March 6, 2020, 4:49 pm | Read time: 6 minutes
The bed is likely the place where you spend the most time in your home, aside from the kitchen. Making the wrong choice here can lead to regret, as it’s a costly purchase. That’s why it’s wise to consider a few fundamental questions beforehand.
Finding a bed is like searching for a needle in a haystack. Size, height, width, and materials come in nearly every combination. But which bed suits you? Which bed meets all your requirements? Simply choosing the most beautiful one doesn’t always help, only to realize later that you’ve fallen hopelessly in love, but it can never be something permanent. myHOMEBOOK has compiled 14 questions you should ask yourself before buying a bed.
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Which Bed Suits You?
Before you rush headlong into a furniture store or order one online, take a moment to reflect on what is truly important to you. The following questions will hopefully help you decide on the right bed.
1. What Type of Bed Should It Be?
You’ve probably already thought about this. What kind of bed should it be? A canopy bed? A futon? Aside from the general design, consider how high you want to sleep or sit when getting out of bed. If you have a general idea of the bed you want, the following questions can help determine if the purchase is feasible.
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2. Where Should It Be Placed?
Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, the location of your bed will affect your sleep behavior and directly influence how comfortable you feel in the room. So, take a good look around the room and ask yourself how you would like to wake up. Generally, it’s recommended not to position the head or foot of the bed directly toward the door. The bed should be placed sideways. If that’s not possible, you may have to bite the bullet and forgo the view from the window, positioning your bed with the foot end toward the door. Sleeping with the headboard toward the door often subconsciously causes anxiety that someone might enter unnoticed.
3. What Else Is in the Bedroom?
Are you planning a workspace in the bedroom? Do you need a nightstand or even two? If you want to integrate a desk or workspace into the bedroom, make sure to visually separate these areas, either with room dividers, rugs, or an open shelf. You should especially consider what is more important to you–a workspace or a large bed. Sometimes compromises are necessary. Or you might opt for a loft bed.
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Before the bed is in the room, check how many outlets there are and where they are located. Especially in older buildings, you might need to call an electrician to install additional outlets. The bed should not block the only outlets in the room. Also very important: the closet! How much space does it take up? Do you also need a mirror for dressing? This should not be placed directly facing the bed.
4. What Else Is Planned In and Around the Bed?
Do you only sleep in the bed, or should it be multifunctional, perhaps due to a lack of space for an additional couch? Do you read a lot and need a floor lamp for that? These factors should be considered when choosing a bed.
5. What Should the Headboard Look Like?
Following the previous question, this one affects the overall dimensions of the bed. A padded headboard can add another six inches, but it might be worth it if you spend a lot of time in bed besides sleeping. A headboard can also be attached to the wall later, saving space.
6. How Does Your Partner Sleep?
If you and your partner are buying a bed together, take this moment to look deeply into each other’s eyes and be completely honest. While you might enjoy falling asleep in a spooning position, the deepest night reveals true sleeping habits. If you or your partner dreams of vast spaces and wants to live that out, consider this when choosing the bed size.
7. How Big Should It Be?
Use a tape measure to determine how much space you can afford. To comfortably walk between the wall and the bed, plan for at least 12 inches. Also, when buying a bed, note that the mattress dimensions are not always the bed dimensions. Often, a few extra inches are added, which can make a big difference in the end.
8. How High Should the Bed Be?
A matter of taste or planning. A low-lying bed is certainly visually appealing and makes the room appear larger, but it can sometimes be challenging. A bed where you sit with your legs at a 90-degree angle is more comfortable. Especially if you plan to keep the bed for a long time, it might be worth considering the physically demanding time of aging.
9. Should It Offer Storage Space?
If the closet can’t be as large as it should be, a bed with additional storage space is worthwhile. If you can get used to a box-shaped bed, it dictates the placement. If there are drawers on both sides, it must be open on both sides.
Also interesting: Too Little Space? Use These 7 Tricks to Enlarge Your Small Bedroom
10. Which Mattress? What Firmness?
Test, test, test! Anyone trying to sell you a specific mattress online as the only right one has something to sell. You should definitely choose a mattress in-store and test it. Rule of thumb: Buy slightly firmer.
Tip: Avoid testing in the late afternoon or evening. When you’re already tired, every mattress seems comfortable.
11. What About the Slatted Frame?
A good slatted frame is stable, supports the back, and can be individually adjusted in different zones. If multiple people sleep in one bed, it might be worth having different slatted frames, especially if one person moves more than the other.
12. What Materials Should the Bed Be Made Of?
Besides design preferences, you should feel comfortable with the materials. Wooden beds are warm and give the bedroom a sense of coziness. Metal beds, on the other hand, appear more functional and less dominant.
Also interesting: Does Pine Wood Help You Sleep?
13. Are Children Planned?
If you plan to have children or need a new bed for that reason, think big. Also important: the bed’s height. Align it with side beds and plan enough space next to the bed. The baby’s side bed and your bed should be at the same height if possible. Also, consider how the bed is attached, such as with clamps. This affects the choice of bed frame.
Also interesting: Why You Should Never Fully Furnish Children’s Rooms
14. Pets?
Do you have a dog that likes to sleep with you in bed? In that case, the bed shouldn’t be too high, as jumping out could cause injuries, or–even worse–the dog might not find its way to you.