Let’s Get to Beds
Choosing a bed can be a daunting task. Before you get dizzy from considering all the choices, run down this list of questions:
- What is the size of the room that needs a bed? Take a few minutes to measure the length and width. And take into account other items you already have in the room or want to include. That will help you decide whether a King, Queen, Full or Twin size will fit best.
- How would you describe the style of the bedroom? Contemporary, traditional, country are some examples. Also, consider whether you plan to repaint or recarpet the room in the near future, or whether you’re going to completely refurbish it. If any of those are likely, factor in the look you hope to achieve as you think about a new bed.
- Do you prefer a metal or wood bed? Wood offers a range of options in finishes, from light to dark, while metal can add artistic flair with scrollwork headboards and footboards. There are also combinations of metal and wood.
- Will the bed be slept in by one or two people? If two, does each person prefer a close-together sleeping arrangement or more distance between them? If you have room for a Queen- or King-size bed and you’ve been cramped in a smaller size, now’s the time to consider a larger bed.
- Could you use a bed that allows you the flexibility of sleeping arrangements and room furnishings? A futon or daybed, for example, can provide comfortable sitting and sleeping, and it can complement various rooms, not just bedrooms.
- If the bed is for a child’s room, do you prefer to buy a different bed later as the child grows or buy a bed that can “grow” with the child? Many kids beds have conversion kits that allow a Twin-size to become a Full-size bed.
- If you’re expecting a newborn, are you checking to see whether cribs have important safety and comfort features?
- Do you want a crib that can be used for future newborns, or do you prefer a crib that adapts to the growing infant and child? Some cribs can accommodate a child's growth from baby to toddler to youth.
If you’ve answered these questions, then you’re ready to decide on a bed that will be perfect for a bedroom in your home.
Baby Cribs
It’s never too soon to make plans for a newborn. A safe and comfortable room and crib should be high on the list of must-haves.
What you need to know:
- Cribs with a changing table and safety strap provide convenience and safety
- Easy-to-assemble hardware system that lifts and drops one or both rails keeps a crib quiet and safe when operating it
- Some cribs have teething rails for comfort and protection
- 2-compartment drawer in some crib models offers plenty of storage
- 3- or 4-level mattress system in some cribs allows adjustment to different heights, to gently lay down a newborn at a convenient height, or lower it for babies who can pull up.
- Some cribs can convert to a toddler bed or a Full-size bed for ongoing use
- Dressers with built-in changing tables and storage compartments are sold separately
Don’t forget mattress safety and comfort
Check with dealer and packaging for:
- High density single-piece construction
- Reinforced triple laminate covers
- Federal Flammability Standards
- Non-allergenic materials
If you look for these features, you’ll provide safety for your child and the ultimate in rock-a-bye-baby comfort.
Bunk beds
Here’s a great addition to any bedroom in which children share sleeping space.
What you need to know:
For children
- Bunk beds can often be separated into 2 complete units if room arrangements change
- Safety rails and ladders should be first-rate (Don’t skimp on quality)
- Solid wood or industrial-strength, powder-coated square tube construction assures greater durability
- Beds with rounded corners and no sharp edges provide greater safety
- Several beds offer an under-bed storage option
- Finishes are not only beautiful but durable
- Some beds have unique designs: playground equipment, pirate- or military-theme beds, for example
- Optional dressers and nightstands can add valuable storage
For older kids and teens
- A storage box, computer hutch and bookshelf often can be added as your child gets older
- Platform beds with trundle options, futons for under-bed seating, and loft beds with an under-bed area for a computer and video game consoleare the next evolutionary stage in bunk beds. See these bed categories.
Bunk beds in kids’ rooms need to withstand the rigors of rough-housing while providing a fun, secure and comfortable environment.And they need to appeal to a younger generation. Add the important room accessories, along with a youngster’s favorite decorations, and you have an ideal place to hang out.
Platform Beds
Two features define a platform bed: an elevated area for a mattress and the absence of bedsprings. Those can be a plus, but be sure you’re comfortable with that arrangement because most people sleep on beds with springs. That said, platform beds are one of the more popular styles that people choose.
What you need to know:
Styles
- Contemporary-style platform beds stress a clean look with neutral elements and basic colors
- Traditional-style platform beds include high headboards with dark finishes as well as mission-style looks that are plain and simple yet durable
- Some platform beds mimic a sleigh style, both with and without a curved footboard, others feature country or cottage styles
- Ultra-modern styles offer low-profile frames with minimalist styling
Features
- Headboards vary from a basic slatted to sleek leather, in higher or lower-profile styles
- Dark finishes, decorative moldings and streamlined designs add richness to platform beds
- Many provide enough clearance for underbed storage
- Complementary dressers, mirrors, nightstands and armoires enhance a room, adding beauty and plenty of room for bedroom necessities
Platform beds offer a variety of styles and borrow from a various cultures, making them appealing to almost anyone’s taste.
Futons
These sofa-bed convertibles have their origin in Japan where simple cotton mats were laid out on 2-inch thick tatami mats that lined the floors of Japanese homes. In the late 1960s, futons became linked with a Bohemian lifestyle in this country and eventually were transformed into the American futon mattress/sofa-bed concept. Today, futons appeal to young and old, hip and down-home folks alike.
What you need to know:
- Designs complement any style of a room – traditional, contemporary, country, Asian, minimalist, even eclectic
- Easily convert from sofa to sleeper
- Variety of choices in frames, wood and metal, and mattresses
- Some feature underbed storage
Need a futon that’s even more practical? Some have:
- Fold-away trays on the sides for snacks, drinks and magazines
- Side-saddle magazine racks for handy storing
For a casual futon look:
- Straight-line designs with simple, flat arms
- Wooden slats on the seat
- Back deck that gently curves for extra loft and mattress support
For a contemporary futon look:
- Chrome legs and metal frames in various shapes
- Variety of fabrics to match the style you want.
- Arms swoop from the floor to the back in a dramatic arch
- Funky designs feature microfiber cushions in a rainbow of colors
For a dressier futon look:
- Artfully lined wooden sides with a richly finished base
- Sleigh-style arms with dark finishes
- Woven rattan arms for a breezy summertime feel
From sofa to bed and back again, futons provide the ultimate in versatility and comfort. And their popularity continues to grow, whether for guest rooms, dorms, teen bedrooms and apartments.
Loft Beds
Dreams of sleeping in a treehouse or star-gazing in a stilt-supported hut on some South Pacific island are what loft beds inspire. These elevated platforms are ideal for children and teens who want to raise the level of slumberland fun.
What you need to know:
Styles
- Contemporary loft beds have cantilever tubular steel frames, usually able to support up to 300 pounds
- Country, casual and mission styles feature hardwood solids and select hardwood veneers
Features
- Many styles feature desk, chest of drawers and bookcase, with room for a computer or video game console
- Some loft beds feature 2 beds in bunk-bed fashion; desks and storage space are still part of the design. These beds fit tight spaces of a room.
- Mesh pockets and a shelf for books and CDs are add-ons that provide plenty of storage.
The choices of loft beds for kids include:
- Multi-color finishes
- Camouflage tents
- Playground equipment
However, fun should never trump safety. Look for:
- Sturdy ladders
- Secure safety rails
- Rounded corners to lessen bumps and bruises
- Durable finish coatings
- Hardwood solids and select hardwood veneers
- Tubular steel
If you give kids a choice, loft beds will undoubtedly stand head and shoulders above the rest.
Daybeds
Gracefully sitting by an open window with a breeze fluttering the curtains is the ever-present daybed. Its roots go back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans who designed these platforms for sitting and sleeping.
Their designs are still the mainstay of contemporary daybeds, though improvements in construction, style and overall beauty make them much more desirable today as well as a wonderful addition to any home.
What you need to know:
Wood daybeds come in a range of styles:
- Country – Made from northern white cedar and featuring mortise-and-tenon joinery, or from pine and featuring posts with ball finials for a rustic look
- Traditional – Made from birch hardwoods and veneers and featuring arched headboards with intricate carvings; some feature wood and metal
- Sleigh – Made from tropical hardwoods and featuring low-profile as well as beautifully designed backs accented with metal-finished rosettes
- Mission– Made from oak and featuring slat spindles in either a light or dark finish
- Contemporary – Made from solid hardwood, engineered woods, veneers and durable laminates
Metal daybeds, fully welded, feature:
· Intricately detailed posts
· Arched scroll railings and backs
· Sleigh-designed sides
· Floral insets
· Ceramic ball finials
· Wood-metal combinations
Optional features on some daybeds:
- Trundle drawer for extra sleep space or storage
- Pop-up trundle for extra sleeping space under a Twin-size daybed
A daybed can be a room’s primary place for sleeping, or it can provide a quiet retreat for daydreaming and watching shooting stars. And with such a variety of designs and artistic treatments, it shouldn’t take long to find just the right one to snuggle up in.
Kids Beds
When it’s time to buy a bed for a child’s bedroom, questions immediately arise:
- Do you want a bed that expresses a certain age and interest, such as loft beds with playground equipment or camouflage designs; panel beds with pastel colors; canopy or sleigh beds that dress up a girl’s room?
- Is the room to be shared with another child? A bunk bed or panel bed with a trundle unit could be a satisfactory solution
- Do you have a limited amount of space and need a maximum amount of storage? Platform beds with underbed storage drawers, bookcase headboards, loft beds with 2 Twin-size beds, a study desk and a storage section, and daybeds with underbed trundle storage drawers a can ease the problem
- Do you prefer a wood or metal bed or a combination of the two? Regardless of the type, the bed should be strong and durable.
- Would you prefera bed that “grows” with your child? Some convertible cribs can change from a baby’s bed to a daybed to a Full-size bed
When thinking of beds for kids, no matter their age, let your imagination run wild. After all, there’s no shortage of ideas – and choices – to please both kid and parent.
What you need to know:
Bunk beds
- Bunk beds can often be separated into 2 Twin-size beds if room arrangements change
- Safety rails and ladders should be first-rate. Don’t skimp on quality
- Some beds have unique designs: playground equipment, military-theme beds, for example
- A storage box, computer hutch and bookshelf often can be added as your child gets older
- Solid wood construction assures greater durability in wood beds
- Heavy gauge tubular steel provides greater durability in metal bunk beds
- Dressers and nightstands can add valuable storage
Sleigh Beds
- High, scrolled headboard and flowing footboard
- Optional storage drawer
- Many with round corners for safety
Canopy Beds
- Traditional, contemporary, country styles
- Arched headboards and footboards
- Decorative molding on some panels and posts
Platform Beds
- Arched panel headboards and low-profile footboards
- Trundle options
- Beds with heavy gauge tubular steel frames
- Underbed storage options
- Many with rounded corners for safety
- Durable finishes
Panel Beds
- Headboard and usually a short footboard or no footboard
- Solid woods and select hardwoods provide the best quality in wood panel beds
- Fully welded construction with heavy gauge tubing best quality in metal panel beds
Additional information about any of these beds is available at this site
Dressers, nightstands and other bedroom furnishings can usually match a particular style. Add important accessories that a teen wants, and you have a bedroom that’s a perfect place to hang out.
Metal Beds
Whichever style you like in a bed – platform, panel, antique, sleigh or canopy – you’ll undoubtedly find it in metal. Most are made of powder-coated steel or wrought iron. And unlike conventional wooden beds, metal beds won’t scratch or crack because of their durable finish.
What you need to know:
- A traditional or antique style with scrolled headboard and footboard can have solid cast finials and panel medallions
- A classic daybed serving as a type of settee can feature arched scrollwork on the back and railings, and intricately detailed posts
- Canopy beds combine beauty and durability with such features as decorative scrollwork and ornate castings framed by heavy gauge tubing and solid bar wire
- Sleigh beds offer transitional styling with strap spindles that wrap around the top rail and side legs that have a subtle curve to accent the sleigh design.
- Platform beds feature loop-design elements in the headboard and footboard suggesting a more contemporary style.
With these beds, there’s never a heavy-metal look. Sleek and sophisticated with a fanciful feel, metal beds add an artistic element to any bedroom. With a matching nightstand, dresser, mirror or armoire, you’ll have a complete bedroom that will last for years.
Sleigh beds
Sweet dreams are bound to follow when you’re tucked in a sleigh bed. The scrolled headboard and footboard that resemble a winter wonderland sleigh add a fanciful look to any bedroom, adult’s or child’s.
What you need to know:
- Traditional wood beds have rolled tops, decorative carvings and a warm rich finishes; some metal beds have S-scrolls along the rails and acanthus decorations on the headboards and footboards
- Contemporary styles can feature concave bow on the headboard and swoop side rails, or a high headboard balanced by a low-profile, incurved footboard
- Country-style beds have plank-effect headboards and detailed footboards
- Transitional styles (melding traditional and contemporary) incorporate wood and metal in their design and usually feature a lighter finish
- Optional furnishings such as dresser, nightstand, armoire and nightstand are available to complete the wonderland look
Sleigh beds are a universal favorite because of their distinctive grace and beauty, no matter the style.
Canopy Beds
Nothing says elegance and style like a canopy bed. With or without a fabric of your choice attached to the top, a canopy bed provides unmatched beauty to an adult’s or child’s bedroom. A matching dresser, nightstand, armoire or bedside table can complete the room’s appeal.
What you need to know:
Add romantic ambiance with traditional styles featuring:
· Ornately crafted canopy beds with elaborately decorated posts
· Richly finished headboards and footboards
· Decorative molding on panels and posts
· Fabrics such as chiffon, organza or cotton for draping
Give it a casual look with contemporary, country or transitional styles:
- “Pencil post” style canopy beds for a contemporary look
- Rustic cedar headboards and footboards for a country look
- Swag metal trim integrated with subtly curved grillwork for a transitional look
- Bamboo designs using a variety of materials: light oak, metal, solid Birchwood for an Asian contemporary look
Canopy beds add charm and grace to a little girl’s room and enchanting beauty to an adult’s.
Captains Beds
Like a berth on a ship, a captains bed – also called a mates or storage bed - is ideal for tight quarters. It’s usually Twin-size with storage underneath. Simple and practical in design, a captains bed is a perfect first mate for a child or an adult’s room.
What you need to know:
- Contemporary styles with clean-lined design and metal feet
- Country styles withrustic pine finish and decorative metal hardware
- Sturdy construction from recycled, engineered woods or durable metal frame
- Underbed storage drawers
Options include:
- Bookcase headboards in some beds
- Open cubbies for storage
- Smart glide drawers for easy opening and closing
Captains beds are geared for the younger set, though they work well for adults in a guest bedroom or when space in an apartment is limited. Optional furnishings such as nightstands and dressers provide additional storage.
Four-Poster Beds
Whether traditional, country or transitional, four poster beds add refined elegance to a bedroom. They usually have shorter posts at the 4 corners, though they can reach canopy-bed heights. Made of wood, metal or mixed media, four poster beds give a bedroom a classic look.
What you need to know:
Four-poster beds styles
- Traditional antique reproductions: Elaborate designs in wood or wrought iron with such features as scrollwork, decorative crests and beaded molding
- Country style: With pine, oak trim and solid wood bases
- Transitional style: Artfully shaped wood posts combined with stylish metal bed panels
Features
- Wooden bed rails and slats
- Adjustable center supports
- Posts with a high-low option
- Sturdy rails
- Optional furnishings such as dresser, nightstand, armoire and mirror
Whether wood, metal or a combination of the two, four-poster beds are popular with every age group. Their solid construction and striking appearance make them the ideal focal point for any bedroom.
Contemporary Beds
With their geometric shapes, curved metal designs and sharp angles, contemporary beds add an updated, sophisticated look to a bedroom. And there are plenty of choices, including optional dressers, mirrors, nightstands and armoires, for you to test your own artistic talents.
What you need to know:
- Variety of bed types – Platform, panel, sleigh, metal, wall units
- Different materials – Wood, metal, mixed media
- Fewer accents and decorative touches with most sets
- Clean lines oftenpaired with lighter wood finishes
- Unique designs and colorful treatments such as microfiber-padded inlay and new composition leathers
- Dramatic flair with swoop-style headboards and low footboards
- Tubular steel and other metals in many designs
Options with some styles:
- Under-bed storage drawers
- Choice of finishes
Whether a low-profile platform bed or a dramatic wall unit, contemporary beds bring sophistication and uptown style to a bedroom.
Panel Beds
Plain headboards and footboards with little pizzazz are no longer the standard for panel beds. Whether traditional, contemporary, transitional, country or mission style, panel beds come in all sizes and materials. They add a touch of class to this classic in beds.
What you need to know:
- No bedposts, though reduced-size posts are used with some panel bed styles
- Headboard and usually a short footboard or no footboard
- Solid woods and select hardwoods provide the best quality in wood panel beds
- Fully welded construction with heavy gauge tubing best quality in metal panel beds
- Nightstands, dressers, armoires and mirrors often feature same styles and finishes as panel beds
Traditional style
- Headboards can be elaborate with design elements
- Rich or natural finishes are popular
- Some feature double cane accents
- Some have S-scrolls and acanthus decorations
- Choices in wood and metal
Contemporary style
· Some with Asian-inspired designs
· Some with sleek and low-slung headboard and footboard
· Some with European-inspired designs
Country or mission style
- Very basic design, with unadorned panels and straight-cut lines
- Some have rustic look with thick, sturdy posts and natural wood finish with country style
- Narrow-slatted headboards and footboards with mission style
Transitional style
- Combined straight-edged and curved designs
- Mixed media of wood rail and finished metal grills
The beauty of panel beds is in the variety of styles, universal appeal to children, teens and adults, and adaptability. If, in the future, a new bed is bought to replace a panel bed, the latter is usually quite suitable – and welcome – in a guest bedroom.
Bedroom Wall Units
Flanked by cabinets, shelves and drawers, and accentuated by dramatic lighting, bedroom wall units provide the ultimate in beauty and practicality. But careful measurement of a room is crucial. If a room is too small, a bedroom wall unit – more than 9 feet wide - will overwhelm it.
What you need to know:
Contemporary and classic styles
· Constructed of solid or select woods and veneers
· Lighter oak or darker 2-tone finishes
Features
· Lighting above back panel
· Spacious drawers and cabinets
· Shelves for storage and display
Options with some styles
· Mirrored back
· Pull-out snack tray in some models
· Accessories - dressers, mirrors and armoires - sold separately
A bedroom wall unit requires a wall large enough to accommodate its size, but when it fits, it adds unparalleled beauty and convenient storage to a bedroom.
Government/GSA
