Hardly a week goes past in New Zealand without us being reminded that how and where we live is changing dramatically from the traditional quarter-acre section to modern apartment blocks and townhouses.
Judging from the response to our September Bedpost exhibitor stand at the Auckland Home Show. Many Kiwis are coming to terms with some of the lifestyle changes required when they have to be more economical about their living spaces.
Our feedback indicated that people are always nervous about the amount of storage they’ll have when they live in an apartment, so utilising the space under the mattress makes complete sense.”
In addition to choosing a bed frame with space under the mattress instead of a typical mattress and base, the two main options for purpose-built storage in modern bed design are in-frame drawers (such as this loft storage frame).
The key elements to choosing a bed for apartment or townhouse living are space and access, so don’t be surprised that when you come into a Bedpost store to choose a style of bed and mattress, that’s one of the main things that our sleep specialists will discuss with you.
It’s essential to come prepared with information about the size of your bedroom, so you know what size bed is suitable for the space. Still, unless you’re keen to hire a crane to lift a bed in through an upstairs window (something Bedpost has done in the past!), it also pays to know what size frame, base, and mattress are capable of getting through all the doors, stairways, corridors, and elevators usually associated with apartment blocks.
Access is rarely a problem when someone has a single-level home. Still, even the best penthouse apartments usually have to use the same elevator as everyone else, and that’s where the challenges can be.
The main issue is with queen-size bed bases. Sizes below that—say, a double at 188cm at its longest—usually fit, and kings and superkings come with split bases anyway. One option for a 203cm queen-size is to choose one of Bedpost’s lower-profile bases, making it easier to get through doorways and into the bedroom.
It’s easier to manipulate mattresses around corners. You can’t do that with a big wooden piece of furniture, so it’s important to know that a bed will fit before buying it and organising delivery.”
If you are one of the growing numbers of New Zealanders living in apartments and planning to buy a new bed or mattress, you can read our guide to which bed sizes might suit you and your lifestyle or our mattress size guide to see what would fit into your space.
