Advice on buying a bed
The question you might first be asking yourself is 'When is it the right time to buy a new bed?'
I hope that this page, Advice on buying a new bed and the following pages, Shopping for a new bed & Advice on buying a mattress, will give you all the information your need to know to ensure that you get a great nights sleep. So lets get started.
When is it time to buy a new bed?
 This question is often asked but giving a simple answer is quite difficult. Consider the following variables.
- On average a good quality mattress will last around 8-10 years.
- How many people use the bed?
- How heavy are they? Have they put weight on over the years?
- Do you sit in bed and read/ watch TV/ spend whole mornings or even the whole day in bed?
- Do the kids like jumping on the bed - like a trampoline?
 All these factors effect how quickly the bed and the mattress will wear. Only you can gauge these factors but you might also consider the following warning signs that may tell you that it is time to think about buying a new bed.
- Have you begun to wake up with backache that wears off after you get up?
- Are you noticing that you don't feel as refreshed in the morning as you used to, say a year or two ago?
- Are there two of you using the bed that you originally bought for yourself? I.e. is there still enough room?
- Do you find that you get a better night sleep in hotel or other beds that you use?
- Have you noticed lumpy areas of the bed, or areas that dip and feel soft?
- Is the bed frame or mattress showing signs of wear?
By now you should be building up a picture of whether you are getting a good night sleep and whether it is time to think about buying a new bed.
Where do you start? Divans, Doubles, Fold-ups, water, pocket sprung, Four Poster, adjustable, orthopaadic, King or Queen?
Well before anything else let me give you a bit of advice...there are literally thousands of styles and options out there ranging from the basic bed frame and mattress at around £$100-200 to luxury models costing thousands of £'s or $'s.
I have to say here and now that it doesn't always come down to price, but if you think that you will use your bed virtually every night of its life, say 10 years, and it costs £1000.00 for the bed frame & mattress then that's just £100 a year which is just over 27p for each nights sleep...less than 14p if two of you use the bed...so spend the most you can afford and buy the right bed for your needs.
 Of course you can spend a lot less than this and still get a great bed.
So lets move to the next step of the decision making process.
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What bed suits my needs?
 If you are choosing a bed for an existing space i.e. to replace a current bed consider:
- Is my current bed big enough for my needs. Am I likely to be joined by someone? Has it always felt too small? (see the chart below for standard bed sizes).
- Could I fit a larger bed in the room? Although I don't like to over power a room, the larger the bed the better. Make sure that you can move about the room comfortably. That there is room for the bedside tables, that you can open the cupboard and chest of drawers. Leave 60cm around the bed if possible for these requirements.
 Could you do with some extra storage? If the answer is 'Yes' (when isn't it?) then consider a Divan or Storage bed that allows you to use the space below the bed. (see later for 'Styles' of beds).
 Do you have specific problems that need a special type of support - back pain or other postural issues? You will need to ensure that you buy a bed that will give you the support that you require. (more advice & resources at the base of the page).
- Do you like sleeping near to the ground or high up? Some frames are lower set where as Divans are often much higher off the ground to allow for the drawers.
- Style of the room - you may love the idea of a four poster, but will it work in the shape and style of the room. Ditto for brass frame or futon style beds.
Bed Sizes (by mattress size)
| Standard Single |
W 090 x L 190 cm |
| Small Double |
W 120 x L 190 cm |
| Standard Double |
W 135 x L 190 cm |
| Kingsize |
W 150 x L 200 cm |
| Super Kingsize |
W 180 x L 200 cm |
So now that you have decided on the style and size of bed, it's time to go shopping
In the next article well tell you all you need to know in order to ask the right questions and make the right decisions when buying a bed and mattress. Read Shopping for a new bed and How to choose a mattress.
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