Your guide to choosing a bed
On average we spend a third of our lives in bed, so it is important that we choose a new bed wisely. We all know that a bad night’s sleep can ruin the following day and even start to affect your health and lifestyle. Equally a good night’s sleep can make you feel fresh and energised.
We have therefore put together some tips to help you select your new bed or mattress
When is it time to buy a new mattress?
Most people think that that a bed / mattress lasts 10 years. There is however no set life-span. How long the bed / mattress lasts is governed by its use. For example, permanent use in the main bedroom, or occasional use in the spare bedroom. The kids trampolining obviously ruins the spring units, as does bed wetting. And the most common culprit is not turning the mattress regularly.
Some factors to consider when deciding if it is time for a change are:
- When you wake, are you sore, stiff or in pain?
- Do you now sleep worse than you did a year ago?
- Does your mattress show visible signs of wear and tear?
- Have you recently slept better elsewhere, such as at a friend’s or in a hotel on holiday?
If the answer is yes to any of the above, then it’s probably time for a new mattress or bed.
Bed Dimensions
Single
Width 90cm by length 190cm (Width 3ft 0ins by length 6ft 3ins)
Double
Width 135cm by length 190cm (Width 4ft 6ins by length 6ft 3ins)
King
Width 150cm by length 200cm (Width 5ft 0ins by length 6ft 6ins)
Explanation of terms
Starter mattress
basic mattress that is ideal for bunks, wooden frames or metal beds
Orthopaedic
This is a term used by manufacturers to indicate a firm product. It does not imply that it will cure or treat a deformity in bone or muscle
Pocket Springs
As the name implies, the individual springs are in their own material pocket, which helps them to be as independent as possible from their neighbours.
Fitting and moulding to your body, these mattresses therefore provide extra comfort and help to prevent ‘roll together’.
Twin Springs
A hybrid of the open coil is the twin spring mattress. Here, there are two layers of springs.
Open Coil
This spring system is probably more easily explained as the first spring being joined to the second one and so on so that if you push on one spring, the weight is shared by it’s neighbouring springs.