WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A NEW BED?
Start with analyzing the shape of the room. Where are the obvious places that the bed can fit. Is there more than one option or is there realisitically only one wall that might work?Many people still cling to the idea that a bedroom has to have matching drawers and bedhead and chest of drawers but this is a traditional way of dressing a room - but not the only way. Check out style magazines and websites for examples of layout that you might like to incorporate into your design and styling.
If you are wanting to add a bedhead, consider that when you purchase so that you can add a bednead to match your bed base or storage base if you need drawers. Many bedheads that match will have a bracket that attaches to the matching base, making for a simple way to connect them and give that truly finished look to your new bedroom. If you're going for a formal look, you can dress it up or dress it with a more casual look by selecting the appropriate style of linens.
Consider the best option for giving you easy access to the bed and to other fixtures and doorways in the room. And feng shui if that is something you follow in your decorating.Is there a view that you want to be able to see from your bed when you wake?
Try designing the garden outside the window to give you a pleasant outlook and screen any road or neighbours from view to make the outside view part of the style of the room and give you privacy and that resort feel.
SIZE THE BED TO FIT THE ROOM - AND YOUR NEEDS
If you wish to have room for a sitting area in the bedroom then take this into account when considering the placement of the bed.
BED FRAME OR MATTRESS AND BASE ENSEMBLE
Some people have a timber or iron bedhead that they want to incorporate into the new bedroom. If that is the case make sure that the slats are strong with good centre support and then just replace the mattress with the best fit you can afford.
Note: Some mattresses are manufactured to be "furniture friendly" and perform as they should on a solid timber slat base, without the need for some external apparatus to do the job.
Not all mattresses are made to do so and some need a spring base to do the thing they are supposed to do.
If the bed in store is on a "special" base, then do not assume it will be appropriate or feel the same if used on a slat base.
Find a mattress that is purpose built to do what it should do with proper support -- without having to buy the matching base.
Having said that, a new base can be worth purchasing to go with your mattress, if your current one is old or you just plain want to move to a new design look.
EASE OF LIVING WITH YOUR BED
Bear in mind, if you are going to put your mattress on a bed frame that certain aspects can make it easier - or harder - to live with your bed.
Sleeping aside, things like rotating the mattress (Important to do this regularly especially when it is new!), or even just making the bed and changing the sheets can be difficult if the mattress is sitting within a frame, and if there is a footboard on the bed.
Both of these situtions can mean a struggle every time you want to change the sheets. An ensemble or bed frame that does not have a footer makes for a much easier time when it comes to these small everyday jobs.
BEWARE THE VERY HEAVY MATTRESS!
Living with your new mattress can be a struggle if the mattress you purchase is very heavy. It might be expected that a king mattress will weigh more than a queen size mattress, but some manufacturers make beds that are VERY heavy, even in queen size.
Your mattress buying should include testing the weight of the mattress, in store and lifting the corner as you would do to change the sheets at home.
Bed Tip: Handles are not meant to be used to carry a mattress and should only be used to position the mattress into final place, not to lift the full weight as the stress on a few stitches of fabric is too much to bear and may cause them to be ripped out of the mattress. Lift with your hands under the mattress and remember this is typically a two-person job when moving the mattress.
HOW TO FIND THE FEEL THAT BEST SUITS YOU IN A NEW BED
When getting ready to buy a new mattress, take some time to really notice what your current bed is doing. What you like about it, what you hate about it. Notice what creates disturbance to sleep and that may be movement every time your partner turns, or gets up in the night.
Or it may be that the current bed is sagging, or the comfort layers are not doing the job to allow for your body to relax fully and be in a state of comfortable alignment. It may feel too hot, or it may feel too hard and not supporting your body well if you have a physical condition that means you experience pain in your joints or have sore hips or frozen shoulder.
Customers buying beds regularly report they "like their mattress but ..." Others just report hating their mattress and wishing they never bought it. Sometimes that's because they have been carried away when purchasing a bed because there was a floorstock model going with a big discount and they overlooked the fundamental steps to selecting a bed that is fit-for-purpose. Which is to say, it does what it is supposed to do.
"What's the best bed?"
Customers often ask this.
Often what they mean is "what's the most expensive bed?"
The best bed, is the one that is the best fit for you.
It is the bed that satisfies your buying criterion and budget and will perform well for years to come.
Never feel rushed to buy a bed or mattress just because it is on sale. If it is not a bed you would want at full price, it probably isn't a bed to buy at a discount. Discounts are great - but only when they are buying you the bed that's best for you. There is always another sale... or another store. If the bed is truly exclusive to that store, then buy it now if you can manage it, or wait till the next sale that suits your financial situation. Order a call-back to let you know when the sale is on.
Many people will spend more on a bed that is effectively the same as a cheaper one, but looks more fancy! This is a trap for bed shoppers, who are swayed in their decision by things that have little or nothing to do with the bed. And always test a bed with your partner if they will be sleeping with you,
That's not to say that all beds that are cheaper are a better buy, but it's important to differentiate between beds with a construction difference between the models, and beds that are pretty much the same inside, but for a few incidental changes that don't really affect performance, and are largely the same thing with a more expensive look.
Online Bed & Mattress Reviews
It's common for customers to "research" before buying a bed, and read a lot of online reviews. Unfortunately, they are often not genuine, but that aside, often they are purporting to be of a model of bed, that is not what they actually bought. Some of the issues that abound on these reviews is supposed to be a commentary on the performance of the bed, but often the complaints are more related to poor selection, unmet expectations that follow from a poor selection and even issues that may be related to the bedding the buyer is using on the bed.
The very strange thing, is that in store, often those customers who have a legitimate problem with their bed ... never report it to the company to initatiate a warranty claim! They 'don't want to make a fuss', but when buying a bed you want to ensure that it is from a manufacturer with a good record of making good when the need arises. If there is a problem with the bed, then the reputable company wants your problem solved! They need to know about it to do that.
So choose a company big enough to be there for the long term and a history of making good performance a fundamental issue in designing beds for specific customer needs. That's not what happens with beds companies that just sell a 'bed in a box' because it seemed like an easy way to make money.
Sadly, many reviews even from sources we might expect to know better ... compare mattresses that are not equal. At times cheap and easy to get it into an apartment may be a high value. Buying a bed online is a somewhat courageous move, but if the risk is low and the expectation is not high, it may be appropriate for some people.
That's a different market and customer, than one who needs a quality bed, again fit-for-purpose and with the ability to test it out before purchase. The customer who wants a bed that is going to take pride of place in the new home for many happy nights to come.
FIRM, MEDIUM OR PLUSH MATTRESS?
Let's start with what a good firm mattress is not. Customers often complain that their current bed is just too hard. Why did they buy a hard bed? Often because someone (often the partner!) told them a hard bed was good for your back.A hard bed is often confused with what is good for your back - a firm supportive mattress.
These two things are not the same.
In a good modern mattress, even a bed that feels soft on top, should have good firm support built into the core of the mattress. This supports your frame (skeleton) and the comfort layers on top of that are to support your soft tissue in a manner that suits your physical physique and condition.
QUALITY COMPONENTS
Beds today have gone high tech and good beds now use the highest quality foams with hi-tech functionaity to manage heat better and perform better to give a comfortable night's sleep. Look for specialty foams that are made with materials like graphene to add integrity to the foam and manage heat better, as well as being Australian made. Dunlop foams specialise in a range of foams that include treatments to manage heat better, and keep the foam fresh and breathable. Some bed companies buy their foams from overseas and when tested many of these have failed to meet Australian standards.
The Goldilocks Test
So a firm mattress will have some cushioning for your body, but with top layers that are cushioned to support you without you sinking in to the foams. It will typically have a tighter, more highly-stitched and flatter profile than a plush, which will be more 'cloud like' on top.
A plush bed on the other hand, should have the same firm support but with comfort layers that are softer and allow you to sink into the bed more so that your joints and soft tissue are not in pain as you are lying in bed. Not at all like a soft bed that is just an old bed that's saggy and worn out!
Medium mattresses as you might have guessed, have a little of both firm and soft to allow you to sleep well without sinking in too much and without being as firm as might be the case.
BUY THE BED THAT SATISFIES BOTH PARTNERS
While some customers have considered a bed with different feels on each side, the reality is that the idea seems to be better in theory than it is in practice. With the right mattress you should be able to find a mattress that works for both partners without trying to stitch together two halves that will never be a real One. Finding a good fit for both allows you to be able to rotate the mattress and even out the wear to ensure a longer useful life of the mattress,
Weight Differences Between Partners
Where you are sharing a bed with a parner, a disparity in weight can make sleeping difficult if your mattress is not designed to minimise partner movement. Disturbed sleep is a very common problem and many people are not even aware that this is affecting their sleep - and health - until they find themselves sleeping in a bed that manages and eliminates that transference of movement across the bed.
A good bed that reduces partner disturbance is available in affordably-priced mattresses, not just the luxury mattress range. And know that just because it has a high price, does not mean that all luxury mattresses are designed to eliminate partner disturbance. Don't settle on a bed that will leave you with a bed that causes you to be unsettled every time your partner moves.
Note: Some people have moved to king size beds in the hope that this will reduce the "wave" movement. It won't.
Wth the right mattress, you will have undisturbed sleep, even in a queen size bed. In the wrong bed? It won't matter how big it is. The problem won't go away.
A BED FOR A GUEST ROOM
Some people opt to put their old mattress into the spare room. It may help to consider the purpose of the spare room. Is it to be a guest room or do double duty as an office and guest room when you have visitors?
A drawer base can be a good addition to a guest room. Either to free up storage space in the wardrobe, for guests to use or to use for storing pillows and bed linen. Even a single bed with a storage drawer can be useful in a guest room.
Some guest rooms are relatively small so a double bed can be a more useful size to free up some floor space. Also consider the options for singles where this is a better fit for the size of the room. Trundle beds are often considered a good option but remember when extended may be as big as a king size!
Whatever size you choose. consider putting a bed in the spare room that will be nice to sleep on if it happens that you need to sleep on it one night! A bout of sickness or an early start can make having a sleep in the spare room a good option.
TOGETHER APART
It has to be said. Not all couples sleep together at night. A great many couples sleep in separate rooms.Too often the second sleep room is not fully set up for the partner not sleeping in the master suite and when this happens it can mean that one partner is stuck sleeping on a bed that was once their child's bed or otherwise less than ideal.
Sleeping apart doesn't have to mean taking second best.
KEEP IT CLEAN
When buying a new mattress remember to purchase a new mattress protector to keep your mattress in good condition and free from stains and unexpected spills.
Choose a mattress protector in a breathable fabric like tencel (made from wood fibres) that can help wick heat away from the mattress, or other natural fibre.
If you are buying a plush bed, then select one that is not padded, so that it does not firm up your mattress. On the other hand if it is summer and you want the bed to be not quite so soft, a padded cotton or wool mattress protector can help firm it up to make it less plush during the hot weather.
Vacuume your mattress regularly and leave the bedclothes off the mattress regularly to let it air.
We can rush to make the bed as soon as we get up but it can be better to throw the sheets back and let the bed air out before making it again.
A BED IS NOT A CHAIR
Keeping your new mattress in good condition and enjoying a long life means remembering that the purpose of it is for sleeping. Using the edge of the bed - especially in the same place over and over - for thigns other than getting in and out of bed, can weaken the edge of the bed and is not ideal. If you need a place to sit to put your shoes on and the like. consider putting a chair or bench in the bedroom.
ON A BUDGET?
LUXURY LOOK WITHOUT THE HIGH PRICE
If budget is a concern and you like the idea of a luxurious bedroom, remember that an affordable mattress of good quality and feel can be dressed up like the most expensive bed. The dressed bed is all about how you style it and you can still achieve a luxury look with a good mattress without breaking the bank.
Consider hotels. Their beds are comfortable but not necessarily the top of the range you might expect. Made up with high quality linens, a good mattress that meets your budget might just leave you enough to spend a little extra on quality bed linen to go with it.
And if your budget is a bit depleted after the home renovation, a more affordable mattress for now might make the ideal guest mattress, when you can afford to spend a little more on the master bedroom.
A good bed is not an insignificant purchase.
If we live to be 80 that's 27,200 nights.
Each year we get older that gap between the nights already spent and those left gets smaller. Make every night a good one!
Like to know more?
Your SleepMaker Consultant
David Jones at Kotara Westfield
02 4923 2461
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