Bed Buying Guide
Sleep - or lack of it - is one of the most common 21st century health complaints. Only 1 in 10 of us say we always sleep well; 1 in 5 suffer from lack of sleep; and two thirds say we get less sleep now than we did a few years ago - around 90 minutes less, according to one leading American sleep expert.There are many different views as to how much sleep we need - eight hours is often quoted, but some of us need less; and some more. The simplest answer is enough sleep to feel refreshed in the morning and stay awake and alert throughout the day.If lack of sleep is a problem - what should you do about it? Do you realise that often the solution lies in our own hands and simply requires some simple changes to our sleep environment and lifestyles - probably even less arduous than going on a diet to lose weight, although, like a diet, it might take a few weeks to get into the habit of new habits.
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 anufacturers. Metric sizes are not exactly the same as imperial sizes, either. The following are the most common sizes available:
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!
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 |
Does Your Bed Pass Our MOT?
Wondering if you actually need a new bed right now?If you're not sure, try our revised
Please Click on the link below for your Bed M.O.T
http://www.sleepcouncil.org.uk/BedAdvice/bed_mot.cfm
See our Brochure Section for pdf downloads
http://www.dandys.co.uk/brochures.shtml
