Like many utilitarian rooms in house, the bedroom has been a multipurpose space, from sleeping, dressing, and storing our clothing. For many of us, the bedroom has taken on a new dimension as a place to unwind. The modern bedroom may have a television, music systems, and other electronic entertainment devices. The availability of closet space has become an important consideration for many people. So in addition to a bed, dressers, armoires, night tables and others types of accent furniture, many of us need more than just the bedroom basics.

When selecting a mattress and box spring or other type of sleep system, the choices are many. Most sleep systems are made up of a mattress, box spring or other type of foundation. The traditional innerspring mattress is still the most popular choice for many people. Over the last decade or so, other types of sleep systems have gained in popularity. The introduction of visco elastic memory foam and adjustable air mattresses offer more sleeping options than ever before.

Once considered passe waterbeds are making a strong comeback. The traditional hard sided waterbed has remained a popular option in spite of the introduction of soft sided and hybrid waterbeds. Improvements in mattress design and heating systems make a hard sided water a good choice. This is not to say that soft sided hybrid is not without some advantages. Since the frame system is integrated into the mattress, the soft sided waterbed can be placed on a standard foundation without the need for an external frame. Soft sided waterbeds accept standard bedding, like sheets and comforters. Hard sided waterbeds do require the use of special water bed sheets. The goods news is that the design of waterbed sheets has improved making them easier to launder, fold, and store.

Whether you prefer an ornate canopy bed, something in a raised platform bed or a basic metal frame with a headboard and footboard, there are many styles and sizes from which to choose. As a raised platform style, the captains bed is a very popular choice since a series of storage drawers are built into the frame. There are options available to provide extra storage under a traditional bed frame. Many furniture retailers offer frame risers that lift the bed up several inches from the floor. The extra space is perfect for under bed storage.

The basic dresser drawer is where most of us store our clothing. Chests of drawers stand taller than a dresser and may have as many as six or seven drawers stacked one atop another. Little drawers, big drawers, every drawer in between are used to store our hosiery, blouses, shirts, and even our unmentionables. Clothing armoires have always been a popular, multipurpose piece of bedroom furniture. The basic clothing armoire provides a space to hang clothing along with a set of drawers. Jewelry armoires offer convenient storage for jewelry and other small items.

For the bedroom in need of more closet space, a clothing wardrobe is a great addition. Clothing wardrobes have been around for many years. Their use dates back to a time when the concept of a separate closet space was not normally an architectural consideration. Clothing wardrobes range from the plain to the highly decorative. Antique wardrobes can be very collectible pieces of furniture.

The humble night table or night stand flanks both sides of the bed. Used as a repository for all sorts of things, the nightstand can be home for a bedside lamp, alarm clock, books, eyeglasses, and just about anything else you can think of. Bedside chairs are a popular place to read and relax. No longer just a piece for the living room, large overstuffed chairs and recliners have found their way into the bedroom, along with floor lamps, occasional tables and other types of accent furniture.

Whether you prefer shabby chic, neocolonial, or modern designs, the bedroom is open to a variety of decorating themes and schemes. Wall colors, floor coverings, and window treatments can be used to tie the room together and the possibilities are almost endless. The choices of decor go beyond just the colors and the styles. Area rugs, accent furniture, wall hangings, and other decorative pieces can be used to brighten up a dark room or help carry a particular decorating theme.

When it comes to decorating a bedroom for children, the sky is the limit. Ranging from the fun and funny, to the whimsical, there is a wide variety of bedroom furniture designed especially for children. Furniture for kids is sometimes scaled down in size, designed with little folks in mind. Whether you are trying to create a fairy tale wonderland or a super hero haunt, there is bedroom furniture for children that will suit almost any theme.