Advice on buying a new bed / mattress?

missbiggles1

andrewf75 wrote: »

I disagree I think cheap beds from Argos/Ikea are fine as long as you don't get the mattress from there. The mattress is the important part.

The bed and mattress we bought from Ikea was one of the most comfortable we've ever owned.

Fraise

andrewf75 wrote: »

I disagree I think cheap beds from Argos/Ikea are fine as long as you don't get the mattress from there. The mattress is the important part.

Have to disagree with you there.

Yes, the mattress is hugely important, but so is the base. I've slept on beds that had wooden slats and they were as uncomfortable as hell. Hard and unforgiving.

The mattress and base work together to bring you best comfort.

Gordon_Hose

My mattress cost 3 times what my bed frame did.

andrewf75

Fraise wrote: »

Have to disagree with you there.

Yes, the mattress is hugely important, but so is the base. I've slept on beds that had wooden slats and they were as uncomfortable as hell. Hard and unforgiving.

The mattress and base work together to bring you best comfort.

Not sure how the base is that relevant. We have an ancient bed with slats that are far from in the best condition, but with an expensive mattress on top its the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. How can you feel the base through the mattress?

Fraise

andrewf75 wrote: »

Not sure how the base is that relevant. We have an ancient bed with slats that are far from in the best condition, but with an expensive mattress on top its the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in. How can you feel the base through the mattress?

I have an expensive bed, it cost me over £2,000 13 years ago. It's a Relyon Supreme and most comfortable bed ever. A few years ago the wheels on the base needed refitting and whilst they were being done we put the mattress on a slatted bed frame. The difference was incredible. It was much firmer and nowhere near as comfortable as when the mattress is on its own divan base. My mattress is very deep and weights a ton due to all the springs etc....so it certainly does make a difference what base you have.

andrewf75

Fraise wrote: »

My mattress is very deep and weights a ton due to all the springs etc....so it certainly does make a difference what base you have.

We have a similar mattress . Maybe the bed despite being old and seemingly a bit knackered is actually better than I give it credit for! But in our spare room we have a cheap Argos pine bed and with a decent memory foam mattress on its absolutely fine.

vansboy

Ikea have done well in improving their bed/matress range, so if you can get to a store it would be worth a look.

There is a display of matresses cut open and you can see the different structures and fillings, as well as lay on some. Also a clik n see what is best recommended for you in the departments computer, too. It may well have similar on line.

Mine cost £400 from them compared to the one I looked at in dreams for over £700. Its really comfy a year on.

The frame was clearence metal with wooden slats in dreams.

VB

Fraise

andrewf75 wrote: »

We have a similar mattress . Maybe the bed despite being old and seemingly a bit knackered is actually better than I give it credit for! But in our spare room we have a cheap Argos pine bed and with a decent memory foam mattress on its absolutely fine.

High end beds always use divans rather than slatted bases. The problem with slats us that the mattress isn't supported in the same way a divan supports it. A pocket sprung mattress needs a flat even surface, which is why luxury bed manufacturers never use slatted bases.

Companies such as Vi Spring, Relyon etc, which are all high end only use divan bases.

Maybe you're lucky that your mattress feels just the same on a divan as it does on a slatted base, but I know that mine, as expensive and well-made as it was, certainly feels different on a slatted base.

What make and model is your mattress?

Here's a link explaining why divans are necessary for pocket sprung mattresses:

http://www.factory-beds-direct.co.uk/mattresses-for-slats/

xyz123

Fraise wrote: »

High end beds always use divans rather than slatted bases. The problem with slats us that the mattress isn't supported in the same way a divan supports it. A pocket sprung mattress needs a flat even surface, which is why luxury bed manufacturers never use slatted bases.

Companies such as Vi Spring, Relyon etc, which are all high end only use divan bases.

Maybe you're lucky that your mattress feels just the same on a divan as it does on a slatted base, but I know that mine, as expensive and well-made as it was, certainly feels different on a slatted base.

What make and model is your mattress?

Here's a link explaining why divans are necessary for pocket sprung mattresses:

http://www.factory-beds-direct.co.uk/mattresses-for-slats/

On beds with flat slats, its not too difficult to add more wooden slats to close the gap and effectively make it a flat surface for mattress. We did this to our bed frame from Dreams, also added a central support with 3 more legs. All at cost of £28 from local timber merchant in london....

Fraise

xyz123 wrote: »

On beds with flat slats, its not too difficult to add more wooden slats to close the gap and effectively make it a flat surface for mattress. We did this to our bed frame from Dreams, also added a central support with 3 more legs. All at cost of £28 from local timber merchant in london....

Yes, you could do that, but if they're fixed wooden slats they have no give, thus making the mattress less comfortable.