Considering we spend almost a third of the day in our bed, every single day, it is absolutely vital that we pick the right one, or else prepare ourselves for a world of sore backs, stiff necks, and a host of other sleep-related problems that could’ve been so easily avoided just from picking the right bed.
A good night’s rest of sleep on a comfortable bed add to a better, happier, healthier you. This makes purchasing a bed an important decision that you don’t want to regret later.
We’ve put together 13 essential tips to follow when picking a bed suited for you, so you’d really know if it’s worth the investment.
1. Don’t rush to get the very first bed you see
This may sound like an obvious advice, but hey, sometimes it is difficult to resist the temptation of buying the first bed you see in the first store, only to enter the second store to find that they have the exact same bed at a much cheaper price. Bummer.
Alternatively, you could even find better beds elsewhere. You know the saying – the grass is greener on the other side, and this is your chance to exploit that to full use!
Besides, beds are a pretty heavy investment, often costing up to the thousands, so you’re going to want to think very hard before getting the perfect bed.
2. Don’t just stand around, lie on it!
Exactly like the title, instead of just standing around, listening to the sales person pitching you how great and fantastic the bed is, test it for yourself – lie on the bed to see if you personally like it.
The beds aren’t there on display for nothing, after all – you are expected to lie on it.
3. Try to avoid buying beds online
Since you (naturally) can’t test beds online, try to avoid buying beds on e-commerce sites.
Or, if you really just can’t resist the urge of online buys, or if there was just such an irresistible deal you can’t resist, then consider getting one that has a comfort warranty, so that you can return it if it doesn’t suit you, after all.
4. Choose it together with your partner
If you’re living together with a partner, getting it together should be a must.
After all, this will be both your beds, which means that both of you should like it, because nobody deserves to be condemned to a world of torture at the end of a gruelling day when all you really want to do is to relax.
5. Consider the size of your room in relation to the bed you want
While it technically doesn’t add anything to how well you sleep, it sure will affect how you feel about the bed.
If anything, you don’t want to buy a bed that you feel is perfect, with the right amount of softness…only for it not to fit your room – the horror!
To avoid that, measure out the area you want the bed to be fitted in so you don’t end up giving yourself a rude shock when you feel all that money going down the drain.
6. Consider the storage space
No space to put your belongings in your new house?
Consider getting a storage bed – one of those really nifty-looking beds out there with a storage section directly below the mattress.
While nifty as heck, remember that you’re going to have to routinely clean out the storage area below, unless you don’t mind creepy-crawlies coming to live with you!
7. Consider how it’ll fit in with the rest of your house
After all, there’s more to a bed than simply how comfortable it is. Are you a design, or aesthetic freak? Then perhaps consider how the bed fits in aesthetically with the rest of the house, and not just its comfort.
For something with a more luxurious feel, consider headboards, which can add so much pizzazz to a plain, minimalistic looking bed.
8. Single vs Double? Queen-sized vs King-sized?
Even if you’re single, that doesn’t mean that you should immediately dismiss all the double-sized beds.
After all, this new bed will be your new sanctuary, so feel free to aim high for a luxurious king-sized bed to roll around, stretch, and do whatever it takes for a well-rested, good night’s sleep.
9. Choose a good bed for your back
Yes, even bed frames are important when it comes to your back. Consider spring or slat beds, which are your best bets for a good support for your back.
If you find yourself on the bed reading and doing other stuff (like work, which you shouldn’t, but we know many of you out there do!), or pregnant, consider getting an adjustable bed. You’ll thank us when you have a better posture, after!
10. Purchasing the right mattress
Beds aren’t the only important thing here – both the bed and mattress should work well together. For example, spring beds often go together with spring mattresses, and slat beds (the kind with the wooden tiles below) go better with foam mattresses.
Spring beds tend to be softer, and more comfortable, but if you’re someone with back problems, you may want to consider foam mattresses, which conform to the body shape, while also being firm enough to give the body the support it needs.
11. Try to buy your mattress and bed at the same time
Naturally, an older mattress won’t last as long on a new bed compared to a new mattress on a new bed.
To avoid the trouble of having to begin the search all over again, try to get them together!
P.S. A lot of stores also offer discounts when you purchase them as a set, which is more incentive for you to purchase them together!
12. Look out for big discounts
Just like how you need to choose the right bed, there is also a right time to buying beds. If possible, try to buy your beds and mattresses in May, as bed companies often come up with new models in May or June.
Look out for other big discounts when retailers mark down their older models. Other good times include holidays, like Labour Day, when furniture stores tend to have big sales.
13. What you pay for, is what you get
Although this isn’t a strict rule-of-thumb sort of thing, generally, the higher the price of the bed, the better the quality you should expect.
Of course, that’s not to say buy the most expensive bed in the market, but that perhaps you should treat beds at too-good-to-be-true prices (such as those from e-commerce sites like Taobao) with a hint of skepticism.
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