Buying A New Bed? Keep These 10 Tips Handy

Buying a new bed is a serious purchase. To get your money’s worth, take a close look at these 10 important points before you start comparison shopping.

1) Pick the Bed That Suits The Room

If you’re buying a bed for a smaller bedroom, you may be interested in a space-saving model that comes with integrated storage drawers. If it’s time to equip the master bedroom, you might want something stylish (or even ostentatious) that matches the rest of the room’s decor. For example, a rustic bedroom could benefit from something like this, while something more minimalist could work with a more classic style of bed. Identify your primary concerns so that you know what kind of bed you’re looking for.

2) Know What Space Is Available

Nothing is going to make you feel more foolish than spending a significant sum on a bed that can’t actually fit into your bedroom. Take careful measurements of the space you have available before you start shopping. Remember to make allowances for bedside tables, lamps, and other furnishings.

Most beds sold in the UK fall into a range of six standardized sizes, from the compact “small single” (2’6″ x 6’3″) to the expansive “super king-size” (6′ x 6’6″). You can find a full list of the standard dimensions on the UK Sleep Council’s website. Remember that mattress sizes may vary from these standards; verify an individual model’s dimensions in person whenever possible.

3) Choose Good Mattresses

If you want your bed to deliver many years of restful sleep and healthy support, make sure you stick with mattresses that rate highly in reviews for both support and comfort. Mattresses rated “Best Buy” need not be expensive; we’ve reviewed some excellent examples that cost less than £200.

Firmness is not necessarily a guarantee of comfort and health. It’s the underlying structure that will deliver the body support you’re looking for. The upper layer of padding can be as thick or as thin as you personally like. Learn more about your mattress options by checking our mattress buying guide.

4) Buy From The Right Shops

You have a wealth of different options when it comes to retailers who handle beds. There are high street brands that cater to upmarket customers, like Dreams or Bensons, general furniture shops like Habitat, Ikea, and Furniture Village, and also independent bed shops.

If you’re looking for economy above all else, you can sometimes find good deals at warehouse stores or through online outlets. It’s really preferable to get an in-person look at a bed before committing to it, though.

5) Try Before You Buy

Strangely enough, studies performed by the Sleep Council show that the majority of bed shoppers (about 80 percent) don’t spend more than two minutes actually trying beds when they visit a bed shop. Considering that you’ll be spending up to a third of your life in your bed, it deserves a little more attention! Make the time to take a closer look at several different bed and mattress combos.

When you’re trying a bed in the store, lie on it in your usual sleeping position. You’re looking for a mattress that provides good support while also moulding to your shape.

6) Always Shop For Beds Together

If you’re planning to sleep together in the same bed, both partners should do the bed shopping together, especially when it comes to trying out potential mattresses. Tastes vary from person to person, so you’re looking for a compromise that suits both sleepers.

7) Ask The Right Questions

Before you invest in a new bed, there are some common questions you should always get answers to:

* How much assembly is required?

* Is the mattress included in the set?

* Are there any storage features?

* Is a headboard included?

* How long is the guarantee, and what does it cover?

* When can delivery can be scheduled, and how much does it cost?

8) Strike A Good Bargain

Beds command high enough prices to deserve some strategic thought before you make your final choice. Discounts and sales may not be the great deals they’re presented to you as. Always consult with a store’s advertising to look for any upcoming sales in the near future. You may be able to save significantly on your purchase by simply holding out for a few weeks before you buy.

Certain negotiating tactics can be highly effective when you’re shopping for beds. One of the best is to go into the store equipped with a good price for an equivalent bed from an online retailer. Shops will often match these kinds of prices. You can also get some mileage out of haggling, particularly at independent shops where assistants usually have greater control over the final price of the merchandise.

9) Don’t Forget About Delivery

It was mentioned above in the “questions” section, but this point is important enough to revisit. Unless you have a van (or an obliging friend with one), you’ll have to rely on the shop to deliver your new bed to your home. This is almost always an additional expense; verify the cost of delivery before you seal the deal.

Some shops have limited delivery schedules. Make sure you can make a match with your own schedule to get your bed delivered in a timely fashion.

10) Disposing Of Your Old Bed

Don’t forget that the same transportation issue you face when getting your new bed home applies to disposing of your old one as well. Talk to the shop about this issue when you purchase your new bed. Some shops will cart away old beds when they deliver new ones. This service may be free or may cost extra. If you rely on your council to collect an old bed, you may also be facing a modest service fee for handling bulky furniture.