Welcome to the BEDMAKER’s Bed Guide

A comprehensive selection of articles including tips for buying beds online, medical complaints commonly linked with sleep, manufacturer information and much more. At BEDMAKER, we aim to give our customers a complete bed-buying experience.

We are the UK’s largest online bed and mattress superstore, and we keep a huge amount of inventory and accessories in stock, which means we can offer next day delivery on many items.

BEDMAKER supplies all types of new top name brand beds. Whether you are looking for Leather, Wooden, or Metal Beds, Mattresses in single, double, king size, sofa Beds, Futons, Divans, or Children’s beds and headboards, we carry the top lines from all the leading brands.

Here at BEDMAKER we like to keep our customers informed. If you can get instant access to all aspects of bed buying, bed care and more, then the experience of purchasing a bed from us is finely tuned.

The BEDMAKER Knowledge Base is your one-stop-shop for all things sleep related. We will bring you regular articles on how to get a good night’s sleep, no matter what your age, what to look for when buying different types of beds, and the questions you should be asking.

Good sleep is important to us, and we know it is to you too. So why not browse through our current articles and be sure to check back regularly for more great content to keep you one-step ahead in the bed-buying game.

Bed Guide

Ten Really Unusual Beds

Five Steps to help you Buy Beds

Buying Advice

A Size Guide to Divan Beds and Bedsteads

Care and Maintenance

Memory Foam Buying Tips

Advice on Beds for Over 50's

While 99% people are happy to sleep on conventional beds, there is a group of people who like to push the sleeping envelope as far as it can go and astute designers are creating a very profitable, albeit small market for ridiculous beds.

Here are 10 commercially available beds that take the idea of a bed to the extreme:

1. Nested bunk beds – This is probably the most sensible of all the beds in this list, but unusual nonetheless. The idea of the nested bunk bed is that there are 7 or 8 beds packed together, much like a set of nested tables, that wheel apart when it’s time to go to sleep. The idea was developed in South Africa and is being used where large numbers of children need to sleep, and live, in a compact space.
2. Round beds – Similar to the idea of heart-shaped beds from cheesy Las Vegas hotels in the 1980’s, round beds are making a comeback. While the shape may be unusual and slightly quirky, finding linen for a round bed is always going to be tricky.
3. TV beds – For millions of people, watching TV in bed is a pastime. So why not build the TV into the bed frame? Bed manufacturers like Hollandia are now able to supply beds with a pop-up plasma/LCD screen, an iPod jack and a complete surround sound system.
4. Folding Murphy sofa bunk beds. Murphy folding beds have always been popular in cramped living spaces. Now bed manufacturers are creating combination Murphy beds consisting of a folding top bunk and a permanent lower sofa bed.
5. Murphy cupboard beds - The base of a divan bed is ideal for storing linen and clothing, which is why most manufacturers offer drawers in their divans. But New York designers are now developing folding Murphy beds with cupboard space in them. When the bed is tucked away, the cupboard acts like a wardrobe. This is a very clever use of wasted space, although it remains to be seen how easy it is to prevent your clothes from creasing.
6. Canopy Beds – For the ultimate in enclosed sleeping & entertainment quarters, the Hican canopy bed is a spectacular idea, provided you can afford the £46000 it costs to buy one. To justify its price, the bed features sliding blinds on the sides, surround sound, LCD TV screen, iPod and Hi-Fi capabilities and is incredibly beautiful to look at.
7. Starry night bed - This technologically advanced bed features ‘anti-snore’ technology, temperature control, a complete sleep diagnostic centre, Internet connectivity and a wireless remote control system.
8. Ice bed – Ice hotels are all the rage amongst the well-heeled looking for alternatives to a normal holiday. And most ice hotels feature hand-carved ice beds for their guests. Thankfully, they also provide warm water-proof linen.
9. Ceiling bed – Another space-saving idea, the ceiling bed hangs from the ceiling, and can be retracted when you want to use a space for something else.
10. The loop bed – The Loope Lupita is more of an odd display item than a real bed, but the idea of sleeping on a looping bed should satisfy even the quirkiest taste

If you having trouble on deciding what the best bed is for you then this 5-step tutorial below should help demonstrate what is most important when you buy beds.

1. Kick off your shoes - the definitive tip when you buy beds!
2. Lie on your front, back and then your sides. Take your time and move your arms into different positions.
3. Lie flat on your back and slide your hand under your back. Your hand should be able to move while still touching your back and the bed without sliding too easily or too much effort.
4. If you share your bed with a partner, ensure they are there, as their own requirements will differ from yours when you buy a bed.
5. Check the bed is comfortably long and wide enough and is at a height, which makes it easy to get in and out.Follow these simple tips, and then buy beds with BEDMAKER. We have a great range, so you can buy beds with confidence.

With today’s lifestyle, space is becoming more of a limitation. Storing things under the bed can sometimes get very messy, but there is now a range of options that let you store things in the base of the bed itself. There is also the option of having drawers in the void space underneath your bed to have everything neatly packed away. Beds with storage are the answer, whether you want a bedstead or divan bed, there are many different options that can cater to your needs. Such options include under bed drawers, 2 or 4 drawers built into the base, sliding storage, end drawers and ottoman storage.

Some bedsteads now come with the option of having optional storage drawers. They are essentially drawers that neatly fit in the gap underneath your bedstead, helping to keep things off the floor such as clothes and toys. Bed manufacturers usually create the storage drawers from the same wood as your bedstead so they will match, fitting into any style of bedroom. Divan beds with storage drawers are the most conventional type of bed base with storage. Divan bases come with the option of 2 drawers and end drawers on small single and single beds, and small double beds and upwards usually have either 2 drawer storage , 4 drawer storage, 4 drawer continental storage which accommodates for bedside tables and end drawer storage. Sliding door storage is also available on all size divan beds, as is ottoman storage.

The ultimate in space saving is the ottoman bed storage system. The ottoman bed allows you to use the full divan base for storage, and it does this by lifting up the entire top of the bed where the mattress is rested, allowing you to use the whole of the divan base for storage. Lifting the top of the bed sounds like hard work as the mattress is very heavy, however an easy lift system is installed on most models which allows you to lift the whole top of the bed up with just a finger. We have many of our beds with storage in stock now with fast 3 - 5 working days delivery time and our unbeatable price means that you will be getting the best deal possible. So for all of your storage and bedding needs, visit www.bedmakeruk.com.

Moisture management fabrics are a revolution in the bedding industry. Most people suffer from waking up in the night due to being too hot and find that you are covered in sweat. Moisture management technology is designed to absorb your excess moisture and heat, leaving you cool and dry throughout the night. Technologies out on the market now, all of which keep you cool many moisture management in different ways. One of them is the Coolmax® fabric. Coolmax® technology has micro moisture management system that improves the airflow around your body while you sleep, reducing rapid increases in heat and keeping you cool throughout the night. This mattress is also in stock in all sizes free next day delivery with vacuum packed and rolled up, so your mattress will reach you in a 100% hygienic condition.

Don’t put up with having an uncomfortable nights sleep, visit us online and pick up a fantastic mattress today.

The headboard is simply a piece of furniture at the head of the bed. Its basic function is to stop pillows and other things falling down the back of the bed, and to stop you from hitting your head on the brick wall behind. However, headboards now are seen as more than just a necessity. Headboards come in all of the required sizes to fit standard size beds, 2FT 6″ Small Single (75cm), 3FT Single (90cm), 4FT Small Double (120cm), 4FT 6″ Double (135cm), 5FT King size (150cm) and 6FT Super King (180cm). They also are now available in a wide range of different materials, such as fabric, wood, metal and leather.

Like most things in the bedroom, your headboard acts as a style statement, so it is worth doing a bit of research before you buy one. You should think what material you like, whether you want a simple rectangular design or a more lavish padded design. All of the different materials and designs have their own merits. For example, upholstered headboards give you more comfort where wooden headboards can give you sturdiness. It’s also worth taking into consideration the design of your bedroom. For example, dark colors can make the room feel smaller where as lighter colors give the illusion of space. You can even match your headboard to the bedstead as some manufacturers create matching headboards to go with their bedsteads or divans. BEDMAKER keep a wide range of headboards in stock with next day delivery, so you do not need to wait forever to add that perfect headboard to your bedroom.

Latex is a relatively new product used for mattresses. Made from either Natural or Synthetic latex, a latex core can virtually last forever and won’t lose it’s bounce. Natural latex is made from natural rubber, taken from the rubber tree and synthetic latex is made from a mix of different chemical compounds. Although synthetic latex is a man made product, it feels virtually identical to a natural latex product and the only difference between them is the form of latex in the manufacturing process.

There are typically two forms of latex manufacture, the Dunlop method and the Talalay method. The older, traditional Dunlop method involves whipping liquefied latex with air to make it into foam. Then, it is poured into a mould where it is heated until it is vulcanized. Talalay method involves pouring the liquid latex into a mould, placing a vacuum on the mould, which sucks out the air bubbles and pockets to create a more consistent structure, and then setting the mould by freezing the latex. To get different amount of firmness in the core, different sized holes are cut into the latex called “pincore holes”. These holes soften the latex and make it more comfortable. The larger the holes, the softer the latex. Most latex mattresses will have one size hole running all the way through the mattress, although different manufacturers may cut different size holes in different places to create so-called “comfort zones”. For example, a softer feels around the shoulders and feet, but a firmer feel around the hips. One of our best selling latex mattresses is the Bliss Pocket. It features a 20mm Latex core, a luxury soft-touch top panel featuring moisture management space fabric and a channel quilt design incorporating a 10mm layer of soft Latex. If you want to enjoy latex but cannot afford a complete latex core, then maybe you could look at other mattresses with latex in them. What ever your budget may be, latex is a material that everybody can enjoy.

If you’re thinking of having guests over, but don’t have to room to fit a full size bed or a sofa bed, then a Folding bed or a Z bed may be an option for you. The idea of a folding bed is exactly as the name suggests. It can fold away to a small size and can be stored in a wardrobe, a cupboard, under an existing bed or anywhere where you can find space to store it.

The Folding bed uses a central pivot point to allow the bed to fold inwards and outwards, and usually a folding bed will have extendable legs to lift the bed off the ground when you fold it out. Folding beds have become a lot more popular in the past 10 years as space restrictions are affecting a lot more people than before. Due to this popular demand, folding beds can now come with sprung or foam mattresses, making your folding bed that little bit more comfortable for your guest. We have a wide range of folding beds available. In the future, we can expect folding beds to get more luxurious with memory foam and pocket spring systems replacing the current mattress fillings, meaning that before long, a folding guest bed will be just as comfortable as a normal bed.

If your mattress is not giving you the best nights sleep and you want something to give you that extra bit of support and comfort you want on a night, then maybe you should think about a mattress topper. A mattress topper or mattress pad lies on top of your existing mattress, adding a softer layer. You may need this if you have bought a firm orthopedic mattress and just need an extra soft layer on top to relieve aching joints on a morning, or maybe you have an expensive mattress, which you do not want to get rid of and just want to get a bit more life out of it. The good thing about memory foam mattress toppers is that they are inexpensive, lightweight and can improve your quality of health. Here are just some of the problems a memory foam mattress topper could help with:

Back & neck pain - A memory foam mattress topper mould’s to the shape of the body, allowing the spine to be straight. This brings huge benefits to back pain or neck pain sufferers due to now having correct spinal alignment

Arthritis - Having less stress on the joints can help with arthritic pains

Headaches/Migraines - Support of the back will encourage the neck muscles to relax and help prevent tension headaches

Circulatory Problems - Due to the properties of the mattress, the weight of the body allows the memory foam to mould around you, preventing such problems as swollen calves & feet, chaffing and bed sores.

Stress - Due to a more comfortable sleeping position, a memory foam mattress topper could help with “tossing & turning” in the night. Not only this but correct alignment of the spine aids in restoration of the nervous system.

Pelvic and Hip Pain - Because of the mattress topper molding to the body, there is a reduced risk of pressure, therefore reducing the risk of swollen hip joints or an aching pelvic area.

Perfectly healthy people can enjoy a memory foam mattress topper as well, as the mattress will help prevent against any of the problems above, and will give you a better night’s sleep because of it.

Although Memory foam is possibly the best mattress topper material due to its durability, price and comfort level, it is not the only material used in mattress toppers. For example, there are natural latex mattress toppers. Although more expensive than it’s memory foam counterpart, latex mattress toppers tend to have a longer life and are also hypo allergenic which may be perfect for asthma sufferers. A wool mattress topper is also hypoallergenic, and because it’s wool, it will absorb your body’s moisture whilst you sleep.

Bunk Bed Buying Guide

Buying a bunk bed for your children can be daunting task as a wide range is available. This buyer’s guide will help you decide which bunk bed will make you and your children happy. The most important thing to think about when buying a bunk bed is your space restrictions. The first thing to do is to measure the room you want to put it in, especially the ceiling as buying the wrong height bunk bed could end up with your child waking up and bumping their head every morning.

A normal bunk bed will take up as much room as a single bedstead; however, make sure that you leave room for a ladder for the top bunk. Other variations of bunk beds such as study bunks will require more room, so before you purchase, check the measurements of the bunk. If there are no measurements given, give the seller a call. Never take a risk. Then you need to think about what sort of bunk you would like. There are now many different variations of bunk beds in many different designs. One of the most popular designs of bunk bed is the study bunk, which just have one bunk bed and a wide array of furniture that can go in the space below, such as desks, chairs, futons and chests of drawers. Alternatively, there are the three sleepers, which have a single bunk on the top and a double bed on the bottom.

Some bunk beds now have all of the bedroom furniture rolled into one, with computer desks, dressers, drawers and a wide array of other furniture attached to the bunk bed itself. Ask your child for their opinion on what sort of bed they would prefer, it could prove vital in your decision. Finally, choose the design. Bunk beds come in metal, wood or metal and wood combinations and with a huge range of different colours and styles to fit into your child’s room decor. Whether you are looking for something bold and bright, or looking for something a bit more subtle such as stained wood, be sure to have a good look at the pictures of the product and try to envision it in your child’s room before making your purchase.

For more information, see our guide to bunk bed safety measures so you can choose the product that is right for you. If you follow all of these points and still can’t decide, ring our sales team, who would be more than happy to talk more in depth about your needs and recommend the perfect bunk bed for you.

Uncomfortable Beds

If you are having problems with an uncomfortable bed, it may be time to take the plunge and invest in a new bed or mattress! Luckily, BEDMAKER is here to help with our series of bed buying guides designed to make sure you get the best sleep possible. You spend over half of your life in bed, so it is worth spending a bit of time to make sure that you choose the right product when buying beds online. Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s worth exploring our extensive range of beds and mattresses to find the right product to suit your needs. The London Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service believe that an uncomfortable bed may cost people up to an hour’s good sleep a night, so what should you be looking for when you buy a new bed online.

Bed Buying Points

The best bed for your needs is not necessarily the most expensive one. However, it is worth spending as much as you can afford on a good mattress. With a bit of care and love, a mattress will last for roughly 8-10 years. Regular use may see your bed deteriorate by as much as 75% from its original condition during this timeframe.

Your bed is an important investment, so consider this fact. For every £100 you spend on a bed, it represents just 2.7p a night over 10 years. Not bad value when you look at it that way. Older beds can be less hygienic, as people sweat out as much as a full pint of fluid a night. Your mattress will be full of house dust mites too. A further point to consider is space, especially if you share your bed with a partner. While a double bed may be fine, you could buy a king size bed to give yourself more room to stretch during the night.

Divan beds are made up of a base and a mattress, and the base can be customised in many different ways. The main use for the divan base is to use it as a storage facility, and there are many different ways of doing this. For example, the standard way is to have drawers in the base, where you can have 2 drawers, 4 drawers, 2 drawers and 2 continental drawers to allow for bedside tables. However, if you do not require storage, some divan beds have the option of a shallow base, which lowers the bed if height is a problem.

Many divan beds now come as self-assembly, so that if you believe that you may have trouble getting a whole bed into the room of choice due to narrow corridors for example, you can take the bed in pieces and assemble it in the room. Many divans also come on castors, so that once you do get it into the room of choice, getting it into position should not be a problem The depth of the mattress varies depending on how much filling there is in the mattress however; Divan beds come in 6 different standard size categories

• Small Single (2FT 6″) or 75cm x 190cm

A typical size for people looking for a single bed but may have smaller room requirements

• Single (3FT) or 90cm x 190cm

This is the standard single divan bed children and adults

• Small Double (4FT) or 120cm x 190cm

(A typical size for people looking for a double bed but may have smaller room requirements

• Double (4FT 6) or 135cm x 190cm

The most popular size for a divan bed common for 2 adults sharing

• King Size (5FT) or 150 x 200cm

This size is again popular for 2 people sharing, but is wider and longer, allowing for more room.

• Super King Size (6FT) 180cm x 200cm

This is the biggest standard bed size. This bed is best for 2 people who want the maximum amount of room.

European sizes

Standard European sizes (Suitable for IKEA beds) are also available as

• European Single - The dimensions of this are 90cm x 200cm, making it slightly longer than the industry standard single.
• European Small Double - The dimensions of this are 120cm x 200cm, again making it slightly longer than the industry standard size.
• European Double - The dimensions of this are 140cm x 200cm, making it wider and longer than the industry standard double. This size could be for people who want a slightly bigger bed, but do not have the room to fit a King Size or Super King Size bed.
• European King Size - The dimensions of this are 160cm x 200cm, making it wider than the industry standard size. This bed size could be best suited for people who want a slightly wider bed, yet do not have the room for a Super King Size.

Bedsteads

Bedsteads are another alternative to divan beds. With a bedstead, you buy the mattress separately rather than it comes with divan. This could be the best option if you would rather mix and match to get your perfect bed.

Bedsteads are different to divans in the way that bedsteads do not come in standard sizes, they only fit a standard size mattress. Therefore, the size of the bedstead depends on the design and the materials used to build it. For example, a bedstead built from wood would most likely be thicker than a bedstead built from metal.

• Bedsteads come in the following sizes:
• Single, will fit a standard single mattress 90cm x 190cm (3FT)
• Small double, will fit a 120cm x 190cm (4FT) Small Double mattress
• Double, will fit a 135 x 190cm (4FT 6″) Double mattress
• King Size, will fit a 150cm x 200cm King Size mattress
• Super King Size, will fit a 180cm x 200cm Super King Size mattress

In today’s ever increasing demanding market, the bed industry is doing everything possible to cater for all requirements. If the standard sizes however do not meet your requirements, some manufacturers offer a custom-built service to your exact specification.

Divan Bed Advantages

Divan beds offer many advantages over other mattress and base combinations, Divans allow for more comfort, size options and ultimately when space is at a premium - storage options. Divan beds have a wide range of storage choices. For example; the traditional drawer option, where you can have 2 drawers, 4 drawers, 2 normal size drawers and 2 continental drawers. It allows for a bedside tables to be positioned next to the bed and still allow access to the drawers, sliding drawers or end drawers allow easy access to storage if the width of the room is an issue. The Divan base allows to easily lifting up the top of the divan either by springs or by a gas lift mechanism. This allows for the whole of the divan base to be used as storage.

Storage is a key factor in any bedroom as you may not have a room which is big enough for a wardrobe, or you need that little bit of extra storage to keep your spare pillows and blankets in for example. Divan beds come in all different sizes, whether it is Small Single, Single, and Small Double, Double, King size or Super King size. Some bed manufacturers also offer continental sizes, which are slightly larger or smaller than the usual standard sizes. This allows you to get the perfect size bed for whatever your needs. Whether you just need a standard single bed for you or your child or something with a little more room for you or you and your partner, divan beds will have a size that will cater to your requirements, dependent on the size of your bedroom.

Divans also offer diff erent base options. Most bases come on castors for easy maneuverability; however, if you do not require castors, some divan bases come on legs allowing for extra storage space under the base itself. The top of the divan base also has various options. For example, the standard top is a platform top, which is just a solid top base on which the mattress sits. However, you can also purchase a sprung edge top, which is a layer of springs in the top of the divan to give you a higher level of comfort.

BEDMAKER knows how stressful it is to buy the perfect bed as with bedsteads you have to buy the mattress to go with it, but divan beds come as sets with a mattress included and with options for different storage, and also most divan beds come with matching fabric to give you a sense of style as well as practicality.

Health Benefits of Adjustable Beds

There are thousands of myths and facts about adjustable beds and what health benefits they can have, such as people no longer suffer from aches and pains on a morning as a result, and also some people have reported that their back pains upon waking have completely subsided. The reason people get aches and pains on a morning is down to a multitude of reasons, the main of which being that the body isn’t flat, it’s curved, meaning that when you’re sleeping on a flat mattress your spine isn’t straight, leading to back pains. Also when you sleep you will be applying weight onto your bodies various pressure points, leading to general aches and pains upon waking.

An adjustable bed can help with this. By adjusting either the neck or the feet ends, you can adjust the bed to get your spine as straight as possible and into the most comfortable position. When buying an adjustable bed, your best choice is to buy one with a memory foam mattress. Rather than a flat surface like a normal mattress, memory foam will mould around your body, giving you the most needed support. This combined with an adjustable bed will give you the optimum sleeping position and will greatly improve your aches and pains on a morning.

General aches and pains is not all that an adjustable bed could help with. Tension that builds up during the day can be massively reduced by raising different parts of the body to allow the blood to circulate around the body properly. Asthma sufferers can also benefit by the upper body being raised. Some asthma sufferers have reported that due to the increased comfort and less pressure felt around the body, they were able to breathe easier. The facts are that if you are looking to improve your sleeping quality an adjustable bed is definitely an option, and combined with a memory foam mattress, it will provide you will an excellent nights sleep for years to come.

Contract Bed Safety Standards

The requirements standards are graded, meaning that they have more than one level to cater for different types of use, in some cases there is discretion as to which level can be chosen. Although the fact that fire resistance is a voluntary regime, custom and practice dictates that, the accepted standards should be adhered to.

Divans, Mattresses and Bed Bases

The requirements specified in BS7177: 1996 Incorporating Amendment No. 1 and provides for the testing of a composite and for testing of individual fillings of different types. Divans, mattresses and bases can be tested on their own or as a complete bed assembly. Where the bedding specified, Section 3 of BS6807 provides method of testing and where the bedding is not known, Section 2 of BS6807 provides the test method.

The difference is in the detailed positioning of the sources of ignition. Normally the requirements are Medium Hazard, which covers day centers, messes, old peoples’ homes, boarding schools, residential schools, hotels, hostels, holiday camp chalets and halls of residence. Medium Hazard requires resistance to the ignition sources specified in BS EN597-1 (cigarette), BS EN597-2 (match) and the Ignition Source 5 specified in BS6807 Section 2 or 3. Hotels, hostels and old peoples’ homes can also be High Hazard, in which case they have to be resistant to ignition with Ignition Source 7 of BS6807 Section 2 or 3 in place of Ignition Source 5. The level of hazard required will be dependent on the usage of the premises and it’s individual features. These ignition sources equate to the ignition sources of BS5852 and BS EN1021-1 & 2.

Bedcovers and Pillows

BS7175: 1989 gives test methods for assessing the resistance to ignitions of bedcovers and pillows. It draws on BS5852 and BS6807 for ignition sources. Requirements are not laid down but could be inferred from BS7177. The test results are either a straight pass/fail against each ignition source. If you are looking to buy contract beds, take a look at BEDMAKER’s extensive product range for some great deals.

Caring for Your Bed

• Proper care will keep your bed or mattress in good condition. Always read and retain manufacturers care instructions and ask your retailer for advice, too. Otherwise, the following tips will help you to get the best out of your bed during its natural life.
• Use a washable, protective cover to protect your beds, mattresses and pillows from stains. Barrier fabrics for allergy sufferers are also available.
• In the mornings, throw back the bedclothes and leave the bed to air for 20 minutes to allow body moisture to evaporate.
• Turning a mattress over from side to side and end-to-end every few months, (every week for the first three months) helps upholstery fillings to settle down more evenly. Some more luxurious mattresses, with much thicker layers of fillings designed to mould themselves to the contours of your body, may retain signs of these impressions, despite turning.
• Do not make a habit of sitting on the edge of the mattress and don’t let the kids bounce on it.
• Do not roll up, squash mattresses to store, or transport it - this can cause permanent damage.
• Handles are designed to help you position a mattress on the beds base - do not use them to support the full weight of the mattress - they may pull out and damage the fabric.
• Do not leave polythene wrappings on a new mattress - dampness, mildew and rotting could all result from a build-up of condensation.
• Vacuum your mattress and base from time to time to remove fluff and dust. This should be carefully done so as not to dislodge fillings or damage tufts. Open windows while vacuuming -especially if there is an asthma sufferer in the house.
• When tackling stains, use mild detergent and warm or cold water. Never over soak mattresses or bed bases.
• Putting a new mattress on a base for which it was not intended a new mattress on an old base or a board between the mattress and base can impede the beds comfort and reduce the useful life of the mattress - as well as affecting any guarantees or warranties.
• Out with the Old: Once you have bought yourself a new bed, arrange to dispose off old mattresses disposed properly. Do not give it to the children, relatives, guests or neighbors. If it was not good enough for you, it’s not good enough for anyone else, either. In fact, it is a veritable health hazard - get rid of it.
• If you are an older person looking to buy beds online, you can look at our advice article for bed and mattress buying for the over 50s to help you make the right decision.

Bunk Beds - Safety Measures

Bunks beds designed for children and primarily evolved from a child’s cot. Some bunk beds can now be used separately as twin beds for older children or adults.

Due to the upper bed usually been a considerable distance from the floor, safety has to play a major part in the design on bunk beds. Many factors have to be considered for safety as there can be less obvious but potentially very serious hazards in the structure of a bunk bed.

• Guardrail spacing - On some bunk beds, the space between the guardrail and mattress or the bed frame and mattress is large enough to allow a young child to slip through. Deaths have occurred when children became suspended by the head in these spaces and strangled. Guardrails are attached to the bed by hooks and remain in place by their own weight can dislodge, allowing a child to become entrapped under the guardrail or fall.

  Attach additional boards to bunk beds to close up any gap more than 31/2 inches (89 mm) between the lower edge of the guardrails and the upper edge of the bed frame to prevent possible entrapment and strangulation.

• Use of the bed without rails on both sides - Most bunk beds are used with one side located against a wall and are sold with only one guardrail for the upper bunk to prevent falls from the side away from the wall. Deaths have occurred when very young children rolled off the bed; and trapped between the wall and the side of the bed not having a guardrail. This hazard is not unique to bunk beds. Regular beds can present the same hazard.

• Dislodgment of mattress foundation- The mattress foundation and some bunk beds merely rests on small ledges attached to the bed frame. They can dislodge, particularly if a child, underneath the bunk, pushes or kicks upwards on the mattress. Suffocation deaths have occurred when mattress foundations fell on children playing on the floor or occupying the lower bunk.

  Fasten additional crossties underneath the mattress foundation of both beds.

• Wrong size mattress - The structure of bunk beds and mattresses come in two lengths - regular and extra long. Extra long is 5 inches (127 mm) longer than regular. Therefore, if a regular length mattress is purchased for an extra long bed, there can be a 5-inch (127 mm) opening between the mattress and headboard or footboard. Strangulation deaths have occurred when children fell through openings created between the mattress and headboard or footboard when a regular length mattress used in an extra long bed frame.

  Here are our safety tips for selecting, using, and maintaining bunk beds:

  • Guardrails on all sides, which are screwed, bolted or otherwise firmly attached to the bed structure.
  • Spacing between bed frame and bottom of guardrails, that is no greater than 3-1/2 inches (89 mm)
  • Guardrails that extend at least 5 inches (127 mm) above the mattress surface to prevent a child from rolling off
  • Cross ties under the mattress foundation, this can be securely attached
  • A ladder that is secure for the bed frame and does not slip while climbing on it
  • It must allow the beds to be separate to form two single beds if you have children too young to sleep safety on the upper bunk.
  • Finally, choose a mattress that correctly fits your bed, whether regular or extra long.

Conventional Usage

• Always use two side guardrails on the upper bunk. Keep guardrails securely in place at all times no matter what the age of the child. Children move about during sleep and may roll out of bunk beds if guardrails aren’t used..
• Do not permit children less than 6 years of age to sleep in the upper bunk of bunk beds.
• Be sure crossties are under the mattress foundation of each bed and that they are secured in place even if bunk beds are used as twin beds.
• Emphasize to children to use the ladder and not chairs or other pieces of furniture to climb into the top bunk.
• Teach children that rough play is unsafe around and on beds and other furniture.
• Consider using a night light so that children will be able to see the ladder if they get up during the night.

Maintenance or Safety Repair

• If spacing between guardrails and bed frames is more than 3 1/2 inches (89 mm), nail or screw another rail to close the space to prevent head entrapment.
• Keep guardrails in good repair and securely in place.
• Replace loose or missing ladder rungs immediately.
• Repair or replace loose or missing hardware, including cross ties immediately

Unlike standard foams that compress, Memory Foam deforms in shape under pressure and doesn’t want to spring back to its original shape straight away this is because its cells spread the air pressure from one to another which is why it is so good at reducing pressure points. In addition to this, the foam is heat sensitive and in colder temperatures, the memory foam is harder than in warmer temperatures when it becomes softer and bouncier. This temperature sensitive feeling accounts for melting feeling you acquire when lying on the foam. Different types of memory foam can have different reactions to the heat with some staying firmer until higher temperatures have reached.

Due to nearly every manufacturer producing a range of memory foam mattresses the good news is the price has fallen quite dramatically over the last few years! The bad news is there are many low quality memory foam products on the market as well so picking the right one is essential. When buying memory foam mattresses the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for, finding low cost memory foam will not mean you have found a bargain more the memory foam will be of a low density and probably layered with cheaper foam underneath. This generally means the foam will not be as comfortable and will wear out quicker.

So what should you be looking for?

We would recommend at least 3″ of memory foam to start with. This amount of memory foam will give you a good cushioning and will allow the memory foam to conform to the contours of your body and support the necessary pressure points. The density of the memory foam is also very important and I would recommend at least 5lb, anything less than this will shorten the life expectancy of the foam and you will find the lower density foam will soften and compress quickly and loose its overall shape. 5lb density memory foam should last a lot longer and hold it’s shape better while having an over more comfortable feel.

How density works?

When you buy memory foam, you will pay more for denser foam. It just costs more to make denser foam - more raw materials go into making a denser substance. However, density alone does not tell you about the feel or comfort of memory foam. In it barest terms, all density tells you is how much the foam weighs. A 5 lb. density simply means that a cube of this material, which is one foot in each dimension, would weigh 5 lbs. The memory foam feel is all in the density so I cannot stress enough the lower density you buy the less it feels like memory foam. One last thing to consider is how long foam will last. This is an important consideration, because some memory foams feel great initially, but break down quickly over time. Because memory foam can have durability issues, we would caution you to stay away from formulations that are new and have not been time tested. You will avoid many problems by sticking with memory foam that has a proven history of real world durability

If you are over 50 and looking for advice when buying single or double beds, our guide below will help you make the right decision when looking to buy beds online.

Look for combination of beds with firm core support to hold your spine in the correct alignment and plenty of top layers creating a nice, soft sleeping surface. Do not head for the nearest orthopedic single or double beds as these type of beds may be too hard for you. Older people may have more back problems, but they also have joints that are more sensitive. Choose single and double beds with high lines; they are easier to get in and out.

Firmer beds are better for the same reasons and for anyone who spends any length of time sitting up in bed. Similarly, a firm base – solid top, firm edge or one of the firmer spring edge base beds will feel safer to anyone regularly sitting or leaning on the edge of a bed.

A soft sleeping surface makes for warmer beds – it gives better insulation. Even firm single or double beds can have softly quilted surfaces; or a mattress overlay can be used. Single and double beds with adjustable neck, foot, head and leg rests are now readily available – good for anyone who has to spend a lot of time in bed or has high blood pressure or rheumatism. Foam mattresses are non-allergenic and do not need turning.

Bigger single or double beds will help avoid one partner disturbing the other – particularly relevant for older people who sleep more lightly. With a double bed, choose at least a 150cm (5ft) bed; single beds should be at least 90cm (3ft) but the larger 105cm (3ft 6ins) would be even better.

Zipped and linked double beds, two separate mattresses and bases enable you not only to meet individual requirements for support and comfort, but also to separate double beds into two singles should one partner become ill. It also makes for easier handling.

If you’d like to know what’s hot when looking to buy beds online, our guide to what’s fashionable in the world of single and double beds will help you make the right choice.

If you have decided to take the plunge and buy a bed online, make BEDMAKER your first port of call. We stock a superb selection of divan beds, great value cheap beds, superb leather beds and a range of bedroom furniture to compliment. So visit the UK’s Largest Online Beds Superstore today.