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Bedroom Furniture » Selecting the Right Bed
Selecting the Right Bed
| Selecting the Right Bed |
From Wikipedia
A Canopy Bed is a decorative bed somewhat similar to a four poster bed. A typical canopy bed usually features posts at each of the four corners extending four feet high or more above the mattress. Ornate or decorative fabric is often draped across the upper space between the posts and a solid swath of cloth may create a ceiling, or canopy directly over the bed.
Today’s canopy beds generally fit into one of two categories: traditional or contemporary. Most of the traditional canopy beds will have a Victorian aesthetic, with either metal rod frames or intricately carved wood frames and posts. These throwbacks will also often feature ruffled, pleated elaborate draping, sometimes with rather heavy cloth. In contrast, contemporary canopy beds generally employ a cleaner, simpler design. Wood, metal, or a combination of the two is used in the construction of modern canopy beds, which usually have little to no detail on the foot and headboards and often feature sharp, geometric designs.
Classic Beds are offered in wrought iron, wood, and leather. Some things are eternal and they don't lose their appeal with time. Appreciation for these things comes with greater maturity and understanding. That is why they are called classics. For those who lean towards a traditional taste in bedroom furniture, a classic bed is the right one for you
Antique beds (or wrought iron beds) top the list of classic beds. The term wrought really means hand-made. If you are looking for a brand new antique reproduction wrought iron bed, this is top of the line. There is just no substitute for the hand-forged design from a skilled craftsman with a taste for art and fashion. But antique reproductions of cast iron and steel beds are more popular than wrought iron beds because they are far more efficient to make and much more affordable. Today there are power injection molds (that allow for fine detail in the decorating of headboard, footboards, canopy beds and daybeds) and casting machinery. With the use of technology and computer assisted designs, artists have virtual freedom in creating limitless designs for today's contemporary wrought iron and cast iron beds. For this reason, wrought iron bed designs range from the intricate to the simplistic. Another factor in purchasing a wrought iron classic bed is the durability.
While metal beds may immediately settle into the mind as classics, some wooden beds also fit this category. Classic wooden beds can come in mahogany, oak, cherry, pine, maple, walnut or rosewood. These also come in colors ranging from black, dark (medium, light) to natural wood finish. Classic wooden beds are offered in a variety of styles, such as in canopy form.
A wooden Canopy Bed or Four-Poster Bed adds a touch of class, giving a traditional touch to the decor. The four posts are connected together by rods at the top to form a canopy. Gorgeous fabrics are draped over the entire bed.
Another classic is the rich leather bed that effortlessly lends sophistication to any bedroom decor. Leather beds can add a retro look to your bedroom, reflecting a nostalgic style in your home.
A Four Poster bed is a bed with four vertical columns, one in each corner, that support a tester, or upper (usually rectangular) panel. There are a number of antique four poster beds dating to the 16th century and earlier; many of these early beds are highly ornate and are made from oak. An example of such an early 16th century four poster resides in Crathes Castle, which was made for the original castle owners in the Burnett of Leys family.
Platform Beds are beds whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to support just a mattress. Platform beds provide firm cushioning and with the support of slats or solid paneling, they eliminate the need for a box spring or a mattress foundation; they give adequate support for a mattress by itself.
Many platform beds have a contemporary style that usually feature clean lines, neutral elements and solid color characteristics. These typically reflect European styles which usually include low features with straight bold lines. Some styles incorporate microfiber and leather padding on a headboard for use as a backrest when sitting in bed.
Traditional platform beds are modeled after the Arts & Crafts era of furniture. These beds produce the traditional look and feel of that early mission furniture but in the design of a platform bed. Transitional platform bed styles often reflect a more modern look but using traditional styling techniques to accent delicate modern scroll work contained within the headboard.
These copy a style found in old traditional looking frames, though like all platform beds, it is designed with slats and does not require a box spring.
Some platform beds have drawers underneath the frame as storage space. Which may be located beneath the side rails or may include drawers incorporated into the footboard of the bed. Many other storage platform beds offer retractable storage headboard units which offer deep storage.
A Sleigh Bed is a style of bed with curved or scrolled foot and headboards, thus resembling a sled or sleigh. Often made of wood and quite heavy, the sleigh bed is a result of the French and American Empire period of the early 1800s. The Empire style drew its inspiration from the empires of ancient Rome and Greece.
Today's sleigh beds are made from a variety of materials including wood, iron, steel and aluminum, and often possess less exaggerated curves of the foot and headboards.
A Futon is a type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed. They are sold in Japan at specialty stores called futon-ya as well as at department stores.
Japanese futons are flat, about 5 cm (2 in) thick with a fabric exterior stuffed with cotton or synthetic batting. They are often sold in sets which include the futon mattress (shikibuton), a comforter (kakebuton) or blanket (mōfu), a summer blanket resembling a large towel, and pillow (makura), generally filled with beans, buckwheat chaff or plastic beads. Such sets can be purchased for under 10,000 yen (US$90 as of 2005).
Futons are designed to be placed on tatami flooring, and are traditionally folded away and stored in a closet during the day to allow the tatami to breathe and to allow for flexibility in the use of the room. Futons must be aired in sunlight regularly, especially if not put away during the day. In addition, many Japanese people beat their futons regularly using a special tool, traditionally made from bamboo, resembling a Western carpet beater.
Western futons are only loosely based on the Japanese original, with several major differences. They are often placed on a configurable frame for dual use as a bed and a chair or couch. They are usually filled with foam as well as batting, often in several layers, and are almost always much thicker and larger than Japanese futons, resembling a traditional mattress in size. Western-style futons are a cheap alternative to a bed or other furniture, and are often sold in sets that include the mattress and frame; in fact, in the United States, "futon" often refers to the frame, not the mattress. Futons normally feature a removable and replaceable cover, giving them more versatility. Most Japanese people would not recognize a Western-style "futon" as a futon.
There is, however, a growing market in Japan for high quality bedding made in the Western style. While still not traditional futons, they lack the springs and synthetic casings of Western mattresses and tend to be constructed primarily out of cotton. Additionally, these alternative futons tend to be hand-made. Quite often these futons are marketed as "earth friendly," especially since they do not contain the chemicals with which some conventional bedding is manufactured.
A California King, also known as Cal King or Western King is 4” longer than a standard King Size Bed.
California King or Western King beds are 12" wider than a Queen and 4" longer. This is the longest bed commonly available in stores and is the best choice for tall people. Like the Eastern King, the California King bed set comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving. Very tall single people can sleep from corner to corner and still be comfortable.
Overall dimensions: 72" wide x 84" long
Width per person: 36"
Pros: A California King size mattress is wide enough for two to sleep comfortably and is the longest bed commonly available. Its extra length is good for tall people.
It is important to know what type of King Bed you have purchased because it will make buying a mattress and sheets much easier.
A Standard King Size Bed is also known as an Eastern King. Two people sleeping in a King size bed will get the same amount of personal sleeping space as in a Twin bed. In fact, if you pushed two Extra-Long Twin beds together they'd be about the same size as an Eastern King. Standard King or Eastern King beds are about 16" wider than a Queen bed and the same length. A King size bed is sold with two box springs or frames and one mattress. This makes it easier to move.
Overall dimensions: 76" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 38"
Pros: As the widest bed commonly available in stores, the Standard King is the most comfortable for two adults. The 80" length is sufficient for most people. Sheets labeled "King Size" fit a Standard King bed.
Queen Size beds are 21" wider and 5" longer than a Twin bed and 6" wider and 5" longer than a Double size bed. Though this extra width and length can make all the difference in getting a good night's sleep, each adult still has 9" less of width than if they each slept in a twin bed. A Queen bed works well for guest rooms and small master bedrooms and is a good choice for couples who like to snuggle.
Overall dimensions:60" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 30"
Pros: Gives 2 adults more space than a double. The extra length (5") works well for most adults. Sheets and blankets are easy to find and cost less than king bedding.
Cons: With only 30" of personal space for each person (only 3" more than a Double), a Queen may be too narrow for everyday sleeping for a couple. Some bedding is sold as "Full/Queen" and doesn't really fit either full or queen perfectly. Check bedding dimensions to be sure that it will fit comfortably. Standard size pillows or queen pillows work well.
Twin Beds are also known as Single Beds. They're the most common choice for children's rooms or multi-use guest rooms. These beds are narrow and fit easily into the smallest bedroom. Often twin beds have a "trundle" underneath to accommodate a sleep-over or second guest. Twin beds are used for bunk beds too.
Overall dimensions: 39" wide x 75" long"
Width per person: 39"
Pros: Because of its small size it will fit easily into smaller bedrooms. Twin sheets are the least costly of all sheet sizes and are available in lots of patterns. It's easy to make a twin bed.
Cons: A standard size is too short for many adults.
Twin Extra Long beds are 5" longer than a standard twin. They're often used in college dorm rooms to accommodate tall teens.
Overall dimensions: 39" wide x 80" long
Width per person: 39"
Pros: The longer length is good for taller teens and adults. It's easy to make, since it's narrow. If you need flexibility in a guest room, two extra long twins are a good choice. They can be used as singles or pushed together to form a king size bed.
Cons: Bedding is difficult to find and not available in every pattern.
Full Beds also known as Double Beds were the most common beds for two people to sleep on until the 1960’s. They're only 15" wider than a Single bed, leaving only 27" of sleep space for each of two adults. At 75" long, a Full size bed may be too short for some taller adults.
Overall dimensions: 54" wide x 75" long
Width per person: 27"
Pros: Fits into smaller rooms. Might be just right for a single sleeper who is under 5'5" tall. Sheets are less expensive than queen or king size.
Cons: Many people find a Double bed too narrow for 2 adults and too short as well.
BED SIZES:
Twin Mattress Size 39" wide x 75" long
Twin Extra Long Mattress Size 39" wide x 80" long
Full Mattress Size 54" wide x 75" long
Full Extra Long Mattress 54" wide x 80" long
Queen Mattress Size 60" wide x 80" long
Queen Split Mattress 60" wide x 80" long
Two 30" x 80"
King Mattress Size 76" wide x 80" long
King Split Mattress 78" wide x 80" long
Two Twin Extra Long beds together
California/Western King Mattress 72" wide x 84" long
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