Buying Guide: Mattress Accessories
A mattress is one of the most important accessories for beds. There are so many varieties of mattresses these days. In order to choose the perfect mattress, you just need to choose the right size and filling. So, mattresses come in springs, no springs, double-sided, and even mattresses called "two seasons". Double-sided mattresses come with springs or without. Such mattresses are suitable for those people who like to periodically change the hardness of the mattress. On one side it is soft, and on the other - hard. If you want, you can turn it upside down. Mattresses "two seasons" are made of several fillers. One side retains heat well - it is soft and "winter". The second is easy to air and removes excess heat - it is hard and "summer".
Once you have made your decision and chosen the perfect mattress for you, the question of other accessories for beds arises. It is probably obvious to you that accessories for a restful and comfortable sleep are an integral part of a peaceful and comfortable sleep. And now we will tell you about them in detail.
Bedroom is the most personal room in the house. Here we spend the most time and do not show it to guests. The bedroom, where we spend the most beautiful time of our lives, should be comfortable, cozy, create a relaxing environment for good sleep and raise your spirits in the morning. The space in the bedroom can be created with accessories, fixtures and interesting ideas: from unusual color picks for the bedroom, great lighting ideas, furniture and, of course, bedding.
Let's discuss together the most important bedding items that will help make your bedroom a cozy and comfortable place to sleep and rest!
1. Box Springs
What will be the most important item on our list of must-have bed accessories? It could be a box spring or a foundation. Installing a spring mattress may be what your bed needs to take it to the next level. Spring mattresses are considered versatile and practical. They are equipped with springs that support the spine in the right position and prevent it from warping. Such bedding provides a good night's sleep and liveliness in the morning.
Varieties of spring mattresses
The spring box is the inner part of the mattress, consisting of springs. They are attached to the frame in different ways. There are the following spring mattresses:
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with a dependent spring block (Bonnell)
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with independent springs
Bonnel is a single design, where all the springs are connected to each other and adjust to each other. They take the weight of the person as a whole, not individually. Their distinctive feature is the autonomous movement of each spring under the influence of human weight. In most cases, springs are placed in separate cases with holes.
2. Pillows
Why is the right pillow important?
The wrong pillow isn't just a source of discomfort. If your neck is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, it can lead to uncomfortable or even painful feelings.
In general the rule is: when you sleep your spine should be straight and your neck should not bend. Thus, your pillow should fill the space between your shoulder and head (if you sleep on your side) or support your neck if you sleep on your back. If there is not enough support and your neck is bent the vertebrae will be moved a bit and consequently the nerves in the cervical region will be pressed. Because of impaired blood circulation or muscle tension, you may get a headache. Even if the pain passes quickly, this signal of the body should not be ignored.
In addition, a bad pillow affects the quality of sleep. Scientists link lack of sleep with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and the development of atherosclerosis, not to mention a slight nervousness, reduced concentration and inattention during the day.
So, if you wake up in the morning with a desire to stretch your neck muscles, a headache or just systematically not getting enough sleep, it's time to change your pillow as one of the most important accessories for beds.
What is the difference between orthopedic and anatomical pillows?
The word "orthopedic" means that the pillow is designed to treat and prevent diseases of the cervical spine, which means you should order it by doctor's appointment. This pillow has a special shape to keep the spine and neck in the correct position.
Anatomic pillow is made of material that adapts to the shape of the body, repeating the curve of the neck and spine. Usually it is latex or memory foam. The advantage is that such a pillow will help relieve fatigue and relieve stress on the neck muscles. However, when choosing, it is worth considering the position in which you usually sleep: for example, the "wave" shape (with a small roll under the neck) will not suit those who sleep on their side or on their back.
How to choose a pillow size?
There are two aspects. The first is the size of the pillow itself. There are two most basic standards: square and rectangular. It is to these pillows that most manufacturers produce bedding, although square pillowcases are still less common. It should be understood that the square pillow is larger, and therefore more expensive - it requires more filler and fabric. In general, it is a matter of habit.
The second aspect - the height. Here, when choosing, you should take into account the posture in which you usually sleep. High pillows are suitable for those who prefer to sleep on their side: the pillow should fill all the space between your shoulder and the ear. If you usually sleep on your back, a lower pillow will work for you. Perhaps an anatomic pillow with a recess for the head will be optimal. If it is comfortable to lie on it, it is worth choosing this option.
Those who sleep on the stomach are advised to use thinner, almost flat pillows.
How to choose a filler for a pillow?
The filler is responsible for the rigidity of the pillow, and this point is also very important for people who have allergies. What are the options?
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Down and feather. Modern pillows usually consist of a combination of these materials. The pros of down and feather pillows are in their naturalness. The disadvantage is that feather pillows get dust mites. In addition, down pillows are short-lived: they need to be changed about every two years.
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Wool. Such pillows are soft and resilient, keep warmth perfectly and are well ventilated. However, this filler can also cause allergies and is short-lived.
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Bamboo. Such pillows are quite durable and environmentally friendly. Bamboo fiber has a bactericidal effect, which means it is resistant to the action of microorganisms. There are practically no disadvantages except that the fiber is flaking and deforms over time.
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Cotton. These pillows are good air permeable and hypoallergenic. Cotton pillows are usually quite soft, but they quickly become deformed and cease to support the neck sufficiently. Therefore, they need to be changed often.
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Silk. Such pillows hold their shape well, are lightweight, soft and tolerate washing well. The main disadvantage is the price. Silkworm cocoons are used for manufacturing, so the pillows are quite expensive.
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Syntepon. Pillows made of syntepon are elastic, soft and lightweight. Disadvantages - short-lived (should be changed every one and a half to two years even with proper care) and insufficient rigidity.
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Latex. Typically used in anatomic and orthopedic pillows. Such pillows are stiff, firm and support the neck well.
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Memory foam. A modern artificial material, used in anatomical pillows. Such a pillow is smooth, without lumps and perfectly follows the contours of the head and neck. Disadvantages: ventilation is not too good.
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Buckwheat husk. Pillows with buckwheat husk are quite firm, provide excellent support for the neck and are durable: they last a record three years.
How often should I change my pillows?
A pillow is one of the most important accessories for beds, so you should pay special attention to its condition. In general, if your pillow is more than three years old, it is time to buy a new one.
Pillows made of latex last the longest - it is recommended to change them every three to four years. You should not sleep on feather and down pillows longer than two and a half years, and the same period is for pillows made of memory foam. Pillows with synthetic filling (polyester, artificial down) should be renewed maximum once every two years.
How to understand that the life span of your pillow has come to an end? Here are some signs:
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the filler has rolled up or gathered in lumps
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your pillow has stains on it that can't be washed off
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you feel tension or pain in your neck or shoulders in the morning
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you regularly wake up with a headache
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you constantly have to fluff up the pillow (we are talking about feather and down pillows), otherwise it is uncomfortable to lie on it
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if you fold a pillow in half, it stays in this position - normally, the pillow should straighten.
3. Adjustable beds
The demand for adjustable beds continues to grow. Why? It's simple - people want to provide the most comfortable conditions for sleep. Adjustable beds have a button to change the position of the mattress, and there may be additional features.
Originally, adjustable beds appeared in medical institutions. However, beds with adjustable mattresses are also useful for ordinary people who do not suffer from serious illnesses.
Thanks to the fact that the top and bottom parts of the mattress bend, taking the shape of the body, they help to:
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Improve blood flow
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Get rid of back pain
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Eliminate apnea, i.e. sleep apnea
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Get rid of snoring
These are very useful options that generally improve well-being, allow you to get better sleep and feel awake in the morning.
Choosing an adjustable bed, you need to pay attention to the following criteria:
Size. One bed or two? If two, then it is desirable that the two halves are separately adjustable, because everyone has his own notions of comfortable sleep and needs its own position.
The complexity of assembly, the ability to do everything with your own hands.
The presence of a guarantee from the manufacturer and quality certificates.
Methods of control. The levers that you had to twist to raise the top of the mattress are a thing of the past. Now it is buttons or remote control. Everything should be simple, clear and convenient.
The presence of additional features. There are simple adjustable beds that simply have the mattress lifted from the bottom and top. There are models that will wake up at the set time and make a wave massage of the head, legs, back or the whole body.
The silence of the motor. Obviously, it will be unpleasant to hear the noise of the motor every time you change the position of the mattress or turn on the massage function.
Aesthetics. Many adjustable beds do not have a headboard, which can make them not as attractive as regular beds. However, the headboard can be made with your own hands.
Mattress upholstery. Such upholstery should be not just beautiful, but also durable.
Budget. Of course, the more functions the bed has, the more expensive it will cost. There are adjustable beds for $1,000 and $3,000, so you need to decide how much you are willing to spend.
4. Mattress protectors.
Projector and mattress protector: what's the difference?
Your bed is a very important and not the cheapest thing in the house, so sooner or later the question arises of how to protect it from mechanical impact, stains and other unpleasant consequences of use.
To protect the mattress there are special mattress protectors, which are quilted fabric with filler on elastic bands at the corners. With the rubber bands the mattress cover is attached to the bottom of the mattress, thus protecting it. One can buy rubber sheets but they do not absorb and protect the bed as well as a mattress cover or protector, and unwanted stains are inevitable.
The protector has one important feature that distinguishes it from a mattress cover - it protects the mattress on the sides as well, not just on top. In fact the protector looks more like a cover or a sheet with an elastic band, with the difference that it is thicker and has a filler.
Choosing a mattress cover or protector, it is important to pay attention to the material of which it is made. Of course, these products are not in direct contact with the body, but the cotton fabrics are more breathable, do not create static stress, and are hypoallergenic. Calico is rougher than polyester, therefore such a mattress cover or protector will hold better on the bed.
When selecting a protector or mattress cover, it is important to choose the correct dimensions by measuring the bed before buying the product. If it is a protector, the height of the mattress also matters and it should also be measured.
5. Bedding
We spend about a third of our life in bed, and that's about 25 years, so we need to choose our bedding carefully. The fabric from which it is made is very important, because the better the material, the higher the quality of the bedding. So, let's consider the types of fabrics represented in our store in more detail, so that when buying you make the right choice:
Silk is a light, soft fabric, for the manufacture of which are used threads extracted from the cocoons of the mulberry silkworm. Silk is the most expensive material to make bedding. Cheap silk bedding can only be made from a man-made material.
The advantages of silk are:
- durable;
- pleasant to the touch;
- very lightweight;
- does not cause allergies.
Jacquard is a type of decorative fabric with a convex pattern. Jacquard fabric is used for elite linens. Jacquard linens are very durable and can withstand dozens of washings without much damage to the appearance.
Advantages of Jacquard:
- thanks to its special density absorbs excess moisture and damps electrostatic fields;
- regulates the temperature of the human body;
- has a good resistance to high temperatures.
Cotton or synthetic materials are used to make sateen. Sateen has a brilliant shade and a smooth, silky face. Sateen bedding is quite popular.
Advantages of sateen:
- does not cause allergies;
- does not crumple when used;
- very durable;
- does not deform when washed;
- has a pleasant glossy sheen (similar to silk).
Poplin is a fabric with plain weave, which is produced from a thinner cotton yarn than calico. Poplin has a number of significant advantages: it is smoother and more dense, with greater softness and a noble luster.
Bed linen made of poplin is durable and can withstand a great number of washings. They do not need a special care.
You have thus become familiar with the main accessories for beds and their features. Now it's time to visit our online store, in order to choose bedding for every taste and wallet!