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The following bed size information to clear up the confusion caused by the different names that are used to refer to different bed sizes.
]]>The following bed size information to clear up the confusion caused by the different names that are used to refer to different bed sizes. Much of the confusion is caused from European and American sizes and terminology being very different from that of our own.
So to confirm, this information relates to the sizes quoted of standard UK bed sizes. Please note, some manufacturers make to metric sizes and others to imperial sizes therefore we have shown the metric conversion in brackets
What size is a Small Single bed? 75 x 190 cm / 30" x 75" / 2'6" x 6'3"
A standard small single bed is the same length as a single mattress, but is 6 inches narrower, measuring 2 feet 6 inches wide (76 x 191cm). This is a popular size when trying to save space in a smaller room or for toddlers moving from a cot bed.
What size is a Standard Single bed? 90 x 190 cm / 36" x 75" / 3' x 6'3"
A standard single bed is 3 feet wide and 6 feet 3 inches long (91 x 191cm). This is the most common bed size for children, kids beds and bunk beds.
What size is a Small Double bed? 120 x 190 cm / 48" x 75" / 4' x 6'3"
A small double bed refers to a 4 feet wide, 6 feet 3 inches long mattress (122 x 191 cm). This represents a mattress 6 inches narrower than a standard double mattress. Over the last 5 years the popularity of this size has become much greater for use in spare rooms or for teenagers to give a larger sleeping area without taking over all the available space in the room.
What size is a Standard Double bed? 135 x 190 cm / 54" x 75" / 4'6" x 6'3
A standard double bed is 4 feet 6 inches wide and 6 feet 3 inches long (137 x 191 cm). This is the most common and widely available size for all bed types in the UK.
What size is a King bed? 150 x 200 cm / 60" x 78" / 5' x 6'6"
A standard king size bed is 5 feet wide and 6 feet 6 inches long (152 x 198 cm). Please note: from a king size bed and upwards the standard length increases by 3 inches to 6 feet 6 inches or about 2 metres. This is the size we will always recommend to taller customers to save having their toes hanging out the end of the bed!
What size is a Super King bed? 180 x 200 cm / 72" x 78" / 6' x 6'6"
A super king size bed is 6 feet wide and 6 feet 6 inches long (183 x 198 cm). Please note: from a king size bed and upwards the standard length increases by 3 inches to 6 feet 6 inches or about 2 metres. This is the size we will always recommend to taller customers to save having their toes hanging out the end of the bed!
What size is a Queen bed? 152 x 203 cm / 60" x 80" / 5' x 6'8"
The Queen size terminology is another taken from the American market. A Queen size bed in the US refers to a 60 inch wide by 80 inch long mattress (152 x 203 cm), although it is more commonly referred to in the UK as a ‘ King’ instead being of similar dimension.
What size is a Twin bed?
A Twin bed is an American term used for a mattress slightly wider than a single bed measuring a metre wide. It is not a terminology that is used widely within the UK as this does not represent any of the UK standard bed sizes.
Please note: these sizes represent the size of a mattress or a divan. Any bed frames will be slightly larger to accommodate the mattress sitting inside the frame. There may also be slight differences in the dimensions depending on the individual manufacturer and the finish of the product.
If you don’t find the size you require, we have a custom size bed service available for very little extra cost and we are still able to offer a 1-2 week delivery service on many of our beds. Just e-mail us with your specific requirements and we will come back to you A.S.A.P. - sales@bedtimesuperstores.co.uk
]]>As a standard, the spring count shown on any mattress in the UK is based upon the number of springs present in a standard 5’0 or King Size mattress. For a double it will be proportionately less, for a super king proportionately more and so on for the other available sizes.
As a rule of thumb you should make sure the spring count is at least 1000 to ensure you are buying a decent quality pocket sprung mattress. There are some low quality pocket sprung mattresses available with counts as low as 800 or even 700, these are only achieved by cutting corners in support and if you are making the investment to step up to a pocket sprung mattress, it is worth making sure you start at a 1000 count matt so as you are getting all the benefits from the improved support.
1000 tends to be viewed as a low spring count, 1500-2000 is a high spring count and over 2000 is a very high premium spring count. However depending on the quality of the manufacturing process this can be achieved in 2 main ways.
The first is by laying two lower count systems of a lower depth on top of each other. For spring counts between 1500 to 2000, this is the cheaper way of achieving a high spring count on your mattresses label. These tend to be offset slightly to achieve an improved support from having them laid directly on top of each other, as this would provide no benefit from having half the spring count with a normal depth spring.
The second is by using a smaller diameter spring – the smaller the spring the more that can fit inside a fixed area. This is a more supportive and expensive way of engineering a higher spring count. As a rule of thumb this would be present in pocket sprung mattresses over £500 (double). The benefit of having a smaller spring is that the spring system is able to move more frequently and accurately to the contours of your spine and give you a superior support. See Below
For mattresses over a 2000 spring count it is actually a mixture of both of these processes as 2000 springs is the maximum you will fit into one layer even with the smallest diameter spring.
In reference to tension, the number of springs will not always determine how firm or soft it will be as this can be altered by changing the gauge of the spring rather than the number. However a higher spring count tends to feel slightly firmer than it’s lower spring count counterpart due to it being more supportive by nature.
All this being said, we would always recommend you do not buy a mattress on specification alone. The most important feature of any mattress is your ability to find it comfortable and fall into a deep restful nights sleep. We always recommend you to take the time to try before you buy.
See our bed size guide with information complimented by a bed size chart designed to clear up the confusion caused by the different names that are used to refer to different bed sizes in the UK.
https://www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk/blog/post/uk-standard-bed-sizes-and-dimensions/
]]>Many medical experts recommend memory foam mattresses for a healthier nights sleep. They have been implemented by medical establishments around the world due to the numerous health benefits they offer to patients by providing more favourable sleeping conditions. One of the main reasons that memory foam is used in medical facilities is because of its unique ability to improve circulation and therefore prevent things like bedsores forming.
The image below helps to highlight how the correct sleeping conditions have a positive effect on a large number of different areas of your body.
1) Head: Memory foam products can prevent or alleviate headaches, migraines, jaw ache, teeth grinding and tinnitus (Ringing in ears).
2) Neck: Correct alignment can alleviate general neck and tension pain, reduce discomfort due to vertebrae, nerve, numbness, ankylosing spondylitis (chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting spinal joints) spondyl arthropathies (like Reiters syndrome and psoriatic arthritis) pains.
3) Shoulders: Can reduce fibromyalgia (fibrositis) and frozen shoulder syndrome problems and pain.
4) Arms and Hands: Can relieve general arm and tennis elbow problems and alleviate pins and needles, numb arms and “dead hand” disorders.
5) Upper Back: Can reduce back, Kyphosis (curvature of the spine) and scoliosis pain and problems
6) Ribs and Rib Cage: Correct body posture can alleviate rib and ribcage pains, enhance breathing and therefore ease respiratory problems.
7) Lower Back: Full pelvic/lumbar support promotes complete spinal alignment and can greatly lessen lower back, sciatic, sacroiliac, joint, pubic symphysis, and coccygenic and nerve root pains.
8) Hips: Hip irritations and pain can be lessened by reducing pressure points. Provides excellent support after operations and during recovery.
9) Knees: Can mitigate aching knees, arthritic and cruciate ligament trouble. Provides excellent support after operations.
10) Ankles and Feet: By evenly distributing pressure, memory foam mattresses can ease and help problems due to restless leg syndrome, sore ankles and achilles tendon.
Mattresses made from memory foam keep the load properly supported, so that no one point is favoured over any other. Relaxation is the road to a good nights sleep, while getting tensionless, deep, well relaxed sleep, the individual can produce more and feel great doing it.
It doesn't cost the earth for a good nights sleep:
http://www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk/category/double-memory-foam-mattresses/
http://www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk/category/double-memory-pocket-mattress/
Source: worldwidehealth.com
]]>We will help to identify the different types of mattresses available, simplify and clarify the reasons they differ, as well as helping you to identify which qualities are most important to you.
There are 2 basic types of mattresses available in the UK, Sprung and Foam. However that being said, there are sub-categories within these types which have large differences and hybrids which are a combination of the technologies. Don’t worry, all will become clear!
Starting with the more traditional feeling option, there are 2 key types of sprung mattress;
The first is Open Coil (also known as Continuous Coil, Miracoil or Coil Sprung - there are mild differences between them, but these are not worth highlighting at this stage). These are all effectively mass produced spring systems which are linked together across the length and width of the mattress.
Because of the manufacturing method, these are capable of being produced in large quantities at low cost and represent the type of spring system found in mattresses at the start to middle end of the market. These are a great inexpensive mattress type for kids, and for adults in the short-term.
These mattress types will support you, but rely on the filling above the springs to fill in many of the contour gaps. Initially this is ok, but as time passes these fillings will flatten down and lead to what is known as the ‘Hammock Effect’ which does not allow your spine to be supported in it’s natural position, leading to discomfort growing in your lower back over time. Realistically an Open Coil Mattress is going to last a maximum of about 3-5 years before these effects become apparent. Along with this, when you lie on them the whole system will distort, meaning you will feel the movement of your partner during the night and can lead to the ‘roll-together’ feeling occurring.
Warning: As I mentioned above, there are slight differences between the different types of coil spring systems between the different brands. These differences are mostly limited to putting a zoning structure into the mattress, or changes to the linking between the springs to help distribute your weight to help keep your posture aligned. Whether it be ‘Miracoil’, ‘Posturepedic’ or any other, this is still just an open coil system and the same limitations apply. There are far better value Pocket Sprung mattresses available at the same prices as these branded mattresses. Don’t Fall into this Trap!
The second type of sprung mattress system is Pocket Sprung. The key difference with a pocket sprung mattress is the springs are not linked to each other, allowing them to move individually to support your body’s contours in its natural position. This also helps to stop you feeling your partners movement and eliminates the ‘roll together’ feeling. The manufacturing method for this type of mattress is more labour intensive and usually incorporates a largely handmade process. Pocket Sprung mattresses occupy the middle to high-end sector of the market, however, they are far more affordable these days.
Along with providing you with a better support and therefore a higher QUALITY of sleep, these types of mattresses also last longer – typically between 7–10 years. Therefore the slightly higher investment in this quality of mattress initially is rewarded by not having to replace your mattress as often and therefore saving yourself money in the long run.
Pocket sprung mattresses can differ in quality quite largely. Spring count is one of these factors, but should not be taken at face value (see:http://www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk/blog/post/what-does-the-number-of-springs-in-a-pocket-sprung-mattress-actually-mean/). The key really is the higher up the spectrum you go, all of the technologies and methods used are based upon longevity and providing you with a more stable sleeping environment.
Pocket sprung mattresses can be found widely with memory foam fillings, traditional cotton, wool, polyester or other fibrous substitutes. Commonly the fibrous filling above the spring will flatten and wear out before the springs themselves and you will start to feel the springs poking through. With a memory foam filling this will not happen, as it will be one single piece, with most memory foam proven to recover even after 10 years worth of use.
The Pocket Memory is a Hybrid of the two most beneficial and popular mattress types. The two work extremely well together, complimenting each others characteristics. Whilst the pocket springs move to the contours of your body, the memory foam works with it to both support you in a perfectly natural position, as well as relieving your pressure points allowing you to reach a much deeper sleep pattern from a more restful nights sleep (see below for further memory foam detail).
If the more traditional support is not your preferred sleeping option then there are several all foam options available. These will typically provide you with a fantastic support and longer life than a traditional mattress, but do have a very different feel to a sprung cored mattress, so I would recommend trying one before you buy.
Latex is the first of these and has been used in mattresses since the 1950’s. It is often viewed as being the more natural choice of mattresses, but be careful. The original ‘Dunlop Process’ was carried out using Hevea Milk (rubber tree sap) and was all natural, however it had a very firm and inconsistent feel. ‘Talalay latex’ was developed so soften the mattresses and make the feel of the mattress consistent and uniform, but involved introducing air replacing at least 80% of the ingredients with synthetics.
Today the majority of the latex mattresses on the market are 100% synthetic due to the manufacturing cost of natural materials. If an all natural mattress is important to you, then make sure you check very carefully before you buy. As a rule of thumb you won’t find a 100% latex mattress for under £1500.
Latex is a very dense material and can cause you to get very hot during the night. To aid this holes are moulded into the structure to help increase air and moisture flow and make your sleeping environment more comfortable. The most common problem for latex mattresses is this inability to transport moisture away from your body. We typically perspire about 2 pints of sweat during the night, so a good ventilation system is very important. The knock on effect in latex mattresses is moisture collects in the foam, causes it to dry out and then crumble, which is why we have always typically steered away from an all-latex product.
Memory Foam mattresses however feature an open celled structure which allows air and moisture to be carried through it and away from your body and mattress.
Memory Foam is a heat responsive material that responds to your body heat and pressure being applied to it. Being foam, rather than a solid structure like a spring, it is able to adjust more accurately to the contours of your body to give you a fantastic support as well as relieving pressure points. By removing pressure from your skin surface it reduces the number of sub-conscious you body makes during the night allowing your body to enter a much deeper sleep cycle allowing you to wake up feeling much more refreshed and rejuvenated. For further information about memory foam and the medical benefits, please see this detailed article:
https://www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk/blog/post/medical-benefits-from-memory-foam-support/
The one disadvantage to an all foam memory foam mattress is it will have a reflex foam core/base. This material does not allow heat to pass through it as easily as the memory foam itself and can become very hot. Some people prefer a warm sleeping environment, but it is not for everyone. If you prefer a cooler sleeping temperature then I would suggest looking at a hybrid Pocket Memory mattress. This will still give you the advantages of memory foam, but replaces the reflex foam core with a pocket sprung core which is 90% air and allows heat transfer with very little resistance, whilst continuing to compliment the support factors of the mattress. There are also fabric technologies implemented now too, to further provide a stable sleep temperature and environment.
Overall the real key is making sure the mattress you choose is going to support you correctly. Whichever mattress you choose, you will spend a third of your life in it during it’s lifetime. A good mattress is key to getting a good nights sleep and sleep is just as important to your physical and mental health than your diet and exercise.
Take your time with your mattress selection; this will be a decision that stays with you up to 10 years. Invest in a good quality mattress and you will not only have to stop replacing it every few years, but you will notice the improvements to your health and energy levels almost immediately.
If you have any further questions or need for clarification about this article or any of our products, please contact us directly and one of our experts will be happy to answer your questions and make sure you are on your way to a great night’s sleep.
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Most people buy a bed once every 10 years, so making the right decision can be a nightmare. Bedtime Superstores have been operating for over 35 years now and along with their expertly trained staff, have worked in partnership with leading UK suppliers to develop a comprehensive and exclusive range of products to give you the highest quality goods at the lowest prices in a simplified choice.
]]>Most people buy a bed once every 10 years, so making the right decision can be a nightmare. Bedtime Superstores have been operating for over 35 years now and along with their expertly trained staff, have worked in partnership with leading UK suppliers to develop a comprehensive and exclusive range of products to give you the highest quality goods at the lowest prices in a simplified choice.
Previously this great range was only available through their stores. Now however, much of Bedtime Superstores’ range is now available nationwide on fast delivery through their website found at www.bedtimesuperstores.co.uk
Whilst browsing through their product range, if you should have any questions the sales staff are always ready to help phone or e-mail. All the sales staff have had years of experience and do not rely upon commission based incentives. This means they actively listen to your specific tastes and preferences to provide you with a low pressure, highly informative buying experience, allowing you to make a decision you can feel comfortable in every night.
As an alternative to browsing online, you can visit their stores in Acton and Isleworth where there is a selection of their products on show, as well as their wider range of beds only available to local customers. You will be personally assisted in choosing the right products to suit your needs.
If you simply need advice or have any questions at this stage, either email sales@bedtimesuperstores.co.uk or call 0208 746 1990 and one of their expert bed consultants will be pleased to assist in any way you require.
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