r/minimalist • u/Far_Journalist_8662 • Oct 28 '24
Bed Advice
I am in the market for a new bed, but I want it to be one that is: minimal, lasts, is easy to move and works for various apartments and their weird often small layouts. I am debating on the size though, between a double bed and Ikea's Utaker stacking bed (solid wood), which becomes roughly a king (76 by 78 inches). A double (54 by 75 inches) would fit fine in any apartment.
For context my partner stays with me most (99 percent) nights, and we have three cats. The old bed was a full and doable mostly. The cats take up a good portion of the foot though. The Ukater offers more flexibility, but I am not sure we need such a large bed and don't want to regret buying it. And as a minimalist, I try to avoid excess and waste.
Does anyone have advice or experience on the matter?
5
u/NoSwitch3199 Oct 28 '24
Be prepared to tear your hair out‼️
Bed hunting is one of THE most frustrating things I have EVER endured these days. Not to mention all the chemicals and foams used in them. Even a simple futon has become a whole nightmare process of decision making choices and commercializing.
I just want SIMPLE, but the average bed now is way too complicated for my tired, overwhelmed brain!! And THEN…add trying to find a comfy pillow without all that toxic foam…UGH 😳
No wonder I’m a minimalist‼️😂‼️
I think I’ll end up resorting to sleeping on the floor with the old quilt grandma made me and an old sweatshirt balled up into a makeshift pillow 🤷♀️🤷♀️
2
u/Far_Journalist_8662 Oct 28 '24
Ugh, I know. My research focuses on the environment, so the whole process is even more agonizing when I think of the lifespan of products and what happens to them when they are thrown out. It is in part what drove me to be a minimalist.
That is also why I am leaning towards a plain pine frame from Ikea. It’s simple and not toxic. I would just do a floor bed, but we live in an area with high humidity, so it would mold.
But the mattress or futon will be a huge pia to find something that is not toxic, has no fire retardants, is easy to move and doesn’t cost a fortune.
2
u/almondtarte Oct 31 '24
I agree... whilst I absolutely love my mattress (Emma Mattress), I had a moment of madness and bought... a blush pink velvet bed frame.
With my warm lighting, my friend says it resembles either a vagina, a snoop dogg video, or soft porn from the 70s.
Still regretting it 2 years later. 😂
5
u/detached-wanderer Oct 28 '24
Why not get a queen sized bed? My husband and I have moved numerous times over the years, and some of the spaces were furnished. We are fine in a double, the king seemed massive and a huge waste of space, and the queen has just enough extra space, so when we had to purchase a bed for our unfurnished space, we bought a queen.
Also for context, our current bedroom is our smallest yet, and is about 7' x 9'/63 sqft. We have our bed and a small open stand on each side to hold our glasses, phone, and water bottle. We don't have a chest of drawers or other furniture, so it works for us.