Do you really need a new bed?

If you have had your bed for more than seven years then the answer is yes, you definitely need a new bed!

If your bed is less than seven years old but you suspect it may be past its sell-by date, then use the signs below to help you decide:

• waking up with neck or backache
• feeling the springs beneath the surface
• hearing creaks or crunches when you move
• rolling towards your partner unintentionally
• a torn or stained mattress

Try The Sleep Council's bed MOT (Mattress Obsolescence Test) to see if you're getting the best night's sleep possible.

In case you're tempted to use a second-hand bed, consider that the previous owner will have sweated a quarter of a litre of perspiration into it every night. Not to mention shedding half a kilogram of skin flakes per year. The mattress will have formed itself into the ideal sleeping position for their body, not yours, meaning that you will never enjoy the best possible support and comfort, and if the bed was made before 1986 it won't even meet the UK's present basic fire regulations. A new bed may be expensive, but a second-hand bed could be far costlier in terms of health and hygiene.

The Sleep Council recommend buying a new bed every seven years. Given that we spend approximately a third of our lives sleeping, that means you will be spending at least two solid years sleeping in your new bed, perhaps over three. So it's worth spending some time getting the bed that's right for you and your partner.

Think about what you like - and dislike - about your present bed. Do you want your new bed to be softer, or firmer? Do you and your partner need more room? What style of bed will fit with your bedroom decor?

Price

Spend as much as you can afford. The more expensive beds feature better construction and more fillings, and offer increased durability, support and comfort. Having said that, it's still better to have an inexpensive new bed than an unhygienic second-hand bed. Consider that every £100 you spend on a new bed costs just 2.7p a night over 10 years. Furniture123 have a wide selection of bed frames, divans and mattresses from budget through to the more expensive ranges.

Size

The standard double bed is only 135cm (4ft 6in) wide, which means each partner gets less than 68cm each - not much wider than a baby's cot. To stop your significant other becoming a significant bother, make sure your bed is as wide as possible. Length is important too; a bed should be at least 10-15cm (4-6in) longer than the tallest sleeper.

Allergies and Asthma

It's a sad fact of life for allergy suffers that beds will get dust mites. The best you can do is air and clean the mattress regularly (vacuum both the mattress and the base), and use a cover made from a barrier fabric. Before you buy a mattress check that you'll be okay with the fillings, as some, such as hair, can cause an allergic reaction.

If you do suffer from asthma or an allergy your best bet is to buy a mattress specially constructed and treated to eliminate dust mites. These mattresses are clearly identified or for the full range look in our 'hypoallergenic' mattress category.

Many mattresses made from latex foam are also anti-microbial and offer benefits to many allergy sufferers. See our 'latex' mattress category for further details.

Access

At Furniture123 we do our best to offer you beds that are easily delivered. However, if you do have any narrow corners or tricky stairwells, which might make access a problem, please be sure to mention it to our telephone operators so we can check whether your choice of bed is suitable for your home.

If you are planning on buying a large mattress it may be worth considering a Superking 6ft 'zip and link' version, which separates in to two pieces each the same width as a single mattress.

• Buying a mattress
• Buying a base
• Top tips for bed buyers
• Glossary of bed terms