Despite the fact that most people buying a new bed will be spending around 3,000 hours a year in it, they will only spend a small fraction of that time choosing, and even less testing, the bed.
By educating yourself on the different factors involved in buying a bed, including budget, style and size, you will get more for your money and ultimately a better night’s sleep.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying online or in-store, a little knowledge can go a long way to helping you sleep better.
In-store
The big advantage of buying a bed in-store is that you can actually lie on it and test it out.
The average time for testing is two minutes but it’s recommended that you spend at least ten minutes trying one out. Anyone in the process of choosing their next bed shouldn’t be afraid to spend a little longer lying on the bed to make sure it offers the level of comfort and support you’re looking for.
Trying out a bed in-store is also a great way of trying types of beds that you haven’t slept in before, and finding out which you find most comfortable. Different types of bases include divans, bedsteads, adjustable bases and even bunk beds. While mattresses are divided into sprung and non-sprung with each category offering numerous variations of springs, fillings, foams and finishes. A soft mattress isn’t necessarily bad for your back and it’s important to consider the kind of bed and mattress you are buying together, as one can affect the other’s performance.
It’s also advisable for couples to lie on a bed together, to ensure that the size is comfortable for both parties. It should be 10-15cm longer than the tallest person sleeping in the bed and a couple should be able to lie side by side, hands behind head and elbows out, without touching.
Some stores also offer a guarantee so you can swap your bed for another if you aren’t entirely satisfied with the comfort level you’re getting – find out more about our 40-night comfort guarantee here.
Online
Although you can’t physically test a bed when buying it online there are other advantages.
Online shoppers can view a really wide range of beds in different styles and sizes. As budget can often be a deciding factor and lower-priced beds are generally less supportive, those looking for a good deal might want to check out the internet first.
It might not be possible to test different beds online but purchasing one through a website will make it easier to compare other factors, such as size, price and features.
There will be no salesperson to answer your questions but there are plenty of great resources to guide you, such as our blog and you will also be able to read reviews of the beds you look at.
