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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mattresses are sold separately from many leading manufacturers. Standard sizes range from single to kingsize, in soft, medium and firm, in various qualities. Most mattresses can go straight onto a firm base, many are suitable to go onto a slatted base and there are a few that can go onto an existing sprung divan. If special sizes are required, please refer to that section.
We stock many leading makes of manufacturers from cheap and cheerful for the rental market, mid quality for spare rooms and quality beds for permanent use.
There are many types of mattresses available from open coil, and pocket spring to memory foam and latex; in all different tensions, soft, medium, firm, and orthopaedic. Bases can be firm or sprung, with or without drawers, a thin base on legs, in frames – the combinations are endless. This is where our experience comes in useful.
There are various storage methods – drawers or sliding doors or even a thin base on legs for open storage. There are ottoman beds and even beds which store underneath other beds.
Yes – special sizes are more commonly available through a bed specialist like ourselves from 75cms (2’6”) to 180cms (6’0”). Width and length can be altered quite easily to the size you require within multiples of 7.5cms (3”), which is the size of a standard spring. Again, this is where our experienced staff come in very useful and we are more than willing to help you sort out the size you want for your mattress and bed.
Bedsteads are metal. So traditionally, a bedstead is a metal framed bed base in various designs from traditional ‘bedknobs and broomsticks’ / gothic period / to modern trend setting or heavy robust designs. Then all you have to do is put a mattress of your choice on top. N.B. Not all mattress are suitable to go onto bedsteads, we will be happy to advise you.
Frames are wooden. So traditionally, a frame is a wooden framed bed base in various designs, from traditional slatted or spindle headboard with a low foot end. Most wooden frames at the moment are made from soft wood, usually pine, stained in various finishes. There are many different designs and price ranges aimed at giving you more choice, from Ranch, Country, Farmhouse, Pane, and Chunky. Then all you have to do is put a mattress of your choice on top. N.B. Not all mattresses are suitable to go onto frames, we will be happy to advise you.
Yes definitely! Many people have found our online prices very competitive and up to date. We don’t offer special formulas for buying on-line, we know if the price is right, you will not only buy from us, but you will also recommend us to friends. Repeat trade is important to us and has been since we started selling beds in Southgate in 1988. Because of the ever-changing range of products and promotions, it is virtually impossible to list all of our prices. So for up to date prices, feel free to call us during shop hours 020 3232 1069.
Yes – collection is available from our Southgate Bed Shop or we can deliver. The choice is yours.
The ‘Safe Lady’ scheme came about through a need that we have identified in the market place. You have car insurance companies aimed at women only drivers, you also have mini cab car companies staffed only by women drivers.
We would like to think that as market leaders in the bed trade that we have come up with a unique delivery service. If for any reason a lady feels happier, safer, or more secure by having a female member of our staff along for delivery, please feel free to request this. It’s free of charge and even though our delivery staff are part of our company, not outside contractors, you may be unhappy at the thought of two delivery men in your bedroom.
Maybe you have had a bad experience from a big chain and their delivery staff, or a small rude shop. Or perhaps it is a case of you’re having a bed delivered to your old mum and you can’t get away from work and feel that your mum would feel happier with a lady member of our staff on the delivery.
Reassurance is a wonderful thing. Very often afterwards people say there was no need as the delivery men were fantastic but that’s not the point. The point is that a female member of the public, whether young or old, feels comfortable on the delivery. Recently, a mum asked for this service for her daughter, moving from the Midlands to London, to an area she was unfamiliar with. The mum said they were going to buy the bed from us anyway, but as her daughter was feeling a bit homesick and vulnerable, this just gave her piece of mind.
Please let us know what you think of our service on Facebook – is this something you would use?
If you need a bed, you need a Vic Smith Bed
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