Rooms in a house all have very clear, descriptive names; well, except for the kitchen which really doesn’t explain much at all. However, your living room, dining room and bedroom all explain the basic function of the room. In fact, when it comes to the bedroom it’s evident that the most important piece of furniture in this room ought to be the bed, but with so many different styles, shapes and sizes on the market how can you be sure which is the right one for you?

First know the size of the room where the bed is going to stay and calculate accordingly. A bed that’s too large will overpower the room and make getting around a nightmare; a bed that’s too small will look out of place. Apart from fitting the room, the bed must also fit you – comfortably. Don’t compromise on comfort when it comes to sleeping. This isn’t a pair of high heels that you’ll wear for a couple of hours one evening and then put away in a shoebox; you’ll be spending an average of eight hours every night on this bed recharging your body.

A good quality bed should last 8-10 years so it’s a worthwhile investment to make on a piece of furniture that is going to be used daily. If changing the bed is not an option then it’s important to replace the mattress as wear and tear can affect its stuffing, springs and firmness. However be aware that a new mattress on an old support will still not give you the ultimate comfort.

A bed is one of the few household items that it’s best not to scrimp on. While everyone loves a bargain, especially if you’re doing up the entire house, a bed should not be something bought at a second-hand shop – even if the price is super low. It’s important to realise that dust mites could have easily set up happy families in there and it’s more than likely to be worn down (remember, 8-10 years?)

When it comes to styles, shapes and sizes the choice can be overwhelming so think about your choices. Do you prefer a single bed, double, king-size or a luxurious queen-sized one? If opting for the latter you need a large room and a penchant for your own space as it measures 180cm × 200cm! Note that I’m talking about UK sizes here because in the US the king-sized bed is larger than the queen! With all these differences, it’s no wonder that confusions abound.

Having decided on the size of the bed you then have to decide on the material of the structure. Do you want it wooden, wrought iron, upholstered, leather, metal? Once more, plenty of options. Wooden and metal beds are probably the easiest to maintain and clean; a leather bed can look very stylish but needs more care and maintenance while an upholstered bed would require regular cleaning because of the dust that it would gather. It’s also advisable to keep away from leather and light-coloured upholstery if you have young kids and/or pets. Chocolate stains will not look like part of the design.

If you really want your bed to be the focal point of the room (and have the space and height) then you could opt for a four-poster bed which has an imposing presence, though if you live in a dusty area remember that the material above the posts is prone to gathering dust which will only be breathed in by yourself while you’re asleep.

Once you’ve settled on the structure of the bed then you need to look into mattresses which, once again, come in various types to offer support for all. You can choose between a spring mattress, foam or latex; however, it’s all about the comfort, support and durability regardless of which material you opt for. When going to buy a mattress it’s important that you test it properly – don’t just sit on it. You need to lie down on it, move around, adopt your usual sleeping position and see how it feels. If you don’t sleep in this bed alone, then go shopping for the mattress with your partner to find one that suits the pair of you.

If you’re after something different and fun, then you might even want to consider getting a waterbed although you’ll be restricted with the styles and sizes of the beds available for this kind of mattress. This would also go on the ‘avoid list’ if you have pets who like to jump on the bed as a waterbed can, and will, burst if not properly treated.

Now that you chose new bed and mattress don’t forget to buy new bed linen to dress it up.

Whatever you decide on, ensure that you love your bed. It’s the place you retire to at the end of a gruelling day at the office; it’s also where you may share intimate moments with your loved one. You spend a third of your life in bed so don’t make a hasty decision.

Published in HOMES & DESIGN, The Sunday Times – August 1, 2010