Anatomy of a Bed: From Box Spring to Pillows

A bed is the most important piece of furniture in any bedroom space. Obviously, it’s where you can sleep and relax after a long day, and it should be comfortable enough to make that experience as peaceful as possible. Remember, you spend a third of your life in bed! But a bed is more than just a place to sleep — it visually anchors the bedroom and serves as a “statement piece” around which to plan your decor. When properly outfitted, a comfortable bed serves as a center of safety within the home, a place to retreat from the stresses of the rat race. For these reasons, it’s important to think carefully about each element of your bed. 

In this article, we’ll highlight all of the various parts of a bed. Then we’ll outline how to build an amazingly comfortable sleeping situation, putting you well on your way to finding the bed of your dreams. 

The Components of a Bed 

Not every bed will contain all of the following elements; for example, a platform bed won’t contain a box spring. But we’re going to list your options, so that you can decide for yourself which bed components appeal to you. 

1. Box Spring 

Let’s start from the floor up. A box spring is a time-tested and classic part of a bed. The box spring supports your mattress, keeping you sturdy and comfortable throughout the night. Box springs come in wood or metal materials, with slats to provide extra padding. Box springs can also help lengthen your mattress lifespan by absorbing impact. As we mentioned, in the past few decades many people have switched to sleeping on “platform beds,” which forgo the box spring and instead feature a self-contained flexible alternative, such as a lattice or a series of wooden slats. 

2. Mattress 

Of course, the mattress is the “heart” of the bed — and there are scores of different types of mattresses available for the modern shopper. Before deciding on a type of mattress, you’ll want toconsider what size mattress you will want. They come in standard sizes like king, full, queen and twin. After choosing which size you need, you can begin shopping the vast variety of mattresses on the market that can fit your sleeping needs and budget, including organic mattresses, innerspring mattresses, memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, pillow-top mattresses and encased coil mattresses. 

3. Bed Frame 

The bed frame is where you can really begin to let your personal style show. Withbed frames for every interior style, it can be difficult to choose the right one. You can find one that fits your perfect style and functional needs. You might choose a basic single bed frame or a platform frame — or you might even get a little more adventurous with a canopy frame or a sleigh bed frame.  

One important component of the bed frame is the headboard (and, often, matching footboard). The headboard is often the most important design element of the bed, serving as a visual focus for the room’s decor. 

Bed Comfort 

Now that you know the basic bedding components, it’s time to break down how to make your bed feel and look like a cloud. 

1. Sheets 

Your sheets should come as a pair, with a top and bottom. The bottom should be a fitted sheet that “hugs” the mattress, preventing the sheet from moving or shifting while you are sleeping. Next, you can lay the flat sheet on top. The flat sheet won't require any precise fit as it will just lay between you and your duvet or comforter.  

In recent years, many people have begun sleeping without a flat sheet, preferring the ease and simplicity of a fitted sheet topped by a duvet or blanket. Remember, this is your bed! You make the rules. A flat sheet is just an option; you can use a soft blanket instead, or a quilt or nothing at all! 

2. Duvet or Mattress Topper 

Once you’ve selected your sheets, it’s time to decide on what will be the “star of the show.” A mattress topper sets the tone for your bed — and often for the entire room. One very popular choice is a duvet, a type of fluffy blanket with washable, interchangeable covers. Duvets can come in different materials, but cotton or polyester are the most popular. Most covers are machine washable, and they come in a variety of different colors and patterns. Often, they’re sold with matching pillowcases, sheets, blankets and shams. Other popular mattress topper options include quilts, comforters and wool blankets. 

3. Pillows and Throws 

Pillows are another essential piece of the bed. They can come in many different sizes and materials, and you'll want to be sure to pick out the right ones for your bedding set. Finding the ideal size and firmness may take some trial and error. Don't forget decorative pillows as well, to keep the cohesive theme of your bedding set together. Lastly, add in a throw to drape over the edge of your bed. This can add texture and a decorative feel to your room, while also giving you some extra warmth during those cold nights. 

Putting It All Together 

As you can see, there are multiple ways to create the perfect bed anatomy for a great night’s sleep. The perfect anatomy for your bed is in your hands — and you can start creating your ideal bed today, without using cash or credit*, by using Acima Leasing's alternative to financing*. With Acima Leasing, you can shop for the things you need and make smaller manageable lease renewal payments as you work toward ownership.  If you make the number of payments defined under your lease or exercise an option to purchase early at a discount, it’s yours. If you no longer need your items, you can simply return them in good condition at any time.   

Still have questions? Learn more here or on our FAQ page about how our leasing solutions* work today!