Types of Sleeping Beds

Air Mattress

• Air mattress quality, comfort and versatility have made them a logical choice as guest beds. They inflate quickly with an electronic pump and you can deflate them just as easily. These lightweight beds have also become an affordable option as permanent beds. Those prone to allergies may benefit from an air mattress. The mattress covers, made from plastic, eliminate fabric and fibers that harbor dust mites.

Bunk Bed

• Bunk beds, favored by families with multiple children, feature two juvenile or twin beds housed in a stacked frame. They also provide a sensible solution for bedrooms in vacation homes with limited space. Choose from rustic wood and modern metal construction or durable plastic designs to suit the decor of any bedroom.

Trundle Bed

• The trundle bed, another good choice for a child's room, features two twin beds in one unit. The second bed, on wheels or casters, moves under the upper bed when not in use. Kids love them for sleepover guests and moms love them because they take up little space in a small bedroom.

Sofa Bed

• Sofa beds serve a dual purpose. During the day, they provide seating and at night, they can sleep one or two guests. Sofa beds in twin, full, queen or king size, are perfect for people living in studio apartments. The folded bed pulls out of the furniture piece with the tug of a handle or strap, then neatly folds up and glides back into place the next morning.

Water Bed

• Water beds have come along way since the days of marginal heating systems, easily punctured plastic and uncontrollable wave action. Modern, soft-sided water beds resemble conventional mattresses and consist of water chambers, fill fiber, a foam mattress topper and cushioned perimeter rails. Standard sheets fit soft-sided water beds, eliminating the need for special bed linens.

Futon

• Futons, the Japanese version of a sofa bed, consist of a mattress placed on a wooden frame. The frame takes the shape of a sofa when not in use as a bed. The cotton-filled mattress bends at a 90 degree angle and serves as the sofa cushion. At night, the frame and mattress fold flat for sleeping. The economical futon, while not as comfortable as a traditional bed, works well for college students and young professionals on a budget. People with back problems may have a difficult time adjusting to the futon's lack of support.