Photo: Cindy Barganier

If you experience back pain, you are not alone. A recent study revealed that eight out of ten Americans will experience this problem during their lives, and that the risk increases as they age. While these issues can have many causes, a common factor is sleeping on the wrong type of mattress. Depending on your health and body type, your mattress may be causing you aches and pains and that is why it could be the time for investing in an adjustable bed. If you are ready to choose a new bed or mattress, there are several tips you can keep in mind when it comes to achieving optimum health, wellness, and great sleep.

Photo: Randi Garrett Design

Consider Current Health Issues

Before you choose a mattress, it is a good idea to consider what health issues you may be suffering from currently and how they affect your sleep. For example, if you already have back pain and your current mattress is making matters worse, you may want to consider buying a brand that is designed to support and cushion your spine and relieve pressure points that may cause pain.

One way to narrow down your mattress choice is to ask your physician for advice. He or she can advise you about how different types of mattress might help or hinder your current pain issues. You may want to let your doctor know about your sleeping patterns and how many days out of the week you wake up with back pain so he or she can gauge whether your current mattress is a major factor in the discomfort you feel. A physical may be necessary to better understand the source of your pain.

Photo: Cuckoo 4 Design

Think Body, Not Brands

While it might seem impossible to choose a particular mattress brand out of all that are available, the good news is that brand names do not have to be a major factor in your decision. While you might gravitate toward a certain brand because you have enjoyed a product in the past or it has favorable consumer reviews online, your body’s individual needs, not the mattress name, is what counts.

As you shop for mattresses, consider how a soft or firm brand might affect your back pain. For example, a mattress that is too firm may not have enough give where you need it the most and put pressure on your spine or put it out of alignment. As a result, you may wake up with back pain. Test possible mattress choices at your local mattress retailers to gauge your body’s individual needs and keep in mind that firmness is usually in the eye of the sleeper.

Photo: Decor Gold Designs

Research Before You Buy

While your doctor can help you understand what type of mattress might help alleviate back pain, you can also perform research on your own before you start shopping. Learning about different types of mattresses might help you understand whether a memory foam or coil style is a better choice for you. The more you understand the differences between what types are available, the easier shopping can be.

If you choose to perform research online and look into consumer reports, it is important that you keep your individual needs in mind. Even if a mattress has excellent reviews, its construction or type may not be effective for helping to manage your back pain. You may want to discover what type of mattress best suits your needs before you read these reports.

Choose the Right Accessories

The accessories you buy for your bed, from good pillows to sheets, can contribute to sleep wellness and preventing back pain.  Mattress extras, such as memory foam pads, must be carefully considered. While these mattress toppers can provide extra softness and protect your mattress from stains, they can also raise your body temperature during the night. If you are sensitive to temperature changes, you may want to forego them to have a more comfortable and restful sleep.

Photo: Home Decor Plush

Browse Adjustable Beds

One way to alleviate back pain and get the ultimate in mattress comfort is to invest in an adjustable bed. These beds, which allow you to change the angle and firmness of the mattress, might go a long way in helping you manage chronic pain. Some brands include heat and massage features; however, beds with multiple accessories may eclipse your mattress budget.

Chronic back pain can interfere with daily activities, cause restless sleep, and make you miserable upon waking. The right mattress can help reduce some of this pain; however, proper research, understanding how the differences in mattress construction can affect your sleep, and your body’s individual needs are all important in helping you make the best possible choice for health and sleep wellness.

Your bedroom should be your own personal sanctuary where you relax, read, sleep, and even hang out with friends! If you are girls’ girl and like to feel pampered up, follow our guide on how to decorate your princess bedroom without covering everything in ceiling to floor pink!

Choose a Luxurious Headboard

To make your bed the prima donna of all beds, it all starts with an amazing headboard. Think Louis XVI or even victorian age styles with beautiful wood carvings, embellishments, tufting, and luxurious fabrics. If you can’t find exactly what you are looking for, search online! There are tons of tutorials where you can make your own custom double mattress or single mattress headboards using some simple wood working skills and materials all from your local hardware shop. Now that’s what I call the ultimate princess bed!

Photo: Bush Architecture

Create a Half Tester Canopy

A “half tester” is a form of a canopy bed which differs from the traditional “four poster” canopy bed. This canopy is only attached to the headboard, not the foot board. If you’ve always been longing for a canopy bed you can make your own half tester canopy by constructing a wooden rectangular frame, attaching it to the wall, upholstering it in beautiful fabric and then attaching curtains.

Photo: Carolyn Reyes

Hang a Chandelier

Just switching up your lighting can make a huge difference in transforming your bedroom form a regular room to a complete princess themed bedroom. Choose a chandelier loaded with crystals to reflect maximum light all throughout your room.

Photo: CDA Interior Design

Choose Wallpaper and Paint

Wallpapering a whole room can make it seem smaller, tighter, and a little démodé. What’s really hot right now is wallpapering half of your room in a romantic damask and then painting the adjoining wall a similar shade. You’ll be surprised at how chic and modern it looks!

Photo: Vi-Design

Go All Out with Blue

A princess bedroom doesn’t mean everything should be pink, in fact we like blue hues even better! This teenage girls room really looks like it’s fit for a little princess with everything painted in cool blue, white and silver tones. Stick to a few shades of blue for your walls and fabrics, and then add cool streaks of silver with your chandelier and furniture.

Photo: Evelyn M.Designs

Create a Seating Area

If you have enough space to do so, transform your bedroom into a whole multi-concept room. Choose a section in your room for a seating area fit with two arm chairs and even a small sofa if you have enough room. Back in the Medieval days, real Kings and Queens actually lived like this. Their bedrooms all had a seating area where they could eat their breakfast, and relax next to a crackling fire!

 Photo: AFK Furniture

You might, as an alternative, seek the assistance of a professional interior designer in order to obtain the girly princess theme for your room and spare yourself some time.

Purple and pink are statement colors when it comes to girly decor. You can make them feel instantly serious and more grown-up by choosing richer hues and darker shades. A royal purple velvet headboard makes a luxurious yet playful statement in this dramatic bedroom.

Animal print hues always turn it up a notch and show off your playful side. Make sure when decorating with animal prints to choose high quality fabrics with rich textures like this velvet upholstered arm chair.

No need to paint over white – plain walls make the perfect backdrop for bright accessories. Bring your bedroom to life with a colorful throw, floral headboard and a mix of toss cushions to bring color and pattern to your room.

Grey has actually been the new WHITE for the last few years and can make a space feel grown-up and modern. Think of it as a neutral hue, you can still add in sprinkles of bright accents throughout to bring it to life. A muted grey palette also enhances an urban view and keeps everything feeling airy and fresh.

Remember those feather boas you used to play with as a kid? Sew them onto a pretty blanket for a funky, girly-inspired throw!

You can still keep your color palette simple using cream and silver as well as adding touches of pink with tiny floral arrangements. You’d be surprised at how a few small blooms can make a sassy statement!

A fluffy fur rug is the perfect way to soften up a room and give it some unexpected luxe. It’s also a good way to warm up a floor in the bedroom like this wooden engineered click flooring. The two small studded coffee tables also give it some rocker-chic vibe without going overboard.

The easiest way to create two-minute wall art is to frame your favorite wallpapers. These metallic wallpapers bring color to the walls without having to break the bank!

Photos: Brett Design, Lind & Cumings, M. Barnes and Co, Amanda Nisbet, Massimo Interiors