1) Space
When you go to the Bedpost showroom, go armed with all the dimensions of your room. The usual rule-of-thumb is to get the largest bed the room allows, but it will pay dividends if you work out your bedroom's layout before you test-rest your new bed. After all, replacing your bed or buying a new mattress may be just the impetus you need to revamp the whole room.
2) Use
Do you need storage under the bed? If you're kitting out a spare room could you join beds together to form a super kingsize for couples? Do you need a new kid's bed to last them through their teen years? You'd be amazed at what people want from their beds other than a simple night's sleep - there's even advice on how your bed can help you get pregnant.
3) Price
Know your price range. There's always a bed for every budget and whether you're treating yourself to the top-of-the-range now the kids have left home; you're simply fixing up a storage room into a spare bedroom; or you're trying to find the best option for a growing child, it makes sense to work through your finances before you hit the showroom. Bear in mind you can apply for a Finance Now loan to cover your purchase online at your Bedpost store - and it should take only 20 minutes. For more information click here.
4) Health
Athletes, naturopaths, physiotherapists and fitness buffs will all do heaps of research into the healthiest options for their specific themes. But there's no reason why everyone shouldn't look to their new bed or mattress to help them boost their health. Check out the Sealy Posturepedic range, Tempur's innovative US Space Foundation certified materials used for mattresses and pillows, or our Sleepmaker and Beautyrest ranges for all their different health benefits.
5) Research and test-rest
If your free time is precious then a little research will go a long way to saving time when you start shopping for a new bed or mattress. Narrow down your options before heading into a Bedpost showroom by thinking about size and budget, and then make sure you test-drive all the options our experts show you. A word of warning though, don't test-rest when you're tired... all the mattresses will seem as comfortable as each other!
6) Mattress protectors
Dust mites can cause allergies and asthma. They feed on skin flakes and have a lifespan of 30 to 90 days, with females producing up to three eggs a day during that time. If you're buying a new mattress consider a mattress or pillow protector to help you keep your new purchase in the best possible condition.
7) Pillows
It's all very good buying your perfect new bed, but make sure you also test-rest a few pillow options while you're in the showroom. There's different styles depending on whether you're a front, back or side-sleeper - so there will be a few choices to try.
8) Delivery
Once you've made your choice and paid your money, the next step is getting your bed home. It might sound obvious, but check the delivery times if you can't get it home yourself and be absolutely sure you have easy access to the room - there's nothing worse than trying to man-handle a new bed up narrow, curving stairs and through oddly shaped landings.
9) Ask a friend
Chances are you might not have bought a bed for quite some time, after all we do tend to change our cars more frequently than our mattresses, despite spending vastly more time in them and knowing they are far more important to our health. Technology will have moved on quite some way since the last time you bought a bed or mattress so ask your friends if they've got anything to recommend. And then pop down to Bedpost to check what we've got to match.
10) Don't sleep on it
Sleep research can be a bizarre science but it's clear that the lack of a good night's rest can lead to illness, stress and irritability. If you replace the mattress on a spring bed, also replace the base to ensure you and your new mattress get the support that’s made to match and you end up with a great night's sleep.
