A Buying Guide to a Peaceful Slumber

By Teresa Opdycke

“O bed! O bed! Delicious bed! That heaven upon earth to the weary head.” Thomas Hood penned it so eloquently in Miss Kilmansegg – Her Dream and it remains an ode to the human quest for a good night’s sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep depends on several factors including what you sleep on. With more choices about mattresses and beds finding the one that fits you can become a daunting task. A buying guide will help you get started to a peaceful slumber.

The Bed

Beds come in all shapes and various sizes. There are beds for infants, for children, for teens, and adults. Beds made of woods, metals, and yes even plastic cradle people to sleep in downy comfort or keep others chasing elusive dreams of sleep on a lumpy mattress. A bed can be a mattress on a simple metal frame or an ornate behemoth that takes a ladder to crawl into. The style of the bed depends on individual preferences. You may love arts & crafts style with a slatted headboard, a white canopy bed for a little, or a bed built to look like a racing car. The style of the bed may bring you joy to look at and a cozy feeling, but the nuts and bolts of a bed are about what lies beneath the sheets. Before moving into the all-important arena of mattresses and box springs knowing the size of beds is important in finding the right bed for you.

Twin beds or single beds are commonly found in children’s bedrooms. They’re the smallest bed available. The overall dimensions of a single bed are 39” wide and 75” long. Although, most adults would find the width comfortable enough, the length will not do for tall people. Twin beds often come as bunk beds; however double beds with a single bunk on top are becoming more popular. An option that also comes with singles as well as other sizes is the trundle. A trundle bed slides beneath the larger bed providing more sleeping space for overnight guests. Twin beds should be considered in small rooms and in guest rooms where visitors may prefer a bed of their own rather than sharing a large bed.

Twin extra long bed is generally 5 inches longer. Found in dorms rooms that tend to be tiny, the longer length is needed to accommodate taller young adults. The downside of twin extra long beds lies in finding proper fitting sheets and when you do the selections leave something to be desired.

Double or full beds present the perfect solution for single adults 5’5” or less. The dimensions, 54 inch width and 75 inches length may not be long enough for taller people. The width, though 15 inches wider than a twin only allows 27 inches per person if two sleep in the same bed. Most couples find that double beds just don’t provide enough personal space.

The queen moves up the ladder at 60 inches wide and 80 inches long with 6 more inches of personal space than allotted in a double bed with 30 inches of individual space. Bedding is easier to find and less costly than king size sheets. Another size of bed within the queen’s realm is the Olympic queen that is slightly larger. Unfortunately, finding bedding to fit is difficult and you may need to purchase king size sheets for the Olympic queen size bed.

King size beds come with four different names with same meanings. The standard king size bed is also called the eastern king. The overall dimensions are 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. The width of the bed allows for 38 inches of space per person. This bed is sold with two box springs and one mattress making it easier to move. Sheets tend to be expensive and you’ll need at least 3 standard pillows or 2 queen or king size pillows to cover the width of the bed. California or western king accommodates tall people comfortably with overall dimension of 72 inches wide and 84 inches in length. Each person can toss and turn in 36 inches of space.

Mattress Systems

The mattress is the most important part of the bed. It’s not what shows, but it is what you’ll feel beneath you. A bed that is too firm or too soft will not garner you good night’s sleep. Take a look at what’s offered in the world of mattresses.

Innerspring mattresses are the top sellers at this point. A system of tempered-steel coils wrapped in layers of upholstery makes up innerspring mattresses. The upholstery serves as insulation and cushion. The number of coils has little to do with the comfort level, but a combination of coil construction and the upholstery surround the coils determines how well the bed is made.

Foam mattresses can be solid core foam or layers of foam laminated to form a mattress. There have been advancements in foam that have mattresses made of polyurethane foam, latex foam, and the new viscoelastic foam becoming more popular. The preference for Memory foam is growing quickly. There are three different density rates to be aware of: 4 lbs, 5 lbs, and 6 lbs. Keep in mind the higher the density the firmer the feel. Also, if you decide to go the memory foam route, you may find that your body leaves an impression in the mattress, this should not last long. Give the foam a few weeks before calling the store. Pillowtop mattresses have a pillow like top that is downy soft and quite popular. Air mattresses are another option that is making it’s way into more and more bedrooms. Mattresses come in so many forms these days, but ask the salesperson to explain each one so you can make an informed decision.

The box springs is an integral part of a sleep system. Do not put a new mattress on top of old box springs. Always buy both the mattress and the box springs together. If you put a new mattress on an old box springs the warranty may become null and void.

When you’re shopping for sheets and bedding always measure your bed to be absolutely sure of the size. Manufacturers may vary bed sizes slightly. Some things to consider before you head out to nearest sleep shop will help you pinpoint the best bed for you.

1. Measure the room that the bed will go in. The last you want to do is buy a bed that won’t fit in the room.
2. Decide on a style. If you’re traditional a four post may be the perfect fit. If you’re contemporary you may want a light wood finish.
3. Define your budget. When buying the mattress you truly do get what you pay for. Spend as much money as you can afford on the mattress and box springs.
4. Decide on the size of bed you need. Take into consideration your body size and if you’re a single or a couple.

How to Buy the Bed

1. If you’re part of a couple shop together for the bed. Each person defines comfort differently. You’ll both need to agree to the level of comfort.
2. Lie on the bed for at least 10 minutes. Try out the mattress. This means wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can be slipped off. Take off any outwear you may have on and lie on the bed. You need to assume the position you use when sleeping. Roll over. How does it feel? Toss and turn a bit. Give an honest opinion to the feel of the mattress.
3. Compare beds and mattresses. Buying a bed should not take a few minutes. Lie on as many different styles of beds and mattresses as you can.
4. You should be shopping with your partner so both of you should lie on the bed at the same time to get a realistic feel for what it’s like.
5. Don’t look for just firmness. Find a mattress that is correct for your weight and build.
6. Ask questions. Before purchasing a bed with mattresses and box springs you should know how it’s made and what’s made of.
7. Take notes, go home and sleep on it. Come up with the best sleep system solution for you and finally purchase it with little doubt you’ve made a mistake.

The purchase of a new sleep system is no easy task, but finding what fits you can only make the time involved worthwhile. It isn’t so much about if the bed is cherry or brass, but is it comfortable? Does it stop the backaches you had with your old mattress? In today’s world where more and more people are suffering from insomnia, don’t let a bad bed cause you to lose your beauty rest.

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