Bed and Mattress Buying Guide


We don't just sell beds,
We sell a great night's sleep.


A bed is the most important piece of furniture you will ever buy because it is vital to your health and well-being. We spend about a third of our lives in bed, yet lots of us sleep in beds that aren’t really right. We can help you find the bed that’s right for you because all our dedicated bed specialists.


Our vast range includes all the same qualities and benefits of big brands but at affordable prices to suit every budget.


Is it suitable?


A good way to check whether a bed is right for you is to lie on your back and place your hand in the small of your back between you and the mattress. If it’s difficult to move your hand, the bed is probably too soft. If your hand moves too easily the bed is probably too hard for you, and if there is just a slight resistance then the bed is just right. Our in store experts will be happy to help.


Different bed types


Divans

Divan beds consist of a base and a mattress which work in tandem to give a high level of support and comfort. Divan bases can have a platform top, a spring edge, or a firm edge. And to provide extra useful bedroom storage most divans are available with a wide variety of drawer options. A headboard (or footboard) adds the perfect finishing touch to your divan bed and adds style to your bedroom. See our complete range of Divan Beds here.


Bed Frames

Most bed frames consist of a wood, metal, or an upholstered frame which supports a mattress on solid baseboard or sprung slats. Baseboards are considered far more sturdy, which is why most our Fabric Beds come with baseboards. They are constructed in a multitude of different looks and styles. See our complete range of Bed Frames here.


Ottoman Divan Beds

If you’re short on space, then an Ottoman Divan Bed might be your solution! With the ottoman lift saving you space when accessing the storage area - compared to the space required when opening drawers on a conventional divan bed. Designed with practicality, comfort and style in mind, the bed hinges upwards from the base to reveal a space offering up to 4 times the storage of a normal divan. And to put the icing on the cake ALL our Ottoman Divan Beds are from the Luxury Range and are built to last!  They are also available in any of these colours and fabrics here. See our complete range of Ottoman Divan Beds here.


Mattress type

Choosing the right mattress is the difference between a good night’s sleep and a bad night’s sleep. There are several different types to choose from and when you consider that you spend a third of your life in bed, it’s worth spending as much as you can afford to get a really good quality one. Generally, lower priced mattresses are produced in standard tension, while more expensive options have a choice of soft, medium or firm support levels. If you share a bed and you both find different tensions comfortable, there are mattresses with different tensions on each side.




Open Coil Spring Mattress
This is the most basic and simple spring system. Rows of springs are joined with a spiral wire running from top to bottom so the coils act as one. Ideal for spare beds, occasional use or you are on a slight budget. See our complete range of Open Coil Spring Mattresses here.


Pocket Spring Mattress
Here each spring is housed inside its own separate fabric pocket to form part of a honeycomb-like unit. Each spring works independently and this type of mattress fits your body shape by providing the ultimate support and comfort. And if you share your bed, an additional benefit is that you are less likely to be affected if your partner moves. See our complete range of Pocket Spring Mattresses here.


Pillow Top Mattress
A pillow top mattress is generally defined as a mattress with additional padding sewn into the top. This padding can consist of regular foam, memory foam, latex, fibre fill, cotton, wool. Some pillow tops have an integrated appearance with the mattress while others appear to be merely lying or sewn on top. A non-pillow top mattress, by contrast, often has only minimal to moderate padding compared to a pillow top and which is why pillow tops are more sought after mattresses, however often with larger price tags. These mattresses are rated some of the best mattresses so if you have the money, then invest in these. See our complete range of Pillow Top Mattress here.


Airflow (Cooling) Mattress
We understand how important a cool mattress is to some customers and we take our material & designs to the next level by further improving the airflow capabilities of our Airflow Cooling Mattresses. We use special machines to mold, compress, or cut the foam into a design that allows greater movement of air. In addition to this our Airflow Cooling Mattresses all have a unique 3D airflow border across the sides of the mattress. These are designed to allow are to pass in and out freely creating an Airflow system inside the mattress as its used. These advanced techniques create deeper and more pronounced channels within the foam, dramatically improving airflow. See our complete range of Airflow Cooling Mattresses here.


Full Foam (no spring) Mattress
A full foam mattress will often consist of 2 or more types of foam, generally Reflex Foam layer and Memory Foam layer. This is because one of the foams will be used a base foam layer, which is very firm to give the mattress structure (so you don't sink to the bottom essentially!). The memory foam or similar layer on top will provide to soft and overall comfort layer. As with most mattresses, the thicker the mattress the better the support will likely be as there will be more fillings, foam, etc. Full foam mattress will not contain a spring system of any kind and will make the mattress far lighter, manoeuvrable and easy to move around your house. Please be aware that it is common for Full Foam Mattresses to have a temporary odour which will dissipate over time. Please be aware that this is not harmful in any way and studies have been carried out by EUROPUR to confirm that there are no harm caused by either skin contact or odour of the new memory foam in either adults or children, see our suppliers response here. These mattresses are ideal for spare rooms as they can be folded to be stored away when not required or (if you have the right equipment) you have vacuum pack them to make them over 50% smaller. Customers also choose full foam mattresses because they have had bad experiences with spring mattresses, as the springs will become more noticeable as the fillings compress over time and as the mattress is used. See our complete range of Full Foam Mattress here.

Memory Foam Mattress
This feature consists of a special material, which has unique pressure relieving properties. By conforming to the shape of your body it delivers a perfect balance of total comfort and superior support.

Latex Mattress
Latex is a natural product feature and is hypo-allergenic. Latex pillows have instant bounce-back and offer excellent comfort and support, particularly for side sleepers.



Measuring up


All our beds are available in UK standard sizes and are sized according to the size of mattress they take. Always try to buy the biggest bed you can to give you the largest possible sleeping surface.

It’s important to measure the area in the bedroom where you want the bed to fit, and to measure the size of your stairway for access.

For most beds, we advise having at least 4 inches around the full circumference of the bed. This leaves enough gap for you. If you plan on using a headboard or footboard with your divan bed then these would add to your dimensions. Add 3 inches for each to the dimensions. Please note, all dimensions listed are approximates only. 



Please note, all dimensions are approximate.