I would recommend a higher bed whether ensemble or any style of base with top mattress or pillow top. I have had serious spinal injuries since 25 (I'm now 40) I would advise any bed reaching around 70cm in height regardless off style. There are a few things that I would advise, overall height around 70cm or a little more, most important to consider is comfort. Do not worry about aesthetics when choosing bed as your sleep is more important to your overall health. So if you can afford the more comfortable bed go for it. As for putting on sheets etc, the weight off mattresses is not really a big deal as it is your sleep comfort that is important. With pillow top mattress with a fitted sheet needing a 45cm fitted sheet are easy to find and purchase from same place bed is purchased. In Australia all bed sheet supplies are available for pillow top with 45cm drop fitted. Percale last longer and are around $100 per set and 1000 thread count. Spotlight have great sales and choices as well as Pillow Talk. I have found Adair's to be quite expensive in comparison but that is up to you to decide. I hope you have many a restful nights sleep. But do not worry about weight of mattress as you need your sleep to live healthy and it is an investment for around ten years so how it looks and weight of mattress should be last on list. Designers may disagree, but our bedrooms are normally our sanctuaries and it is rather easy to make any bed style work for you and decorate to your style.

I too like the style and hint of colour offered by the pink rug suggested by alanaspree. Be careful not to overdo the pink though. Your curtains hint at Monet and his garden paintings - I would look to a french country inspired bedhead - possibly white washed but not too fussy - country rather than regency styled. Your Walls could be a essentially white with a hint of mint or lemon or a gentle blue or soft grey lavender. Bed linen is best crisp white with some coloured pillows - maybe velvet and a throw using the colours in the curtains. Finish it in a classic french style bedroom chair in a rich velvet. Buttercup yellow would add some punch. Good luck and please post the finished room.

once you put your linen etc on the mattress, you won't notice the gap. if the store has a mattress on the bed you want to purchase, why not measure that.

I would also hang the art over the centre of the bed as it's the strongest feature of the room. A bedhead can be mounted to the wall, freestanding or clipped to the base of the bed... it all depends on the style of bedhead and where you get it from.