A Guide to Buying a Bed

A bed is a piece of furniture that provides a place for people to sleep. It normally consists of a soft mattress on a frame and sometimes includes a headboard for resting against, side rails, footboards, and a set of bed sheets (sometimes called bedding or blankets). Typically a pillow is used to support the head. A bedding set can also include a duvet or quilt for warmth.

The earliest beds were little more than heaps of straw or other natural material, but wealthy people built wooden platform beds that could be climbed to by stairs and often included curtains for privacy. Those with more money invested in mattresses stuffed with feathers, wool, or animal skins.

In August 2020 archaeologists reported finding the oldest grass bedding from the Middle Paleolithic, at least 200,000 years old. More recently, scientists have developed materials that may allow the sleeping surface to cool down and stay cool through the night.

Good quality sleep improves your physical health and boosts mental well-being. It increases cognitive function and enhances problem-solving skills. It also reduces irritability and boosts energy levels. The right bed can provide the foundation for healthy sleep habits that last a lifetime.

Almost all online mattress companies offer a lengthy sleep trial that allows you to assess the mattress for comfort, fit, and motion transfer. In addition, most brands allow you to change the size of the mattress within a certain window of time. Many retail stores do not provide these opportunities, so make sure to read the fine print of any store’s return policy before making a purchase.

If you’re looking for a medium feel (5-7 out of 10 on the firmness scale), the best options are usually foam or hybrids with high-density cores that create an even balance of comfort and support. Heavy sleepers tend to press deeply into their beds, so they need extra layers of supportive materials in the base of the mattress.

Most online mattress brands use cooling construction to reduce heat retention, but not all do so equally. Look for a mattress that uses breathable construction, and avoid those that rely on instant chilling to cool the surface. Also check for a cooling cover that can help the mattress maintain its temperature all through the night. A plug-in option is another way to cool your bed, but it’s often less effective than a memory foam mattress with an internal cooling system.