Michael Lee, managing director of East Devon furniture and bed retailer Potburys of Sidmouth, shares his top tips for choosing a bed
A good night’s sleep largely rests on the comfort of your bed. Given that most adults spend approximately one third of their lives sleeping a comfortable bed is clearly an important priority. An unsupportive and uncomfortable bed is not conducive to a good night’s sleep and is likely to leave you tired, grumpy and unable to function fully.
If you find you are waking up with stiffness or aches and pains or if your mattress is more than seven years old then it is probably time to invest in a new bed. Even if your bed looks OK it might not be giving you the support you need.
Bed shopping tips:
Before you hit the shops think about your requirements - what style of bed do you prefer (for example divan, zip and link or bedstead)? What size bed do you need? How much can you afford to spend? These decisions will narrow down your choice and make browsing easier when you get to the store.
l Avoid shopping for a new bed when you are tired as this may impair your judgement!
l Remove your coat and shoes and lie on the bed for at least 10 minutes to see how comfortable it feels. Try out all the different positions you normally sleep in.
l To test whether the bed is giving you enough support, lie on your back and slide your hand into the hollow of your back. If your hand slides in easily, or there’s a gap, the mattress is probably too firm for you. Likewise, if you can’t slide your hand in, it’s too soft.
l If the bed is for a couple, shop together to ensure you are both happy with your choice.
l Check that the bed is long enough for you. If you are tall (over 1.8m), make sure that the bed is at least 15cm longer than your height.
l Buy the base and mattress together because the two are designed and manufactured to complement one another in terms of support.
l Take your time. This is an important purchase so don’t rush it.
Potburys stocks a wide selection of beds from leading bed manufacturers including Vispring, Harrison Beds, Salus, Dreamworks and Myer’s. With an extensive showroom you can try the beds out in store and take as much time as you need. The friendly team are on hand to answer any questions and help you make the right choice. All beds come with free delivery and interest-free credit is available on selected beds.
