Cozy beds for a better night’s sleep

Bed types
To achieve comfort and get rid of body aches, there are different types of beds available on the market. “The various types serve specific functions or a set purpose. For example, there are beds which can hold more than one person at a time while others are meant to accommodate only one person,” Ms Buhenzire says.
The twin bed: This is usually a small bed designed for only one person. “Twin beds are strictly made for one person so trying to fit two or more people may be uncomfortable,” she advises.

King and queen-sized: If compared, twin and queen beds have a slight difference, however, the king and queen beds can accommodate more than one person and are basically the types that married couples tend to purchase.
Twin, queen and king beds can also be described as wall beds, flat beds and water beds.

Drawer beds: These have footboards in which slats are incorporated. They are light to move around and can be helpful in case of sleep over’s.
Iron beds: They are made of wrought iron. The good side about them is that they can be easily changed and one can have them painted in any colour of their preference to exude beauty.

Bunk beds: These are also commonly referred to as double deckers. A bunk consists of a set of two or three beds, each placed on top of the other. Mr Mark Mugabi, a carpenter in Bweyogerere explains that bunk beds are usually suited for small bedrooms and are ideal for children in a home.
Futon beds: “If one is short of rooms in the house then a futon bed can be a clever solution. Futon beds are best for limited accommodation,” says Ms Buhenzire.

Iron beds: The market is flooded with a variety of iron beds. “Apart from the traditional wooden beds, iron beds can be a great option. The head board for one can be changed every so often in different styles and colours. These can also be made in classic wrought iron which can add a unique touch to the bedroom,” says Ms Annie Mirembe, the owner of Annie Metal Workshop in Katwe.

Murphy beds: These are also known as wall beds or fold away bed. “The name Murphy was given after the designer, William Murphy whose intention was to make provision for more space in the small room,” Ms Buhenzire explains.

Platform beds: They are ideal for simple, spacious rooms. Platform beds comprise of raised, flat, hard and horizontal surfaces meant to support just a mattress.
Sofa beds: These beds are one of the latest styles in the world of furniture. Sofa beds are versatile and can serve different purposes.

Water beds: Ms Buhenzire says these beds feel very soft because they have water inside them hence they are very comfortable. Water beds were once a rare phenomenon, however, they are becoming a common occurrence in homes these days.
Sleigh Bed: They have very modern designs which can add style and drama to a room.

The measurements
The bed sizes vary considerably around the world with most countries having their own standards and terminology. “While double sizes appear to be standard among English speaking countries, based on the imperial measurement of 4ft 6inches by 6ft 3inches (137,16cm by 190, 5 cm), the sizes for other bed types tend to vary.
A king size bed for example, differs from other sizes in implementation, as it is not common to have a king size box-spring; rather two smaller box-springs are used under a king-sized mattress,” explains Ms Buhenzire.

She also says, it is a misconception that on a U.S standard or eastern king, the box springs are identical in size to a twin extra-long; however, twin extra-long mattresses next to each other add up to 78 inches wide instead of the 76 inch width that is standard for an eastern king.

Bed location
According to Ms Buhenzire, depending on the size and shape of the room, beds should be placed in a position that makes them the focal point of the room and preferably in front of the windows (if any).

She explains that to get this right, try to put the bed in several places, either on “paper” with a sketch and measurements, or just move it around in different positions and step back to view it. You will definitely know when it feels right. “Also, when one walks into the room, one should see your feet first and not the head. It is also wise to place the bed in the corner of the bedroom diagonally opposite the entrance. The idea is to enable one see the door without being directly in front of it. This gives off a relaxed and secure feeling,” Ms Buhenzire says.

Beds like any other item in the home need to look good and attractive. To achieve this aspect, Ms Mirembe advises that one could start by taking a critical look at the frame to ensure that it suits the bedroom set up.
“Find out if the bed fits in the room. If it doesn’t, then try to find the appropriate type. For instance, if your bed seems lost in a large master bedroom, a sleigh, four poster bed, or large frame can provide a good focal point for the room,” she says.

Other elements
Having chosen the right bed, one can move on to select their bed sheets for they contribute to the beauty of the bed. “Go for bed sheets in solid colours or thin stripes for a classic look and patterns for a bold appearance. While silk and linen feel good, they can be quite expensive to maintain. In this case, cotton can always be a good choice since it is available in every price range,” Ms Mirembe says.

Playing with pillows can also be a clever way to create a cool appearance on the bed. Ms Buhenzire reveals that decorative pillows are a popular way to dress up the bed for they allow one to play with different effects and go as crisp and formal or playful and romantic as they deem fit.

“One can soften a wood or iron headboard with two square Euro pillows, in decorative shams and finish it by placing small decorative pillows in front of sleeping pillows. These can be either in fabrics and patterns that coordinate with the other pillows or in surprising colours that draw the eye. By swapping different pillows and shams, one can have a bed that changes its character according to their mood,” she explains.

Additionally, one can also look out for embroidered pillowcases for they tend to add a romantic touch to the bedroom. “Keep in mind that pillowcases go through a lot of wear and tear so you may want to buy a spare set and keep it tucked away for later use when the first set starts to look a little bit tired.”
Blankets, quilts, coverlets and bedspreads are all practical considerations to keep a bed as beautiful and appealing to suit ones taste and comfort.

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The price
• At Beautiful living, a 5 by 6 bed with two side-tables costs Shs1.4m while a 6 by 6 costs Shs1.8m.
• Bunk beds cost Shs600,000 at Beautiful Living. Depending on where one goes shopping; these range from Shs400,000 onwards.
•At Annie Metal Workshop, depending on the sizes one wants, beds range from Shs500,000 to Shs600,000.
•Bed accessories go for Shs30,000 onwards.

Bed buying
•When purchasing a bed, don’t just feel it with your hand. You must lie down in your favourite sleeping position for a few minutes.
•Do your research. A king-size inner spring should have a minimum 450 coils, 375 coils in a queen and 300 in a full double.
•Look for quality on the outside: the surface will look and feel plush.
•Don’t buy a bed that is too small. If you sleep with a partner, you need a queen or king size bed to allow for the 40-60 tosses we all do each night.

Where to buy beds
• Entourage Interior Designs, Tel: 0712 262 264
• Nakumatt Oasis, Tel: 0414 668 818
•Annie Metal workshop, Tel: 0782 461 462
• Footsteps Furniture Ltd, Tel: 0414 286 091
• Beautiful living, Tel: 0414 349 679
• Nina Interiors Ltd, Tel: 0414 259 963

Compiled by Connie Nankya