Time to get a new mattress?

The bed we use every day is one of the most important pieces of furniture at home and in most cases much time and effort is put into considering both the design of the bed frame and the bedding used on it.

However it seems the statistics show quite a different trend is taking place with one of the most important aspects of the bed - the mattress.

Mattress example in white

According to recent reports, the vast majority of us are sleeping on mattresses that are either too old or not maintained properly and many people are ignoring the signs of bugs that might be living in them. There are lots of ways you can improve the hygiene of your mattress, not least by using the hoover on the surface to collect the dust particles that will have arrived during the night.

Mattress comfort is another consideration and I was surprised to read that some people are sleeping with a mattress that is the wrong size for the bed. I presume this is in an effort to save money and / or space (depending how the room is set up).

Checking the firmness of your mattress should also be considered when you are looking at purchasing one. Firmness will wear over time and typical signs of this include spring openings on the fabric and dips in the mattress itself.

Frankly, a mattress is not an expensive item to replace and if you already have a sturdy bed frame you might be able to replace it on its own. If you are looking for a whole new bed then most manufacturers will tell you to replace the mattress too, this way the new mattress can adapt to the new bed, rather than reforming based on the shape of the old one.

For more information on selecting the right mattress for your needs, speak to a specialist with a wide range of products available who should be able to provide you with some choices that are suitable for your needs.

Maximise your spare room space with a triple bunk bed

I have spoken on this blog several times about the advantages of purchasing a small double bed as a way of saving space in your home - especially when considering a spare room or guest room.

 However, if you have a large space that (for whatever reason) needs 2 beds, there is another solution that may work better and will save some of that all important floor space.

Triple Bunk Beds

Wooden Triple Bunk Bed

Triple bunk beds have space for 3 people to sleep with a single bed on the top bunk and a double bed at the bottom.

Frame styles for the triple bunk bed are often the same as standard bunks - wooden and metal frames are popular and tend to be simpler for the user as their self assembly can be very fast.

In addition to this the bottom double has a much larger storage area beneath so there is extra space for out of season clothing, bed linen and other bulky space wasters!

The image pictured on the right shows a standard sized triple bed - the single on top is 100cm wide and the double below is 147 cms wide, making them ideal for children and adults alike. These standard sizes often make it simpler to choose a matress, as the styles are easy to source, purchase and install once the bed is ready.

Metal Triple Bunk Bed

The image on the left also shows a triple bunk bed with a metallic frame - as you can see the style of the frames makes them suitable for most homes and easy to clean and maintain if they are being placed in a childs bedroom. Besides this one of the other popular features here is that the double bed can be folded out into a sofa when its not in use - this makes great use of the space and works even better when a child has a friend to stay.


Due consideration should also be given to the mattress itself and although cheaper 'occasional use' matresses are available, there are also standard matresses that will fit and offer your guests a good night of sleep.

Bed designs that provide space saving solutions

Like many others, your bed is likely to be one of the largest and most used items of furniture in your home. With many people spending upwards of 50 hours per week in their bed it is no wonder we are all searching for something that is both comfortable, affordable and (most importantly) suitable for the space we have available.

4ft Beds have become far more popular in recent years and I believe this is a sign of the current economic climate. With home owners, renters and landlords all looking to save money, downsizing your home and the furniture within it can be a useful way of doing so.

As I mentioned, beds are one of the largest items you will have in your home and as a result are also likely to be one of the most expensive, but purchasing a small double bed might be a solution that saves both space and money at the same time.

Saying that, saving on money and space doesn’t necessarily mean you have to compromise on quality.

4ft Leather Beds

4ft Leather Bed

This example of a small leather bed shows that you can still purchase a stylish and modern design whilst still saving the space in your home.

Popular dark brown faux leather is used here, but options are available for black and white styles as well as real leather (obviously at an additional cost).

4ft Metal Beds

As I have mentioned on previous posts, Metal beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit both modern and more traditional homes.

Manufacturers use the same designs to create a small double bed with metal frame that once again saves space and may even provide some additional storage solutions beneath the bed!

The 4ft width saves about a quarter of width when compared with a standard double, which can mean many rooms that were previously thought to be single can now be created as double.

So whether you are looking for a bed for your guest room or something for you to personally use on a daily basis, there is no reason that a small double can’t look stylish and be comfortable and affordable all at the same time.

What is a daybed with a trundle?

Beds themselves are amongst the largest items of furniture you will purchase for your home, but if you are looking for a stylish item of furniture that is both functional as a bed and stylish when not in use, then I think you might want to look at a daybed with trundle.

I recently heard the phrase "trundle" for the first time and many other people have no idea what it means either. Wikipedias Dictionary, Wiktionary,  describes a trundle as:

"A low bed, designed to be rolled/stored away, usually on casters, under a higher bed, e.g. for temporary use by guests."

So in short, a guest bed that can be hidden away.

Combining this idea with a daybed gives you a functional double bed for those last minute guest visits, that will also act as a seating area in a living room or spare bedroom when not in use. Some of the more recent designs are very fashionable and popular finishes include metal and wood.

Wooden Daybed with Trundle

Wooden Daybed with Trundle

This example of a wooden daybed would work well in most modern homes and with the right accessories will fit in well with most colour schemes.

The trundle is stored beneath the bed and has sturdy legs to support the additional bed when in use. The aesthetics of the bed are largely uneffected by the additional matress beneath and this is mostly thanks to the well-matched wooden materials used on both sections.

Metal Daybed with Trundle

Metal Daybed with Trundle

If you are looking for a more traditional design this antique style metal daybed could be a perfect fit. This black example also houses the trundle bed beneath the main surface and acts as a comfortable seating area when the bed is not in use.

For a lighter feel many of the designs also have a white or more neutral finish available, also making them well suited to most colour schemes.

As mentioned in my post below, antique style bed frames offer a luxurious look with a far lower price tag than real antique beds and are a popular and fashionable choice at the moment.

Dressing these beds is simple as both sections require standard size single matresses. Sheets would therefore need to be single sized with suitable duvet covers for a double bed.

So if you are short on space, but need a guest bed solution, then a daybed could be just what you are looking for.

Keep your bed fresh to avoid the bed bugs!

It doesn’t matter what style your bed is –Metal, Leather, Divan or Wooden beds can all suffer from the infestation of bed bugs if you don’t take proper care of them!

The Daily Mail reported today that 1 in 8 people are currently sleeping in bedding that has not been washed for over a month.

Tracy Emin Wooden Bed

It is said that many people cited lack of time and washing costs as the reason for not changing their bed clothes and although these seem like honest reasons for this, what is the cost to those sleeping in the dirty laundry and the bed they sleep in?

Well an infestation of bed bugs can cause a skin reactions, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. The bugs themselves can live for up to a year in your mattress and bite you once every 5 days. Once an infestation has broken out the biting and irritation can be constant and both this and the infestation can be hard to control. Calling in an expert pest controller is really your only option at this stage.

However, long before things have got this bad you could take preventative measures to stop the bugs getting there in the first place. Simple measures like cleaning your mattress, leaving the sheets to air during the day, not eating in bed and changing the sheets regularly will all assist in keep bed bugs at bay. Regular vacuuming of the room, dust removal and general cleanliness are also helpful factors.

The newspaper showed Tracy Emins Turner Prize winning unmade bed as an example, and although most of us don’t have a bedroom like this, there are clearly lots of people who need to improve their bedroom cleanliness.

Interestingly the report also confirmed that many people also sleep on mattresses that are over 10 years old. As I have mentioned before, old mattresses are a common reason for back and neck pain as well as being a principal culprit in causing poor sleep patterns. Some people hoover their mattress in order to assist with cleanliness and remove any dust or skin particles that can get stuck over time.

Of course, if you have an old bed then purchasing a new one is often a good way of starting your journey towards a good night of sleep. And if keeping bed bugs at bay is your principal concern then you might want to get a lightweight and easy to clean frame to make hygiene practices far easier for you.

Can a Bed Design be the key to an excellent night of slumber?

Its fair to say that many people don’t pay enough attention to their bedroom. We spend many hours there (all be it asleep) but a recent survey has shown that some people don’t replace or even flip their mattress for years and uncomfortable beds make for a bad night of sleep.

Something as simple as a comfortable bed design with a luxurious feel and finish can make you feel more relaxed and prepared for a good night of sleep. These Leather, Metal and Wooden beds are good examples of the luxury designs that are available today:

Leather Bed

Leather Bed

This Brown Leather finished bed looks very comfortable.

The bed itself is delivered part assembled and has a more sturdy bottom than the standard slatted system, making it longer lasting and far more comfortable.

Metal Bed

The modern metal bed pictured has a sturdy frame that can be put together quickly and easily.

Metal Bed

The added advantage here is the amount of under bed storage available, which means you can make the bedroom a sanctuary of calm without the clutter.

One tip for this is to buy a duvet that is a size larger than the bed. This way you will cover the multitude of sins hidden beneath. Don’t forget to get the correct size of fitted sheet though!

Wooden Bed

Wooden Bed

Oak finishes on beds are particularly popular at present and the strong materials make them highly suited to modern bedrooms that need a hard wearing solution.

The finish is well matched with other oak furniture and a suitable mattress can assist in helping you drift away.

Whatever type of bed you are considering, make sure you choose a suitable mattress and accessories that will help to give you that perfect night of sleep!

Antique Beds without the Antique price tag!

As I have mentioned on here before, there are lots of choices to consider when purchasing your new bed, whether you are looking for a Leather, Guest, Wooden or Metal Bed Frame.

However trends within the design industry normally dictate what is currently popular and after reading several interior design magazines recently for my own renovations, I have found that Antique styles are very trendy.

I have seen everything from garden baskets to bedside tables all created using metal and finish with an antique French style paint.

So what are your choices if you are looking to design a bedroom in this way? I have found lots of bed choices with various benefits available, including:

 

Antique Style Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 1

This bed is great for traditional homes and being white in colour make it easy to accessorize thanks to current trends.

The clean lines on the foot and head of the bed give it a modern feel on a traditional style.

 

 

Antique Style Small Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 2

The small double bed is an excellent space saver for those looking for a guest room solution.

Saving you an additional 6in but still providing you with the space to sleep 2, this bed has a more traditional feel and work well in an old style house with some crisp white bed linen.

 

 

 

Antique Style Black Double Bed

Antique Style Bed Example 3

This iron look might work better if you are considering darker colours in your re-decoration scheme.

The iron look is particularly popular at the moment, and many people use light colour bed linens to offset the bed frame.

And there are hundreds of other choices available depending on your requirements which include storage solutions, fold out and hideaway spare beds and other ornate features within the design.