- Adjustable Base Bed Basics
- Mattresses & Adjustable Base Beds
- Health Problems & Adjustable Base Beds
- Buying Adjustable Base Beds
While adjustable beds used to be reserved for people with medical issues, more and more individuals are starting to utilize adjustable base beds in their homes, even if they don’t have a specific health problem that requires it. In today’s blog, the mattress experts at Star Furniture discuss what you need to know about adjustable base beds.
Adjustable Base Bed Basics
We’re all creatures of habit, which means that when left to our own devices, we’ll likely keep doing things the way we’ve always done them. That’s true for buying a mattress as well. But because mattress technology has improved so much in the past ten years, it’s important to understand what an adjustable base is and how they can positively impact your sleep patterns.
What is an Adjustable Base Bed?
An adjustable base bed is a mattress foundation that can be easily adjusted to accommodate different sleep preferences. Many adjustable beds have adjustable heights, adjustable elevations, massage capabilities, and other advanced features like wireless remotes, USB charging ports, and preset positions.
What are the Perks of Adjustable Beds?
An adjustable base bed might be just what you need to maximize your sleep potential. Here are some of the main perks you can expect when you purchase an adjustable base bed.
Elevation Control
For many people, the elevation of your head and feet can make a big difference in your comfort level while sleeping. Keeping your upper body elevated, for example, can help prevent snoring and symptoms of acid reflux, while keeping your feet elevated can help with circulation. Choosing different ergonomic settings can even help people with chronic back pain, arthritis, and joint pain. In addition to offering relief from certain medical symptoms, adjustable beds can also be helpful for people who like to watch television or catch up on emails in bed by letting them elevate their backs to a sitting position.
Easy Mobility
For older adults and people with mobility issues, adjustable base beds can make getting in and out of bed much easier, which can prevent dangerous slips and falls. That’s one reason why hospital beds are designed to adjust to different heights and inclines. With adjustable beds, you have the option of elevating your back or adjusting the bed’s height to help you easily and safely stand, rather than standing up from a low, flat position.
Massage Potential
Whether you’re looking for relief from chronic pain or a relaxing escape from reality, many adjustable base beds offer massage capabilities that can be great for your physical and emotional health. The massage function can even help some people fall asleep more quickly.
How to Choose the Right Position for Your Adjustable Base Bed?
Once you buy your adjustable bed, it will take some trial and error to find the position that works best for you and your sleep patterns. Some adjustable beds have preset positions to get you started, including Zero Gravity, Anti-Snore, and Flat. If none of those options feel right for you, you’ll want to consider what exactly you’re looking for in a sleep position.
If, for example, you struggle with acid reflux or back pain, you can find suggestions online for different positions that might offer some relief. From there, you’ll want to give the positions a try. But remember, it does take some time to get used to a new bed, so once you’ve found a position you think might be beneficial, you’ll want to give it a week or two before moving on to another option. Otherwise, you may rule it out before your body has had time to adjust. The best part of adjustable base beds is their ability to be customized to your unique needs, so be sure to give this step proper care and don’t just settle for the first comfortable position you find.
Mattresses & Adjustable Base Beds
Because adjustable base beds have just recently entered the mainstream, many people have questions about the logistics, especially when it comes to choosing a mattress. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about mattress compatibility.
Can You Use an Innerspring Mattress on an Adjustable Bed?
It depends. When considering buying an innerspring mattress for an adjustable base bed, you’ll need to first make sure it’s explicitly compatible. Some innerspring mattresses contain interlocking coils, which can get tangled when adjusted to certain settings. Look for innerspring mattresses that explicitly state that they are safe to use with adjustable base beds to prevent mattress damage from occurring.
Can You Use an Adjustable Base with Any Mattress?
Not necessarily. While many mattresses designed within the last five years are compatible with adjustable base beds, it’s not guaranteed. Generally speaking, mattresses need to be able to bend and flex without compromising their structural integrity if they’re going to be used on an adjustable base bed. That said, there are innerspring, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses on the market that have been deemed safe to use with adjustable base beds.
Do You Need a Box Spring with an Adjustable Base?
No. In fact, because of their design, box springs are inherently incompatible with adjustable base beds. Instead, the foundation of the adjustable base bed serves as the foundation for your mattress, which means you don’t need to buy a box spring or an alternative foundation. If you prefer the height of a mattress with a box spring, you’ll want to choose an adjustable bed that features height adjustment capabilities.
Do Adjustable Beds Damage Mattresses?
Not if you’re using the right mattress. Adjustable base beds should not damage compatible mattresses any more than a regular bed foundation. That said, you will still need to take proper care of your mattress to best maximize its lifespan by using a mattress protector and regularly rotating or flipping the mattress.
Can I Use My Headboard and Footboard with an Adjustable Bed?
It depends. Many adjustable base beds can be used with standard bed frames, assuming the slats or support rails can be removed. Additionally, they can be attached with brackets to most headboards and footboards. If you have a platform bed, the adjustable bed’s legs must be taken off so it can sit directly on the platform. Once the legs are removed, the bed should function like normal. If you use an adjustable base with a platform bed, you’ll be unable to adjust the bed’s height, so be aware of that before making a purchase.
How to Dress a Split King Adjustable Bed?
A split king mattress requires two twin XL mattress protectors, two fitted twin XL sheets, and a king-sized cover sheet. While you can mix and match sheet sets, there are specially designed split king sheet sets that include the combination of sheets you need. If you have problems keeping the twin XL mattresses together, you may want to consider adjusting the iron plate connector or utilizing a non-slip mattress protector.
Health Problems & Adjustable Base Beds
Especially if you have trouble sleeping or have sleep-adjacent health problems, an adjustable base bed can ease problematic symptoms and help you get a better night’s sleep. Here’s what you need to know about common health problems and how adjustable base beds can help.
Are Adjustable Beds Good for Acid Reflux?
Yes, though it depends on the type of adjustable bed. For people with acid reflux, lying down flat can increase discomfort, but by facilitating inclination of both the upper body and lower body simultaneously, gravity can prevent the symptoms of acid reflux.
Do Adjustable Beds Help Snoring?
They can! Snorers who sleep with their head slightly elevated (which is made easy by the adjustable base bed) often see a reduction in their snoring habits. In fact, some adjustable base beds come with a preset “Anti-Snore” position. Not only does it provide some relief for the person who snores, but it can also make sleep more pleasant for their partner.
Do Adjustable Base Beds Help with Sleep Apnea?
They can! While CPAP machines are the main treatment for sleep apnea, sleeping with your upper body elevated can help reduce snoring and sleep apnea.
Are Adjustable Beds Good for your Back?
It depends on the mattress and the positions you choose. For many people, back pain can be alleviated by sleeping on a slight incline with extra support under the knees. Because aches and pains are often unique to the individual, with an adjustable base bed, you can try a wide range of positions to find out which one works best for you.
Note: It’s important to remember that adjustable base beds are not a treatment for sleep apnea, snoring, acid reflux, or back pain, but used in tandem with other treatments, they can help provide some relief from the symptoms associated with those issues.
Buying Adjustable Base Beds
Now that you understand more about adjustable base bed capabilities and concerns, it’s time to start considering whether or not an adjustable bed is right for you. Here are some of the questions we get about buying adjustable base beds for the first time.
How Much is an Adjustable Bed?
Adjustable beds for sale at Star Furniture tend to range from $699 to $2199 depending on the included features. While the more affordable adjustable base beds only offer a few positions, high-end adjustable beds include features like wireless remotes, massage capabilities, pillow tilt, and multiple height options. Before you choose an adjustable base bed, you’ll want to determine which of these features are most important to you based on your own sleep patterns and preferences.
Are Adjustable Beds Worth It?
We think so! We’ve found that for many of our customers, adjustable beds make all the difference in the quality of sleep they’re getting every night. Not only can they be helpful for people with certain medical conditions like sleep apnea and chronic back pain, but they can also assist people with mobility issues who need assistance getting in and out of bed. In general, adjustable base beds offer a great deal of customization, which means a mattress that can better accommodate your unique sleep needs. While they can be expensive, better sleep is priceless.
What is the Best Adjustable Bed for the Money?
We think that the Reverie R400 is one of the best adjustable beds for the money. Not only does it feature head and foot adjustability, massage capabilities, a Bluetooth remote, an under-the-bed nightlight, and adjustable bed heights, but it also includes Zero Gravity, Anti-Snore, and Flat presets. It also features a 20-year limited warranty, so you don’t have to worry about its longevity. Plus, it comes in several sizes, including full, queen, and split king.
Where to Buy Adjustable Beds?
Whether you’re shopping for a new mattress or simply looking for an adjustable base bed to pair with your current mattress, Star Furniture & Mattress has everything you need. Not only do we have a huge selection of adjustable base beds and mattresses, but we’ve also revolutionized the mattress shopping experience so you don’t have to settle for the status quo.
Ready to start shopping? Visit a Star Furniture store today to experience the most comfortable mattress buying experience in Texas. In the meantime, check out our interior design blog, where we cover everything from how to decorate a master bedroom to everything you need to know about beds.