Even a bed with a medium-high mattress can do double duty for storage. Mattress heights -- or depths -- can vary by as much as 10 inches or more. Coupled with the box spring and side-board height of the bedstead, mattress heights can make a big difference both to the look of your bed, and in terms of comfort and providing under-bed storage. Determining a mattress height begins with an examination of the bedroom's design and any unique requirements you may have in mind for the bed. Preferences Begin with your vision for the bedroom. Whether chrome-and-mirrors modern or formal Tudor, sizing your bed height can help to create the right look. Early American, primitive or traditional design schemes lend themselves to high-mattress beds. The more modernistic the decorating theme, the lower the mattress height. Other concerns that may enter into purchasing decisions are back or knee problems for getting in an out of bed, toddlers who might roll off the bed, comfort while sleeping and storage needs.
Low and Sleek Low, sleek beds fit well in modern bedrooms. Beginning with a bed foundation only a few inches above the floor then building on this foundation with a marginal-depth mattress ensures a contemporary silhouette. Hollywood bed frames are an ideal match for low-line beds. Should you be interested in a high-depth mattress with a low contour, one option is to alter the bed frame by attaching a 3/4-inch plywood base, eliminating the need for the box spring; the mattress can lie directly on the plywood platform, assuring a low-profile bed in spite of the generous mattress height. If under-bed storage is a priority, consider buying, building or having built a custom wooden frame with under-the-bed drawers. When appraising mattress height for a modern bedroom style, keep the finished bed mattress height at about 18 inches or less. Arts and Crafts Mid-Height Art Nouveau, Scandinavian contemporary, humble Shaker, early prairie and Mission -- or arts and crafts -- room styles sport mid-height beds with a maximum top-mattress height of 20 to 25 inches.
Play around with a wide variety of mattress heights by customizing the bed frame to accommodate the finished sleeping height. Mid-height beds with appropriately sized mattresses generally have more storage room underneath the bed frame than low-line beds. While mid-height beds may be of more concern for little ones, they can be easier on body parts if you contend with arthritic knees or frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. High for a Lot of Reasons Early American bed mattresses often had a height of 25 inches or more to provide room for trundles. Colonial, Queen Anne, Tudor, country chic and Jacobean room decor are good matches for beds with high mattresses. Such bedding styles allow for storage, are easiest on bad backs in terms of getting in and out of the bed and when making the bed. A comfortable total-bed maximum height is 33 inches. Any higher becomes problematic for utilizing the bed. A range of 30 to 32 inches for sleeping height makes a visually attractive design statement, supports a traditional theme as well as allows under-bed storage.
A high-bed strategy is the largest option for mattress heights. Even if you have a tried-and-true mattress that is comfortable but not deep enough to meet an overall high-bed dimension, you can add a 4-inch foam-topper mattress. References The Oregonian: What to Watch Out for When Buying a Mattress, Bed and Bedding Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionHow do we keep this site running? This post may contain affiliate links — the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. Compensation does not affect rankings. You might think finding a good dog bed is an easy task, but it’s not as simple as driving to the store and picking out the first “cute bed” you see. Dog beds come in all shapes and sizes and there are literally thousands out there to choose from! Dogs, just like their owners, have different needs when it comes to a comfortable place to catch their zzz’s.So, what should you consider about your dog’s needs? The most obvious factor is the right size, but you also should factor in her personality, agility, health issues and even the available space in your house.
We’ve broken down your options into different categories to make it easier for you to find just what you’re looking for, and we give you some of our best dog bed recommendations based on our research.Here we review the best dog bed types based on a variety of factors: breed, coat type, and temperature sensitivity.If you own a smaller or medium-sized breed, you have a wide variety of dog bed selections since they are more compact. Be sure to keep the bed in proportion with your dog’s size. Buying a bed that’s too large for your dog can leave her feeling insecure, so look for a bed that’s just large enough for your dog to stretch out on. Smaller dogs are also much more likely to get chilly, so it’s important to find a bed that keeps drafts to a minimum.Nest dog beds are a popular choice for small and medium-sized breeds. Typically they’re round or oval with lots of cushioning and raised sides to help your small pup can feel contained and comfortable. Pay attention to the quality of the filling material to ensure protection from hard surfaces.
Our choice is the Big Shrimpy Nest Bed.Editor’s Choice: Big Shrimpy Bed on AmazonIt’s harder to find more of a variety and better quality dog beds for larger breeds than for smaller dogs. Most of the good ones are thick and made of memory foam to give your dog plenty of cushioning against the hard floor. Extremely large dogs can cause the foam to flatten out over time, so you may need to buy a replacement at some point. Or consider choosing a crib mattress with spring coils to provide greater support over a longer period of time.Editor’s Choice: Overstuffed Orthopedic Foam Bed on AmazonIs your dog always cold? A concern for owners of hairless dogs or smaller breeds is their dog’s desire to stay warm. Simple padded beds just don’t cut it. Consider a bed that allows for burrowing like the Cozy Cave, which gets excellent customer reviews. Nesting beds and slumber beds are also a good option for these dogs because dogs can sink in to the softer filling material of the bed. Some dogs love the feeling of “burying” themselves and feel more secure in these beds.
Editor’s Choice: Snoozer Cozy Cave Bed on AmazonThick haired or long-haired dogs have an unfortunate tendency to overheat, and beds that emphasize “snuggling” only add to the amount of heat trapped by your dog while they are sleeping. If your dog tends to overheat while they sleep, the best bed choice for you would be a cot style bed. A cot bed usually features a mesh material for the dog to lay on in addition to legs that elevate the bed off the ground. These two features allow for plenty of air circulation around your dog as they sleep. These beds are also great for older dogs with incontinence issues because of the ease of cleaning. We recommend the Coolaroo for its excellent durability and excellent customer reviews. And it also makes a great outdoor dog bed!Editor’s Choice: Coolaroo Elevated Pet Bed on AmazonDepending upon the individual needs of your dog, you may be looking for a bed that meets certain criteria rather than a bed that falls in to a specific category. Below we will take a look at beds that suit various situations.
If you have an especially smelly dog or just hate dog odor in your house, a cedar filled bed could be just what you need. These beds are particularly odorous and can significantly cut down the dog odor in your house — and your dog’s own body odor, particularly for pups with the instinct to disguise their scent. These dogs will often roll around on their beds so they smell like cedar. Cedar filled beds aren’t as comfortable as cotton filled beds and don’t offer as much padding, and certain dog allergies don’t gel well with cedar filled beds. Otherwise, they’re a great way to keep your home odor free.Editor’s Choice: Dallas Manufacturing Co. Weatherproof Bed on AmazonRead about How to Get Dog Pee Smell Out of CarpetRecycled Materials: With increasing levels of eco-awareness some dog owners are interested in purchasing only eco-friendly products. There are a number of dog beds available that are made from recyclable materials. For instance, the P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle bed is manufactured from recycled plastic bottles.
These bed options are often more expensive than other options; however, they are usually built for durability and contribute towards an eco-friendly lifestyle.Editor’s Choice: P.L.A.Y. Eco-Friendly Bed on AmazonOrganic: If you’re committed to organic materials, you’re in luck. There are a number of organic, all-natural dog beds on the market that are high quality, comfortable and earth-conscious. Some are made using 100% organic cotton or eco-fleece and filled with all-natural rubber. Other options are dog beds made from hemp grown without any chemicals. Even the dyes used to give you color options to match your home’s décor are chemical-free.Editor’s Choice: Pure-Rest Organic Rubber Pet BedFor some anxious dogs, burrowing beds like the Cozy Cave (see above) are an excellent option; however, other dogs that suffer with anxiety may be afraid of the darkness or the concept of being hidden or covered. Another good option for anxious dogs is a nest bed or bolster dog bed that features raised sides without the covering over the top.
Bolster beds are generally more expensive than simple padded beds, because most are better made and filled with more durable stuffing. Bolster beds also tend to be bulkier than other types of dog beds, so you need to make sure you have the space at home. We think your dog will love the additional support and feeling of having their own “couch”.Editor’s Choice: PetFusion Ultimate Dog Bed on AmazonRead about Thunder Jacket’s for DogsElderly dogs and dogs that have arthritis and other joint concerns need beds that are supportive. This means that their beds should be thick and provide plenty of push back rather than simply sinking or relocating filling when the dog lies on the bed. The most popular choice is the orthopedic memory foam bed, which conforms to your dog’s shape but provides support for aching joints. If your dog is elderly and more prone to bladder leakage, look for a waterproof orthopedic bed or a waterproof cover. Memory foam holds in odor, so keep this in mind when searching for an orthopedic bed for your elderly pup.
Editor’s Choice: Go Pet Club Orthopedic Bed on AmazonFinding beds for allergy prone dogs can be tricky, and the answer will depend upon what your dog is allergic to. It is always best to avoid beds that contain fillers like cedar, since they can cause skin irritation. A good alternative is a hypoallergenic dog bed cover, like Teton Dog’s DIY Cover. The cover itself is made of 100% waterproof Nanopore fabric (no chemical waterproofing) and is a barrier against dirt, dust, mites and fleas. And there’s no toxic, allergenic or cedar filling — you stuff the cover with whatever works best for your dog.Editor’s Choice: Design-It-Yourself Dog Bed Cover on AmazonIf you’re striving for space in your home, chances are you have a small to medium-sized dog and need a compact dog bed. Corner beds are a great option to save space because they fit where most furniture items don’t, making use of unused space. Another option for smaller dogs is a dog bed that also serves as a crate and end table with a removable door.
Editor’s Choice: Snoozer Corner Pet Bed on AmazonEditor’s Choice: DenHaus TownHaus Dog Crate on AmazonEven dog owners need their space. If your bed is your alone (or couple) time, it’s important to invest in a dog bed so your pup doesn’t get too cozy and accustomed to sharing yours every night. In fact, a Mayo Clinic sleep study found that a large number of pet owners who suffer from sleep problems have their pets sleep in their bed every night. We’re sure a lot of you dog owners out there will appreciate the following video of dogs refusing to get out of your bed!There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to picking the best dog bed for your pup. Whether you want to go for comfort and expense, comfort and affordability, or have special needs, there are so many varieties of dog beds on the market — the good news is you have options to ensure that your dog is happy and your wallet isn’t completely empty. Just remember to keep your individual dog and her needs in mind when searching for your dog’s bed.