How to choose a double bed and a mattress for it: best tips, prices + photos

No. 1. Bed size and shape

When choosing a bed, you need to focus on the height of those who will rest on it, as well as the size of the room. The rule is simple: buy the largest bed that can fit in the bedroom without interfering with free movement. When asking the parameters of a specific model in a store, you can hear the answer that the bed size is standard, but it is better to clarify and ask for the exact data in centimeters, since standards in different countries may differ:

• a single bed can be 80 cm, 90 cm, and sometimes even 100 cm wide;
• the width of a single bed is from 100 to 150 cm;
• a double bed has a width of at least 160 cm, a popular option is 180 cm, but there are “king” beds with a width of 200 cm.

The standard length of a bed is 190 cm ; models with a length of 200 cm are less common. If you search, you can find a bed that is 218 cm long, and if you need an even larger bed, you will have to make a custom-made bed.

When choosing the optimal bed size, consider the following recommendations:

• The length of the bed should be at least 10 cm (and preferably 15 cm) greater than the height of the person who will sleep on it. If this is a couple, then, naturally, it is necessary to take into account the height of the one who is taller;
• the correct width will be, in which a person resting on his half can calmly put his hands behind his head and not disturb the person lying next to him. If we are talking about a single-bed option, then in this case the elbows should fit completely on the bed without going beyond it;

• between the bed and a nearby object (wall, piece of furniture, etc.) there must be at least 70 cm of free space so that you can easily approach the sleeping area and place a bedside table;
• The height of the bed should be such that getting up and lying down is as easy as possible. The older a person is, the more attention needs to be paid to this parameter. If even low podium beds are suitable for young people, then for an elderly person it is better to choose a higher bed. Most models have a height of 50-90 cm. The ideal height is when the upper edge of the mattress reaches the level of the knees of the person standing next to you or is even above this level.

As for the shape , it is better to stick to the traditional rectangular one, and realize your design fantasies in unusual decor and bright textiles. round, oval, arched or heart-shaped bed looks impressive, but can cause a lot of problems: from inconvenience during sleep to difficulties with choosing bed linen and blankets. Everything will have to be sewn individually.

Which bed is better to choose

Competition in the production of bedroom furniture forces enterprises to produce a large number of models, using various traditional and modern materials. In order not to get lost in the variety of shapes and design features, you should determine in advance the requirements for the object of purchase.

How to decide on bed size

The most important characteristic of a bed is its width. It is this that underlies the classification of this category of furniture.

Single beds – 70-100 cm

This type of bed takes up minimal space and is focused on the comfort of one person. A specific model is chosen taking into account the person’s build. Most of these products for adults have a width of 70 to 100 cm.

Single beds – 100-130 cm

This option allows one person to sleep more comfortably. The width of such beds is 100-130 cm. If necessary, two people can fit here. Single beds are bought by young married couples when they need to save space in the apartment. They are suitable for a children's room or country house.

Double beds – 140-180 cm

It is believed that to comfortably accommodate two people, a width of 140-180 cm is required. Such beds are called double beds. When choosing a model, be sure to take into account the build of the partners and the favorite position of both during sleep.

Family beds – 180-200 cm

The width of this category of beds starts from 180 cm. They are ideal for any married couple with small children who tend to climb into their parents’ bed at night. Such models look good in a spacious bedroom. They are usually located so that there is a convenient approach from different sides.

How to choose the width, length and height of the bed

Before going to a furniture store, you need to accurately determine the installation location of the future bed and take the appropriate measurements. The width should correspond to the build of those who will rest on it. The minimum length is calculated by adding 30-40 cm to height.

If you prefer larger pillows, add a few more inches. For tall people, sometimes you have to order non-standard models. They cost more, but comfort is more important.

The height of most beds ranges from 50 to 65 cm. If in doubt about the right choice, sit on it. If your legs bent at the knees form a right angle, then the product is suitable for you. This principle is not a dogma. For older people, it is better to buy a lower model, and if there is a risk of drafts in the house, a higher one.

No. 2. Bed frame design

The bed consists of a base where the mattress is placed, and a frame on which the base rests. The frame may include backs , supports (legs, podium) and drawers (these are the side panels of the bed).

The frame can be one of these two types:

• two supporting backs and two side drawers;

• four drawers and one or two hanging backs. The supports in this case are legs or wheels.

It is difficult to say for sure which type of frame is better. If the bed is made of high quality, then it will in any case be durable, and low-quality specimens will soon begin to creak. However, samples with supporting backs perform slightly better than models with legs. Supports of a larger area break much less often than legs, but a bed with legs looks more airy and weightless.

No. 3. Bed material

High-quality bed material is the key to the durability of the product. There may be several options:

• solid wood - the most preferred material. Such beds have maximum durability and strength, they are environmentally friendly and safe. The most durable frames will be those made of oak, ash and beech, but you can find a good option in a more affordable category;

• metal also shows record durability, has a high service life and is durable. Made from metal welded and forged beds. The second option, naturally, looks more sophisticated and elegant and today, by the way, is at the peak of popularity;

• MDF bed It will cost less, but in many ways it is inferior to wood and metal. Such products look good and do not cause harm to health, but their service life before the first breakdown is somewhat lower than that of their wooden counterparts. In terms of price/quality ratio, this is the most attractive option on the market, which is why such beds are very popular;

• beds made of fiberboard and chipboard They are the cheapest, do not last long, quickly begin to creak, and then completely fall apart. Buying a bed made of chipboard is a necessary measure when the budget is very limited, but even in this case it is necessary to look at safety certificates and pay attention to the level of formaldehyde emissions (in residential premises you can use products of levels E0 and E1).

MDF, chipboard and fiberboard can be laminated and repeat the pattern of any type of wood or stone, they can be painted or veneered, so in appearance such beds look very attractive. Manufacturers often use fabric, leather and eco-leather upholstery. Make sure that the fabric is dense and wear-resistant.

Today it is fashionable to use wooden pallets all the time. They are used to make not only country furniture and cozy sofas with tables for summer areas of cafes. Several of these drawers can serve as an excellent base for a bed in a city apartment. Such a solution will fit, however, not into any interior.

Types of beds

Wooden

A true “classic of the genre.” Solid wood products are widely represented in both luxury and inexpensive lines of almost all furniture manufacturers. Wooden beds are absolutely natural and environmentally friendly, never go out of fashion and can give any bedroom a cozy look.

Different types of wood from which furniture is made have their own colors and textures, so choosing an option that suits your interior will not be difficult.

The strongest and most durable beds are made from hardwood:

• Oak;
• Beech;
• Ash.

Although there are some nuances here. For example, ash is afraid of sudden temperature changes, while oak and beech can crack from strong impacts. In addition, processing of hard wood is a technologically complex and costly process, which is reflected in the cost of finished products.

Coniferous wood (pine, spruce) and alder is called soft. Working with her is a pleasure, which is why such beds are cheaper.

Alas, this medal also has a downside: the lightweight and pliable array does not withstand strong mechanical loads, and when struck, dents remain on its surface. Such a bed will last less, but it can be easily restored with minor damage.

Panel furniture is even cheaper, for the production of which natural, but glued bars are also used. In terms of their characteristics, such beds are not much inferior to solid wood and even have some advantages - they react less to changes in humidity, and therefore are less likely to crack.

Pros:

• Beautiful and cozy appearance;
• Eco-friendly and natural;
• High strength and long service life – especially for hard woods;
• Can withstand repeated assembly/disassembly;
• Adequate cost.

Minuses:

• Heavy weight;
• The need to maintain constant temperature and humidity in the room - however, in the bedroom this is not difficult.

The lowest prices (and, accordingly, quality) are for beds made from wood substitutes: MDF, plywood and chipboard. Of this trinity, only MDF boards can be considered conditionally harmless.

Other pressed materials often have a high emission class, that is, they emit toxic fumes of formaldehyde into the air. When purchasing such furniture, you must definitely require a hygiene certificate to ensure its safety.

Metal (forged)

Metal beds are again confidently conquering the furniture market, from which they were displaced by wooden beds several decades ago. Modern forged analogs are so original and ergonomic that it’s hard to compare them with old Soviet-style bunks.

The variety of design solutions allows you to fit such original furniture into any interior - from classic to ultra-modern. The metal looks good and solid, and for the most discerning buyers, manufacturers offer chic models decorated with monograms, artistic forging, gold-plated and chrome-plated elements.

Forged models fit especially organically into design styles such as high-tech, minimalism, loft, contemporary, gothic, urban and related trends.

Pros:

• Maximum strength and long service life;
• Environmental friendliness and safety - they don’t even care about fire;
• Compatibility with many interior styles;
• Resistance to any changes in microclimate.

Minuses:

• Quite a weight;
• Unpleasant feeling of coldness when touched.

When purchasing a metal model, you need to make sure that it is treated with an anti-corrosion compound and can be wet cleaned.

Combined

Beds for the production of which different materials are used are classified as a combined type. And there are most of them on the market.

The combinations can be anything - not only metal and wood (the most common option), but also impact-resistant glass, leather, wicker or rattan, plastic. “Prefabricated” models look very stylish, and most importantly, they often have a more affordable price.

Pros:

• Relatively light weight;
• Original appearance;
• Large selection of models of various designs;
• The cost is often lower than for wooden and wrought iron beds.

Minuses:

• Less strength and durability.

No. 4. Bed base

The bed base is firmly attached to the frame and becomes a support for the mattress. The base can be of the following types:

• lamella construction, thin flexible strips. The slats are made of wood or plastic; other materials are not suitable, since it is important that the slats can bend under the weight of a person and take the required shape. Wooden slats would be preferable; they are usually made from beech or birch. The more planks used in the base, the better. The minimum number for a single bed is 15 slats, for a double bed – 30. The distance between the slats should be no more than the width of the slats;

• hard and soft metal gratings. Due to the strength of the metal mesh, such a base lasts for 20 years or no less, it is inexpensive, but it is easily pressed under what is lying on it, so there is no need to talk about a comfortable and healthy rest;
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• the design of metal springs has also outlived its usefulness and has proven that sleeping on such a bed is very uncomfortable;
• a base made of sheet material is sometimes still found. Such beds are inexpensive, but they do not last long, since the weight of a person in them is distributed unevenly over the entire base area.

It is best when there is nothing under the lamella base (this is the preferred choice). In this case, the mattress will be perfectly ventilated and will last a very long time. To save space, beds with storage compartments under the bed can be used. These can be drawers, which is not very convenient, or a large storage area, accessed thanks to a lifting mechanism.

Solid wood beds

A wooden bed is considered a classic. She looks very noble, elegant and even pompous. Fits perfectly into any interior and is its basis. All other parts of the room design are matched to it.

The choice of colors for solid wood furniture is not wide; unlike MDF material, it can only have wood shades. This piece of furniture will look awkward if painted pink or blue.

In terms of convenience, durability, strength and beauty, wooden beds have no equal. They can maintain their beautiful appearance for a long period of time. To preserve its appearance for as long as possible, it should be treated once every few years with special protective coatings.

The only threat to wooden beds is the wood beetle. It can ruin the wood in one or two years, so the condition of such furniture must be constantly monitored.

To make beds from solid wood, the following types of wood are used: beech, alder, birch, oak, pine. The best seller is a wooden bed made of solid oak.

We recommend reading an article about the 7 most expensive beds in the world, what they are and what their price is.

No. 5. Bed with lifting mechanism

Under a large double bed there is as much space as in an average closet or compact closet. If the apartment is small, it would be stupid not to use this space. Of course, you can take a model where there are several drawers , but this approach does not allow for maximum use of the under-bed space. It will not be possible to open such drawers in every bedroom, and finding such an option is not so easy.

It’s better to take a bed with a lifting mechanism: once you lift the base with the mattress, a huge (about 1.8 * 1.9 m and 25-40 cm deep) storage space appears in front of you. You can store both bedding and out-of-season clothes there - there is enough space for everything.

Depending on what load is expected, one or another lifting mechanism is chosen:

• gas lift. The mechanism is equipped with a shock absorber in the format of a cylinder, which is filled with air or other gas. The load capacity depends on the pressure level. The base of the bed with such a mechanism is easy to raise and lower, everything is done very smoothly, you only need to give a small initial push. A gas lift can lift a weight of about 100 kg or more, it is intended for all types of beds and mattresses; this is the mechanism that is used with transformable beds that fold up against the wall. The service life of the mechanism is long (about 70-90 thousand raising/lowering cycles), the only negative is the cost;

• spring mechanism built on the use of metal twisted springs. Service life – about 20 thousand raising/lowering cycles. The mechanism works clearly, but over time it may become difficult to lift, and the springs may need to be replaced. Springs can withstand less load than gas lift;

• the manual mechanism on hinges does not require the presence of any shock absorbers - all efforts to raise and lower the berth rest with the person. Such a mechanism is often installed in folding beds; it is cheap, but requires good calculation of your own strength.

No. 6. Folding bed or transforming bed

It is clear that not every apartment can accommodate a large stationary bed. Often you have to be content with a folding sofa as a sleeping place, but there are alternatives. These are the so-called transforming beds or wardrobe beds. During the day they are kept near the wall and do not interfere with free movement, and at night, thanks to the folding mechanism, they turn into a full-fledged sleeping place. During the day, such a bed can serve as a prop cabinet, be decorated with a nice painting, or even turn into a small sofa.

There are transforming beds that recline during the day and provide access to the table, and the mechanism is designed so that all objects on the tabletop remain in place when the bed moves.

Self-production

Of course, you can assemble the frame with your own hands. In this case, your “masterpiece” will ideally “fit” into the size of the room. But, if you are planning to make a double bed yourself, do not forget to install a stiffener in the middle and, possibly, an additional fifth leg on it.

Your wildest fantasies can be brought to life by turning to the services of sawing shops. Having chosen the desired color and suitable texture of chipboard or MDF, you can order cutting of the bed parts according to your drawing. After that, all you have to do is assemble the finished product.

In this case, the base for the bed can be made from parallel boards laid at a short distance from each other, or from a sheet of plywood (on which holes must be pre-drilled for ventilation).

When making it yourself, do not forget to coordinate everything with those for whom it is intended, not only the dimensions of the sleeping place, but also the height. The lower it is located, the more difficult it is to get up from it.

No. 7. Headboard

The presence of a headboard at the bed depends on where it will be placed. If you are going to place the head of the bed against the wall, then you can easily do without a separate backrest. The wall near the head can be highlighted , for example, with soft wall panels, artificial stone, paint or wallpaper of a different color. There are also more daring solutions: boards, screens, tree cuts, etc. Above the headboard you can organize a shelf for storing necessary or purely decorative items. Sometimes such a shelf smoothly flows into a storage system that continues on the sides of the bed.

If you plan to place the bed not flush against the wall, then it is better to take a model with its own headboard. It should be reliable and comfortable so that you can safely lean on it while reading or watching TV. In some beds, the headboard is located at a slight angle - this is the most ergonomic option.

Multifunctional beds

Furniture manufacturers offer not only classic bed models, but also products with additional functions. For example, designs with additional storage space are very popular. It could be:

• Base with lifting mechanism. Simply pull the hidden handle and the mattress and base will rise upward, revealing the under-bed area. There you can place large bedding, suitcases and other large items;
• Roll-out boxes. Additional storage space extends from under the bed using roller or telescopic guides;
• Built-in cabinets, shelves, racks. Suitable for storing various small items, books, mobile phones and arranging decorative items.

It is worth noting that a bed equipped with a lifting mechanism or drawers deprives the mattress of adequate ventilation. Therefore, if there is no particular need for such hiding places, choose a classic model with a ventilated bottom.

Some beds are equipped with complex mechanisms that allow you to raise the bed and create a tilt that is convenient for reading or watching TV.

No. 8. Bed style

The material and design of the bed must not only meet ergonomic requirements, but also meet the style of the interior. Therefore, when deciding which bed to choose, you need to take into account its design:

• low platform beds and podium beds will fit perfectly into high-tech, minimalism, Japanese style;

• beds with a leather headboard will decorate the interior in ethnic, modern, minimalist and classic styles;
• beds with a bamboo frame and wicker headboards will complement the tropical, ethnic or eco-style;
• Beds with forged back, but it is not very comfortable, so it is better to stock up on a large number of pillows;

• beds with carved wooden headboards , gilding, decorative overlays and inlays will find use in interiors in classical, baroque and rococo styles.

Every bed should know its place!

Ergonomics has long developed simple and mandatory rules that help to conveniently place it in the room:

• It is better to place a double bed with the head of the bed against the wall;
• there must be a free space of at least 70 cm between surrounding objects and the side walls of the bed;
• do not place the bed in front of a window - few people like to wake up from bright sunlight, and the risk of developing a chronic cold from constant drafts will significantly increase;
• do not place the bed in the center of the room - the best option would be a niche or space in the furniture wall.

In furniture stores you can choose beds made according to European and American standards.

Listen carefully to the advice of interior designers. The bed must match the chosen style.

• A wicker structure with a bamboo frame will fit perfectly into an ecological style, but will not fit well with a minimalist design.
• A high podium or platform will fit well into high-tech, but will look unimportant in a Romanesque or Provence style interior, as well as in rooms with low ceilings.

There are five factors that determine the level of comfort.

IMPORTANT! Beds of this shape will look natural in a separate bedroom, but the height of the podium should not exceed 0.2 m.

This is where you start and end your day.

The productivity of your day depends on how you rested at night. Therefore, choose your bed carefully – it plays an important role in this. To make the nest of family life truly cozy, make sure that your loved ones feel welcome to return home.

If there is not enough space for wardrobes to store clothes and other necessary things, use beds with built-in drawers.

No. 9. Mattress

The comfort of sleeping on a bed greatly depends on the chosen mattress. As a rule, high-quality orthopedic mattresses are already included with the bed, but often you have to purchase this product yourself. It is better to take a medium-hard or hard mattress, unless this is prohibited for you for medical reasons.

Springs, latex, polyurethane and even cotton wool can be used as filler. There is still no consensus among experts about which mattress is better: some say that those filled with latex or polyurethane are ideal, others advise taking combined mattresses. The best advice is to rely on your own feelings and test the mattress in the store. The topic of choosing a suitable mattress for a bed is very extensive and deserves separate consideration.

“Composition” of the bed: main design features

Category: Interesting Created 12/18/2014

Whether you want to buy a bed consisting only of a frame, or buy a bed with a mattress, in any case, it is important to know what design features can distinguish different models of beds. It is a set of such differences that will make your bed stand out from all the others.

About the Unchangeable

A bed is a piece of furniture that, at its core, has undergone virtually no changes over many centuries. This furniture has a certain set of structural elements that can be considered mandatory. This set looks like this:

• base, consisting of a headboard, footboard, sides and supports;
• lattice;
• mattress.

Each bed must be equipped with all of the listed structural elements. And you can buy them separately from each other, choosing the appropriate size (fortunately, there are now many standard designs) or the entire bed at once, which in some way seems to be the most convenient option.

Frame

As we have already mentioned, the frame consists of its component parts. Let's look at them all.

• Headboard

The headboard may differ in several ways:

• by the presence/absence of voids: solid or lath;
• by the variety of decorative elements: with balusters, forging, carvings;
• shape: rectangular, spherical, asymmetrical;
• by material: wood, metal, laminated, fabric and leather.

Depending on the space available, your preferences, and interior features, you can choose a headboard of a suitable shape.

• Foothills

It’s easy to guess by analogy with the word “headboard” that the footboard is the second headboard, located in the area of ​​the legs. This design option is optional, and many models, especially in modern style, are made without it. Even classic models are often produced in two versions: with and without a footboard, giving the customer the opportunity to choose.

• Tsargi

These are two side walls of the frame and one opposite the headboard. They are fastened together and serve mainly as a supporting element, less often as a decorative one.

• Supports

Supports are simply legs. They can be different in material and decorative finish (carved, forged, ordinary metal). Of course, metal ones seem to be the most reliable, especially in the long term.

Grate (bottom made of slats)

A bed without a frame is a useless piece of furniture as it is the main element that allows the mattress to be placed and provides additional comfort while resting. In essence, the grille is a wooden or metal frame, the area of ​​which is occupied by flexible slats. If the frame does not come with the bed, then you should especially carefully select it in accordance with the existing dimensions of the furniture. It’s good if the bed is standard, and standard bars are produced for it. For a double bed, you can purchase one large frame or two small ones (for example, with different rigidities).

Mattress

In principle, it is better to immediately buy a bed with a mattress - this way there will be fewer problems in selecting it. But on the other hand, now there is such a variety of mattresses that it is a pity to miss the opportunity to choose among them the most suitable one for yourself. The models are very diverse: with different fillers, different stiffness, with or without springs, etc.

Having an idea of ​​all the structural elements of the bed and their variety and design options, you can truly choose YOUR bed that satisfies you in all respects.

No. 10. Bed accessories

Among the additional options, the bed may have:

• canopy _ This is a detail that makes the sleeping area more comfortable and private. On the other hand, hanging fabric prevents normal air circulation and accumulates dust;
• lighting in the back or along the contour of the bed allows you to make the bedroom more romantic, can be used as a night light;
• a protective bumper is usually found in children's beds and can be removable or built-in;
• mirror inserts They allow you to literally dissolve the bed and make the bedroom visually a little larger.

No. 11. What else to consider when choosing a bed?

In pursuit of a large, spacious bed, do not forget that space in the bedroom is limited, and in addition to the bed, it is often necessary to place a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and leave a free passage to the sleeping area and the window.

On sale you can find beds of very original design . For example, in the form of a boat, a nest, there are even swing beds, but when trying to add variety to your home interior, do not forget that the bed, first of all, should be comfortable.

As for bed manufacturers , you can pay attention to Dream Line (beds made of solid ash and beech), Olimp, Horizont, Fratelli Barri (expensive designer Italian beds), as well as more affordable products from SMK, Vasko, Triya and Lonax.

Finally, we note that it is better to buy a bed, like a mattress, only after a personal inspection and short testing: an uncomfortable product will give itself away almost immediately.

Tags:Bedroom

Bed manufacturers

• Askona offers a wide selection of mattresses and beds. They are manufactured in Russia together with European countries. Materials: moisture-resistant plywood, eco-leather, chipboard and polyurethane foam. The beds can withstand heavy loads. The pluses include decent upholstery and a quality mattress.
• Dream Line produces beds only from natural solid ash and beech. The base consists of orthopedic lamellas, which only enhance the beneficial properties of the mattresses.
• Fratelli Barri are Italian beds. Each product looks like a work of art and brings a touch of sophistication to the interior. But the cost is also more noticeable.
• A budget option is a bed from the manufacturer Horizont . The base is orthopedic, and it is made from natural materials.
• Lonax company first specialized in mattresses, but recently the factory began producing high-quality beds for healthy sleep. The frame is made of laminated chipboard and birch plywood. Eco-leather is used for the upholstery material. All fittings are Italian.
• Mozhga is safe and completely natural. The company is more focused on the production of cribs. They are made from solid birch. Finishing is carried out using water-based dyes. Only safe polyurethane enamels and varnishes are used in our work. The base parts and drawers are made of natural wood, which is lined with decorative paper and HDF.
• Olimp factory has many years of experience in the manufacture of furniture, including beds, which are made from natural wood. They are truly distinguished by their reliability and practicality, as well as their long service life.
• Beds from Promtex-Orient are unchanging classics and 100% functionality. Straight lines and compactness of the base itself do not load the space of the room and are combined with the rest of the interior.
• Roll Matratze will satisfy the buyer's request regarding the choice of a massage bed and will provide a line of orthopedic mattresses. The base is collapsible and consists of narrow, overhead slats made of birch. Some models are equipped with grilles that allow you to adjust the hardness of individual zones.
• You can find a transformable crib from the manufacturer SKV . This company has been producing this kind of furniture for 10 years. The cribs are presented in a variety of colors, and the cost range allows each buyer to choose an option that suits them. All products are made from environmentally friendly materials.
• SMK are standard beds at an affordable price. The frames are made of wood, which ensures their durability. The stable metal legs are equipped with plastic tips that protect the floor surface from dents and scratches.
• Manufacturer Triya . All models are made in a laconic style, which simplifies their arrangement with other furniture in the room. At the same time, the sleeping place will not burden the space, and the presence of drawers will provide additional functionality.
• Vasko , a furniture factory with 20 years of experience, presents comfortable and compact beds with a lifting mechanism and linen drawers. The material of the frame and headboard is laminated chipboard, which is painted to match the color of natural wood.

The presented manufacturers are only a small part of the factories and companies that produce high-quality beds from different materials.
Therefore, the buyer should first decide on his own requirements for such furniture, and then make a choice in favor of one brand or another. Advertising from sponsors: // // //