Shopping For A New Bed

What do you want from your new bed?

Before you go shopping for a new bed, think about what you want from your bed.

Here are a few general points to consider:

• What do you like or dislike about your current bed? Do you prefer a firmer or softer feel?
• The cost of ownership. Always shop for the best value not the lowest price. You will spend a third of your life in bed so the cost per night can be measured in pennies. New technology in materials are being introduced by Kaymed regularly and the better the construction, the better the support and comfort and the longer the bed will last.
• Size matters, so think big. With a larger bed you are far less likely to disturb your partner, and will have the space to sleep more soundly. You should be able to lay side by side, with your arms behind your head and your elbows out, without touching each other. The plain truth is that a standard double bed will only offer each partner the width to spread out of a standard cot.
• Buy a mattress made by an NBF member. The law on bed safety regulations are well established and there to protect the consumer from unsafe, unhygienic, or non fire retardant materials. Kaymed are members of the NBF and strongly recommend that you only buy products manufactured by an NBF member; even if your final choice is not a Kaymed product. Look for the NBF logo or visit the website www.bedfed.org.uk to clarify that the manufacturer is a member before you buy.
• Only buy from a reputable retailer. There has been a great deal of media coverage on the perils of buying a bed from a van that turns up at your home or place of work. Kaymed do not recommend buying in such circumstances as in all likelihood the product is sub standard and potentially dangerous.
• Check dimensions. Bed sizes are not standardised and even if they have the same name they may not be the same size. Check that the base and the mattress are from the same manufacturer as they need to be compatible. The two are designed to work together and a change of base will affect the feel and performance of the mattress and invalidate the warranty.
• Can I get it into my house? If you are worried about getting the bed upstairs, remember most divans have split bases; while many bedsteads are actually delivered in pieces for assembly in situ. To avoid problems with delivery, you should tell the retailer about potential access problems before you buy and check the retailer’s terms and conditions.