Sleep education
BedGuide
Clear guides to beds and mattresses — sizes, types and how things work. Written in simple words. We do not sell beds.
What brings you here today?
Pick a goal and open a short guided path — no account, no sales.
- I need to choose a mattress
- I need a bed frame or storage base
- I need to put a bed together
- I need sizes or fitted sheets right
- My bed feels too soft or too firm
- I need a guest bed or sofa bed
- I sleep too hot
- I want a cleaner, mite-aware bed
- I need a bed size for a child
- I want to understand warranties and certifications
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Educational guides
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Guided learning paths
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Affiliate links
UK
Sizes in centimetres
Learn by topic
Pick a subject — like choosing a room — then open the simple guides inside.
What beds look like in a room
Bedroom scenes for common UK bed types — so you can picture shape, fabric and space before the how-it-works guides.
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Divan beds The classic UK upholstered base — often with drawers. -
Ottoman storage beds The whole top lifts for a big storage space. -
Chesterfield & buttoned Deep buttons and tufted faces — a furniture look. -
Sleigh beds Curved head and foot — measure the extra length. -
Fabrics & colours Velvet, chenille and linen-look in real rooms. -
Bedding layers Duvets, pillows and sheets finish the sleep system.
Confused? Start here
Simple guides for the questions people ask when they feel stuck — with no sales pitch.
- 01 How to choose a mattress Type → support → feel → size → base
- 02 Spring tension vs soft/medium/firm The number-one firmness confusion
- 03 How to choose a bed base Divan, ottoman, slats or adjustable
- 04 Fabrics and colour names Velvet, chenille, linen-look explained
- 05 How to choose a duvet TOG, fill and size
- 06 Kids mattresses Cot bed to Single sizes
- 07 What’s inside a mattress Cover, comfort layers and support core
- 08 How to choose a sofa bed Mechanism, space and guest comfort
- 09 How to assemble a bed Join bases, headboards, ottomans and frames
Compare types side by side
Evergreen guides such as pocket sprung vs memory foam and divan vs ottoman — how they work, not brand rankings.
People also ask
Quick answers
Short answers to common bed and mattress questions — each opens a full simple guide.
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sizing
What size mattress do I need?
Pick mattress size from how many people sleep there, how tall they are, and how much floor space you have. A UK Single is 90 × 190 cm for one person. Couples usually need at least a Double (135 × 190 cm). King (150 × 200 cm) or Super King (180 × 200 cm) gives more width. Leave about 10–15 cm of mattress length beyond the tallest person’s height.
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mattresses
How do I choose a mattress?
Pick a build type first (pocket, hybrid, foam, latex or open coil), then match spring tension or foam support to body mass, then tune surface feel to sleep position. Confirm UK size in centimetres and check the base meets the mattress warranty. Soft/medium/firm labels are not standardised.
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mattresses
What should I know before I buy a mattress?
Lock UK size in centimetres, confirm base and doorway access, then choose build type and support for your body weight before soft/medium/firm labels. Read trial and warranty small print and plan old-mattress disposal before delivery day.
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care
How long does a mattress last?
Lifespan depends on core material: many foams last about 6–8 years, pocket sprung and hybrids often 7–10, and latex cores commonly 8–12 under normal use. Sag, broken support, or persistent discomfort with an aged mattress are replacement signals.
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mattresses
Is pocket sprung better than memory foam?
Neither is always better. Pocket sprung uses in fabric pockets coils for responsive support and airflow paths; memory foam contours slowly with heat-sensitive memory foam. Choose by mechanism — bounce and ventilation versus deep moulding to shape — or consider a hybrid that combines both.
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mattresses
What is the difference between spring tension and mattress firmness?
Spring tension is how hard the support unit resists compression and should suit body weight. Comfort firmness is the softness of layers above the springs. A mattress can have firm springs and a soft surface. Confusing the two is a common reason new beds feel wrong.