By Sandra Meineke
With college students furnishing a first apartment this month and High Point
Furniture Market celebrating its 100th anniversary in October, we decided to
take a look at beds and how they fit into our lifestyles.
According to experts in the fields of medicine and alternative medicine, a good
bed is the most important purchase you make for your own well-being. And, how
it is positioned in the room adds to your feelings of comfort or discomfort.
We looked at beds from both ends of the spectrum, from IKEA to Broyhill, and
with prices ranging from the low hundreds to the high thousands. You
’ll see those in the photos included with this article.
Although the importance of a good mattress cannot be discounted, our criteria
was not so much the mattress, but the bed itself
—how it meets the needs of sleep, relaxation, comfort and function. There are
three other features to consider besides the mattress when purchasing a bed
—the headboard, the height of the bed and its position in the room.
We also looked at color trends and at eco-friendly products. Blue will be the
popular color this fall, and going green is now mainstream. More than half the
population says they now consider green in purchase decision-making according
to a survey by the Shelton Group.
Blue is the hue expected to dominate the displays in furniture stores across the
nation.
“Classic blue has always been the public’s favorite color. It can range from the softest baby blue to the deepest
sapphire and is suitable in any and every room of the home,
” says Jackie Hirschhaut, vice president of the American Home Furnishings
Alliance.
Lighter shades of blue are seen as soft and soothing and are even considered
beneficial to mind and body. Darker blues are associated with depth, expertise
and stability, making them accepted by men. Nautical blue and denim are
comfortable and familiar
—safe and tranquil choices for today’s stressed-out consumers.
“Blue is the new green,” states Holly Blalock, marketing director for C.R. Laine. “From fresh water to clean air, the color blue is the constant that connects our
lives and reminds us to make earth a better home.
”
When establishing or redoing a bedroom, consider the three factors of
headboards, height and position in the room.
•A good headboard is a must. The body heals itself of many stresses and diseases
while asleep, so your head needs good backing, protection and support, just as
your body does when sitting in a chair for long periods of time. The best
headboards are solid, made from wood or upholstered. The upholstered ones are
gentle as well as supportive.
Beds Can Provide Comfort, Serenity
The right bed is more than just a cozy mattress
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