Bed Buying Guide

Whether you're looking for a new bed or mattress, a duvet or pillows, our essential bed buyer's guide will help you have the best night's sleep, ever.

Get The Biggest Bed You Can...

If your bed's more than 10 years old, you wake up with aches and pains, are not sleeping well, or your mattress shows signs of wear and tear, it's time to buy a new one.

There are literally thousands of beds, divan beds, frames and mattresses to choose from. And since there's no such thing as the perfect one for anyone, it pays to do your research first.

When shopping for a bed frame, getting the biggest you can will mean more space to move around, less disturbance by your partner, and a better night's sleep. Ideally, it should be 10 to 15cm longer than the tallest of the two of you. So, what should you go for - a divan or bedstead? Your choice will come down to style and what you find most comfortable. A divan - essentially an upholstered box, fitted with castors for mobility, or on legs to create storage space beneath - won't give you a particularly sleek look, but good ones are very comfortable.

So What Sorts Of Divans Are There?

There Are Four Main Types Of Divan:

1) Sprung-edge divans (the most luxurious) have a complete open coil or pocket spring unit mounted on a frame. They provide even support across the whole mattress and act like a giant shock absorber.
2) Solid or platform-top divans have a rigid, non-sprung top panel, often made from hardboard. These bases are generally firmer, as well as cheaper than sprung bases.
3) Firm-edge divans have a smaller number of larger, heavy-duty springs within a rigid, wooden-sided frame.
4) Flexible slatted divans use laminated soft woods mounted in a frame, creating a modest level of springiness.

The tension can be adjusted to suit your preference. Bedsteads, on the other hand, come in lots of different styles and materials, including those sleek, contemporary models we all love. Wooden - either rigid or flexible - slats are the most common support for the mattress. Others include flexible or rigid wire mesh. The space between slats on most cheaper, rigid bases is usually wider than on flexible slatted models, but it is worth checking the gap is no more than 9 to 10cm, as the wider the gaps, the greater the wear and tear on the mattress.

When faced with a choice, shopping for the best value, not the lowest price, makes sense. The better the bed's construction, the better the support, and the longer it will last. Consider, too, the bed's height. Contemporary styles tend to be lower, meaning less storage space below.

5 Must-Knows About Mattresses

1) They usually last eight to 10 years.
2) They will weather better if covered with a mattress protector. It's also more hygienic as you can whip them off and wash regularly.
3) Buy a topper (available at department stores), to make them feel softer.
4) Mattresses should be vacuumed every now and then, but carefully so fillings don't suffer.
5) • They should also be turned end to end and side to side every week to begin with, then between once every three months to once every six months. If the mattress is non-turnable, rotate it instead.

Mattress Myths Busted!

1) You don't necessarily need a hard bed if you have a bad back.
2) There's no such thing as an orthopaedic bed - it's a term usually used by manufacturers to describe an extra-firm model in their range

Mattresses come in firm, medium and soft. Some of us like the sensation of sinking into a bed; others don't. People who like to sleep on their backs may prefer a firmer option than those who sleep on their sides. The ideal is to achieve good 'posture' in bed - the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive. Too soft and your body will slouch; too firm and you'll feel pressure on your hips and shoulders. To check you've got the correct support, lie on your back, then slide the flat of your hand into the hollow of your back. If there's a gap, the bed is too firm; if it's difficult to slide your hand in at all, the bed is probably too soft.

So which mattress type? Foam, such as memory foam, will mould to the shape of your body then spring back (good ones have helped back pain sufferers get a better night's sleep); latex (ideal for allergy sufferers), and, the most popular, sprung (the more springs, the better the support, and they can be zoned across the middle for extra support).

There are three main types of sprung mattress: open sprung (the cheapest), which come in a choice of tensions; continuous, more responsive than open-sprung; and pocket, the most expensive, but most comfortable. Above the springs will be a top filling, which might be made of anything from cotton to mohair - and the more filling you have, the more luxurious the overall feel of the mattress.

When it comes to your budget, what should you spend? As a general rule, you get what you pay for, but a bargain bed is no bargain if you don't sleep well in it.

Silentnight, Sealy and rest Assured are three of the biggest bed brands in the world, if you are looking for a quality product to suit any budget feel free to visit our beds section now for a great range of products and prices.

If you require any assistance at all please contact WOW! Lifestyle on 0800 567 7485 or email info@wowlifestyle.co.uk