Which wood is better to buy a bed from? Many people ask this question and try to find the right answer. And many people are worried about their children, so the question of which wood is best for a child’s bed can also often be heard in furniture stores.
Wooden beds have always served as a standard of quality and reliability, important elements of a healthy rest. Thanks to its environmental properties, natural materials and minimal chemicals used for processing, rest becomes truly harmonious and this is not the whole list of advantages over metal beds and beds made of other types of materials.
A wooden bed is distinguished by its durability, comfort, it can serve its owners for a very long time and at the same time significantly save the family budget when purchasing, and also affect the quality of sleep.
In this article we will try to find out what types of wood beds are made from, what the difference is between all these types, and we will try to choose the most comfortable bed for everyone.
Points that require attention when choosing a wooden bed
The first thing that is usually considered when choosing furniture intended for sleeping is how it integrates into the interior. Of course, the aesthetic pleasure associated with the pleasing design of the space affects physical comfort, and therefore good rest and healthy sleep. But this is not the only factor that needs to be taken into account if you are going to buy a bed.
Material used
If with regard to cabinet furniture, subject to extreme care, it is allowed to purchase products made from composite materials (chipboard, MDF), then when it comes to beds, experts agree: the best material for this piece of furniture is solid wood.
- Wood is an environmentally friendly, “living” material. Unlike composite analogs that contain formaldehyde components, it is not only safe, but also beneficial for human health. A room with wooden furnishings creates a special microclimate that promotes good sleep.
- Solid wood is durable and, with proper care, will last for many years. A high-quality wooden bed will not become loose and will not lose its respectable appearance in the first years after purchase, as often happens with products made from particle boards.
- A bed made of solid wood looks elegant, gives a special chic to the bedroom, gives an atmosphere of warmth, coziness and comfort.
It is especially important to buy a bed made of natural solid wood for a child. Along with safety and durability, such furniture is characterized by a reduced risk of injury. Wooden products absorb shock. The ends in them (unlike beds made of laminated chipboard) are rounded, and the corners are less sharp.
The very fact of purchasing a solid wood bed does not guarantee its reliability and safety. The quality of the wood used sometimes leaves much to be desired, and the materials used in its processing (paint and varnish products, antiseptics) may not always be safe.
Here it is important to choose a proven, conscientious manufacturer who responsibly approaches each stage of furniture production. For example, the domestic industry uses only high-quality and safe adhesives, environmentally friendly Barpimo paints (Spain) and water-based varnishes from this company in the manufacture of interior items. Solid wood used in the production of interior products is subject to careful control here.
Wood for a bed: what type to choose?
The quality characteristics of a solid wood bed largely depend on the type of wood used.
Solid pine and birch are the most popular materials for making bedroom furniture; attractive, high-quality and affordable models are obtained from it. Here you need to take into account that pine wood, due to its softness, is subject to various deformations, so such beds require careful handling. Pine furniture has one more feature: the presence of a slight smell of pine needles and the release of phytoncides, which have a beneficial effect on health. Birch has greater hardness and strength compared to pine, which is why it is often chosen as a material for children's and teenagers' beds.
The cost of beds made of oak, beech and ash is much higher. These materials are characterized by increased strength. With proper care, furniture made from them will last several generations in the family. Oak and ash have an expressive natural pattern; products made from them are distinguished by their unique beauty without additional finishing.
An oak bed looks solid and massive; it is more suitable for a spacious room. For a small room, it is better to buy a bed made of solid ash or birch.
In a bedroom with high humidity, it is better to place a bed made of pine, ash or oak. Birch and hygroscopic beech are not suitable in this case.
Material
First of all, it must be, no matter how trite, environmentally friendly, that is, not contain substances harmful to the human body. Confirmation of this should be sought in the hygiene certificate of the product.
Tree
Involuntarily we tend to give preference to natural materials. Many of us grew up in wooden cribs.
Wood allows air to pass through freely, which is very important for good sleep.
However, there are also disadvantages: if the tree turns out to be too soft (which is typical for cheaper pine) or poorly processed, then in the future, when the baby begins to try his teeth on the crib, it is in serious danger of being simply eaten. A child can get splinters on his arms and legs as soon as he starts testing his “house” for strength. Therefore, it is preferable to choose a crib made of more durable types of wood: alder, maple, birch. An expensive option is very hard beech.
When purchasing a wooden crib, personally check all its elements, especially on the inside, for quality of processing. To do this, carefully stroke it with your hands, checking for nicks and roughness.
MDF (fine wood fraction)
This material is quite durable and can withstand the onslaught of a baby for quite a long time with impunity. An MDF crib can be considered an acceptable alternative to a wooden one, since no harmful substances are used in the production of this material. But it is better to avoid the presence of parts made of chipboard or plywood.
Plastic
Good plastic - light, durable, hypoallergenic. Parents decide for themselves how comfortable their baby will be surrounded by plastic. If the room in which the crib will be located is large enough and well ventilated, then this is unlikely to be a big problem.
Steel
Not so common material. As a rule, you don’t have to worry about the strength of such a crib, especially if there is no initial defect in it, which is what you should find out first.
Size matters
The length of the base of the selected bed should be 15-20 cm greater than the height of the person who plans to sleep on it. If we are talking about a couple, they are guided by the highest indicator.
A single bed base must have a width of at least 80 cm. In a single bed model, the elbows of a lying person do not extend beyond the boundaries of the bed. The surface of the double bed should allow one person to put his hands behind his head without touching the person lying next to him.
The height of the bed should allow you to lie down and get up as comfortably as possible. The ideal height is the top of the mattress reaching the knees of a standing person (or slightly higher). This is especially important if the sleeping place is intended for an elderly family member. For example, the popular low podium beds should not be chosen in such a situation.
How to choose a bed base
The material used is not the only way that the bases of bedroom furniture differ. There are different types of construction of this part of the bed.
- Solid base - a wooden panel made of jointed (processed to obtain a flat and smooth surface) boards, installed on supports or legs. Today, such beds are in little demand: a flat bottom is not the best option for the health of the spine, moreover, it does not allow the mattress to “breathe” and quickly becomes unusable.
- Slatted base - a frame to which slats (slats) are attached at a certain distance from each other. They are often made from pine or birch. Beech or ash elements are stronger, but such a bed will cost an order of magnitude more.
- Orthopedic base - a frame made of lamellas with the ability to adjust the rigidity in accordance with the individual characteristics of a person. This is ideal for a bed on which people with a large weight difference sleep.
A lamella base has a number of advantages over a monolithic one.
- The slatted design evenly distributes the load on the spine of a lying person, complementing the orthopedic characteristics of the mattress, ensuring a full and healthy sleep.
- The slats ensure air circulation in the mattress area, evenly distribute the load on it and on the bed itself, extending the life of the sleeping place.
- Like any structure subjected to constant load, the base of the bed can be damaged. Restoring the rack is quite simple; just replace the lamellas on which the defect appeared. In most cases, the solid base has to be completely replaced, and this is a considerable material cost.
- The lamella design is lighter and more mobile, which makes it convenient to transport the bed: it is easier to move and place in the car. It can be disassembled without much effort and assembled into its component elements: domestic manufacturers use simple and convenient fittings. However, it will be better if, after purchase, the bed is assembled by professionals.
A bed with a slatted base is a suitable option for a rental property because it is easy to transport.
The orthopedic base can also be used separately from the bed, placing it on the legs included in the kit.
The optimal option for the base of a single bed is 13-15 slats; for a double bed this number doubles. It is desirable that the distance between the slats does not exceed the width of a single slat (ideally, no more than 7 cm). The optimal thickness of one lamella is 8-10 mm, width is 5-7 cm.
When choosing a double bed, you should give preference to one where the base is divided into 2 halves, so that each bed has its own slatted structure.
A high-quality bed base is a prerequisite for a full and healthy sleep.
My recommend beech crib!
At one time, I approached the choice of a crib carefully and, having studied a lot of information, came to the conclusion that I would only buy a crib made of beech. Why is that? Because beech is a hard wood for furniture and is considered a favorable species for humans. But if we take birch and pine as an example, there is no quality here: birch cracks over time, knots fall out; If pine is not dried properly, resin pockets may remain, which is simply not acceptable for a baby.
Before the birth of my son, I chose a crib for more than one year; I gave preference to practicality - a transformable bed. Drema's crib is an ideal option, I'm happy with my choice. 8 transformations help the crib grow with the child. In addition to just a crib, it also turns into a playpen, which gives the mother the opportunity to take a little time off from her child. Drema crib from the Yug Furniture factory from Art. Bryukhovetskaya, made of solid beech and meet all safety requirements. I'm happy with my choice!
I bought our crib at Children's No. 1, take a look at https://detsky1.ru/shop/spb/, the selection in the salon is amazing
My husband and I first walked through the halls on the online website, then went to the store and looked at everything again on the spot.
I heard that birch has good, well, energy. that this is a good tree for newborns, but rather weak in wear. I also think that there is no point in taking a super expensive one. I’ll probably make a choice in favor of environmental friendliness, and by the way, yes, IKEA has good furniture, you can look there too, that’s a good idea. How did I not guess)))
We chose a round transformable crib for our baby. It has 7 functions, it can be assembled as a cradle, a changing table, then a playpen, an oval crib, a sofa, a table with chairs. The crib is wooden with rounded edges, without sharp corners. Actually very practical and convenient.
We have a round crib made of pine from Noony. Quite strong, does not creak. We often rearrange it from place to place and don’t leave the pendulum alone)) Now round cribs are in fashion, especially since we have a transformer for 10 years, I don’t think they would have made it from pine if it weren’t durable.
What else is worth considering when buying a solid wood bed?
Already at the time of purchase, it is worth thinking about how the bed will be located in the room.
It is advisable that at least 70 cm of free space remain between the sleeping place and a nearby object (wall, other furniture). This will provide an unobstructed approach and allow you to place a small bedside table if desired.
Beds are available for sale both with and without a headboard. The choice of the right model depends on the intended location. The presence of such a backrest is not necessary for placement close to the wall. Interesting design solutions are often used here, for example, they decorate the wall at the head with boards or wall panels in the same style as the bed.
If the location is not against the wall, it is better to buy a bed with a reliable headboard.
The comfort of sleeping furniture also depends on the mattress. Usually they come with the bed, but it happens that they are purchased separately. Here it is better not to skimp on your health and buy a mattress made from environmentally friendly and high-quality materials. For example, from the TerraMebel company you can order an ergonomic product made to individual sizes.
Main varieties
The type of bed depends on the wood from which it is made. Price, durability and quality also depend on this. Therefore, the choice of material must be taken with full responsibility.
The most popular and suitable types of wood for making a bed are:
- Oak. This is the most durable wood; even after many years it will not lose its appearance. She will look solid. It has a high price. Models, as a rule, are presented chic and strong. This is a classic; they prefer to put this type of furniture in luxury homes.
- From pine. This is an inexpensive option. This type of wood is much inferior to all others. Its characteristics are worse.
- Birch. The cost is low, but this particular wood has disinfecting properties. Therefore, it is perfect for manufacturing;
- Bukovaya. Very long service life, low price and they are not too massive.
The choice depends on financial capabilities and personal preferences. But the best option is oak and birch bedrooms.
If the product is made to order, then you need to carefully ensure that the material is processed correctly.
Ideal place to sleep: bed, sofa or ottoman?
When choosing furniture for sleeping, instead of a bed, alternative interior items are often purchased: a sofa or ottoman. This method of arranging a bed is especially popular among owners of small-sized homes who believe that the bed will take up too much space. For teenagers, chair-beds are often purchased.
Such lovers of space saving forget about an important rule: pieces of furniture must be used strictly in accordance with their intended purpose, only in this case they will last a long time and will not cause harm to health.
The sofa and chair-bed are designed to be sat on. From time to time they can serve as additional furniture for sleeping (for example, spruce trees need to accommodate guests or suddenly visiting relatives for the night). However, using them as a permanent sleeping place is irrational for a number of reasons:
- Chair beds and most sofas are not equipped with an orthopedic base, and choosing an orthopedic mattress for them can be difficult. As a result, the filler and frame are deformed, and the person who sleeps on such a “bed” gets problems with the health of the musculoskeletal system.
- Daily unfolding and folding leads to accelerated wear of the mechanisms.
- Furniture upholstery quickly deteriorates.
An ottoman - a small sofa with low legs, no armrests and a small backrest - is also not a full-fledged replacement for a bed. It is suitable for placement in the living room, on the terrace of a country house or on the balcony. Guests who suddenly arrive can spend the night there.
When using an ottoman as a permanent sleeping place, problems arise that are similar to the situation with a sofa: the furniture wears out quickly, and the health of the person sleeping on it can fail.
Which crib is better to take?
First of all, look at the material from which the crib is made. It is best if the crib is made of natural wood, and even better if it is made of beech. It’s just that beds made of birch and pine are not so durable, they are subject to mechanical damage, then there may be scratches, marks from children’s bites, and dents on it. And over time, birch and pine crack, knots fall out, and a child can get hurt. We have a beech bed, it served our daughter for three years and is like new, now our son will grow up in it.
How to find space for a bed in a small room
If the size of the apartment forces you to save living space, this can be done in several ways without compromising your health, while maintaining the attractiveness of the interior.
- Bulky cabinets and armchairs can be removed, freeing up space for a bed and other compact and functional furnishings.
- A win-win option for saving living space is a bunk bed. This is a reasonable alternative to a chair-bed or ottoman, often used to arrange a child's bed.
- A loft bed will help you save living space - a popular way to arrange a space for a child or teenager to sleep. Upstairs there will be a full-fledged sleeping place, and below there will be an area for games, activities, and storage of things. By the way, you can put a small sofa under the upper tier, but in this case it will already be used for its intended purpose.
- A bed with three backs will “fit” harmoniously into a room that simultaneously serves as a bedroom and a living room. In design, it resembles a sofa or ottoman, but at the same time it is a full-fledged sleeping place for 1 person.
A bed can be more than just furniture for sleeping. If it is equipped with bedside drawers (specialists will do this if the customer wishes), there will be space for storing things, and the need for chests of drawers and bedside tables will disappear.
A sleeping place with a built-in lifting mechanism will make it possible to place bulk accessories: warm blankets, pillows, vacuum bags with winter clothes.
Modern design solutions and a variety of bed models presented on the furniture market allow you to choose an option that will “fit” into almost any space.
A correctly chosen bed is not only a pleasing element of the interior, but an important factor influencing a person’s mood, performance and health. Such a purchase requires a thorough approach, care and thoughtful decisions.
The best manufacturers of cribs
The most sophisticated and “status” cribs are Italian ( Pali, Bambolina, Feretti ), German ( Wundermöbel, Geuther ), Japanese ( Micuna ). They are distinguished by excellent quality materials, a variety of colors and design finds. True, a rare model of these brands costs less than 20 thousand rubles, so they never gained wide popularity in the vastness of our country. At the same time, functionally, European and Japanese models may differ noticeably from others, for example, in the number of bottom positions, design options and colors. Parents decide for themselves whether to pay for a fashion brand and uniqueness. Among the inexpensive imported options, noteworthy are the Polish cribs Valle , which combine a nice European design with a reasonable price.
Domestic cribs are varied and represent an example of the best combination of price and quality. The undisputed leaders are the brands Krasnaya Zvezda (Mozhga) and Lel (Kubanlesstroy), which offer stylish and practical models made of solid wood in a huge assortment at reasonable prices (from 6 to 17 thousand rubles). While less known to consumers, but also very good, are the cribs of the domestic brands Noony Wood and Papaloni . Cheaper options (from 3 to 6 thousand) are inferior to the leaders in quality of materials and design, but are also safe for babies and convenient for parents. These are manufacturers Antel, Briciola, SKV .
And now “Price Expert” offers to get acquainted with the best cribs for babies.
