This month we’re participating in a blog swap with Bed Advice UK for National Bed Month. Simon Williams, Marketing & Membership Manager at the National Bed Federation shares his top tips for finding the perfect bed.
It’s time to get ready, set… snooze as National Bed Month gets underway this Monday (March 1). The annual awareness campaign has taken place every March since 1990 and the month is dedicated to improving a good night’s sleep with a comfortable, supportive bed.
Here’s some key things you should consider when it comes to finding your perfect bed.
Make notes
If you’re replacing a mattress or bed, make a note of its make and model name (you should find these on a label fixed to the mattress) and its size as well as whether it was classed as a soft, medium of firm support.
Decide whether you want a similar replacement or whether your requirements have changed. For example, do you need a bigger or smaller bed now? Do you want something softer or firmer?
Your specific needs
Make a list of your other preferences – do you want a mattress that doesn’t need to be turned over? What about allergies – do you need a mattress with hypo allergenic fillings? Or would you prefer one that has natural fillings such as wool, cotton, silk or horse hair?
Do you suffer with aches and pains in your shoulders or hips that would benefit from pressure relieving materials such as memory foam or latex foam? Do you have any medical conditions that would be alleviated by choosing an adjustable bed which allows you to raise the head and foot sections? Also, do you need additional storage with your bed – either with drawers or an ottoman that lifts up to reveal huge amounts of space?
Do your research
Once you’ve compiled your list of requirements, you can start your search online but be very careful not to trust all the reviews, especially if they are all 5 stars for a mattress or bed that appears to have a high specification for a low price. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Sadly, you can’t look inside a mattress to check it contains what is claimed and there are plenty of unscrupulous traders out there.
Size matters
If the bed is for two people, choose the biggest size you can comfortably fit in your bedroom. Partner disturbance is one of the main causes of interrupted sleep so a larger bed will give you more space and a better night’s sleep. Just make sure that if you choose a large bed, there are no access issues for delivering it into the room.
Price
Spend as much as you can afford, as with most things in life you get what you pay for. £1000 spent on a bed for two people works out at less than 20p per person, per night over a typical seven year lifespan of a mattress.
In store
If you go shopping instore for your bed or mattress, make sure you’re not over-tired as every bed will feel comfortable. Discuss your requirements with the trained bed expert and then remove your coat or other heavy clothing items and lie down for at least 5 minutes on a shortlist of products, ensuring you move into different sleeping positions (don’t just lie on your back). Make sure the pillow you’re lying on is similar to yours at home so you can replicate the position of your head and neck. In fact, don’t be embarrassed to take your own pillow with you!
Look for the ‘Big tick’
One way you can be sure that the product is what it claims to be is to buy one made by an Approved NBF Member. A
ll NBF members are independently audited to ensure their products are not only safe but that they adhere to trade descriptions. If in doubt, look for the NBF label with the ‘BIG tick’ on it.
Remember, you’ll be spending around a third of each day in your bed so it really is worth taking your time to find the one most suited to your needs.
Find out more by visiting www.bedadvice.co.uk