The Best Sleep
Most people commit around a third of their lives asleep, therefore it seems sensible to have the most pleasurable bed you really can afford. Follow our guide to help get the best choice for you.
Size matters
In a normal double bed, the actual sleeping space per person is just 2 ft 3" - about as much as a child gets in a cot. Confined bed means there is a lot more possibility of having your sleep disrupted because of your partner.
That's precisely why it's so beneficial to shop for the biggest bed within your budget and will fit in your bedroom; a king size needs to be the bare minimum (5ft).
The most suitable mattress
Picking out mattresses is generally overpowering but it's fundamental to try all sorts before deciding which is perfect for you. In the event you share a bed, it is best to go shopping together with each other but take some time! The two main styles of mattress: sprung (with interior springs for support) or non-sprung (made out of various types of foam).
Top tip
When you share your bed, you'll want to be in a position to lay next to each other along with your arms behind your head, elbows out, without coming in contact with the other person.
Within the sprung category, you'll find open coil/open sprung, continuous sprung and pocket sprung, the last of which can be typically found in top quality beds.
Non-sprung foam mattresses made out of natural latex or visco elastic (memory foam) offer greatest support and smoothly contours to your body's shape.
Top tip
If storage is an issue, opt for a divan with built-in drawers. Storage is still an option with a bedstead but use compact storage chests to keep clutter at a minimum.
Divan or bedstead?
It's down to personal preference when it comes to choosing between a divan and a bedstead. A divan can provide useful storage and extra attributes which help with comfort and support. If you can afford it, fully sprung divans are better than those with solid or platform tops since they behave like a shock absorber.
A bedstead allows you to be a bit more individual and may set the theme or style of your bedroom. Made from an array of different materials such as timber, leather and metal, the bedstead supports the mattress through a series of rigid or flexible slats. Whether you choose a divan or a bedstead, be sure your mattress is designed to go with it, and never put a new mattress on an old divan!
Top tip
For an antique bedstead, take advice from a reliable retailer about the best mattress to use with it.
The perfect bedding
The last components of a perfect bed are the pillow and bedlinen. Pillows are now made from a number of materials including feather, duck-down, goose-down, synthetic fibres and foam, but the choice is dependant on personal preference. If you use a duvet, choose the right tog for the season: for instance, a 7.5 tog for spring/summer and a 13.5 tog for autumn/winter.
There's also a wide range of non-allergenic duvets and pillows available which may help asthma and allergy sufferers. Finally, choose bedlinen made from soft, sumptuous fabrics to add colour and pattern to the room and make your bed as comfortable as possible.
Getting a good night's sleep
The Sleep Council recommends observing the four Rs for optimum sleep. Try to keep to regular times for getting up and going to bed. Get into a bedtime routine to help you wind down, for instance by having a hot drink or a bath. Keep your bedroom restful and make sure you have the right bed.
Visit the best bed shops website at http://www.bestbedshop.co.uk for more tips.
Top tip
Position your bed on the wall facing the door so that you see it straight away when you walk in the room.
