New Year New Bed? Bed Buying Tips for the January Sales

Who doesn’t love a good bargain? With the internet and high street rife with tempting discounts, bargains and the big red “SALE” sign, you might be considering buying a new bed, particularly if it’s over 7 – 8 years old! So how do you go about it, and how do you make sure you’re buying from a reputable trader?

Bed buying tips:

• Be wary of dodgy dealers waiting to lure you in with prices that seem too good to be true. While the vast majority of UK bed manufacturers produce safe, compliant and ‘as described’ products, there are some dealers who try to pass off inferior products as luxury items, or worse – unsafe and unhygienic mattresses. Watch our video about mattress scams.
• Plan ahead. Before you get to the sales, think about what you want from your bed – is price your main criteria? What about storage, access to your bedroom, turning the mattress, getting in and out of bed, size of bed? Are you seeking pressure relief for a shoulder or hip problem or other health issues?
• Spend as much as you can afford. Instead of buying the bed you might have chosen during a non-sale period more cheaply, trade up to a more luxurious model. After all, what other item do you use for 7-8 hours per day, every day?
• Bargain or not you still want a bed that’s safe, clean and is what it says it is. Look for the NBF Approved logo. NBF members have all been rigorously audited to ensure they meet (amongst other things) flammability, cleanliness and trade description regulations.
• To help you locate a retailer where you can buy beds made by Approved NBF Members, we’ve put together a list of those who have signed up to support our aims and who predominantly stock beds and mattresses made by our members. Use our store locator tool to find your nearest NBF Retail Champion.
• Sale periods can often be busy, but make shopping for a new bed a special trip – you’ll choose more wisely if you are not in a rush, tired, emotional or harassed. Don’t feel rushed into trying out the bed for just a couple of minutes either. Lie down in your normal sleeping position and spend a good 10 minutes trying it out.
• Take advantage of any offers to trade up a size at no extra cost. A roomy king-sized or super king-sized bed will ensure less partner disturbance during the night than a standard double, which at just 4’6” wide only gives each user the same space as a child has in their cot!.
• Only buy a drawer divan or ottoman base if you really need extra storage space: four drawers can account for well over £100 of the purchase price – money that could be better invested in a superior quality mattress. The same applies to other features – only go for them if they offer real benefits.
• If you’re buying a bed for you and your partner, you should shop together. Comfort is so subjective and even though you may think you know your partner very well, it is risky trying to guess which bed would best suit their individual needs.
• Think about taking your pillow with you when trying out beds in a shop (unless you intend to buy a new pillow at the same time). Your pillow is critical in achieving the correct posture in combination with the right mattress. You won’t get a true comparison if you rest your head on a different pillow to the one you have at home.
• If you’re buying online, it’s worth checking independent reviews on the product and the company’s service. Check delivery costs and returns policy as online retailers can have different rules on returning goods, so establish their terms and conditions before starting your shopping. Watch our video for more tips when buying online.

Read more advice in our Bed Buyers’ Guide.