The DutchCrafters Guide to Purchasing the Bed of your Dreams

Introduction

A good night’s rest is critical to rejuvenating your mind and body, ensuring you are ready for the morning ahead.  As a fundamental part of your daily routine, your bed should reflect your personal taste and style, while providing an inviting, relaxing atmosphere that you can enjoy day in and day out.  While many factors will influence the decision for your new bed, we have put together a few tips that will help you choose the perfect bed for your individual needs, along with insights into how you can make the most of your space.

Handcrafted Beds

As the centerpiece to your entire bedroom suite, your bed with play a critical role in the overall feel and comfort of your space.  With many styles available, choosing the right bed can seem like a daunting task, but there are a few simple steps that will help you choose the perfect bed for any room in your home.

Available Sizes

With space at a premium, choosing a bed size that is properly fitted for your personal needs and available floor space will ensure you have enough room to get the rest you need, while leaving ample space for your storage décor.  Most beds are available to fit a traditionally sized mattresses, from Twin to California King.  While there are no definitive rules to mattress and bed sizes, it is important to remember that a standard mattress will fit a bed of the same size.

Twin Beds – typically crafted around 39” wide and 75” long, are made to comfortably accommodate one adult sleeper and are also perfect for a child’s room.

Full Beds – also referred to as a double bed, is the standard for most beds.  Commonly crafted at 54” wide and 75” long, a full bed can accommodate two adults sleeping side by side, offering each person 27” or so of sleeping space, and is preferred when space is limited.  The full bed is also ideal for a child/teenager’s room, or as a bed in your guest room.  * For taller adults, this may be a tighter fit from top to bottom, with the length matching a twin bed.  For these situations, the larger Queen or King size is recommended.

Queen Beds – the most popular size sold today, the Queen bed typically measures 60” side-to-side and 80” from top-to-bottom.  Queen beds are ideal for two adults to fit comfortably, or one adult that likes to stretch out, while occupying less floor space then a king size bed.

King Beds (Eastern King) – for larger rooms, or those seeking the most spacious resting place, the king size offers the same length as the queen, but is typically 16 to 18 inches wider than a queen.  If space is not an issue, couples will get the most room from a king size bed.

California King Beds – perfect for taller adults, the California King is usually 10 to 12 inches wider than a queen and anywhere from 4-6 inches longer than both the king and queen.  The California King is ideal for extra head and foot room, but the size of the room should be carefully considered to ensure proper placement and use of storage pieces, with this longer bed.

*Note that these measurements are based on standard American mattress sizes.  While these sizes are considered the norm, you can also request a custom quote for a less traditional mattress size to accommodate your unique needs.

Collection Style Options 

After you’ve narrowed down the style of furniture that you would like for your bedroom, you can begin the process of selecting a bed.  While this stage ultimately comes down to personal taste, most of our collections will offer a few different bed styles for each collection, which will pair perfectly with the case pieces offered for that suite.

Keep in mind that some bed designs may have different dimensions. Make sure the bed that you choose will not interfere with your storage options that you choose later. (A poster bed is going to take up more room vertically, whereas a sleigh bed is going to extend much further past your mattress length and a standard panel bed will be very close to your mattress dimensions.) 

Low Footboard Alternate

When considering which bed to choose, keep in mind that most vendors will offer a low footboard option that is typically the same size as the side rails, which will partially eliminate the footboard while maintaining the structural integrity. If space is limited, a low footboard will allow for easier mobility, less chance of hitting the edges in tighter spaces and extra room for drawer extension on your storage pieces that are situated in front of your bed.  It’s also perfect if you have your television in front of your bed, to avoid obstruction from a higher footboard!

Under Bed Storage Additions

Some of our bedroom collections offer a convenient under-bed storage option that will give you the perfect place to store your linens, extra bedding and comforters and give you extra, hidden storage space.  Most beds with this option will feature one or two units, with two or three drawers that are located on both sides or at the end of the bed. Once incorporated, the unit will create a flawless look that will match the rest of the bed and provide your base for your box spring and mattress support.

Amish Bed Construction and Integrity

While it’s true to say that all beds serve a very similar purpose, the same cannot be said when comparing the quality of a handmade Amish bed to an off-the-line production model from a big box retailer.  The care and time that goes into each piece assures that your new bed will last generations and still maintain its integrity and beauty. 

To ensure years of continued satisfaction, each bed features an array of woodworking techniques, to ensure integrity and longevity for each piece.  The headboard and footboard will be assembled using high quality bonding agents and mortise and tenon construction to ensure no loose pieces or wobbles when placed on a floor.  The slats are connected using various methods, from the traditional bolt up and hook rails, to a more unique through-bolt construction that provides a beautiful style with the hardware exposed on the outside of the frame.

Assembly of your new bed is straight forward and will require minimal tools to complete the task.  Pick the perfect location for your new bed and set your headboard’s location.  Attach the side rails to the headboard and then to the footboard, making a stable base for your slats.  While each slat design may be different, they generally all lay in neatly and easily.  Attach the center slat support and you’re ready to add your mattress and enjoy years of carefree comfort.

Amish Custom Furniture

Don't just get Amish Furniture, get Amish custom furniture! The special relationship DutchCrafters has with its woodworkers makes it possible to customize your Amish Furniture, in addition to the many options available. Customization allows you to choose elements for your furniture that best fit your needs and vision.

While our products have numerous options to choose from like wood type, stain, soft close drawers and more, there are some Amish vendors who offer more customizations beyond those offered standard on the product.

Customizing your furniture opens up a world of possibilities, adding unique style, function, and fit that suit your family and your home best. The woodworker who builds this piece is one that goes beyond our standard custom options and offers even more for your made-to-order furniture.
 

Get a Custom Quote!

Amish Custom Furniture - Standard Options

For most of our Amish furniture products, you’ll see standard custom options on the product page that include a variety of possibilities including wood type, stain, hardware and upholstery, dining table leaves, arms to side chairs, leg style, soft close drawers, lighting, mattress support, and additional cupholders. The list goes on and on offering a variety of options at your fingertips that contribute to your furniture’s function and appearance.

Amish Custom Furniture - Beyond Standard Options

The woodworker who makes this product welcomes and accepts additional custom furniture requests. Custom requests can include special dimensions, added features, stain matches to existing furniture, or other design changes. You can even provide your own materials to ensure that your Amish custom furniture matches the rest of your home's style.

What sort of changes can I make with Amish Custom Furniture? 

Here are a few of the most common alterations made with DutchCrafters' Amish custom furniture. 

• Increase Dimensions
• Decrease Dimensions
• Add Shelves
• Add Additional Cord Holes, Grommets, and Locks
• Replace Wooden Doors w/ Glass
• Reverse Furniture Layouts
• Add Electrical Outlets and Lighting
• Alter Plans to Fit Your Space
• Much More...
   

Get a Custom Quote!

Custom Amish Furniture - Examples

Amish Custom Furniture - Advantages

• Let’s you build just the right size for the perfect fit.
• Brings your vision to life.
• Saves you time looking for something that’s not available in box stores.
• You’ll own a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture.
• Showcases fine craftsmanship.

Amish custom furniture will take extra time to design and build.

How Much Does Custom Furniture Cost?

Handcrafted Amish Furniture represents a fairly affordable segment of the premium furniture market. Many people hear the words "custom furniture" and they cringe in fear of a runaway cost. The reality is, most of the furniture found on DutchCrafters is already handmade after you order it, making it more affordable than many people assume. The woodshops still have to draft new plans and charge for the extra material, labor, time, and resources used to create your heirloom-quality, customized masterpiece. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Custom Furniture Quote?

At DutchCrafters, we specialize in creating custom furniture for our customers. We have streamlined the process and can get you a quote within minutes. Give one of our furniture specialists a call to get started!

How Do I Get Custom Furniture?

For a free custom quote, please connect with one of our knowledgeable furniture specialists, who are in regular contact with our woodshops in Amish country. 
 

Get a Custom Quote!

You’ve come to the right place for custom furniture. Contact us to start building your dream furniture today!

What Is the STURDY Act?

The STURDY (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) Act, modified in April 2023 went into effect on September 1^st, 2023. The new law only applies to specific bedroom clothing storage furniture.

What Does This Mean for Consumers?

Some furniture may require certain modifications to comply. These changes may include but are not limited to drawer interlock systems, counterweights, reduced drawer slide extensions, and in some cases minor changes to the case box dimensions.

What is an Interlock System?

Interlock systems are designed to allow only one drawer to open at a time, thereby reducing the risk of clothing storage furniture becoming unstable.

How are Counterweights Used?

Counterweights may be used on their own or in combination with other measures to help stabilize clothing storage furniture. They are installed on the interior of the product near the back, not altering or affecting the aesthetics of the furniture piece.

Other Measures Being Adopted to Meet Standards

When needed, furniture may be offered only with ¾ extension slides rather than full extension if required to meet the STURDAY Act testing standards. In addition, alterations in the actual drawer box and overall furniture dimensions may also be required to assist in meeting the testing standards.