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  • Bed Buying Guide

Bed Buying Guide

We spend on average, one-third of our lives in bed. An uncomfortable bed is bad for your health - not giving you the required support and also a disturbed night's sleep.

An old bed can also be unhealthy - being home to thousands of dust-mites which can trigger or worsen allergies. A new bed is one of the most important investments you'll ever make, so you should spend the appropriate time and effort in selecting your best option.

Mattress Protectors, Toppers and Pillows

To get the best out of your chosen mattress and ensure maximum life, we recommend that you purchase one of our mattress protectors - which are washable, waterproof and combat dust-mites. Mattress toppers will add a luxurious extra layer to your mattress. They provide extra support and comfort, giving a cosier feel to your bed.

It is essential that you choose the right pillow. Your new bed provides support to your body, whereas a pillow supports your neck and head. They have many different fillings, each giving different support, comfort and anti-allergy properties.

As you would expect, we have an extensive range of bedding accessories in-store, and our bed experts will help explain their individual benefits to find the right ones for you.

Size and Space

As already mentioned, make sure your chosen bed will fit in the space you have for it and that any storage options can be freely used - measuring up. Most beds come in standard sizes but certain suppliers can make beds exactly to your requirements.

A growing number of couples are buying King-size beds (150cm) with the increased space giving a more relaxed night's sleep.

The standard mattress and divan sizes available are as follows:

Single (90 x 190cm)

Small Double (120 x 190cm)

Double (135 x 190cm)

King (150 x 200cm)

Super King (180 x 200cm)

We have highly-trained bedding experts on hand to answer any questions and help you make an informed decision and the right choice.

You should always try out a bed first. When testing, always take off your coat and shoes, and lie on the bed for several minutes, in various sleeping positions. If you're buying a bed for you and your partner, make sure both of you try it out, especially if you're different sizes and weights.

When trying a mattress out, lie on your back and place your hand between the base of your spine and the mattress. If it moves too easily then the mattress may be too hard. If it's difficult to move, the mattress may be too soft. Ideally, you should be able to move your hand with a little resistance.

Always try more than one bed for comparison, so that you make the right choice. Try not to compromise on price, you should buy the best you can afford. Our beds and mattresses are made by the leading brand names and offer exceptional quality and value for money.

It's also important to note that matching mattresses and divans are designed to compliment each other - the right combination promotes the correct posture and provides support where it's needed most. If you have a bedstead in good condition, you may only need a mattress. However, if you only have a divan, a new mattress alone won't give you the full benefit. It's always advisable to replace both.

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.

At Cousins, you will find a greater selection of beds than any bedding specialist. Our range covers all aspects of style, comfort and value.

The main types of bed are as follows:

Divan beds

These comprise of a mattress and base that combine to give optimal comfort and support. The base is either sprung or platform-top, and on doubles is generally in two adjoining halves for ease of delivery and access. A divan is useful if you're tight on space, and most have optional drawers for additional storage options.

Adjustable beds

These are electrically adjustable and can be maneuvered into different positions.

Storage beds

Most divan bases have optional storage drawers, available in various configurations, to provide extra space for storing bedding and towels. The drawer options can suit the space in which the bed will be positioned - with continental drawers allowing for bedside cabinets. We even have Ottoman beds which give the maximum use of all the space beneath the mattress.

Guest beds

These provide flexible solutions for overnight guests, with an additional bed being stored in the base of a single bed. It can be pulled out and raised to the same height as the divan.

Bedsteads

These are more decorative and provide a definite classic or contemporary look to your bedroom. They are available with a wood, metal or leather finish. The dimensions of a bedstead are slightly greater than a divan base equivalent. Most bedsteads support a mattress on solid timber or sprung wooden slats, allowing air to circulate around the mattress.
Please note, that most bedsteads require some assembly but this makes delivery access easier. It's essential that you select a mattress suited to a slatted base, so please ask one of our bedding experts as we've a specially designed range in-store.

There are many types of mattress, each giving different levels of comfort and support. Mattress design and technology has never been more innovative. The main types are as follows:

Mattresses with springs

  • Open coil - is the most widely used springing system in the world. Rows of hourglass springs are joined by a spiral wire, running top to bottom. Border rod or wire gives the mattress a firm edge and helps retain its shapes. The sides are generally side-stitched.
  • Pocket sprung - These mattresses are more luxurious, with individual small pocket springs housed in separate fabric pockets. There are more springs than the equivalent open coil mattress giving more comfort and support. The springs work independently to respond to individual body weight. They're ideal if there's a considerable weight or size different between each partner. The sides are hand-stitched for strong, stable edges. They should be turned regularly to ensure even settlement.

In all sprung mattresses, the fillings used vary greatly and include polyester fibre, foam or natural cotton, and lambswool, horsehair, natural white hair or cashmere. Each type has different properties, the benefits of which can be explained by our bed experts. In each case, they insulate the springs giving additional comfort and support.

In addition, the fabric covering the mattresses also varies, often to price, and include polyesters, microfibres and damasks.

The quality and type of stitching used is critical, with many mattresses being quilted and some tufted as on pocket sprung mattresses where the depth of fillings is greater.

Springless mattresses

Due to innovative technology, mattresses no longer need springs. The main types are as follows:

Latex

which is produced from an elastic material that moulds to the body's contours. Talalay latex is the finest polymer available. They have a resilient feel and excellent durability. Air and moisture move freely through them, so they won't overheat. They are hypo-allergenic and are resistant to dust-mites and have anti-fungal properties. Latex mattresses don't need to be turned but occasional rotation will evenly distribute wear.

Visco-elastic

is a special foam-like material containing tiny window-like cells. Body heat and pressure reacts with the foam to soften it, so that it moulds and supports the entire body without pushing back against the body's own weight. They provide excellent support, with less pressure on the body, helping to maintain correct posture and align the spine horizontally when lying on your side. This product is resistant to dust-mites and is hypo-allergenic. It is ideal for use on slatted bases.

Polyurethane foams

is a low cost material, often found in sofabed mattresses.

When you visit one of our extensive bedding departments, you will also see that some mattresses combine springing with the benefits of a visco-elastic topping.