Beds buying guide

Sleeping on an uncomfortable bed could cost you up to an hour's good sleep a night, according to Professor Chris Idzikowski of the London Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service.

Our beds are hand made by some of Britain’s most established and experienced bed-makers, with a reputation for meeting the highest quality standards. Use this guide to help you choose the right one, and browse our beds here. We can even assemble your new bed, and take away the old mattress.

How to choose your bed

Try! We always recommend that you visit one of our shops to try out a bed before ordering online or by phone.


Comfortably numb? A good way to check if the bed you are lying on is too soft, too hard, or just right is to lie on your back, placing your hand in the small of your back and then trying to move it about. If it moves too easily, the bed may be too hard for you; if it's a struggle to move your hand, then the bed is too soft. If you can move your hand with just a little resistance, the bed may be just right for you.

Take it easy: take some time out and lie down. You spend a third of your life in bed, so it's vital that you make the right choice.

Roll with it: try the bed in all of the sleeping positions you tend to use, not only on your back, and try a selection of beds for comparison.

It takes two: if you share a bed, take your partner with you. Remember, it's important a new bed suits both of you.

Different types of bed

Divan bed

Divans act as bases for mattresses and either have springs which allow the mattress to adapt to the body's contours, or a solid top which provides firmer support.

A divan is useful if you're tight on space as most are available with drawers to provide additional storage.

 
Bedstead

Bedsteads are more decorative and will provide a definite classic or contemporary look to your bedroom. A 'bowed slat' (or 'sprung slat') bedstead will give more cushioned support than a 'solid slat'.

 
Headboard

A headboard is of course an optional extra - most of our divans are sold without so you have a more flexible choice.

Choose from our extensive selection of headboards, some of which are part of a co-ordinating collection of bedrooom furniture.

Storage bed

Storage beds feature built-in drawers that free up valuable space in other parts of the bedroom. Another space-saving feature is Ottoman storage - revealed by opening the top of the bed with an easy-to-operate mechanism.

 
Guest/folding

Guest/folding and storage beds provide flexible solutions for overnight guests. With a small bedroom, it makes sense to use your bed as a secondary storage option.

Points to consider

  • A bed is an important investment...especially when you consider that every £100 you spend on a bed represents just 2.7p a night over 10 years.
  • The best bed for you isn't necessarily the most expensive bed...though it's worth spending as much as you can afford to get a really good mattress.
  • The average lifespan of a bed...or at least the mattress, is about 8-10 years. After regular use a bed may have deteriorated by as much as 75% from its original condition.
  • An old bed isn't hygienic...we sweat as much as half to a full pint of fluid a night, and house dust mites accumulate in beds too.
  • Consider the space you need at night. While you may plump for a standard double bed, a W150 x L200cm kingsize bed gives couples more room to relax and stretch out during sleep.

Mattresses

It's worth spending as much as you can afford to get a really good mattress.

See our buying guide to mattresses.

Inspiration & advice

John Lewis Fitted Bedrooms

John Lewis Fitted Bedrooms