Buying Guide for Mattresses & Beds

How to Choose the Right Mattress & Bed

A comfortable, supportive bed is essential for waking up refreshed instead of stiff and tired. The right combination of mattress and bed base keeps your spine aligned, reduces pressure points and helps you sleep more deeply. Use this guide to quickly narrow down your options, then visit our Rainham or Sittingbourne showrooms to try your favourites in person.

At-a-glance: quick steps

• Choose your mattress size to suit who will be sleeping in the bed and the space in your room.
• Pick a mattress type that matches how you like to sleep and how often the bed will be used.
• Match firmness to your body weight and sleeping position for proper support.
• Check your existing bed base so a new mattress can perform as it should.
• Decide if you need extra storage from a divan or ottoman base.

Mattress sizes and who they suit

• Single (90 x 190 cm) - Ideal for children, teenagers or smaller guest rooms.
• Small double (120 x 190 cm) - Great for one adult who wants more space, or occasional two-person use.
• Double (135 x 190 cm) - Popular all-round choice for couples in average-sized bedrooms.
• King (150 x 200 cm) and Superking (180 x 200 cm) - Best for couples who value extra room or have larger bedrooms.
• We also do Small Doubles, Super King and Specialised Sizes.

Mattress types explained

We stock a range of mattress types because no one style suits everyone.

Pocket spring mattresses

• Individual springs sit in fabric pockets so each one responds separately to your body shape and weight.
• Excellent for couples, as you are less likely to feel your partner move and there is less risk of rolling together.
• Available in different spring counts and tensions; speak to our team to find the best level of support for you.

Open coil mattresses

• Made from a series of connected springs joined by wire, so they move together rather than independently.
• A more affordable option than pocket springs, ideal for children, spare rooms or lighter adults.
• Provide good overall support but can transfer more movement, so are less suitable for restless couples.

Natural latex mattresses

• Made from latex derived from the rubber plant, offering a responsive, slightly bouncy feel that gently cradles the body.
• Naturally breathable, durable and anti-allergenic, which can be beneficial for allergy sufferers.
• Quickly recovers its shape when you move, giving consistent support all night.

Memory foam mattresses

• Viscoelastic foam that moulds closely around your body to relieve pressure and support joints.
• Particularly suitable if you like a more "hugged" feeling or have aches and pains that benefit from pressure relief.
• Available in different foam densities to create softer or firmer feels.

Pillow top mattresses

• A standard mattress with an additional comfort layer permanently attached to the top for extra plushness.
• The pillow top may contain materials such as cotton, wool, fibre, memory foam or latex to create a luxurious sleeping surface.
• Usually non-turn mattresses, so care is simple - they typically only need rotating rather than flipping.

Getting the right firmness

Choosing the correct firmness is crucial for comfort and support.

• Generally, a firmer mattress suits heavier frames, while lighter sleepers often prefer something medium or softer.
• Side sleepers usually feel best on a medium or medium-soft mattress that cushions shoulders and hips, while back or front sleepers often need a medium-firm to firm feel to keep the spine aligned.

How to test firmness in store:

• Lie in your normal sleeping position and relax for several minutes. Your body should feel supported, not perched on top or sinking in too deeply.
• Ask someone to slide a hand under the small of your back:
  • If it is very difficult, the mattress is probably too soft.
  • If the hand slides in very easily, it is likely too firm.

Spring count, materials and build quality

• A higher spring count can offer more precise support, but quality of springs and construction is just as important as numbers.
• Many of our suppliers use high-quality, durable springs designed to maintain performance over many years.
• Comfort layers can include wool, cotton, cashmere, latex and modern fibres, each adding different levels of softness and breathability.
• Premium mattresses often feature hand side-stitching around the borders, which helps maintain shape and edge support.

Choosing the right bed base

Your bed base has a big impact on how your mattress feels and performs.

• All our mattresses can be used on bedsteads with solid or slatted bases and on divan bases.
• Sprung slats or a firm platform base will make a mattress feel slightly firmer, while sprung edge bases can add extra softness.

Before buying a new mattress, check that your existing base is in good condition.

• Look for sagging, broken slats or dips; a new mattress will follow these contours and cannot give proper support if the base is uneven.

Divan bases and storage options

Divan bases offer a simple, space-efficient solution and can be paired with a headboard for a more decorative look.

• Platform top divans - Solid, padded top that gives a firmer overall feel.
• Sprung edge divans - Built-in springs in the top of the base to add a softer, more cushioned feel.

Many divans provide valuable built‑in storage:

• Choose from 1, 2 or 4 drawers, or combinations of standard and smaller "continental" drawers that can open easily next to bedside tables.
• Continental drawer layouts are ideal if you want four drawers but still need space for bedside tables at the head end.

Ottoman beds

If you need to maximise storage, an ottoman base is a smart choice.

• The mattress platform lifts from the side or foot of the bed to reveal full‑size storage across the entire base.
• Perfect for storing bedding, towels and seasonal clothes without taking up extra floor space.

Bedsteads

bedsteads can be part of a coordinated bedroom range or chosen as a statement piece to suit your décor.

• Most bedsteads use slatted bases, which can influence firmness depending on whether they are solid or sprung.
• Styles range from classic wooden frames to metal and upholstered designs, so you can create the look you want around your chosen mattress.

Guest beds

Guest beds are designed to give you flexible sleeping space when visitors stay.

• A second mattress and frame are stored underneath the main single bed and can be pulled out and raised to the same height.
• You can use them as two separate singles or push them together to create a superking-size sleeping area for occasional use.