What to Look For in a Bed
Whether you’re looking for a mattress to support your sleep goals, or simply a great place to rest and recharge, the right bed can make all the difference. It can improve your mood and energy levels, make you feel healthier and happier, and boost your mental clarity and ability to focus. But a good bed requires more than just a mattress; it also needs the right frame, linens, pillows, and accessories.
Most Western beds consist of a soft cushioned mattress that rests on either a solid base, often wood slats or a sprung base, such as one made with springs housed in a large box-like container called a ‘box spring inner-sprung bed’. These bases are available in different heights, allowing for different types of mattresses to fit the frame. The sprung base also provides a level of suspension and cushioning not possible with a solid base.
The term bed can also refer to a layer of something, such as a thick stew or soup that lies on top of a dish. It can also refer to the flat surface on which a machine part or workpiece rests. A bed of limestone particles can be fluidized by a rapid flow of water to create a viscous mixture in which the particles suspend and are agitated.
A good bed should provide comfort, but it can also support a variety of sleep positions and help relieve pain and pressure points in your back, neck, and hips. If you are a side sleeper, look for a model that offers deep cushioning to support your shoulders and hips. Back sleepers tend to prefer firmer models, while stomach sleepers are best served by a medium-firm mattress.
You can use a mattress tester to find out which firmness is the most comfortable for you, or you can test the feel of different mattresses by lying down and focusing on how your back feels. You can also check for edge support, which is important for those who sleep with a partner or children and want to avoid feeling pitted in the center of the bed.
It’s generally recommended to replace your mattress after about 8 years, but if you’re not getting a good night’s sleep, or if your current mattress is uncomfortable or worn out, you may want to consider replacing it sooner. The length of time you sleep on your mattress is a strong indicator of how it will perform over time.
The size of a bed should be based on the number of people who sleep in it, and their sleeping positions. In general, infants and young children require smaller beds than adults. Adults and couples who share a queen or king-sized bed should look for models with ample space, to avoid waking each other up or fighting for room. Co-sleepers should also look for strong motion isolation, to ensure they get a good night’s sleep without waking each other when one of them shifts position or gets up in the middle of the night.