Step 1: Buy Materials, Assemble and Finish Construction (5 Minutes)Show All ItemsWaterbeds, originally invented in the 19th century, then intended as a medical therapy to prevent bedsores in invalids. The modern version, patented in 1971 in San Francisco , became an extremely popular consumer item in the throughout the 1970s and 1980s. There exists primarily two types: hard-sided or wooden-framed bed and softsides. A hard-sided waterbed consists of a water mattress inside a rectangular frame of wood resting on a plywood or OSB deck. The deck can sit on a simple platform or on a drawer pedestal. A softside consists of a water mattress inside of a rectangular resilient foam frame zippered inside a fabric cover, which sits on a foundation that resembles a boxspring. It looks an is sized like a conventional bed; it is designed to be compatible with standard bedroom furniture. The metal frame or support system in the be is reinforced to bear the additional weight load.
Early mattresses have a single water chamber. This persists in only inexpensive mattresses today. With no baffles or fiber in these chambers the water in these “free flow” mattresses is disturbed it produces significant wave action. Early motion reduction was achieved with baffles within the mattress. This constricted the waters movement and produce some firmness and support. Later types employed fiber batting. This is the best way to reduce motion in a water mattress as well as add support, especially for the lumbar area. Waterbeds are the original specialty sleep product. All of the beds that follow: memory foam and airbeds are based on the benefits of sleeping on water: adjustability, conformability, and pressure reduction. The Specialty Sleep Association, which began out of the waterbed industry, exists to educate consumers about the benefits of alternative sleep surfaces such as water, memory foam, latex foam, and air. Originally named The Waterbed Shack, the roots of Sleep On It are firmly embedded in the waterbed industry.
The growing number of specialty sleep products becoming available beginning in the 1990s caused waterbeds to enjoy less popularity. Before then, if you wanted an alternative sleep surface to an innerspring mattress, water was the only economical, widely available choice. Though Sleep On It sells all of those alternatives, it still supports waterbeds by selling both new systems and parts, supplies, linens, and accessories for both wooden-framed and softside waterbeds.Whether you are picking a new bed for your own bedroom, a child's room, or a guest space, you'll have to consider the size of the room and the sleeper's needs. Will your ceiling height accommodate the posts on the poster bed you have your eye on? Does your son have lots of friends sleep over and need extra sleeping spots? These are the kinds of questions we'll help you ask and answer on the way to purchasing the right bed. With extra features come extra costs, but they may be worth it. For example, electric pumps work much more quickly than manual pumps.
Covers that have memory foam or flocking, a fuzzy textured top, prevent the squeaky noises that come from sleeping on smooth vinyl. Does the ability to control the firmness of the mattress matter? Some air beds are equipped with valves the sleeper can adjust. And finally, does the sleeper have limited mobility? Grandma and Grandpa will likely be more comfortable on a double-high mattress that comes close to real-bed height. Before you purchase an air bed, check to see if it includes a pump and a storage case, which are nice basic features. Sturdiness is key with a bed frame, which is charged with supporting a heavy box-spring-and-mattress set. Make sure the casters are large and up to the job of moving the mattress set. And if carrying a bed frame up to a third-floor space is necessary, look for one that folds or comes apart into manageable pieces. When you buy a canopy bed, take note of your ceiling height and any ceiling features such as molding, beams, or fans. The bed might fit, but make sure there are several inches to spare so it doesn't look crammed in.
Work around or remove the ceiling fan if you have one. And make sure the canopy frame lets you easily remove the canopy or curtains for washing. Check the construction of both pieces of furniture a captain's bed is meant to combine: the bed and the dresser. Is the bed frame well made and sturdy? Do the drawers underneath slide out easily and accommodate your clothes and bedding? Safety is the main concern when purchasing a crib. Over the years, standards have been written and revised to make these beds as safe as possible. It's important to buy the bed from a reputable retailer. Please read our separate buying guide for more information and considerations specific to cribs. To turn a daybed into a proper and comfortable sofa, you'll need to prop it with several pillows and bolsters, which are cylinder-shape pillows. Pick large, supportive, cushionlike pillows to fill out the depth of the bed and serve as a backrest. These pillows will have to be removed at night to make room for sleeping.
When you purchase a folding bed, you are likely purchasing the storage furniture as well. Check that the mechanism and hinges used in folding and unfolding the mattress are sturdy and strong. For hygiene and to prolong the longevity of your futon mattress, purchase a removable and washable cover. Also test the mechanism that raises and lowers half of the bed to turn it into a sofa. The mechanism should be easy to operate and durable enough for the frequent wear and tear it will receive. Some headboards come with bed frames, and some are sold separately but intended to mount to a metal bed frame you already have. In the second case, check the mounting instructions to make sure you have the hardware and tools needed to secure the headboard in place. A low-maintenance and sturdy bed style, an iron bed is meant to last for the ages. Check the finish for consistency. Painted metal beds can get scratched, so purchase a small bottle of touch-up paint if possible. If you are purchasing a brass bed, which tends to tarnish, make sure you know how to clean and polish it.
Safety is key with a loft bed. Make sure the joints don't wobble loosely, the hardware tightens securely, and the crossbars that support the mattress are spaced no more than 6 inches apart. If the bedroom has a ceiling fan, you'll need to position the bed far away from it or remove the fan entirely. Finally, consider what other function you want to gain by elevating the mattress. If you need study space, for example, place a desk underneath. Since you are doing away with the box spring, make sure the bed will firmly support your mattress. With a Murphy bed, the mattress is attached to a bed frame that has springs. You can purchase the mattress directly from the manufacturer, or buy one yourself that exactly fits the specifications of the wall cabinet and bed frame. Measure carefully to ensure that the wall cabinet will fit your space and that the bed, when dropped down for sleeping, will fit in the room. The sleek look of a platform bed is appealing in a modern-style bedroom.
Choose furniture, lighting, and linens with complementary contemporary designs. Because poster beds take up a lot of vertical space in a room, you'll need to be sure your bedroom can accommodate not just the assembled bed (is the ceiling high enough for the posts?), but the assembly process as well, since the bed will need to be erected in the room. If you desire a comfortable extra bed that is about the size of a twin mattress, a rollaway might be for you. You simply need the storage space when it's not in use. The folded bed is not as compact as a deflated air bed, and it doesn't slide under a bed the way a trundle does. It stores best in a closet with a cover to keep off dust. These beds can be painted or stained in a variety of finishes, so be sure to check the quality of the finish. And the overall proportions of a sleigh bed can vary widely from one style to another, so take stock of the measurements on the showroom floor, then make sure your bedroom can accommodate it.
Before you shop for a storage bed, take stock of the specific items you want to store. If it's extra bedding, for example, measure the folded comforter. Then use the measurements to determine what kind of drawer, cubby, or shelf unit you need in the bed. As with any child's product, take note of recall information about the toddler bed you are considering. Then assess its overall safety: Is the paint finish lead-free? Are there extra pieces that could break off and become choking hazards? Is the bed low to the floor so your son or daughter won't get injured from a fall? Finally, you'll have to purchase special bedding for the toddler-size mattress, which you can find at specialty children's retailers. Access to the trundle bed is the most important consideration before purchasing one. If the two beds are not sold as a set, will your regular bed accommodate the trundle underneath? Does the trundle slide out easily on hefty, stable casters? Are you sliding it over carpet or an area rug, which may hinder it?