Bed Advice Guide
- How can I tell that a bed will be comfortable for me?
- Should I buy a hard bed to ease my aches and pains?
- How can I get the most from my mattress?
- Will a more expensive bed be better to sleep on?
- Do I have to buy a new base if I'm replacing my old mattress?
- There are so many bed sizes - how big should I go?
- What are the standard bed sizes?
- Where can I buy non-standard sized bed linen?
- How long should my bed last?
- How do I dispose of an old bed?
How can I tell that a bed will be comfortable for me?
Spend more time making the right choice of bed - trying them out properly in store; assessing from previous experience the level of firmness/softness you like. It's your decision - not the salesman's!
Should I buy a hard bed to ease my aches and pains?
What you need is a new bed which offers the right support for your spine (not necessarily hard at all!) Remember that the term orthopaedic and other derivations of the word only mean that the bed is a firmer specification from that manufacturer. There are no universal standards of firmness in common usage in the UK. BUT if you have a back or skeletal problem you should consult your GP or Specialist before buying.
How can I get the most from my mattress?
Most mattresses need regularly turning to ensure even wear and tear and today's mattresses can be pretty heavy, so be careful! However, there are now plenty of non-turn options, which only need swivelling around from time to time, while others need to be turned only once or twice a year.
Will a more expensive bed be better to sleep on?
Not necessarily as comfort is a matter of individual preference; a very firm expensive bed may be uncomfortable if you prefer a softer mattress but a better quality bed will be more expensive than a poor quality one because the thicker, more luxurious mattress fillings and covers are more costly
Do I have to buy a new base if I'm replacing my old mattress?
We always recommend you buy base and mattress together because the two are designed and manufactured to complement one another in terms of support. Your mattress may show visible signs of wear and tear but the base will have had equal pressure and strain - it just doesn't show quite so clearly. If you purchase from different manufacturers any warranty may be compromised if the manufacturer deems the base to be unsuitable to support the mattress or vice versa. Another point to watch is making sure the dimensions of any base and mattress separately sourced are compatible - two Kings might not be quite the same size!
There are so many bed sizes - how big should I go?
People don't buy large enough beds. 75% of all double beds are still the standard 4ft 6in/135cm wide double - yet this is plainly not room enough for two adults to sleep comfortably together without disturbing each other. Even upgrading to the next size, a 5ft/150cm king size, whilst it takes up very little extra bedroom space, makes a considerable difference!
What are the standard bed sizes?
There are no uniform or universal standards of sizes or names for bed sizes that have to be used in law: the terms that are used are descriptive and there is no guarantee that the term King, for example, will be applied to exactly the same size product by different manufacturers. Metric sizes are not exactly the same as imperial sizes, either. The following are the most common sizes available:
| Common Name | Usual Size (imperial) | Usual Size (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 3ft x 6ft 3in | 90 x 190cm |
| Double | 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in | 135 x 190cm |
| King | 5ft x 6ft 6in | 150 x 200cm |
| Super King | 6ft x 6ft 6in | 180 x 200cm |
Where can I buy non-standard sized bed linen?
Your nearest department store should carry a range of sizes but there are one or two specialist firms.
How long should my bed last?
It varies according to the type of bed and the amount of usage but, as a general rule, if you wake up with aches and pains which disappear over the course of the day, you are not sleeping as well as you did a year ago or the mattress shows signs of wear, it is probably time to change your bed.
How do I dispose of an old bed?
We can offer to dispose of your old bed when we deliver your new one, please ask in store about this service. Your Local Authority waste disposal/refuse collection service will usually take large items on request but some make a charge.
The above information used with permission from 'The Sleep Council' web site.