The theme for 2022’s annual awareness campaign, National Bed Month, is Wake Up on the Right Side, with the Right Bed.
Whether you sleep on the left or opt for the right – when you have a comfortable, supportive mattress, you are more likely to sleep better, perform better, look better and feel better. But what if your mattress is not giving you the comfort and support you need? A good bed makes the difference between restorative sleep and poor-quality sleep, which results in tiredness, fatigue and “waking up on the wrong side!”
It is important to check your bed regularly, as research shows that sleeping on an uncomfortable bed could rob you of up to an hour’s sleep! If you are starting to notice lumps and bumps, waking up with a sore back, or sleeping better in another bed, it might be time to replace it. Take our Bed MOT quiz to see it is time to replace yours.
Read more information on whether it is time for a new bed in our Bed Buyers’ Guide.
Finding the right bed for you
Think about what style you like; do you prefer a softer or firmer feel? What do you not like about your current bed?
Bigger is better. The larger the bed, the less likely you will disturb your partner. You should be able to lie side by side, with your arms behind your head and your elbows out, without touching. Your bed should also be 4-6in (10-15cm) longer than the tallest partner – anyone over 6ft (1.8m) tall should consider a bed longer than standard. Read our UK bed size guide.
Always shop for the best value, not the lowest price. It pays off to invest in your bed, so we advise you to spend as much as you can comfortably afford. Did you know, if you spend £1,000 on a new bed, this works out at only 40p per night over seven years, or 20p each for a couple?
Buy the base and mattress together. At the very least, make sure you try mattresses on a similar type of base. Changing the bed base will affect the feel and performance of the mattress as the two should work together. The old bed base could reduce the useful life of the new mattress and the support and comfort it can offer. It could also invalidate the manufacturer’s warranties or guarantees.
Watch our video for more tips on choosing the right bed for you:
Buying the right bed for you
When it comes to bed and mattress shopping, there is so much choice it is easy to feel confused or overwhelmed, but we are here to help!
First, it is vital to buy a bed that’s been made by a reputable bed manufacturer. All members of the industry’s trade association, the National Bed Federation (NBF), are independently audited to ensure they follow the procedures that comply with flammability, health and hygiene and trade descriptions regulations. Buying a bed made by an NBF approved member means you can sleep easy knowing that what you have bought is safe, clean and honest!
Use our Product Finder tool to discover which bed brands can meet your needs. Whether you are shopping in-store or online, remember to look out for the NBF ‘tick label’ to spot a bed that has been made by an NBF approved brand.
To find your nearest stockist of NBF approved brands, use our Find a Retailer tool. NBF Retail Champions are bed retailers who have signed up to support our aims and predominantly stock beds and mattresses made by NBF members.
Premier Retail Champions source all their UK & Irish made beds from approved NBF members, and Retail Champions source at least 50% of their UK & Irish made beds from NBF members. Look for the NBF Champions logo on their shop windows and their websites.
Read our Bed Buyers’ Guide for further details and helpful advice on your bed-buying journey.
Follow along with us this month on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @bedadviceuk #RightSideOfTheBed
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