Father’s Day is around the corner, and if your dad is anything like mine, he probably suffers from one or all of the ailments listed in the following typical disclaimer put out by a popular adjustable bed company:
“Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds equipped with optional heat and massage also may provide temporary relief from:
• Low Back Pain
• Minor Aches and Pains Due to Muscular Fatigue or Overexertion
• Edema or Swelling of the Legs
• Poor Local Blood Circulation of the Legs
• Symptoms of Hiatus Hernia
• Nighttime Heartburn
• Symptoms of Gastric Reflux
• The optional heating accessory provides temporary relief from Mild Arthritis and Joint Pain, as well as Muscle Pain Associated with Stress and Tension
• Sleeping in an upright position may Reduce or Ease Light and Occasional Snoring”
This year, I heeded the hopeful tone of the above message and splurged on a king adjustable bed as part of my Father’s Day gift. My dad’s back curls up like a pretzel when he sleeps, and even before the ad industrial complex got to me, I had heard that many different styles of adjustable beds relieved chronic pain by decreasing pressure on problem areas of the body. Something about the couch-like incline at the head of the bed greatly increases bed comfort, and is something my dad will always try to attain with about ten pillows laborously piled behind him in a lumpy mass of futility.
I had it all planned out. I waited until he was at work and had it installed secretly. But as the delivery guys were finished setting it all up, I had to admit that the king adjustable bed I had spent nearly all of my summer pay on didn’t look very, well…kingly. Mostly, the disproportionately large surface area, white metal frame, and utilitarian incline made my dad’s bedroom look like a transformed hospital suite!
If you’re looking into a king adjustable bed but would like to avoid this unwanted effect, consider doing the following three things:
1. Switch out the frame. True, many king adjustable beds come with customized frames, but be sure to ask the salesperson if they have one in a style or material that compliments the intended bedroom. I had no idea my model for instance offered a teak alternative until I returned to the warehouse and had an employee check in back! I’m happy I took the extra step though because the wood frame really compliments the beige and brown color scheme dominant in the house.
2.Get a kingly comforter set. A nice comforter with matching accent pillows and sheets can help a bulky adjustable mattress read luxurious instead. My personal favorite colors are royal gold and purple in just about any combination, but this truly is a matter of taste. If this isn’t your wheelhouse though, consider picking something neutral. Beige, olive green, gray, and white are great go-to hues that will be hard pressed to offend anyone’s sensibilities.
3. Make your bed as user friendly as possible. By this I mean, if there’s a manual, read it. If there’s a remote, learn it. If there’s electricity involved, hook it up! No one likes to mess with difficult controls when they’re tired, so the more you know about the bed you picked out, the more somulent wisdom you can impart to any guests or loved ones who might want to take a royal nap.
I am excited to report that my dad was more than happy with his present after I made these three augmentations, and the adjustable bed will no doubt be a mainstay for years to come!
