Bed Buyers Guide
Buying a bed made simple
A comfortable bed is vital for a great night’s sleep and choosing the right bed is an important decision which will impact your wellbeing. But how do I know what bed is right for me?
The prospect of buying a bed may seem daunting, as you don’t do it often and you may not know what to look at when choosing the right bed for you. Apart from that, you will also come across different types of beds, additional features and price ranges to choose from. The choice may be overwhelming, so here I have a simple bed buyers guide for you to make the decision process easier.
What to consider when buying a bed
What should you look for when buying a bed?
There are really only three important decisions to make when buying a bed. The rest are extras and won’t make or break your bed purchase decision.
How to choose a bed explained
3 decisions to make when buying a bed
The three main things to consider when buying a bed are:
- Size
- Bed base
- Mattress
Apart from these three, you’ll also need to decide on the design, finishes, some extra features as well as the logistics around your new bed delivery and disposing of the old one. But let’s focus on the most important first.
Bed size
What is the right bed size for me?
Here is what to consider when deciding on your bed size.
Choosing a bed size checklist
- Bed length
- Bed width
- Will it fit in your room
Bed length
The bed should be at least 10 cm longer than the tallest person sleeping in it.
Bed width
A bed is wide enough when you are able to roll over without the risk of falling out.
For couples the minimum width allowing good sleep, without disturbing the partner too much, is 135 cm, but wider would be more comfortable.
Room size
Measure your room and figure out how much space there will be left around the bed. There should be a minimum of 2 feet on each side for you to be able to walk around. Also take into consideration if there is any furniture with doors or drawers near the bed, which need to open and could get blocked by the bed.
Here you will find more information about the standard UK bed sizes.
Bed base
I’ve divided the types of bed bases into these three categories:
- Divan beds
- Bedsteads (bed frames)
- Storage beds
Divan beds
A divan bed base is usually made from wood and upholstered with fabric. Divan beds can be on wheels, which is handy for easy manoeuvring, they may come with or without headboards and often have storage drawers.
Divan beds are usually the cheapest bed base option.
Bed frames
There are two main types of bed frames depending on the construction material:
- wooden
- metal
The most important thing about a bed frame is how sturdy it is. If you are buying your bed base in a shop, give it a shake and see how firm it feels. Does it shake or not?
Here I’ve written an article about choosing a bed base:
Storage beds
You may want to use the space under the bed for storage. There are two main types of storage beds:
- Ottomans
- Divan beds with drawers
Ottoman beds
An ottoman bed is a type of bed with storage where the entire thing lifts up.
When choosing a bed with storage, think about what you want to store there. Is it larger items like a snowboard or suitcase which you don’t need to access daily? In such a case an ottoman bed will work. But if you want to store smaller items which you use often, e.g. clothes – then a divan bed with drawers will be better.
Divan beds with storage
Divan beds can come with drawers that pull out from underneath. It’s a practical, convenient and space saving storage solution.
Mattress
It won’t be an overstatement to say that a mattress is the most important piece of furniture in your home. So you want to get the mattress buying decision right!
What to look at when buying a mattress?
Don’t overpay for your mattress
Before I talk about how to choose the right mattress, I want to point out one thing. You may have heard before that the more expensive the mattress, the better it is. Is it true though? Well, not always.
Many mattress companies sell you the dream of a perfect night’s sleep. Unfortunately, there are a lot of dishonest selling practices in this area, as you can’t check what’s inside the mattress… In fact, the mattresses which seem different may be the same inside, they can even be produced by the same manufacturer, and only sold under different brands.
Are more expensive mattresses better?
Some mattresses are priced really high promising their superiority. Are they worth it?
Not necessarily. A good mattress doesn’t have to be very expensive and the opposite is also true: a cheap mattress doesn’t mean bad.
What to look at when choosing a mattress
When choosing a mattress you want to look at its firmness and support it gives.
Firmness
The most important thing about a mattress is its firmness, meaning the support it provides. The right level of firmness determines whether the mattress is comfortable.
You need a mattress with the right firmness for your body weight and sleeping position. Your sleep position will determine how much pressure you experience as well as which pressure points carry the most weight.
If you have any special requirements such as allergies or back pain, you will need to consider those as well.
Make sure you have the correct support
What is the correct support for me?
Correct support depends on your weight, height, build and your sleeping position. The mattress will feel comfortable when it molds to the shape of your body while providing enough support.
As a general rule, the heavier you are, the firmer the mattress you will need. However, you may need a softer bed if you have a bad back.
Which bed mattress to choose?
Choosing a mattress will come down to deciding between these two categories:
- Sprung mattress or non-sprung mattress
Spring mattress vs non-spring mattress
Innerspring mattresses provide good spine support and are great for side sleepers. As spring mattresses provide more support, they are also better for heavier sleepers or simply for those who prefer a firmer mattress. They also maintain good air circulation, which makes them suitable for those looking for a cooling effect.
Non-spring mattresses, made from foam, are quieter and more durable. Foam mattresses also prevent the transfer of movement and reduce the disturbance from the partner moving at night, this makes them a good option for couples. And finally, foam mattresses give softness which can reduce joint pain.
If you go for non-sprung mattress, there are many types of foams, but the most popular materials you can choose from are:
- Memory foam mattress
- Latex mattress
Memory foam mattress
Memory foam mattresses are great for side sleepers and are a good option for those with back pain.
This type of mattress isolates movements of the other person sleeping in the bed, so you don’t disturb your partner. That’s why they are a popular option for couples.
Memory foam heats up to your body, so it’s an option for those who like to keep warm, but not for hot sleepers.
This type of material should be placed on a flat surface. e.g. solid board divan bed. It’s not suitable for slatted bed frames as it would mold to the slats and this would make it less comfortable.
Natural latex mattresses
Natural latex, as the name indicates, is a natural material that has good elastic properties. It provides good support for the spine and provides pressure relief.
Who is a latex mattress for?
Latex mattresses are good for:
- Couples
They are good for couples because latex reduces motion transfer between the partners. - Hot sleepers
Latex has a cooling effect, so it’s a preferred option for hot sleepers. - Those who are looking for a durable mattress
Latex is a durable material, so those mattresses tend to last for many years.
However, if you have a latex allergy, you may want to ask for a sample first to see if you have a reaction before buying a latex mattress.
In this article I talk about the different grades of mattress firmness and you may find it helpful for choosing your perfect mattress:
What mattress is right for me?
The right mattress needs to provide the appropriate support. Generally, the heavier you are, the more support you need and the firmer your mattress should be.
More tips on buying beds
- When choosing a bed, don’t just look at it, lie on it.
- Make sure that the bedstead and mattress work together, they need to have matching sizes.
- Decide on your budget and stick to it. It’s easy to get carried away when looking at the enticing offers promising luxury and unbeatable comfort!
- Don’t get misled by sales, you may not be getting a bargain at all. Some shops have never ending sales!
Additional features of beds
And finally, here are a few important details to remember when ordering a bed:
- How long is the guarantee period
- Returns and refunds
- Delivery options
- Does the bed come assembled of flat packed in a box
- Is disposal of the old bed and mattress included
Summary
I hope this information helps you find your perfect bed for a perfect night’s sleep. There are many more choices when it comes to buying a bed, but this guide is meant to keep it simple. If you want to know more about choosing the right bed, here I answer frequently asked questions about beds: