Goldilocks got it right; choosing a bed that's just right is all in the mattress

There is nothing quite like having a comfortable bed to soothe all your worries away — or at least keep them at bay for eight hours or so! Given the rollercoaster year of 2009 — what with the financial worries and uncertainties — there has never been a more important time to have a good night’s rest. For that, you need a great mattress, which need not be at the expense of the design of your bedroom.

Interiorscape’s Richard Koh says far too often, homeowners tend to give a lot of thought to the design of the bed (the frame and headboard), ensuring that it complements the overall décor of the house, but very little to the mattress. And then there are homeowners who spend a lot of time and expense on the mattress without giving any consideration to the style and design of the bed. The mattress and bed do not have to be sourced from the same store.

“The bed must fit the look of the room. First, find a bed that you like, whether it’s four-poster, classic or stately. Once you have the bed, pay attention to the mattress,” he says, adding that a good mattress has to be comfortable, kind to your back and ensure proper sleeping posture.

On a recent shopping trip, Koh found several varieties of beds to suit a range of styles. If your bedroom resembles a royal bedchamber, then a stately-looking bed ought to be the centrepiece [1]. If your tastes lean more towards the rustic and earthy look, then opt for wooden bed frames [2 + 3]. Then, there are the classic designs which never go out of fashion and suit most contemporary décors [4]. You could also very easily have a bed custom-made and choose a glamorous look by having it padded and covered in velvet [5]. Or you could opt for a simple bed frame and dress it up with an upholstered bed head.

“This can also be a DIY [do-it-yourself] project, using foam and upholstering it with either fabric, leather or PVC,” Koh says [6].

Mattress matters
There are numerous types of mattresses to choose from, ranging from pocket spring to latex to coconut husk. Firm, soft or springy, the choice is personal.

Koh’s advice is to take your time in selecting a mattress. Shop around, lie down on the mattress and most importantly, choose one that is good for your back — this means one that ensures good sleeping posture.

When selecting a mattress, you could also go for another layer of foam for extra cushioning [7] or if you want the feeling of sleeping on a bed of clouds, additional layers of foam [8].

Pillows too should not be overlooked, says Koh. These can be bought off the shelf in department stores or you could invest in pillows that are contoured or offer neck support [9 + 10]. If you like, there are even pillows for two [11]!

This article appeared in haven, Issue #40, Dec 2009 + Jan 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia