A new bed - where do I start?

HC_2

I'm looking to buy a new bed but, goodness, where do I start? There are SO many to choose from. So many manufacturers, and SO many models of bed.

I've looked at loads of websites, including Tesco - which seem to sell a LOT of Simmons beds, which is a make I've never heard of and of which I can't find any independent reviews.

I'm looking for a king-size divan with 4 drawers and a good quality mattress.

Are there any bed experts out there? Would be very grateful for any advice, recommendations or website suggestions.

Dumyat

we went to a specialist bed store and tried them all out with the help of the assistant. its very confusing all the different options and brands. once you have decided you can then research prices etc. I've always went for good quality beds (paid a bit more), as you are going to spend a lot of time in them.

HC_2

You are probably right, dogrose, I will probably have to visit a shop (a shop - ah, yes, I remember those) and have a few lie-downs.

So much easier, though, to sit here and click buttons!

Nobleck

Go to a store and test the beds out for comfort, lay on it as you would at home, if you have a partner take them as well and get on the bed together, move about and see how this affects yourself and partner.
Also consider any back complaints you may have, a firm bed is good for posture and backs. Hope this helps a bit, at the end of the day it's all down to personal preferance.

Steve_xx

Rest Assured do a nice range. I would say that the best beds are those with mattresses that have individual spring coils in pockets. This type prevent you rolling to the middle of the bed in the event that someone else is in there too.

MFI have two such Rest Assured beds, one called Bliss and the other called Melody, cost circa £700 in the sale. Of corse, a lot depends on how firm you want it to be. I like a soft mattress and the two I've mentioned are soft but very comfy.

http://www.mfi.co.uk/mfi/productinfo.asp?CT=%2F1420%2FYourBedroom&CT=%2F1430%2FYourBedroom%2FBeds&CT=%2FYourBedroom%2FBeds%2FDivans&CT=%2FYourBedroom%2FBeds%2FDivans%2FLargeKingsize&CT=/YourBedroom/Beds/Divans/LargeKingsize/RestAssured&CT=*

Fulham_Mark

1. don't worry about small aches when you wake after the first few nights in your new bed. Your body needs a few days to adjust to it. These will soon go away.

2. Buy a really nice, thick blanket to go between the matress and the sheet. The thicker it is the nicer and more luxurious your bed will be.

I made a guest bed last year and by chance had a blanket under the sheet...I slept in it for weeks instead of my king-size bed because it was so much nicer.

3. be careful about cheap beds that have exposed (non-laminated) MDF exposed. MDF gives off formaldihyde which rots your lungs. Some Argos beds have this

Tim_Deegan

Oh dear, it looks like the spotty sales reps from some of the big chain stores have been dishing out duff information again. So I'm going to have to put a few myths to bed (no pun intended).

1) First of all don't be fooled by the hype and TV advertising, some of the best known manufacturers are actually at the bottom of the list as far as quality goes. Sorry Steve_xx but Rest assured are quite far down that list also.

2) Stay away from non turn mattresses, they are just a sales gimmick.
I should point out that all mattresses should be turned on a regular basis in order to prevent uneven wear. This especially applies to pocket sprung mattresses. When a manufacturer makes a non-turn mattress they often advertise it as a feature, and say that the mattress has been made in a special way so that it doesn't have to be turned. The truth is that all they are doing by making a mattress non-turn is:

a) making it cheaper to manufacture because the memory foam is the most expensive part of the mattress.

b) making a mattress that won't last as long because you can't turn it over as well as around lengthways.

3) Pillow top mattresses are also another sales gimmick. They feel very comfortable in the shop, but can become uneven and lumpy over a period of time. They also make the mattress non turn.

4) Trying a bed for 10 mins in a shop isn't the best way to choose a bed. What you really need is honest advice from someone who won't give you the hard sell routine, so that you make the best possible choice in the first place. You need at least a week to get used to a new bed, and to find out if it really suites you. The pillow top mattresses mentioned above are there to attract customers who make a descision after 10 mins bouncing on beds in a shop.

5) you need to decide how firm you like your bed. Firm mattresses are not necessarily the best for a bad back. If you are going for a pocket sprung or memory foam mattress, then you should go for the firmness that suites you best.
We recently sold an Eros and a Calypso mattress (both made by Apollo Beds) to an osteopath. So we asked their professional opinion on the best type of mattress for back support. They told us that most of their profession recommends a combination of pocket sprung and memory foam. They also went on to say that if you can't afford pocket sprung with memory foam, then the next best option is just pocket sprung, and that they are far superior to latex (or reflex) foam and memory foam mattresses that seem to be the most common memory foam mattresses on the market.


Don't be afraid of buying on ebay. Beds are one of the few items that you can still get a really good genuine bargain on when shopping on ebay.
I know that many people are very wary about buying items like beds from ebay. However if you follow a few guidelines then you can save up to 75% on the shop prices:

a) most important of all make sure that the seller gives a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

b) check previous feedback for the seller, and even contact previous customers to ask them about the seller.

c) use a company who display their phone number, so that you can talk to someone about your requirements (they want you to make the righ choice because it will cost them if you return it).

d) check the sellers return policy. Many sellers charge for postage on returns.....can work out very expensive if you have unpacked a vacuum packed mattress, and you don't like it.

e) try to use a seller who delivers using their own transport. Couriers often damage or misplace goods (believe me I know from experience).

Obviously you can't try before you buy, but for the saving it is worth the risk if you follow the guidelines above.



There are loads of untruths told by sales reps in stores. If you want any more honest advice, then just ask me.

geniejj

In the same position looking for a king size bed.

What is the best pocket sprung/memory foam bed you can get.

Any around the £500 quid mark.

Tim_Deegan

geniejj wrote: »

In the same position looking for a king size bed.

What is the best pocket sprung/memory foam bed you can get.

Any around the £500 quid mark.

The Calypso and the Eros (both made by Apollo Beds) are both around £2000 mattresses. However they are both available for under £500.

There are other makes that are very good, but as far as I know there aren't any better value for money.

Steve_xx

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

1) First of all don't be fooled by the hype and TV advertising, some of the best known manufacturers are actually at the bottom of the list as far as quality goes. Sorry Steve_xx but Rest assured are quite far down that list also.

I take your points.

However, beds like lots of things are subjective. Really, it matters not a jot as to where Rest Assured are in the list ratings. Lists often have a certain snob value attached to which I prefer not to subscribe. The Rest Assured beds that I tried were, I thought, the best for me. Though I fully appreciate that they may not suit all.

sundin13

If it helps, I have a Simmons bed. Bought it in Canada. Loved it so much I brought it across the Atlantic in a container! Try a US or Canadian site for reviews.

S13