Learn about BedWorld beds and mattresses

During the twenty years I Nigel Cairns CEO of Bedworld.net have been present within the bed industry I have gained an immense amount of knowledge and research which I am happy to pass onto you to make your bed choice the right one for you.

Cheap or Expensive. How much should I spend?

The number one golden rule when purchasing a bed or mattress is that you get what you pay for and that nothing in the world of retail is free. The more you pay for your new bed or mattress then the better the quality will be. 

I and my staff are frequently asked "How long will the bed or mattress last?" Unfortunately there is no accurate or definate way to answer this question because every bed is different and will be used differently.
Example; if one was to buy a cheap bed and never use the bed only say once a year when guests stay, then this bed would probably last longer than if the same person bought a very expensive bed and used the bed every night.This therefore examplifies that the more the bed is in use, the shorter life span it will have.

Over the years I have noticed that most people will buy a cheap quality bed for the guest room known in the trade as the guest bed and a more expensive bed for themselves. Not only will the more expensive bed or mattress be more comfortable or luxurious but it will last longer. I believe a comfortable enjoyable nights sleep can be found on a cheaper bed but without stating the obvious its life span may be shortened or the extent of its ability to provide physical comfort may not be as successful as bed purchased from a more expensive range.

Back to the original question of how long will the bed or mattress last? This question should be. How long will the bed or mattress keep its comfort or support?
If the bed or mattress is going to be used every night then you should buy the most expensive bed that you can afford. A good quality bed should last Ten years.
After the first year the bed will start to loose its comfort or support that it had from when it was new. This will continue year after year. The only thing is that you will not notice this because your body will adjust to the bed. it is only when the bed or mattress completely becomes unbearable to sleep on that most people will replace it. In fact research has found that on average people toy with replacing there beds or mattress over a two year period. Also another interesting fact that as been uncovered by research is that seventy percent of the UK population have never slept in a high quality comfortable bed. Maybe the introduction of the revolutionary Memflex Memory foam will solve this.

Buying beds and Mattresses online

Buying a bed online twenty years ago would have been a thought only the crazy would have thought yet now its quite the norm.

Today the most popular beds and bed frames such as Pine beds,Metal beds and Leather beds and mattresses such as Memory foam and Pocket sprung are all available within the world of the interent and can be delivered to your door within 24 hours here at Bedworld.net.

There is not one bed or mattress that is 100% perfect for every individual. This is quite obvious but has been proved time and time again looking over sales records here at Bedworld.net

If a couple are buying a bed together, how can one bed be perfect for both of them? What is a soft comfort to one person is firm or medium to another. It’s all a matter of the individuals opinion.

Twenty years ago the masses purchased a bed that had an orthopaedic certification on the label thinking that if it said orthopaedic then the mattress had to be the right one yet hundreds of different manufacturers made Mattresses with orthopaedic  and they all felt different, so which one is the right one? 

Today more and more people are choosing softer Mattresses that mould and give more when pressure is applied. One of the best Mattresses that work like this is Memflex Memory foam. These Mattresses are made from material called Visco-elastic foam.  Visco elastic is the technical term for Memory foam. This type of foam was used in the USA by the Nasa space program many years ago to help astronauts with g-force on take off and over time found its way into hospitals to treat patients suffering from bed pressure sores and is now the new big thing. This revolutionary foam responds to body temperature and body pressure whilst adjusting to the shape of the individual to create a mould of the sleeper’s body enhancing the comfort of the sleep.

Many people worry about changing their bed due to a fear that their new bed or mattress will be less comfortable than the one they already have. Bedworld have created a guide to help you make the right choice.

-Decide your priorities and concerns in advance. For example price, storage, access to the bedroom, turning the mattress, getting in and out of bed, overall size or shape, a health issue, etc…
-If possible, try a selection of beds for comparison before you buy. Lie down in your normal sleeping position turning side to side also. Wear comfortable clothing and remove any outdoor gear. Take your time - it takes more than five seconds to try out a bed properly. Five minutes per bed would be better. If the bed is for two people, try it together.
-Buy the bed or mattress to compliment your weight and build due to its support system and not just due to its tension.
-Do not forget a bed is a mattress and a base working together – don’t consider them in isolation.
-Think big - larger beds are more comfortable.
-You get what you pay for - so spend as much as you can afford.
-Once you have received your new purchase give your body time to adjust to it from the previous mattress.

-If you’ve decided your bed needs replacing but are feeling a little confused by all the choice out there, The Sleep Council also has an invaluable Bed Buyer’s Guide to help you understand the features and benefits of all the different beds on the market. The handy Sleep Good Feel Good Guide, meanwhile, offers tips on how to care for your bed and how to get a better night’s sleep.

Types of  Bed bases

Most Mattresses are used in combination with one of various choices of bed base, such as Divan bedsteads, Adjustable beds, Bed frames and Bunks beds. Remember to ensure that mattress and base are suitable for use together, especially if you are buying them separately. 

Divan – The Divan base is still the UK’s most popular option. Essentially it’s an upholstered box, fitted with castors for mobility or on legs to create space beneath. Deep divans are often fitted with useful storage drawers. 

There are four main types of Divan bases:

Sprung Edge – Sprung edge divans feature a complete open coil or pocket spring unit mounted on a frame. Considered the most luxurious option, they provide even more support across the whole mattress and act like a giant shock absorber, increasing the mattress’s durability.

Solid or Platform Top – These divans have a rigid, non sprung top panel, often made from hardboard. Beds with these bases are generally firmer, as well as cheaper than beds with sprung bases. 

Firm Edge – Firm edge divans generally feature a smaller number of larger, heavy duty springs within a rigid, wooden sided frame.

Slatted Base – Flexible slatted divans use laminated soft woods mounted in a frame creating a modest level of springiness from their bowed shape. The tension of some slats can be adjusted to suit individual requirements. 

Storage Options - Under bed storage can be useful if space in your home is at a premium. Storage need not affect the comfort or quality of the bed – but it does cost a little more. Under bed storage options in divan bases include :

- Drawers that are located in one or both sides and/or the foot end. Smaller drawers in the top half of the bed allow for bedside tables. 

-Access to the interior space via sliding doors on one side or both sides and/or the foot end – mostly on budget models.

-Ottoman style divans have a shallow platform top, (usually unsprung) hinged to the rest of the base, which, when lifted, gives access to almost all the under bed area. Hydraulic or tension springs make lifting and replacing safe and easy, even with a heavy mattress on top. 

Adjustable beds are becoming increasingly popular as the bedroom becomes a multi-functional space. As well as reading or having breakfast in bed, people now watch TV from their beds and even work on their laptops. Of course, adjustable beds still offer benefits for a range of medical complaints requiring a raised sleeping position, raised legs or to aid getting in and out of bed. 

Styling choices range from a traditional divan right through to a contemporary bedstead.Some even incorporate massage units as an optional extra.

Available as single beds or as doubles with individually adjustable halves, these beds either feature flexible laminated slats or fully sprung upholstered sections. Some models have five or more individually adjusting sections – for neck, head, upper body, legs and feet; other models might only adjust the head and feet; or even just the upper body. Some models are designed to slide backwards as the head end comes up, thus keeping you in more convenient contact with your bedside table. Others fit side tables which can be moved along side rails. 

Bedsteads have seen a remarkable revival in popularity in recent years and a vast array of styles is available in wood, metal, plastics, upholstered or any combination of these. To support the mattress, the most common system is wooden slats – either rigid (with no give) or flexible. Other systems include flexible or rigid wire mesh. The space between slats on most, cheaper, rigid bases is usually wider than on flexible slatted models but it is advisable to ensure the gap is not more than 9-10cm ( approx 3inches ). Wear and tear on a mattress will be greater the wider the gaps. Most manufacturers make their own recommendations for slat spacing to suit their own Mattresses, so check these before buying as they do vary. It is also possible to have a fully sprung bed base (with the same benefits as a divan) inside. A number of manufacturers make these to order. As many bedsteads are imported or antique they may not conform to current UK standard sizes, so take care to ensure your mattress and bedstead are the same size. 

Bunk Beds Cabin beds are a popular option for parents and children. They are fun as well as practical and space-saving.

 Bed Sizes...

NAME	Small Single	Single	Small Double	Double	Kingsize	Super Kingsize
IMPERIAL SIZE	2`6ft x 6`3ft	3ft x 6`3ft	4ft x 6`3ft	4`6ft x 6`3ft	5ft x 6`6ft	6ft x 6`6ft
METRIC SIZE	75cm x 190cm	90cm x 190cm	120cm x 190cm	135cm x 190cm	150cm x 200cm	180cm x 200cm

Metric and imperial dimensions are not exact equivalents...

TOP TIPS

Check Dimensions

Bed sizes are not standard and even if they have the same name e.g. king-size, they may not be the same size – especially if the mattress and base are not from the same manufacturer.The sizes for Pine beds, Metal beds and Leather beds can be different as some are still made in the old imperial size beds.

Buy base and mattress together

At least make sure you try Mattresses on a similar type of base. The two are engineered to work together and a change of base will affect the feel and performance of the mattress.
It can be false economy to change only the mattress and keep the original base, especially if you are buying a divan. The old base could reduce the useful life of the new mattress as well as the support and comfort it can offer. It could also invalidate manufacturer's warranties and guarantees.

Access
If you are worried about getting the new bed upstairs, remember most divans have split bases while many bedsteads are delivered in pieces for assembly in situ. To avoid problems with delivery you should tell the retailer about potential problems before you buy. 

Bedroom Environment
The bedroom is your refuge. Around the world people have slept on everything from bare ground to hay, sheepskins, and waterbeds. Although people can get used to almost anything, the bedroom environment does make a difference in how well you sleep. For fully restorative sleep you must set the stage for the theatre of the night...quiet, dark, and cool.

Noise
Make sure that your bedroom is an easy place to fall asleep and stay asleep. Keep your bedroom quiet. Dripping faucets, noisy radiators, sirens, barking dogs, loud stereos, and late-night revellers are common rest inhibitors. If sounds cannot be eliminated altogether, you can create a soothing atmosphere by setting the tuner of your FM radio between any two stations. The pseudo white noise will mask unwanted sounds and promote sleep.

Light Level
Too much light can contribute to sleeplessness. Using dark fabric to block windows or the rim of a door can significantly reduce the amount of light leaking into the bedroom. Eyeshades can also do the trick.

Temperature
The ideal temperature for sleeping is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot bedroom or too many blankets or bedclothes may disturb sleep and even induce nightmares. A cold room can be just as disruptive as you'll wake up shivering.

Humidity Level
An ideal relative humidity level for the bedroom is between 60 and 70 percent. You may want to buy a humidifier or a dehumidifier depending on your needs.

Security
Extra lock on the front door might make all the difference in how secure you feel at night. So too might another smoke alarm. As part of your nightly bedtime ritual, check the door locks and close the window.

Clocks
Hide illuminated clocks to avoid clock-watching during the night which can lead to anxiety over sleeplessness.

Colours, Decor & Cleanliness
Select colours that you associate with the feeling of peace and ease. For example, many people choose blues or greens because it reminds them of the ocean or a park. Keep the bedroom clean and free of clutter. Piles of clothes, reports, and bills induce feelings of stress. Paintings of pastoral scenes, photographs from enjoyed vacations and portraits of family members can create a peaceful ambiance for rest.

Night clothes
Loose-fitting soft garments that breathe are preferable.

Bed sheets
The key for bed sheets is clean, cool, and comfortably soft. Popular bed sheet materials are cotton, linen, and polyester fabrics. Cotton is the most popular fibre for bed sheets used either alone or paired with linen, silk, or polyester. They are absorbent becoming even more comfortable over time. For superior quality you might want to try linen sheet, which are ideally suited for hot climates because of its lightweight and cooling effect. Also, consider the colour of your sheets. For soothing sleep times you might want white or pastels or soft designs like flora’s, paisleys, or light colour striped sheets

Mattress Toppers 
Mattress toppers or overlays have become popular to add that extra luxury feel to a mattress or revive an old sagging mattress. What ever mattress you have good or bad a Memory foam Mattress topper will improve the comfort ten fold.

Pillows

More and more people are choosing better quality pillows today. In the past most people buying new beds and Replacement mattresses would have neglected the importance of a good pillow.
The most popular pillows are Latex pillows  and Memory foam pillows