| What should we all be looking for in beds? We just | | | | whether or not the beds are made in North America |
| need something that we can throw our mattress | | | | or if they are imported in. Domestic beds will typically |
| onto. Seems simple, right? That's not always true. | | | | be made from woods like ash, oak, maple and birch. |
| There is actually a lot riding on finding the right bed. | | | | These are very strong hardwoods that have proven |
| The wrong foundation can damage your mattress. | | | | themselves well over the centuries by dedicated |
| Built in storage may help you to eliminate | | | | furniture craftsmen. Import beds typically are made |
| unnecessary chests or dressers in a crowded room. | | | | from tropical hardwoods such as rubber wood. |
| Believe it or not picking the right bed may be the | | | | Rubber wood is actually a close relative of maple and |
| most important part of designing your bedroom | | | | exhibits many of the same characteristics of |
| décor. In this article we're going to explore | | | | domestic hardwoods. Some manufacturers may also |
| choosing the right bed for you and discuss the many | | | | decide to make beds from real wood veneer. |
| types available and what they will bring to your | | | | Veneers are a great way to make a real wood |
| bedroom. | | | | product but to help keep the overall cost down for |
| First you need to ask yourself a question. What kind | | | | the consumer. Real wood veneer products can offer |
| of furniture styles do I like? Figuring out the style of | | | | the same strength and durability that solid wood |
| furniture you like plays a big part in helping to narrow | | | | products offer and can also be controlled better in |
| down your selection into beds you'll find ascetically | | | | terms of warping and grain appearance which can be |
| pleasing. Generally furniture is divided up into three | | | | very tough to manage in solid wood products which |
| main categories. The three categories are traditional, | | | | is the reason for the higher cost. There are many |
| transitional and modern. Traditional furniture features | | | | styles of bed designs that are not possible with |
| classic designs that carry over through the centuries. | | | | dimensional lumber that are possible with real wood |
| Many of these pieces feature mission style | | | | veneer products. |
| craftsmanship or old world appearances that capture | | | | One last thing to consider is the foundation of your |
| times long ago. Transitional furniture takes design | | | | bed. If you're using a mattress only you'll want to |
| elements from traditional styles but places a modern | | | | look for products referred to as platform beds. |
| spin on them by bringing in new features or styling | | | | These are beds that have built in foundations that |
| that allow you to interpret the furniture in new and | | | | use either slats or panels and will provide your |
| different ways. Modern furniture chooses to move in | | | | mattress with the correct support. Watch out for |
| a contemporary direction by breaking the mold in | | | | latex and memory foam mattresses that need solid |
| traditional design and tries to be bold in the way | | | | foundations. If you are looking at a bed made for a |
| materials, colors and designs come together. | | | | mattress and box spring combo consider your |
| The next thing you need to ask yourself is what | | | | current mattress set and make sure it will look right |
| does this bed need to do? Well, besides the obvious | | | | with the bed. Specifically make sure the height of |
| to be a home for you and your mattress. The | | | | your mattress and box spring won't cover up your |
| question is does your bed need to provide other | | | | headboard. The same can also be said for |
| useful features? Bed manufacturers today have | | | | mattresses being placed on platform beds too. |
| become quite innovative in their approaches to | | | | This article was intended as a guide to help you |
| design. They have done this by incorporating under | | | | consider some of the things to think about in a new |
| bed storage, built-in night tables and lift mechanisms | | | | bed purchase. Choosing between traditional, |
| that raise the entire bed foundation up. Some | | | | transitional and modern bed styles will help you to |
| incredible features are available in beds. Whether you | | | | narrow down your search for a new bed. You should |
| think you need a feature or not it's a great idea to | | | | decide if your bed will need under bed storage built |
| explore the many different bed models that are | | | | in, lift mechanisms or other features to help enhance |
| available and see if your bedroom could benefit from | | | | the function of your bedroom. What materials should |
| some of the new designs that are out there. | | | | your bed be manufactured from. Perhaps you have a |
| Another thing to decide on is what materials are | | | | preference between wood or metal beds. Consider |
| important to you in your bed. Beds are typically | | | | this when you're out shopping. Finally give some |
| manufactured in your choice of either metal or wood. | | | | attention to the type of foundation your bed will |
| Metal beds will most often be made from tubular | | | | need. It all depends on whether you're going to use a |
| steel which can be shaped and bended into unique | | | | mattress set or a mattress by itself. Following these |
| designs not possible with wood. With metal any | | | | suggestions should help you find the exact bed |
| number of colors can be applied. In wood beds you'll | | | | you're looking for and make your shopping |
| find a wide range of domestic and import wood | | | | experience that much easier. |
| being used depending on the manufacturer and | | | | |