Shopping For A New Bed

Advice on buying a new bed (2) -

So you've done your homework, taken your measurements, thought about the style, the size, your specific wants and needs, your partners wants and needs and all the other important issues that we looked at in the previous article Advice on buying a bed.

So lets go shopping for a new bed!

What to take with you when shopping for a new bed?

• Take your measurements - write down the area of the room that you are going to place the bed in. It's always a good idea to sketch a plan and show where the doors, drawers, windows, radiators and other fixed architectural details are. That way you will be able to refer, with confidence, to it when a different option, from the one you have in mind, presents itself.
  

• Take all those people who are actually going to sleep on the bed - sounds obvious really but you and your partner or child want to get a good nights sleep...so they have to try out the bed intended for them.

• Take a tape measure!

• Take a colour swatch of wood or metal colours - if you are working with the current room furniture, then be sure that the finish of the bed will work with the current fittings.

• Wear comfortable clothes that you can lie down in - You need to test drive a bed, so go shopping in something that you feel comfortable lying around in. I suggest you wear easy to slip on and off shoes...after all how many of you go to sleep with them on?

• Checklist for assessing the beds and help you to remember which you liked for 'what' reasons. - Firmness, Length, looks, style, height off floor, unique features.

• Pen or pencil

• Camera - if the shop will let you take pictures of the beds.

• Take your time - Set enough time aside to try out several beds. Don't try and make a decision in one shopping trip.

• Lie on each bed and assume your usual position/s. Don't be embarrassed, the shop assistants expect you to clamber around on the bed...you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive would you?

• Spend at least 10 minutes on each bed. If you sleep with your partner then make sure they lie there also.

• Does the frame feel firm - see side bar 'Test the bed frame'.

• Is there enough room for you both? Both of you fold your arms behind your head, do your elbows touch? Are they hanging off the edge of the bed?

• How's the length of the bed? if you are very tall you may need to think about an extra long bed. Allow 10cm extra length to the taller of the users.

• Does the bed 'dip' near to your partner, do you think you will notice when they are tossing-and-turning?

• Is the firmness right - See side bar 'How Firm? A comfortable bed will give just the right support. You will need to gauge this yourself based on you and your partners body size and sleeping style. See Advice on buying a mattress for more advice on the right firmness for a good nights sleep.

• If you and your partner have very different body shapes and weight, then consider buying double beds that have two separate mattresses that join together. You might need a slightly firmer support to your sleeping partner.