A bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. If you’re looking to change the look of your bedroom, an attractive new wooden bed will instantly enhance the space. More importantly, it’s nice to be able to get into a comfortable, cozy bed and have a good night’s sleep so you  wake up refreshed and energized. This is especially true if you live in a city like Cincinnati, Ohio, with its freezing winters. After braving the cold to get home, you want to be rewarded with something warm and comfy. Additionally, it’s important that your bed fits your needs and is not  too short or too narrow. While there are plenty of standard beds available, in some cases it may be preferable to have an experienced carpenter build you a custom one.

Special Lengths

If you require a special-sized bed, you may need to have one custom made. If you’re taller than six feet, you may be quite uncomfortable on a standard double mattress, which measures only 75 inches in length. You might prefer a California king size mattress (a generous 84 inches) or even a Texas king (supersized at 98 inches long -- that's approximately 8 feet!), and need a bed frame to match. Some people may want extra wide beds that go beyond the standard dimensions.

Special Shapes

Standard beds are either rectangular or square with 90 degree angles. However, your bedroom may be shaped a different way, for example curved or with a sharp angle. If so, unless you want to leave dead, unusable space, you’ll need a special-shaped bed to accommodate the area. Another aspect of your bed is its height. If you’re tall or have problems sitting on low surfaces, you can opt for an extra high bed. Alternatively, if small children will be sleeping in the bed, it may be a good idea to have the bed extra low so that they can get in and out easily, and so they won’t get hurt if they roll out during their sleep.

Special Features

Another advantage of custom-made beds is the personalized features you can have installed. These can be practical features – like a fold-up bed or extra storage space – or stylistic elements such as specially-designed headboards or legs.

Cost

A custom bed will probably cost more than a standard bed. However, you will not only be getting the exact bed of your choice – which adds to its value – you will also be getting superb quality. A standard bed can typically cost as little as $400 and usually not more than $2,000, and a custom-made bed will be no less than $1,800 and can reach upwards of $5,000. The price will vary depending on the type of wood you select, whether you want it upholstered or not, and the size and complexity of the project.

Advantages

It’s important to keep in mind that a custom-made bed has many advantages. Primarily, remember that instead of a mass-produced piece of furniture built in a factory, you are going to hire an expert carpenter who will dedicate his time and skill to your individual project. If you have specialized needs or a unique style in mind, contact a local carpenter and discuss your ideas with him.

Updated April 12, 2018.