Pick the Perfect Bed

Posted on: April 30, 2007

Balancing wants and needs with the size of a room isn’t easy. Here’s how to choose the right-sized bed and frame style for your bedroom

By Kelly Edwards
CTW Features

Image courtesy West Point Home

The most important task in crafting a comfort-focused bedroom is picking the right bed. The right bed represents money well spent, and unlike eclectic throw pillows or modern lamps, it’s money invested in more than style – it’s a place to escape from the stress of the world.

It may be easier said then done, but anyone who has ever shopped for a new bed can tell you how overwhelming it really is. Between rows of mattresses and frames, wood and steel, kings and queens, the perfect bed for any room should encompass the function and size of the room, as well as the overall layout.

While function and size go hand in hand, first consider what the room actually is used for. In a smaller space like a studio or a room that doubles as an office and/or a guest room, a trundle bed or daybed is usually the best option. This will allow the space to open up and is easy to take out and be tucked away. A trundle bed or daybed can also be a great space-saver and allow more storage in the room, which seems to be a common problem for most homeowners.

Spencer Anderson, design coordinator for HGTV’s “Design on a Dime,” tackles storage space on an everyday basis and loves the multi-function beds that aren’t just eating up floor space. “Murphy beds and loft beds aren’t just for the people growing up in the 1970s. They are a great solution for a small space.

“If the room is small and you can’t go out, you might as well go up. This will free up space on the floor to accommodate your lack of storage. Murphy beds, on the other hand, tend to be a bit more expensive, so you may consider a loft bed, which is easier to install while still freeing up the much-needed space,” Anderson says.

For a room that comfortably fits a queen- or king-sized bed, the frame should be positioned to allow access from both sides and have room to easily accommodate two end tables, which will bring symmetry to the space. Not only should you consider the actual size of your mattress when thinking of scale, but you also should consider whether you want a footboard and headboard since these can easily take up an extra foot.

“A headboard is great way to finish up the look of the bed and tie all the furniture together, however scale should also be considered,” Spencer says. “Tall headboards can draw your attention up and make the ceilings look taller, while fabric headboards can make the bed look plush and inviting, perfect for relaxing and reading a book in bed.”

Wood headboards and footboards are an option, but may make the bed look heavy and too big – not a good choice for a smaller room. Instead, opt for something less cumbersome and more streamlined. Also, footboards can be impractical for tall people with feet that hang off the end, but that doesn’t negate the need for something at the foot of the bed, says Anderson. “Another solution to a footboard is a bench at the end of the bed. It compliments the headboard and adds functionality.”

Equally as important are the layout of the room and the location of the windows, closets and other furniture. Dressers, armoires and nightstands are important elements in the overall design of your room, and furniture placement is essential in the overall function. Position your furniture so that the closets are accessible, in addition to providing a path on either side of the bed. Anderson, who says scale and symmetry should be the guiding principals, always looks at the position of the bed in the room in relation to the other elements, “If your bed is positioned between two windows and it’s not directly in the center, you can fake its position by extending curtain rods out to make each of the windows look symmetrical in the space,” he says.

One thing not to forget when choosing a bed is personal style and taste. Whether gravitating toward modern, eclectic or shabby chic, choose a style that creates calm and cohesion with your existing furniture. Some say picking a bed can be like picking a spouse: You have to find the perfect one, no sacrifices required.