There are four main types, and each feels quite different when you lie on it:

• • Open coil – one continuous network of linked springs. Lighter and more affordable, which makes it a popular choice for guest rooms and children’s beds.

• • Pocket sprung – each spring sits in its own fabric pocket and moves independently. It follows the shape of your body and reduces disturbance when your partner moves.

• • Memory foam – foam that slowly moulds to your body and relieves pressure points. Some people love the “hug”; others find it too warm or hard to move on.

• • Hybrid – pocket springs topped with foam or natural fillings, combining springy support with a softer comfort layer.

The best way to understand the difference is to lie on each one. Our Taunton showroom has every type on display, side by side.

Quite a lot, so you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Pocket sprung and hybrid mattresses are now far more common, storage options such as ottoman beds have improved, and adjustable beds are more stylish and affordable than they used to be. Many mattresses also come vacuum-packed and rolled, making them easier to get into the house.

Your body and sleeping habits have probably changed in 15 years too, so the comfort that suited you then may not suit you now. Come and try a range of beds with no pressure – tell us what you liked and disliked about your old one and we’ll point you in the right direction.

“Orthopaedic” isn’t a medical or regulated term for mattresses. Manufacturers generally use it to describe their firmer, more supportive models. It doesn’t mean a mattress has been medically tested or recommended.

Firmer isn’t automatically better, either. The right mattress keeps your spine in its natural line, which depends on your weight, height and sleeping position. Our Steph and her team can explain the differences – after all, one person’s firm is another person’s soft.

It depends mainly on how you sleep and your body weight:

• • Side sleepers usually suit softer to medium mattresses, which let your shoulders and hips sink in slightly.

• • Back sleepers often prefer medium to medium-firm for even support.

• • Front sleepers and heavier people generally need a firmer feel to stop the hips sinking.

A simple test: lie on your back and slide a hand under the small of your back. If it slides in very easily, the mattress may be too firm; if you can’t get it in at all, it may be too soft. Try this in our showroom with a member of our team.

Give yourself time. Lie on each mattress you’re seriously considering for 10 to 15 minutes, in the position you normally sleep in. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to slip off.

If you share a bed, bring your partner so you can try it together and check you don’t roll into each other. Don’t feel rushed – we’d much rather you take your time and get it right.

Mattresses that look alike on the outside can be very different inside. The number and type of springs, the quality and density of foam, natural fillings such as wool or cotton, and whether the mattress is hand-stitched all affect the price, comfort and lifespan. Ask us to explain what’s inside any mattress and we’ll compare like for like.

If you have a divan, we usually recommend replacing the base at the same time. An old, worn base can make a new mattress feel uncomfortable, shorten its life and may affect the manufacturer’s guarantee. If you have a bed frame in good condition, check the slats are sound and spaced as the mattress maker recommends.

Start by measuring your room, then allow roughly 60cm (2ft) of walking space around the sides and foot of the bed you can get to. Remember doors, wardrobes, radiators and windows. These are the standard UK sizes:

Your room is only half the story – the bed also has to get there. Measure the front door, hallway, staircase and bedroom door, especially any tight turns. Bring your measurements into the showroom and we’ll help you work out what fits.

No. UK sizes differ from European ones. A European double, for example, is usually 140 x 200cm rather than the UK’s 135 x 190cm. If your frame came from abroad or a flat-pack store, measure the inside of the frame before buying a mattress so it isn’t too tight or too loose.

Loft and eaves bedrooms are common in Somerset and Devon homes, and there’s almost always a solution. The key is measuring the route as well as the room: the width of the stairs, the height and width at the tightest turn, the landing ceiling and the bedroom doorway.

Options that work well in eaves rooms include:

• • Divan bases in two halves, so each piece is smaller to carry up

• • Bed frames assembled in the room, rather than delivered in one piece

• • Rolled, vacuum-packed mattresses, which travel up narrow stairs easily

• • Low headboards or low-profile frames to suit sloping ceilings

Check you can sit up comfortably in bed under the slope, and if you’re considering an ottoman storage bed, make sure there’s headroom for the lid to lift. Send us your measurements or a few photos and we can help you select the right bed for you.

Cottages bring their own challenges: winding staircases, low beams, small doorways, uneven floors and compact bedrooms. The good news is that most beds can be chosen with access in mind.

Popular choices for cottages include divan bases that split into two, frames that are built up in the bedroom, rolled mattresses and storage beds that save space in smaller rooms. A 4ft small double can also be a great compromise where a full double won’t fit. If you have a period or antique frame in an unusual size, we can supply custom-sized mattresses.

Tell us about your cottage when you visit – photos of the stairs and bedroom are a big help.

Yes. We offer custom-sized mattresses for antique beds, older imperial frames and anything else that isn’t a standard size. Measure the inside of the frame from edge to edge, in both directions, and bring the measurements in or give us a call.

Yes. Our own in-house delivery team covers Somerset and Devon. Depending on what you need, we can:

• • drop your bed at your front door

• • carry it up to the room of your choice

• • put it together for you

• • take away your old bed and mattress

Charges apply for these services and vary by item and location, so please ask us for a price when you order. The day before delivery, we’ll call you with a two to three hour time slot so you’re not waiting in all day. Read our delivery information.

Our team delivers across Somerset and Devon, from Taunton and Wellington to Bridgwater, Minehead, Tiverton, Exeter and the surrounding villages. We can deliver further afield too – just get in touch to discuss your location. Selected bed frames, children’s beds and rolled mattresses can also be sent anywhere in the UK by carrier.

Yes. If you need a bed in a hurry, we have a selection of reduced clearance beds in store that you can take straight home – ideal for a spare room, a student or an unexpected guest.

Yes. We offer a removal service for old beds and mattresses when we deliver your new one. A charge applies, so ask us when you order and we’ll arrange it on the same visit.

If you’d prefer to dispose of it yourself, Somerset Council runs 16 household recycling sites. Check the council website for which sites accept mattresses and whether you need a vehicle permit. Many councils also offer a bulky waste collection.

Please be wary of cold callers or social media ads offering cheap collections. If they aren’t a licensed waste carrier, your mattress may be fly-tipped – and you could be fined. You can check any company on the Environment Agency’s public register of waste carriers.

Night sweats and hot flushes can make sleep really difficult, and the right bed can help you stay cooler and more comfortable. Things worth considering:

• • Breathable mattresses – pocket sprung mattresses let air move through them, so they tend to sleep cooler than dense foam.

• • Natural fillings – wool and cotton help draw moisture away from your body.

• • Cooling or breathable covers and a breathable mattress protector, rather than a plastic-backed one.

• • Lighter bedding – a lower-tog duvet, cotton sheets, or two single duvets if you and your partner like different temperatures.

• • A cool room – around 16 to 18°C is generally recommended for sleep.

Come in and talk to us – we can show you mattresses designed to sleep cooler. If your sleep is badly affected, it’s also worth speaking to your GP, who can advise on menopause symptoms.

You’re not alone. The most common complaints we hear are that memory foam feels too warm, too “sinky”, or makes it hard to turn over. That doesn’t mean memory foam is bad – it just doesn’t suit everyone.

If that sounds familiar, a pocket sprung mattress with natural fillings may suit you better. It’s more responsive, so you can move easily, and it lets air circulate. A hybrid with a thinner foam layer can be a good middle ground. Tell us exactly what you didn’t like and we’ll show you the alternatives side by side.

The old advice to sleep on a rock-hard bed isn’t true for most people. A mattress that’s too firm can create pressure points and leave your spine out of line. What matters is support that keeps your spine in its natural position, with enough comfort for your shoulders and hips.

Some people with back problems also find an adjustable bed helps, as you can raise your head or legs. Try different options in our showroom, and if you have ongoing pain, speak to your GP or physiotherapist too.

An adjustable bed lets you raise the head and foot sections at the touch of a button. People choose them for reading or watching TV in bed, making it easier to get in and out, or for comfort with conditions such as reflux, swollen legs or reduced mobility. Today’s adjustable beds look just like ordinary beds – come and try our adjustable divans and frames in the showroom.

All beds eventually attract house dust mites, which are a common trigger for allergies and asthma. You can reduce them by using a washable mattress protector, washing your bedding at 60°C, and airing your mattress regularly by folding back the covers for a while each morning.

Some mattresses also use anti-allergy treated fabrics or hypoallergenic fillings. If you have a specific allergy, such as to wool or latex, tell us and we’ll check what’s inside each mattress before you buy.

As a general guide, think about replacing your mattress after around seven to ten years, although a good-quality mattress that’s been well looked after can last longer. Signs it’s time for a new one include:

• • sagging or a dip you can see or feel

• • springs you can feel through the surface

• • waking up stiff or achy, then feeling better as the day goes on

• • sleeping better in a hotel or someone else’s bed

• • noisy springs, or allergies that seem worse in bed

If your mattress is over seven years old and any of these sound familiar, come and see how a new one feels.

It depends on your mattress, so always check its care label first. As a typical guide from manufacturers:

• • For the first three months, turn or rotate it once a week while the fillings settle.

• • After that, two-sided mattresses should be turned over and rotated head-to-toe about once a month – around 12 times a year.

• • Single-sided (rotate-only) mattresses shouldn’t be flipped. Just rotate them head-to-toe every three months – around four times a year.

Regular turning spreads the fillings evenly and helps your mattress last longer. Use the side handles to position the mattress, not to carry its full weight.

Yes, at first. A new mattress often feels slightly firmer than a showroom model that has been tried by lots of people. Over the first few weeks the fillings settle and soften to your shape. Give it at least three to four weeks, and keep to the turning routine above.

Usually not. Body impressions are a normal sign of the comfort fillings settling to your shape, particularly in mattresses with generous upholstery and in larger sizes. It’s only a concern if the mattress feels unsupportive or you can feel right through to the springs. Regular turning helps keep settlement even – and if you’re worried, give us a call.

Some new mattresses, especially rolled foam ones, have a slight smell when first unwrapped. It’s harmless and normally fades within a week. Open the window, leave the mattress uncovered for a few hours, and it will soon disappear.

Use a good mattress protector from day one, as stains can affect your guarantee. Air your bed regularly, vacuum the mattress gently every few months, and avoid sitting on the same edge every day. And try not to let the children use it as a trampoline!

It depends on the space and your child’s age. Bunk beds are perfect for siblings sharing a room, mid sleepers and cabin beds add storage underneath, high sleepers free up floor space for a desk or wardrobe, and guest beds with a pull-out trundle are great for sleepovers.

For safety, UK guidance is that the top bunk of a bunk bed shouldn’t be used by children under six. Always use a mattress of the depth the manufacturer recommends, so the safety rail stays high enough. Our team can talk you through the options in store.

Yes. We supply beds, mattresses and furniture for landlords, letting agents and HMO operators across Taunton and the wider area. All new mattresses we sell meet UK furniture fire safety regulations. We understand that changeovers between tenants can be tight, and we can take away old mattresses when we deliver new ones. Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

If you buy a mattress for £399 or more in our showroom and find the comfort level isn’t right, you can exchange the mattress for a different one. You’ll never be without a bed, as we only collect the original once your replacement is delivered.

To qualify, you’ll need to sleep on the bed for at least 20 of the first 28 nights, use a mattress protector, and contact us after the 28 days but before 40 nights have passed. An exchange charge of £29 applies, clearance and ex-display items aren’t included, and it doesn’t affect your statutory rights. This can only be exchanged once. See the full terms.

Our showroom is at Unit 2, Belvedere Retail Park, off Station Road, Taunton, TA1 1NQ, with free parking right outside. You can also find us on what3words at ///winks.people.glow.

We’re open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm, and closed on Sundays. There’s no need to book – just pop in.

Yes. Take our virtual tour to see the showroom and some of our beds from home. Nothing beats lying on them in person, though, so we’d love to see you in Taunton.

To help us find the right bed quickly, bring:

• • the measurements of your bedroom and where the bed will go

• • the width of your stairs, doorways and any tight turns

• • photos of awkward access, sloping ceilings or an existing frame

• • your partner, if you share a bed

• • comfortable clothes, as you’ll want to lie down and try things