It's hard to choose sometimes between the latest furniture designs and some of the older, more traditional favorites. This is especially true when it comes to bedroom furniture. Antique furniture holds an appeal all its own, but sometimes, you may find that a modern design is more suited to your home. When you start your search for the perfect bedroom furniture, here are some things to keep in mind.
Keep an Open Mind
You may have already decided that the latest designer, low slung platform bed with its Oriental flavor is what you simply must have for your room. However, when you're out shopping, pay attention to other designs as well. These might include a beautiful sleigh bed, with its curved wood head and foot boards or a four poster bed with its elegant topper. You may be surprised at what you find inherently beautiful.
Wood vs. Other Materials
Many of today's modern bedroom furniture feature materials other than wood. For example, brass, wrought iron, and powder coated steel are quite popular. Antique beds are generally either wood or iron and some have beautiful, intricate designs. Some of the antique beds are worth more than the high end designer beds today. Consider the other furniture in the room and your home. If your entire home has a modern, contemporary feel, then you may be more comfortable with the same type of bed.
Furniture Finishes
Some finishes are more durable than others are. Painted wood can scratch, showing the grain underneath. However, with proper care, a wood bed frame can last for over a hundred years. The finishes on metal can also have cosmetic issues and if it's not made strong enough, it can eventually bend and crease. When choosing your bedroom furniture, make sure the bed frame is sturdy and worth the money.
Old vs. New
If you're still not sure if you want to find a new, modern design or an antique bed, consider the rest of the furniture in the room. Many times, there may not be a matching dresser or nightstand to go with the bed. You'll need to search for items that will match your design. Almost all of the contemporary bedroom furniture today has matching dressers, chest of drawers, wardrobes, and dressing tables. If this is important to you, it may be best to go with a contemporary bedroom set of furniture.
A Few Final Things to Consider
An antique bed will continue to gain value as the years pass. This is especially true for the higher quality pieces. However, some of the modern pieces do hold their value. Imagine what you would like to pass onto your children, too. Sometimes, these are treasured family heirlooms and can be a beautiful addition to any home. You'll love slipping into your new bed and don't forget that the mattress is the most important part. A good night's sleep will do wonders for your day, but it does all begin with the right mattress. Sweet Dreams!