Sleep Tight: A Complex Guide To Picking The Right Bed

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Buying a mattress is not unlike buying a car. The salesmen are sleazy, the financing options built to confuse, and the whole whole scenario feels a little gross.

Our advice: figure out what you like in terms of firmness (pause...) and just get on with it.

Once a mattress is selected, you move on to another, equally important purchase — the bed frame.

No, dropping the mattress on the floor won't do. As with any furniture, a bed frame helps set the tone for your home. If you want to rest well, you'll want your bedroom to function as your sanctuary and reflect your personality most perfectly. (Plus, women don't want to spend a night sleeping on the ground).

To ease the process, we've matched bed frame and personality types. Continue on to check out the Complex Guide to Picking the Right Bed.

Are you into industrial chic?

The Hamilton Bed is for you.

Handcrafted in North Carolina, the Hamilton bed draws from 20th century iron bedsteads. Here, the frame is steel granting a more industrial aesthetic. One thing to note: this type of frame requires a box spring. So, if ultimate minimalism is your desire, best keep looking.

Buy it now from School House Electric, $1,2500

Consider yourself cool and contemporary?

Check out Blu Dot's Nook Bed.

If a headboard is desired, but sleek, slim lines are the primary objective, options are limited. Luckily, the Nook Bed delicately balances both requirements in a neat upholstered frame.

Buy it now from Blu Dot, $1,399

Concerned about the environment?

Buy reclaimed wood.

Environment furniture specializes in product build from sustainable or reclaimed wood. The firm has also mastered what might be called a soft masculine aesthetic. That is, they make stuff perfect for the swinging bachelor with a sensitive side.

Buy the Leblon Peroba Bed now from Environment, $1,895

Do you DIY?

Make a bed from cinder blocks.

Cinder blocks don't have to make your room look like a prison cell. With some degree of aesthetic inspiration, turning cheap materials into cool, elegant furnishings isn't too difficult. A bed like this proves your muscle and sets a distinct tone.

Buy cinder blocks from Lowes, $1.37 each

Are you a design geek?

Check out the Case Study Alpine Bed.

Inspired by the Case Study House, this contemporary design draws from mid-century modernism and privileges structural support. Each element plays a role in adding strength to the frame… meaning it will last a more than a few rounds of non-sleep bedroom activity.

Buy it now from DWR, $2,895

Do you masturbate to modernism?

Buy classic.

We've established that mid-century inspired designs can offer a certain degree of stability. However, if aesthetic rules over function in your life, the Mies Platform bed may be a better bet. This example is built from solid mahogany with contrast stainless steel legs. Beautiful, and completely without fuss.

Buy it now from Charles P. Rogers, $499

Fancy yourself a country gent?

Seek out a sleigh bed.

Like missionary sex, there's nothing wrong with traditional craftsmanship in the bedroom. Gets the job done. Looks and feels good enough. Additionally, having a bed frame custom built extends certain options. Select the ideal wood for your bedroom, and, perhaps most importantly, support time honored trades.

Get a sleigh bed made at Clear Creek Amish Furniture.

Concern for the environment, shallow pockets?

Check out the big stores.

You'd be surprised how many larger retailers are improving their sourcing to become more social conscious. West Elm's Stria Bed Set is a terrific option for those guys interested in the type of stuff Environment is doing, but not quite ready to fork over a ton for a bed frame. Women like a man who fights for a cause. And, a nice bed frame will help fight for yours too.

Buy it now from West Elm, $799

Want to sleep inside a steak house?

Go leather.

A Chesterfield bed ain't for everyone. Only the Mr. Big, smoke a cigar immediately after sex, type of dude really. But, hell, if you've got a sweet loft and a line of chicks out the door, it may be right.

Buy it now from Restoration Hardware, $2,440

Are you a Trad?

Four poster bed.

If you own a Volvo, dream of white picket fences, and haven't bought new khakis since 2003… then this is the bed for you.

Get one made from Carolina Rustica.