How to choose a bed or mattress

A bed is one of the hardest pieces of furniture to buy. It doesn't just have to look good; it has to feel good too, because a bed that offers real support and comfort will leave you feeling fresher in the mornings and better able to cope with the world. But how to get the bed that you'll want to fall into at night and leap out of by morning?

There's a bewildering array of choices. Your mattress could be soft or firm, with pocketed springs and a hand-stitched cover. It could be single, double, king sized, orthopaedic, or even adjustable. How about a divan base? Or would you prefer a bedstead? What about the storage options?

Bed manufacturers don't make things easy either. The bed trade uses plenty of words that seem designed made to baffle the customer! What's ticking and tufting? How important is the spring count? What's the difference between diamond stitching and micro-quilting?

All in all it's enough to keep you awake at night. Which is why at Furniture123 we've decided to clear up the mystery surrounding beds once and for all. Read on and sleep soundly!

• Do you really need a new bed
• Buying a mattress
• Buying a base
• Top tips for bed buyers
• Glossary of bed terms

If you need any further advice, refer to our 'bed buyers guide' in association with Real Homes Magazine, or feel free to contact us.