The bed is, quite obviously, the most important piece of bedroom furniture, and it should be chosen for both its comfort and its aesthetic appeal. The rest of the furniture in the bedroom is, basically, storage facilities.

There are two main styles of bedroom: fitted and unfitted. When choosing the style and color of such pieces, bear in mind that the lighter the color, the larger the room will appear. Mirrored unit fronts always make a room appear more spacious.

Fitted units

Fitted units offer the best storage facilities for the bedroom, and with the wide range currently available, it has never been easier to achieve the perfect layout, tailored to suit your individual needs. Many filled units feature variable-height hanging rails, high for coats and dresses, and half-height or two-tiered for shins, skirls and trousers: adjustable shelves, for storing jumpers and shirts: and shoe racks, tie rails and drawers for underwear. Some have perspex drawers, so that you can see what is in the drawer before you open it. It is also possible to have custom-made units manufactured in your own design and finish, into which you can place well-planned storage solutions.

Free-standing units

Pitted or built-in storage does not suit even1 room’s style or each person¡¯s tastes. Many people prefer traditional free-standing furniture. There is a wide range on the market and they are available in an ever-widening spectrum of colors and finishes. You can also customise the interior of large cupboards and wardrobes to include storage systems comparable to those in fitted units. It is also very easy to re-vamp existing pieces of furniture – just changing the handles or giving the piece a new coal of paint can transform a tired item of furniture into a contemporary piece.

The bed

We spend almost a third of our lives asleep, so the bed should be considered as an investment. The style of bed you choose will very much depend on the decorative style of the bedroom and your personal preference, and it may well be the appearance of the bed frame and headboard that are the deciding factors. One important thing to bear in mind is that the bed should be a minimum of 15cm/6in longer than the tallest person using it. Another practical consideration for the family home is storage space. Some styles of bed have valuable storage beneath them, either with fitted drawers or simply a space in which you can place narrow plastic storing cases on wheels, that can easily he pulled in and out.

The mattress

The mattress is, in fact, the most important factor in a bed’s comfort and durability. Whichever you choose, turn it regularly to maximise its life. Open-sprung mattresses, composed of continuous inter-linking springs, are the most common. Posture springing, a more advanced form of open springing, helps to overcome the tendency for springs to lean towards the heaviest person in the bed. Pocket-sprung mattresses, where each spring is individually set into a fabric pocket, are now” featured in a wide range of mattresses. Time-consuming to manufacture, this form of mattress is the most expensive on the market, bill it does support weight evenly.

Foam mattresses are available in a wide range of qualities and price options. The best foam mattresses are very expensive. Cheaper versions can be thin and uncomfortable, and will not withstand constant use. Foam is the best option if you suffer from dust-induced allergies. If you choose a foam mattress, it is essential that you make sure it is fire retardant.