Kokova Magazine

Find everything you need to know about beds, as described by The Sleep Council. March is national bed month and the perfect time to re-evaluate your bed and how well you sleep in it.

A is for Adjustable beds – not just for the elderly and infirm but a stylish option imported from the trendiest European houses for those who like to read or watch TV in bed on a regular basis.

B is for Body impressions - which is what you get when a quality mattress is working as intended to conform to the shape of your body.

C is for Comfortable – the single most important thing your bed should be. Those with uncomfortable beds can get around one hour’s less restful sleep a night than those who are tucked up comfortably.

D is for Divans – still one of the most popular types of base for a mattress. The best are fully sprung, acting like large shock absorbers. Solid or platform tops are cheaper and firmer. Divans often come with Drawers for handy extra storage.

E is for Expert - advice to help you choose the right bed for your individual needs. Shop around to find a retailer who inspires confidence and offers good after sales service.

F is for Fire safety - all beds sold in the UK should meet stringent fire retardancy standards of the flammability regulations. Unfortunately some – often imported – products do not. If you want to be sure your bed is legally compliant, buy from a reliable source, such as a company who is a member of a trade association (e.g. the National Bed Federation).

G is for Guest beds – often the graveyard for worn out beds and those that have seen better days. A sure-fire way to see off visitors quickly!

H is for Headboards - no bed is complete without one! Fabulous headboards have transformed bedroom style in recent years, along with equally fabulous bedsteads. Upholstered, wooden, metal; modern, traditional; feminine, masculine – there’s never been a wider choice of styles!

I is for Individual choice - the right bed for one person is not necessarily the right bed for another. Our needs differ enormously, just as our body shapes and sizes and comfort preferences do.

J is for Just 2’3” of space - that’s how much each adult gets in a standard (4ft 6in/135cm) double bed – less than a baby sleeping in a cot.

K is for King size bed - in the UK the term most commonly used to describe 5ft x 6ft 6in (or 150cm x 200cmm) sized beds, a much roomier option than the one above. More room means less partner disturbance at night and therefore a better night’s sleep.

L is for Latex - a premium quality foam used in mattresses and known for its distinctive, resilient feel and durability.

M is for memory foam – which has taken the bed market by storm in the past few years. Technically visco-elastic foam, it has a unique feel, as it responds to body temperature and pressure or weight, taking the shape of the user and then slowly recovering to its original shape when that heat and pressure is removed.

N is for National Bed Federation - the trade association to which most major British bed manufacturers belong. Check out their website, www.bedfed.org.uk for a useful classified product search directory and a full list of members.

O is for Ottomans – beds with lots of storage space in the base. This is accessed by lifting the hinged mattress and support base.

P is for pocket springs – small springs individually encased in fabric which are designed to work independently of one another, profiling to body shape to prevent pressure points. Independent support means that there is little or no transmission of movement from one sleeping partner to the other.

Q is for Quilting – not just a decorative effect as quilting, tufting and side stitching are all designed to hold the mattress fillings in place and ensure it retains its shape.

R is for Replacement cycle - for optimum comfort and support, beds should be replaced every seven years, due to deterioration.

S is for www.sleepcouncil.com - the website where you can get impartial advice on choosing a new bed and getting a better night’s sleep. Work out your own, individual bed requirements with the My New Bed online questionnaire. Take the Bed MOT test to see if your bed is ready for replacement. Work out what might be the best bed for you with the My Bed Profile. Check out the Relax and Wake Up videos if you’re having trouble sleeping or getting out of bed in the morning.

T is for Temperature control – a very important element of getting a good night’s sleep. If you are prone to being extra warm in bed, make sure your mattress is well ventilated, use lighter weight bedding and look out for products tackling climate control in a variety of ways, from new types of ‘breathable’ fabrics to cool/warm air circulation devices.

U is for Upgrade – which is what anyone buying a bed should do when possible as bed prices range so widely. Use sale prices as an opportunity to invest in a better bed.

V is for Value for money – which is what a good bed is. What other product can help you stay fitter, slimmer, cleverer, happier and more beautiful for less than 20p a day? (£1,000 spent on a new bed costs just 40p per night over seven years).

W is for Water - or flotation beds. A water-filled vinyl mattress is supported by a bed frame. Support is determined by the amount of water used and the level of motion can also be varied.

X is for The X Factor - not as in Simon Cowell’s annual talent show trauma but as in what makes one bed feel comfortable to one person but not necessarily another. It’s why people shopping for beds should always try before they buy – only they can judge which bed has the X-factor for them.

Y is for yawning - which comes shortly before…

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

For more information please visit: www.sleepcouncil.com