Which bed? Lefton’s guide to beds

There are plenty of guides out there on the internet, some are complicated, some drawn out and other, well, just not helpful at all; so we’ve created our very own five minute guide to choosing the perfect bed.

Bed Types

First off before you get into buying a bed remember that you spend around a third of your life in it and most people don’t test a new bed out properly or buy off the web from a picture alone. Try try try is the best thing you can do with beds and at Lefton’s our staff will encourage you to test out the bed in store to make sure the bed is just right for you. For the design conscious you may want to decide on the theme of your room first to narrow down the bed type and focus then on the options and quality levels in this category.

Divan

The most popular choice of bed, a base unit for mattresses that come with our without useful storage drawers. Often divans come with a “sprung edge” or really it’s a spring top that give more flexible support for your mattress whilst those without springs “platform tops” give a much firm nights sleep, so you may want to balance the firmness with a suitable mattress. A branded base is clearly the better option as you are getting better quality from your base as well as the mattress you choose. Some larger retailers have been known to use branded mattresses atop cheap unbranded bases to keep the costs down but this is false economy for you.

Ottoman

Similar to the divan in that these bases but instead of drawers the top can fully open to provide amazing storage capacity. The tension spring or hydraulic lift mechanism should be smooth, easy to manage and robust and with quality ottomans will last many years. Beware of cheaper versions as it’s the mechanism that’s usually compromised in quality to keep the cost down and you don’t want to be breaking your back or fingers trying to prise open your bed storage.

Bedsteads

Bed frames or bedsteads come in a huge range of styles and designs using materials like leather, wood, metals or a combination of all of them. Far more decorative than the traditional divan, a bedstead can really set the theme for your room. You need to be looking at the slats as these are key to a good frame. Ideally you want the slats to be sprung as this aids comfort and narrow gaps between the slats has less wear on the mattress than wider gaps which really reduce the life expectancy of a sprung mattress. Our knowledgeable staff are able to advise you on the best type of mattress for you and your bedstead.

So you have an idea which base works for you then you need to consider the mattress.

Mattresses

There are loads to choose from and really need to try out a good selection for best fit. Whilst mattresses can technically last up to ten years and beyond, realistically you need to change them far more regularly for health & hygiene purposes and if you take a look at our blog you can find out more why and how to tell when you need to update yours.

Open coil spring

The most popular mattress and that’s mainly due to the price. The mattress is made of a spring frame and connected coiled springs throughout that are all joined up together, with springs made of varying thickness (gauge) of wire to give varying degrees of firmness. The upside to this type of mattress is the price, they are inexpensive and readily available in most stores. The downside is they offer very little support and are not as robust as other types of mattresses; plus when you are moving around on the bed your partners is likely to be as well since the spring system works as one.

Pocket spring

More luxurious and much more supportive than the open coil systems, the pocket spring mattress has individual springs housed in their own little pockets of material so that the springs work independently of each other; so there’s no disturbing the other person in your bed if you move around. Ideal for couples with weight variations or those with differing sleep patterns and perfect for anyone who wants a more luxury, comfort and a superior nights sleep. Pocket sprung mattresses often make use of superior fillings like mohair, silk and wool and finished with hand stitched sides for stronger, stable edges. The more springs in the bed the better the support and this is referred to as the “spring count”. Our Somnus collection has counts upto 16,000!

Latex

A latex mattress can either be a ‘block’ which is pure latex mattress or a combination mattress, building a layer of latex onto an open coil or pocket sprung mattress for a smoother flatter feel. The latex moulds to your shape better when sleeping but has a quick recovery to its original flatness once you get up. Latex mattresses are hypoallergenic and come with anti-microbial properties and are breathable so you wont overheat and break your sleep pattern.

Memory foam

There’s been lots of talk about this NASA developed product for years and it’s the Marmite of the bed world – you either love it or hate it! A slower recover rate that latex but superior comfort and, well, a totally different experience. Memory foam really contours your body as it warms from your body heat to offer a superior posture aligned sleep. They do run a little warmer than more traditional mattresses but if you generate a lot of heat then opt for the newer versions incorporating air flow systems or a more open cell design for greater breathability and temperature regulation.

Finishing touches

Don’t buy a mattress just because you like the colour or the pattern because once you have your sheets on you’ll never see it anyway. Consider the finishing touches for that little bit of extra personalisation and comfort.

Quilting - a smoother top to your mattress the fabrics is stitched in a way to hold the filings in the mattress in place to give a flat sleeping surface.

Tufting – usually found on the more expensive mattresses, a process by which mattress fillings are “pinned” at specific places on the surface running through the mattress to core and tied to the spring unit. The giveaway of a tufted mattress is the wavy surface of a mattress with indented buttons.

Ticking –  The technical name for the surface covering of your mattress. Various materials such as cotton, polyester and viscose can be used to cover your mattress and these finishing touches are mostly down to your budget and preference. Jacquard is a traditional woven fabric with a pattern on one side is often used as the covering for mattresses amongst other things because of its hardwearing and functional properties. Whereas Damask offers a softer, smoother and often glossy finished fabric that’s made using a blend of fibres for a rich durable finish.

Filling – There is a diverse range of materials that are used in mattresses and all with varying properties and can include lambs wool, coir, cotton, latex, foam, mohair, horsehair, the list goes on. Some of the internal filings offer none allergenic properties, others offer greater temperature regulation because of the natural qualities of the fibres; so be sure to discuss these with a bed advisor to be sure of what you are getting.

To turn or not to turn?

Some do and some don’t, always find out whether your mattress needs to be rotated or even turned occasionally to get even wear across the mattress and on both sides to prolong the life of your mattress. If you’re busy or don’t want the hassle of caring for your mattress then go for a none turn.

So now you know a lot more about mattresses and bed frames and have narrowed down what you really want in the bedroom department and we look forward to welcoming you in store. Don’t forget you can try out any of the beds we have on display and receive expert advice and support from our trained team to ensure you get your perfect bed.

If after you have read this you want more detailed information then we suggest taking a look at the bed buying guide from the Sleep Council, after all they are the experts!