Before you buy a new bed

Before you enter a bedroom furniture retailer in search of a bed, do some research.  Make a list of all of your needs, such as your height, your weight, your general size.  Consider the room where the bed will be placed and whether it is a guest room or your regular bed. Will, there be sufficient space around the bed to move, or will it become an uncomfortable squeeze? It is not pleasant to have to climb over your spouse because there is no room for both to enter from their side.

Consider the passage to the room.  Will you be able to carry a king-size bed into the room, or should you consider a smaller bed?

Identify the key facts that set different beds apart and the reasons why they differ.  Once you know what you need you can venture into the shop, able to confront any salesman with sufficient data to ensure that you buy the appropriate bed for your requirements, not a product you will regret purchasing on some dubious advice.

1. What size bed is right?

Measure the space in the bedroom where the newly acquired bed will be installed.  Does the room offer sufficient space for a king-size bed, or will a double bed appear lost?  Will you be sharing the bed with your spouse or is it intended for a single person? Are you used to sharing your nocturnal space or is snuggling up to a loved one a new adventure? It is vital to consider and understand the implications of the size of your sleeping partner to avoid a tug-of-war over the duvet.  You may want to cover your head, while the other person’s feet are exposed.  Avoid these issues at your peril, but guarantee quality rest if you address them at the outset.

1. How much can you spend on a new bed?

Buying a bed is a long-term investment as most quality beds can virtually last you a lifetime. We spend a third of our lives in bed, and good physical and mental health requires good rest. Determine your maximum budget at the outset.  Spend the maximum amount you can afford on the best possible bed you can find that suits your needs.  Rather live a little longer in discomfort with that old bed, while you save up some money to acquire the right bed.

Do not hesitate to try out more expensive beds before you decide to settle for something cheaper. Compare technical aspects of various brands on offer.  Quite often you can buy a new or lesser known brand boasting the same physical capabilities for significantly less.  However, check the warranty and the fine print that comes with the less expensive product. Arm yourself with facts and avoid emotional on-the-spot decisions. Instead, take some time to consider all the options before you commit to the deal.

1. What do you need from a bed?

Durability, appropriate support and comfort.  A bed that is guaranteed to make you look forward to bedtime, where you wake up with renewed energy, looking forward to the labours of the day.  If you suffer a bad back or have a spouse that is a restless sleeper, it is essential that you know the benefits of a modern mattress, how its construction can solve these problems.  Make the best use of the firmness and responsiveness characteristics that each bed offers.

1. Ask a friend

You win a battle with many advisers.  You are about to invest in a long-term asset, so it’s appropriate to ask your friends and acquaintances about the brand of bed they chose, and why.  The information gained will empower you to select tried and tested brands. Pay attention to the bed you sleep in when visiting friend or family.  If you loved sleeping on a particular bed, make a note of the brand and size.  When back home, do some online research and compare statistics of competing brands and types. When friends offer advice, remember people differ.  What others recommend as the ultimate bed might not suit your shape or weight.

1. How deep will you go?

Manufacturers of beds and mattresses are continually improving their products to remain competitive.  However, this may affect the compatibility with your existing linen.  Mattress makers add layers of foam and padding to create the perfect bed which makes the modern mattress deeper. These are called pillow-top mattresses. A deeper new mattress may result in your linen not fitting a new mattress, mainly if you use fitted sheets.  The cost of your new bed may suddenly be much more expensive if old linen don’t fit.

1. How hard should a mattress be?

Like most things in life, taste and preference differ.  Some, more Spartan people, prefer a hard mattress, others opt for a softer touch. Moreover, then there are those that buy based on medical advice.  Keep in mind that, if you are going to be sharing a bed, you need to include your partner in the decision making.  What is her preference regarding the firmness of your new mattress? If you can’t find some middle ground, do not despair, there are excellent solutions to these problems!  Consider buying two ¾ beds instead and merely put them together side-by-side. Ask the sales representative regarding options on mattresses with adjustable firmness, where one side is firm, and the other side softer.

1. Is it always necessary to buy a new base as well?

A good bed frame should typically last longer than a mattress provided that it is made well. You may, therefore, get away with only buying a new mattress, provided that you are not changing the size of your bed.  Keep in mind that your new mattress may contrast unpleasantly against an old bed frame, because wear and tear may cause a framework to look ragged after a few years. Cover your tattered and worn structure by investing in a suitable base cover.  The saving you make on the base may allow you to invest in that more expensive mattress you could not afford but wanted.

May new bases have a uniform shape – no head or toe side.  However, the toe-side typically suffer more damage over the years. Just turn the base, so the bottom and top sides of the mattress will swap.  The new, more visible, toe side may look brand new and contrast less with the new mattress.

A final word

Do not be penny wise and pound foolish when investing in your bed; it will be with you for a long time.  Sleep should never be an irritating inconvenience, and the last thing your bed should do is to make it so.  The right bed will improve your productivity and performance, which may be the difference between success and failure.