Mattress Tips

The bedroom is the living space where many individuals spend a large majority of their time while in their residences. Individuals with disabilities may encounter some difficulties in maneuvering, performing daily activities, and/or accessing furniture. There are many strategies, adaptations, and technologies that can assist an individual in the bedroom. Bedrooms should be designed for comfort, accessibility, and functionality.

Some individuals with disabilities require turning from side to side every 2 to 4 hours as a preventative measure in decubiti (pressure ulcers) care. Others may need to sleep in a semi- sitting position for other reasons such as bronchial problems.

Although significant or complete reduction in assistant care may not always be possible, greater independence and flexibility can be achieved through the use of motorized adjustable beds and hospital beds. This technology can also be beneficial to the personal assistant. There are a few differences between adjustable beds and hospital beds.

Hospital beds typically can be paid for by insurance and these purchases are usually processed with little difficulty. The choice in size is limited and it looks like a hospital bed. However, hospital beds have one feature not characteristically found in adjustable beds without significantly altering the price. The entire bed can raise and lower to accommodate preferences for transfers and assistant care.

An adjustable bed looks and feels like a regular bed and comes in various common sizes, i.e. twin, full, queen, etc. In addition, the head and feet can raise or lower to individualized comfort levels. There are also models capable of tilting, massaging and heating. The mattresses may be made of visco-elastic foam, air-filled, latex, and/or coil materials. These kinds of beds are aesthetically pleasing and easy to match with existing décor.

As the name suggests, an adjustable bed (also called a Semi-Fowler bed, as it places the patient in a semi-Fowler position) can be adjusted to a number of different positions. For individuals with certain types of back problems, sleeping on an adjustable bed that is at a slight incline (e.g. 30 to 45 degrees) may be comfortable, with the upper body positioned higher up than the lower body (as when sitting in a recliner) and some support under the knees to bend the knees at a slight angle.

The combination of upper body incline and the knee support can help take some of the stress off the lower back. Provided that the patient is comfortable sleeping in this manner through the night, this position can support the curves of the spine and relieve pressure on the entire body.

Basically, an adjustable bed has the potential to help anyone who feels more comfortable in an inclined position (such as sitting on a recliner with the feet up) rather than when lying on a regular flat mattress. The following provides a few examples of certain back conditions and how an inclined position in an adjustable bed can sometimes help the patient feel more comfortable

For some people with degenerative spondylolisthesis, sleeping in a reclining position with support under the knees can reduce some of the pain discomfort in the lower back, making it easier to sleep through the night.

Individuals with osteoarthritis in the spine, or facet joint arthritis, often wake up feeling quite stiff and sore in the morning. Sleeping on an adjustable bed may possibly provide better support and therefore decrease the irritation by minimizing joint compression.
In addition, after having low back surgery, some patients feel that an adjustable bed is more comfortable than a flat mattress. Like most choices when it comes to mattresses, this is largely a matter of personal preference.

In general, it is reasonable for a patient to consider the option of an adjustable bed if he or she feels better sitting in a reclining chair with the knees supported or slightly elevated and if he or she is having trouble getting a good nights rest on a conventional flat mattress. If a patient is not sure if they would benefit from an adjustable bed, or is not sure about buying a new bed, then it is also possible to use pillows to prop up the upper body (being careful to provide support for the lower back) and placing a pillow beneath the knees.

About the Author:

This article provides a brief review of how an adjustable bed works and some theoretical advantages that some patients might find beneficial.

Written By: Scott Michaels

So you’ve got the perfect little log cabin, or chalet by the lake, or just want a country touch to your home. You want a log bunk bed, or two, but don’t know where to start. And they don’t carry them in your down town furniture store.

Not to worry, there are plenty of options available on the Internet. There are loft log bunk beds, twin over twin log bunk beds, full over full or even twin over queen. I haven’t seen a twin over king yet, but really the Amish can make any size you want. A lot of college students who looking to build an inexpensive loft bed might find an Amish loft bunk bed to be just the ticket, and some of them come with futons under them, too.

There are federal regulations regarding bunk beds, so you’ll want to make sure that whatever bed you choose meets the regulations. Were talking safety here, and things do happen. But you certainly wouldn’t want a bed that doesn’t meet the regulations, so make sure that the one you buy, does. Most accidents with bunk beds happen to children under the age of three. Many of these accidents can be avoided by having safety rails on both sides of the top bed. If one side of the bed is against the wall, that can be sufficient–but it must be against the wall. There are also regulations regarding headboards. There is a link to a page with the regulations at the bottom of this article for those who wish to read further.

Bunk beds built to those regulations are generally built to hold an adult weighing up to 250 pounds. If you are pushing the limits, try cedar instead of pine. In the beds we sell, the cedar logs are 5 to 6 inches in diameter, while the pine is about 3 inches in diameter. They are both built to federal specifications, and the pine bunk beds are very solid and strong, but if there is a question in your mind, go for the bigger logs. And of course, you can always put the big fella on the bottom, too.

Some log bunk beds come with a metal frame to hold the mattress, but some of the Amish build them with a wood frame to hold both the box spring and the mattress. You don’t have to put a box spring in those beds, but you certainly can.

The other alternative to hold the mattress up is called a Bunkie board. A Bunkie board is basically inch plywood cut to the size of the box spring. It sits inside either the metal bed frame, or the wood bed frame, and supports the mattress. If you have a box spring you dont need a Bunkie board, but if there is not a box spring, the Bunkie board is what supports the middle of the mattress. We sell Bunkie boards if people want them, but a lot of people just cut their own. Its up to the buyer.

Another option to consider is the type of ladder you want with your log bunk bed. Some of the Amish beds have the ladders built right into the end of the bed, so you don’t have a ladder leaning out from the bed. Others have a moveable ladder that can hook on the end or the side. In many cases, the amount of space available determines the type of bunk bed you buy. If you have a small room, the larger cedar logs may seem too massive. If you don’t have room for a slanted ladder, however, you may opt for the cedar bunk bed anyway that has the ladder built in. If you have a larger room or larger people, you may opt for the larger cedar logs.

If you get a pine bunk bed with metal frame, there is a way to give the metal frame that log look when the covers are thrown back. These are decorative half logs or rails, not to be confused with the safety rails that go around the top of the bunk bed. The top safety rails are always included with the log bunk bed, but the decorative half rails are optional and just for looks.

Last but not least, be sure to measure before you buy. Last year we sold a couple of log bunk beds to somebody in Montana. They absolutely loved the beds, but had bought two for the room and soon found out that only one could comfortably fit. Since we are in Michigan and they in Montana, it would have cost quite a bit to ship it back. They ended up selling the extra bed on ebay, but the problem could have been avoided with a bit of careful measuring up front.

About The Author

Copyright 2006 Cari Haus

This article was written by Cari Haus, President of Log Cabin Rustics, http://www.logcabinrustics.com, which retails log bunk beds on the Internet. Permission is granted to reprint this article in it’s entirety, provided a link to Log Cabin Rustics is included at the end of the article.Also, here is a helpful information about log bunk beds at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.com/. Go to that site and search for bunk bed regulations.

Written By: Cari Haus

In years past, beds were not considered to be an element that factored into bedroom design, more just a place to lay your head, although the bed could be dressed to match whatever style had been chosen for the bedroom.

Times have changed and with the return of bedsteads or frame beds, the bed is now an element that factors in quite highly in bedroom design. The range of styles, colours, fabrics and materials that today’s modern beds are manufactured from go to enhance and work in synergy with all bedroom design plans.

The decision of the type of bed to purchase in relation to design can be broken down into three steps:

The aesthetic of the room.

Deciding on the aesthetic of a room or the way that it looks is not as difficult as it may seem at first. In most cases you will already have a good source of inspiration from the other rooms in the house, but let’s say for arguments case that it is a blank canvas. In that case the world is your oyster as there are so many places to draw ideas from; -The internet -Interior design book/magazines -Ideal home exhibition type shows -New property development show houses (always a favorite of mine) -Furniture retail showrooms (you don’t always have to shop) -Friends and relative’s houses

Once you have got your inspiration for how the room is going to look you need next to plan how the bed is going fit in the room.

Where to position the bed

This can be something that gets overlooked at this stage and can result in being quite costly if other purchases are made such as furniture without this in mind. It is therefore important that before purchasing of any bedroom furniture takes place, consideration is given to the following.

Size of bed – will there be sufficient space around the bed to meet your requirements i.e. opening wardrobe doors, doors, getting changed round the bed etc etc.

Position of bed – have you planned on buying bunk beds that the steps will only go on one side and thus will only go on one wall or a captain’s bed with the same problem.

Height of the bed – you may have taken into consideration the length and width of the bed, but what about height? This is not a problem for about 98% of beds, but is a big consideration when buying a four poster bed. Have you measured the height of the room and will that four poster fit in term of height?

We have so far worked out the style and limitations of the room in which you are going to house your bed, but there is one last consideration to take into account before you part with any of your hard earned cash. That final consideration is what you use your bedroom for or “How do you live in your bedroom”

How do you live in your bedroom?

As mentioned in the introduction bedrooms have become a multifunctional space, and these days are used as offices, somewhere to watch TV, listen to music or a quiet place to read or get away from the grind. All of these are key components that need to be considered when deciding on the type of bed that you will buy.

It is now time to go and purchase that dream bed. Now that you have followed the steps above you should be confident that the purchasing decision will be a calculated one, and one made from consideration as opposed to impulse. By using the rest of this guide as a would be “bed purchasing bible”, you will feel at ease when confronted with “jargon” and “terminology”, and most of all you will be in the driving seat when it comes deciding on the type of bed for you!

In summary; a bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom and time and consideration should be spent on the whole process of planning and choosing the bed that will be suited to your requirements. As mentioned in the introduction “a decision to buy a bed should have the same amount of time and effort spent on it as purchasing a car”, if this is followed, and in conjunction with the advice from this guide, you will find yourself making a purchasing decision that will not just enhance the style and functionality of a bedroom, but will also result in a comfortable nights sleep.

About the author:

“Paul Jolley” – Bedroom retail specialist. If you have any unique or interesting views please contact us at http://www.bedz4less.co.uk as we are always happy to receive new views.

Written By: Paul Jolley

I have been using the same old bed ever since I was a teenager and it had been comfortable until 3 years ago, when my legs had finally cross the finishing line at the border of the mattress. It bothered me to feel my legs hanging in mid air when I sleep. Enough is enough. A new mattress is a must.

I for one am a tall person of 183cm. I also weigh 86kg and that makes any soft mattress sink after a few months. So these led me to the quest of getting my new mattress from my dad’s mattress store. Being a mattress store heir doesn’t make me a mattress expert. But as an eager learner, I sure did absorb a lot during my mattress shopping time and I can honestly share this with you; buying a mattress requires logic and common sense which is seldom present when most people are shopping.

One can easily be blinded by promotions and discounts and the outlook of the product rather than the features and benefits which suits you as an individual. Therefore, I have decided to pen down the few tips and approach for the benefit of every would be mattress buyer:

i) What’s your height?

If you are a tall person, then you’re in trouble when shopping for a mattress. Though its a blessing to be tall, because its rare, then its also a curse when it comes to shopping for mattress because long mattresses only exists in custom made orders. This will cost you extra money but its well worth it compared to having your feet dangling in the air while you sleep.

ii) Do you suffer from backaches and pains?

If you have backache and pains, then the best solution is a firm mattress and a contour pillow. Firm mattresses provide excellent lumbar support and a contour pillow will give your neck and head a good support too. A great brand of mattress I’d like to tell you is the Seahorse Mattress. This is a popular mattress brand name in Hong Kong and Singapore. I personally had my brand new Seahorse Mattress imported because to me, its a necessity. Resting on a Seahorse Mattress will make you feel a total new level of relaxation on your lower back, which you have seldom had the chance to experience. Yes, it is as good as it gets.

iii) Do you roll about in your sleep?

Believe me when I say, this can be very dangerous. If you roll about in your sleep, obviously it is better to get a bigger bed. A Queen Size or King Size bed can give you more room to roll. Falling down from beds have led to many injuries which can be harmful. One may knock their heads against the floor, suffer internal injury and not remember it, or even knock your head against a sharp corner, depending on the placement of your room furniture. Try to position your bed against a wall as that reduces up to 50% of any chance of you falling off your bed. You may have a tendency to roll left or right more often so I can’t possibly calculate so accurately for you.

iv) Finally, do you share your bed with a spouse?

If you do, please discuss with them because you want your spouse to have a good night’s rest just as much as you do. How can you possibly sleep well if your spouse isn’t? Yet another commonsense issue which many need to pay attention.

There are many more criteria and issues involved when selecting your mattress however, that’s another story for another article. With the common sense approach listed above, you will gain better sleep in terms of quality. Your family and you deserve to sleep well. Don’t buy mattresses just because they look nice. Treat it like a car purchase and you’ll never regret it for the useful life of that mattress.

About the Author:

Nguang Nguek Fluek is the son of a mattress store owner and runs his own mattress review website to help consumers expose themselves to the variety of mattresses available before making a sound purchase. Visit his website at http://www.review-mattress-online.com Nguang Nguek Fluek is the son of a mattress store owner and runs his own mattress review website to help consumers expose themselves to the variety of mattresses available before making a sound purchase. Visit his website at http://review-mattress-online.com

Written By: Nguang Nguek-Fluek

Among bunk beds, the most common are bunk beds for kids. Bunk beds made for adults differ with children bed bunks, since the former serves a more functional purpose, similar to military bunk beds. On the other hand, childrens’ bunk beds are built for another purpose – an entertaining one – and that is, for kids to be excited in going to sleep. Childrens’ bunk beds are undoubtedly exciting. For many children, especially those who just grew up from sleeping in cribs, they want a bed for bigger kids. Plus, bunk beds are not difficult to play in and allow another sibling to sleep with another.

I. Special Precautions For Children

Bunk beds are fun, but bunk beds for children have safety risks. Children might fall from their beds. That is why it is important to put up the side guardrails on the upper bunk’s two sides. These must be secured firmly whenever the child is sleeping. Another rule that you should follow is not to permit kids below six years of age to sleep or stay in the bunk’s upper part. It is also important to have a safety ladder. You could teach your kids on safely using the ladder. Discourage playing on the ladder to avoid accidents. Lastly, if your kid sleeps in a bunk bed, it is advisable to have a nearby light on, just in case the kid wakes up at night and has to get out of the bed. If think your baby is too old enough for a crib, consider first the following before you buy a bunk bed.

II. Is Your Child Old Enough For A Bunk Bed?

1. Assess if your kid is really ready to have a bed. Transferring to the bed from the crib may be difficult for some kids, especially preschoolers or toddlers. Make it slow and assess if the kid is having apprehensions moving.

2. When you shop, you could ask the store staff if the bed has met the standards required by the American Society of Testing Materials. If it does, then you could buy it.

3. Plan ahead. Your kid will most likely sleep in the bed you will buy for many years to come. Consider the size of the bunk bed, since your kid might grow faster than you expected.

4. Shop around for choices. There are bunk beds ranging from toddler sizes to full-size ones. There are also beds shaped like castles or cars. Some even have the contemporary or antique look.

5. Do not be surprised if you are paying more than $100. The more fancy or elaborate models have prices ranging from $300 to as high as $1,500, and that is for the frame alone. Some beds do include a mattress, but you have to shell out more for it and box spring.

6. Purchase a top quality mattress. Measure it. The mattress should fit perfectly in the bunk. The measurement should be at most one inch of space from the mattress to the bunk bed’s frame. Check out the slats on the lower bunk which holds the mattress to ensure that they give strong support and are properly and securely screwed into the bed frame side.

7. Consider buying guard rails. The kid who slept in a crib may feel assured of the crib’s security. It may take some time for the kid to get used to the bunk bed. There are guard rails that are attachable to the bunk bed using screw or can be slid under the bed’s mattress. Check the sturdiness of these guard rails before you allow your kid to sleep in the bed.

8. Check the spaces between the bed frame and guard rails, as well as in the footboard and headboard on the upper bunk. The space should be at most 3.5 inches of space in all these areas. This is to avoid smaller kids from becoming trapped or slipping through.

9. Inspect all the bed’s edges and corners. Make sure that the corners and edges are smooth.

10. Check the bed’s stability by shaking it vigorously.

11. See if one can climb the ladder easily. The ladder should be also wide enough and not narrow for your kid.

12. At the bottom bunk, sit. Your head must not hit or reach the top.

13. If possible, make the store install the bed for you.

14. From time to time, inspect the screws and bolts to ensure that they are still firmly in place.

About the Author:

For more great bunk bed related articles and resources check out http://bunkbeds.kidsntoddlers.com

Written By: Paul Graham