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Single, double, four-poster or king size, whatever you desire, choosing your bed is as important as choosing the right car. After all, we spend nearly half our lives sleeping, so finding the right one should be an essential part of home decorating. But first things first. What should you look for when buying a bed? According to experts in the business, the base and the mattress are the key ingredients. If you take time out to invest in a quality base and mattress you will find a long-term solution to achieving a comfy and refreshing night’s sleep. It’s doesn’t matter if the mattress and base aren’t visible. You can drape your bed with the finest of silks and cottons, but if the two main components are not well made, then you will inevitably suffer! Look for quality and seek advice from the shop attendants. Avoid offers or quick purchases. If you buy the right base and mattress your bed can last up to ten years.
Some experts advise also looking at your body shape when buying the perfect bed. Apparently the contours of your bed should support the contours of your body. You might consider looking at your waist, body shape and height, and fitting your base and mattress to the same specifications. El Corte Ingles have a base called Tempur that actually moulds to the shape of your body, while Duxiana say that they look at your body type before suggesting the ideal purchase. They also suggest that couples should invest in two separate mattresses and fit them together rather than go for a double mattress. No two bodies are the same, so you should take into account each other’s separate needs. In fact most of El Corte Ingles beds offer these designs: a double frame with two separate adjustable bases and mattresses inside. Look out for makes such as Pardo, Robustaflex, Dorwin and Lattoflex for a complete range.
Next up are the springs. According to experts there are three major distinctions: hourglass, uniform diameter and pocket springs, and they vary in terms of quality and design. The hourglass is the lowest grade and its design means you get fewer springs per square metre, thus less body contour and comfort than from one of the higher quality designs. The middle range uniform diameter gives better support, but is reported to be less comfortable and may be subject to natural ticking. But the top range pocket springs are the ones to look for. Each spring is placed in a socket and works individually thus providing comfort and durability. The best way to sample the difference in springs is to test them and feel the difference between the three. The pocket springs should provide a noticeable comfort and luxury you won’t find with the other two spring varieties.
Another factor to take into account is the firmness of the mattress and base. Most people will tell you the firmer the better, but this is not necessarily true. A bed should be firm, but not so hard that you fail to find comfort. The Swedes are well known for their sturdy and comfortable mattresses and bases. Hastens for example have a fine range of well-built models. Their bases alone start with a pocket spring system, covered by a layer of flax to avoid static electricity. They then add another layer of pocket springs, which is covered in cotton and topped with horsehair and another generous layer of thick cotton. | 
