bed guarantees air circulation and promotes ventilation of the mattress, not to mention that it allows you to clean easily.