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This article was updated on 23/04/2024.
Bedroom furniture adaptations and optimising the bedroom to your comfort and needs can give you more confidence and independence in the most used room in the home. The bedroom is the place where you restore your energy, take some downtime and of course get a good night's sleep so it is important that you feel comfortable and safe in there.
If you do have needs that require you to have a little support around the home, you can gain peace of mind by preventing the risk of falling and making everyday activities like sleeping and time in the bedroom enjoyable again.
Keeping your bedroom stylish and comfortable doesn’t have to be compromised because mobility aids need to be used. Mobility aids and bedroom furniture can bring a new lease of life to a bedroom that may have once been difficult to navigate or use.
We all know the difference that a good night's sleep can make and its important to stay comfortable and well rested in bed. To create the most relaxing bed, start with the frame itself. If you have a particular condition which requires a specialist or profiling bed, consult with your doctor or OT to find out which would be best suited to you.
Finding the perfect frame to suit you can make a world of difference. Some mattresses and mattress overlays can be specially designed to suit certain conditions, especially if pressure care is needed. Profiling mattresses are designed for use with profiling beds to ensure they move correctly and provide the correct comfort and support and tend to be used in bariatric care. A memory foam mattress topper, on the other hand, is used on top of the existing mattress for extra comfort and can help to relieve aches and pains as it moulds to your body providing even pressure distribution. If you need to find a mattress to help with pressure sores and don’t know which risk grade to choose, see our guide to pressure care.
If you have a standard bed that you share with your partner, but find yourself needing the mattress to be elevated or pillows raised, there are cheaper and easier options than buying an entirely new bed if it is not necessary. Mattress and pillow elevators provide comfort and support underneath your existing pillows or mattress if you need to sleep at an angle during the night. With electrical, inflatable and cushioned options in a range of varying degrees, there is something to suit everyone.
Finding the perfect pillow can make a lot of difference to any neck aches and pains you may get while sleeping or resting. Supporting your head correctly while asleep is important even though preference of pillow density can differ from person to person. The Harley range of pillows has been specially designed to provide the utmost comfort for anyone with shoulder, neck and back problems. The Harley Original pillow has a range of sizes and is made from polyurethane foam, it eases pressure and tension around the neck. For a more luxury version, opt for the Harley Designer Comfort Pillow which is made from Visco Elastic memory foam. Special features in pillows like a gel cooling pad can offer more comfort if you tend to have hot flushes in the night and need to keep your body temperature down.
Products shown: Harley Designer Comfort Pillow , gel cooling pillow and Harley Original pillow.
Shapely pillows such as contoured leg pillows and knee supports can provide comfort for the lower back, hips and knees while sleeping. While a v-shape pillow, bed wedge or batwing pillow support you snugly while sitting upright or if you need to sleep with the top half of your body raised.
Products shown: bed wedge, v-shape pillow, batwing pillow, knee support and contoured leg pillow.
When it comes to furniture in the bedroom, it is important that existing furniture is optimised for use if needed, for example, you may find you need the bed to be raised a little higher in order to avoid aches and pains when getting in or out, a little lift can be a great help. There are many different styles of bed raisers that can help to make it easier climbing into bed at night. An overbed table in the bedroom can provide support to users who spend long periods of time in bed, with the likes of eating or reading. If you find a table to be too big or bulky in the bedroom, opt for a lap tray instead.
Products shown: Langham linked adjustable bed raisers, wooden bed raisers, over bed table, independence bed table and luxury tweed lap tray.
Safety and protection in the bedroom
Bumpers and wedges can help to reduce the risk of falling out of bed. For a bit of extra reassurance, a bed rail can offer peace of mind and safety at night. A footboard can be used for support and also prevent you from slipping down the bed when sitting up. If yourself or a family member is at high risk of falling in the night, pair a rail or bed bumpers with a monitor or alarm, many of which will provide alerts to warn you if the user has fallen out of bed or is prone to wandering at night.
Products shown: footboard, care call pressure pad monitor, 30” bed safety rail, folding bed rails and fall-out mat.
Smaller bedside grab rails can help to assist when getting up out of bed and for extra support pair it with a bed ladder hoist to aid pulling yourself up. These paired together are ideal if you have limited arm strength or upper body movement, as they allow you to independently get out of bed at your own pace, with low risk of injuring yourself or falling. Special mobility aids for the bedroom will be required for different conditions and needs, for example, if you or a loved one needs get sore or uncomfortable legs which are irritated by the duvet, a blanket cradle can keep you cool and prevent rubbing.
Products shown: Bed rope ladder, mobility bed rail, and folding easy fit bed rail
You can easily protect your bed from night time incontinence with discreet waterproof bedding and protectors that allow you or your loved one to stay dry and comfortable through the night, with both washable and disposable options. If you need to urgently pop the loo in the middle of the night but can’t reach the bathroom quickly, a bedpan or urinal can provide quick relief for easy disposal afterwards. For a more permanent solution, a bedroom commode can integrate subtly into the bedroom as part of the decor.
Products shown: vida washable bed pads, slipper bed pan, female slipper urinal, bedroom commode chair and waterproof mattress protector.
You can make your bedroom an oasis of relaxation and comfort, with the help of our bedroom aids.
Kate Makin qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) in 2001 with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy. She is a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
As a registered occupational therapist (OT), Kate is a science degree-based, health and social care professional, taking a “whole person” approach to both physical and mental health and wellbeing. This enables individuals, of all ages, to achieve their full potential and lead as independent life as possible.
Click here for Kate’s registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Throughout her career, Kate has worked in many different clinical settings, in both the public and private sector. Kate has been running her own independent occupational therapist business since 2009. She is passionate about disability aids and adaptations, with a specialist interest in postural management and seating.
As Ability Superstore’s resident OT, Kate is on hand to offer professional advice and answer any queries.
