What Kind of Bed is Right for You?

Choosing the right bed is critical. You’ll be spending eight hours a night in your bed, night after night, for the next decade at least. So when you do need a new bed, make sure you choose one that will offer you restful comfort, not just the cheapest price.

Beds and their Benefits
Different beds are right for different people. Obviously, they come in different shapes and sizes. But some beds offer extra storage under the mattress, some double as couches for lounging, some fit differently into your room, and some use different structures to support your mattress. Some important things to look for:

The Classic Bedstead
The most popular style today, a bedstead is simply a rectangular frame which supports your mattress. The frame is often wood, but it can also be iron or another metal. Wooden slats or a wire mesh may support the mattress, and both are available in flexible styles which provide a softer feel, and also in rigid styles which provide more back support. A bedstead is a traditional yet elegant choice.

The Divan
Inspired by the old-fashioned fainting couch, a divan uses a platform instead of an open frame to support the mattress. Most modern divans include two or four drawers built into the platform for extra storage, but the drawers are optional. Divans can use springs to support the mattress, leading to a softer and more comfortable feel, or they can support the mattress directly on the platform, giving more back support. Either way, a divan combines convenient storage with comfortable rest.

The Storage Bed
Need as much storage space as you can possibly get? Start with under-bed drawers or shelves. Then, lift the mattress platform up like a lid, and you’ll find even more storage space. As you’d expect, storage beds are popular choices for children’s rooms, and also popular choices for guest rooms that double as extra family storage.

The Sprung Base Bed
Also known as a box spring, a sprung base provides an extra set of springs underneath the mattress, giving you a much softer and more soothing place to sleep, and giving your mattress a longer lifespan. Beds built to accommodate sprung bases can come in a variety of styles, both with and without under-bed storage space.

The Adjustable Bed
Originally created for hospitals and other medical applications so patients could sleep sitting up or with their legs raised, adjustable beds have become increasingly popular with the general public. If you like to read, watch TV, or use a laptop computer in bed, an adjustable bed might be a convenient and comfortable choice.

Of course, this is only a brief introduction to some of the most popular bed and mattress designs available today. Take the time to learn about all of your options, and be sure to find a bed that will suit your needs and your lifestyle, before you buy.