Advancements in the Bedding Industry:

You might be surprised to discover just what's changed since you last shopped around. Here's just a few of the key developments and improvements:

The old adage that the harder the bed, the better, has been replaced by the view that it is the correct support (according to an individual's weight and build), coupled with comfort, that's best.
The idea is to keep your spine in correct alignment, while the bed moulds itself to your natural body contours. How much surface softness to have is then a matter of personal preference.

Along with the perception that it's OK to luxuriate a little, the pocket spring bed market has mushroomed, with far more choice - and far lower prices!

Pocket spring beds tend to feel softer, as they are packed with more upholstery and also feature smaller, lighter springs than a conventional mattress, but far more of them are packed tightly together to give good individual support.

With this growth, you can now get pocket spring beds for around half the price of the cheapest option 10 years ago!

Further developments in mattress technology have meant that we can enjoy a bed that is as soft or as hard as we want. It is now possible to buy a mattress that is adjusted to suit both partners, even if their needs and preferences differ: softer on one side and firmer on the other.

Other mattresses offer progressive support designed to respond to suit those differing needs equally efficiently.

Beds have got fashionable as well as functional.
Bedsteads are back with a vengeance with every style imaginable from classic to country to contemporary in both metal and wood, brass and multi-coloured finishes.

The choice of mattresses to go with bedsteads has also grown, with a far greater choice of support and comfort than ever before - including pocket spring mattresses, designed specifically for use with a slatted bedstead base. In some cases there's even a choice of bed base in bedsteads, too.

Adjustable beds
Once the territory of leaflets in the post office and classified ads in the papers, all geared to the elderly and infirm - adjustable beds are now firmly established as the ultimate luxury bed option for the upwardly mobile.

Bigger beds are better - and it's now much easier to get bigger beds than it used to be. The standard 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in (135 x 190cm since we went metric a couple of years ago) may still be the most popular size, but these days over a quarter of us opt for bigger beds and it's now quite common to see 5ft or even 6ft beds on display in the shops.

Manufacturers usually now make divan bases in two completely separate halves so larger beds pose few delivery problems. Also more readily available are zip and link options - essentially two single beds which can be joined - or separated - by zip and link mechanisms and offered in different firmness levels. Different specifications are even available in the same mattress.

Modern, more affluent lifestyles demand increasing flexibility in the home and elastic walls for all our possessions: yet new houses don't seem to get any bigger!

Fortunately manufacturers have become ever more ingenious at transforming beds into space-saving, multi-functional performers - without compromising on sleep comfort! Storage drawers can be located even in fully sprung bases, whereas once they were only a feature of a solid, platform top option.

Extra beds pop up from under single and double beds; as well as out of sofas, chairs and stools. There are even adult bunk beds ideal for the dual purpose study-cum-spare room

With increasing awareness of health matters (such as the effect on asthma sufferers of dust mites who thrive on the warm moist environment of a bed and eat off our discarded skin scales!) more information is now readily available about the materials used in each bed - so consumers can make an informed choice between, for example, natural or man made options.

Today, there is a huge choice of beds on the market - but the good news is, despite prices ranging from under €100 to over €10,000 for a basic, double divan, beds have never been such good value. Strong competition keeps profit margins down , choice and quality up.

Some Tips on how to get a good night’s sleep:

• Keep regular hours. Going to bed and getting up at roughly the same time, all the time, will programme your body to sleep better.
  
• Create a restful sleeping environment. Your bedroom should be kept for rest and sleep and it should be neither too hot, nor too cold; and as quiet and dark as possible.
  
• Make sure your bed is comfortable. It's difficult to get deep, restful sleep on one that's too soft, too hard, too small or too old.
  
• Take more exercise. Regular, moderate exercise such as swimming or walking can help relieve the day's stresses and strains. But not too close too bedtime or it may keep you awake!
  
• Cut down on stimulants such as caffeine in tea or coffee - especially in the evening. They interfere with falling asleep and prevent deep sleep. Have a hot milky drink or herbal tea instead.
  
• Don't over-indulge. Too much food or alcohol, especially late at night, just before bedtime, can play havoc with sleep patterns.
• Alcohol may help you fall asleep initially, but will interrupt your sleep later on in the night.
  
• Don't smoke. Yes, it's bad for sleep, too: smokers take longer to fall asleep, wake more often and often experience more sleep disruption.
  
• Try to relax before going to bed.. Have a warm bath, listen to some quiet music, do some yoga - all help to relax both the mind and body. Your doctor may be able to recommend a helpful relaxation tape, too.
  
• Deal with worries or a heavy workload by making lists of things to be tackled the next day.
  
• If you can't sleep, don't lie there worrying about it. Get up and do something you find relaxing until you feel sleepy again - then go back to bed.

Tips on how to look after your Bed:

• Proper care will keep your bed 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 the mattress (and pillows) from stains. Barrier fabrics for allergy sufferers are also available.
  
• In the mornings, throw back the bed clothes and leave the bed to air for 20 minutes to allow body moisture to evaporate.
  Turning your mattress over from side and 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.
  
• Don’t make a habit of sitting on the edge of the bed and don’t let the kids bounce on it.
  
• Don’t roll up or squash a mattress to store or transport it - this can cause permanent damage.
  
• Handles are designed to help you position a mattress on its base - do not use them to support the full weight of the mattress - they may pull out and damage the fabric.
  
• Don’t 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 a mattress or base.
  
• 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 comfort and reduce the useful life of the mattress - as well as affecting any guarantees or warranties.
  
• Out with the Old: Once you’ve bough yourself a new bed, make arrangements to have the old one disposed of (many retailers will do this for you). Don’t give it to the children, relatives, guests or neighbours. If it wasn’t good enough for you, it’s not good enough for anyone else, either. In fact, it’s a veritable health hazard - get rid of it.