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We spend, on average, one third of our lives in bed and a good night’s sleep is essential for a good day ahead. An uncomfortable bed, particularly one over 10 years old, is bad for your health. It won’t give you the support you need and can cause numerous aches and pains

A new bed is one of the most important purchases you will ever make, so it is worth investing time and effort in making the best choice. We are committed to giving you peace of body and of mind, day and night. A growing number of couples are buying king sized beds, because extra space generally leads to a more relaxed and refreshing sleep.

Our choosing a new bed advice gives you all the options, advice and choice available.

If you are buying a bed for you and your partner, make sure both of you try it, especially if you are different sizes and weights.

Lie on your back and slip your hand between the base of your spine and the mattress. If this is difficult, the mattress may be too soft. If it moves too easily then the mattress may be too hard. Ideally you should be able to move your hand with little resistance.

Once you have established the type of mattress you like, lie on the bed as you would normally. Remember a mattress should support all parts of your body including your hips and shoulders.

Take your time and try more than one bed in the showroom to ensure you make the right choice. This is vital as we are unable to refund or exchange mattresses that have been unwrapped or used – unless there is a manufacturers fault.

Alan Ward’s bedding range has been selected to cover every aspect of comfort, luxury, quality, style and value.

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide what kind of bed you’re looking for:

Divan Beds: Comprising a base and a mattress that give the best support and comfort. Bases will have either hard/platform tops or sprung tops. Many divans have storage options too. On standard doubles (135cm x 190 cm) and bigger, divan bases are generally split for ease of delivery. Some are split from left to right, others from top to bottom. Please ensure you have sufficient access to get the bed into your room. If necessary, your base can be split into four sections at an additional cost. We’ll be happy to help if you have any worries.

Adjustable Beds: Electrically adjustable beds are easy to operate and can be manoeuvred into any position comfortable to you. Optional massage units provide further stress relief on some models.

Headboards: The finishing touch to any divan, the headboard can compliment any style or colour in your bedroom. We offer a wide range of headboards in fabric, leather, metal and wood.

Storage Options: Drawers can provide extra and valuable space for lightweight pillows, duvets and bed linen. There are several combinations available, depending on the model.

Guest Beds: If you are short on space but want an extra bed for visitors, here’s your answer. Instead of drawers in the base of this single divan bed, there is in fact another bed. Pull it out and it can be raised to the same height as the divan.

Bedframes: Beframes are usually constructed from wood, metal or leather and fabric and are sold as a separate item. Simply add the mattress with the most suitable support for you. The dimensions of a bedframe are always greater than a divan base equivalent. However, the mattress required is generally a standard size. Most bedframes support a mattress on solid timber slats fixed to the frame. This allows air to circulate around the mattress. A mattress pad on top of the slats protects the mattress from rubbing and splinters.

Some bedframes come with a metal frame support and integrated sprung wooden slats. These give a softer feel and can prolong the life of the mattress. In most cases bedsteads require a certain amount of assembly, making delivery access easier.

Extra Tip: Ensure the performance of your chosen bedframe mattress is not affected by large gaps between the slats.

Ask for an explanation of all the beds you like.

Take off your coat and shoes to try the beds out, taking your partner if you share your bed.

Try several sleeping positions besides lying on your back and take your time, we want you to be happy with your choice.

Don't mix second-hand products with new ones. It really is false economy.

Spend as much as you can afford, it will make a difference.

Choose the biggest bed you can fit in your room.

Ask as many questions as you like. We are here to help you.

Ask about our five year quality guarantee.

Find out more about caring for your bed.

What to look for when buying a bed:

We all need quality sleep. It's essential. Sleep allows the body and mind to rest and rejuvenate. It's an interesting fact that humans can go longer without food and water than they can without sleep.

The bed you sleep on can make a big difference to the quality of sleep you get every night - and the quality of the day ahead. If your spine doesn't get the support it needs, muscle fatigue can set in, resulting in a poor night's sleep. This will almost certainly happen over time if you're using a mattress that is poor quality and offers little support. A good mattress however, will allow you to maintain the natural spinal alignment that you enjoy whilst you are standing.

So, when your body is allowed to rest in its natural position, muscles become relaxed and sleep is deeper, more refreshing and much more beneficial.

What you should be looking for is a mattress that supports your spine in its natural curve (if you sleep on your back, or a straight spine if you sleep on your side - as 70% of us do).

There are many different types of mattress. These include:
• Inner Spring
• Foam
• Flotation (Water Beds)
• Air mattresses

Click here for a guide to bed & mattress sizes

Some people insist that the firmer the mattress, the better. This is not necessarily true. A mattress that is too firm does not support the body evenly, as it tends only to support the body's heaviest parts.

On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft can sag and prevent the spine from maintaining proper alignment. It's really up to you. The best type of mattress is the one that offers you the best balance between both comfort and support. What's more, if you've decided to change your mattress, it always pays to change your old base too (you wouldn't put a brand new carpet on tired, worn out underlay, would you?)

You will notice the benefits immediately. When choosing a new bed in one of our stores take the time to try them out. Lie down on the mattress in the position that you usually sleep. Turn over from one side to the other. If you sleep with a partner, try the mattress together to make sure there is enough space for both sleepers to move around.

By trying out the mattress before you buy it, you will be better able to tell which one is the most comfortable.

Other top tips to take into account:

• Check to see if the bed comes with a manufacturers' warranty.

• Ask about the ease of assembly as even simple divan beds will come in at least two pieces, plus a mattress.

• Make sure to know the size of the doors leading into the bedroom. If buying a bed that needs to be assembled, don't assume that the separated pieces will be small enough to make it through the doorway.

• If you are buying a new mattress for an existing bedframe, make sure that it is compatible i.e. is it suitable for a slatted base etc.?

• How often will you need to turn and rotate your mattress? Can you lift it if you live on your own? If not you might want to consider a no-turn mattresses.

And remember, a new bed is a healthy investment - in yourself!

Choosing the right sofabed:

Family gatherings, parties, special occasions are all times when you can end up with more guests than you have beds for. That’s when a sofa bed comes into its own.

Alan Ward has a wide range of stylish sofa beds, either stand alone or as part of a range along side standard sofas and chairs.

These range from a single bunk bed width 75 cm (2’6”) up to king size 150 cm (5’0). So you can make the most of whatever space you have available.

To choose the right sofa bed, start by considering where you’re going to put it.

Is it for a child’s room? As children grow up, they like to personalise their own space. For teenagers, a small sofa or chair bed for their bedroom can make it more of a living space. And inviting a friend for a sleepover is hassle free.

A full sized sofa bed with arms won’t fit through every bedroom or stairway. So at Alan Ward you can buy a sofa with removable arms - much easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces. Some models have no arms at all. The largest of these opens out to nearly the same width as a standard double bed, comfortably sleeping two.

If the space you have is only big enough for a chair, chair beds open into a single bed. At the other extreme, you might consider a sofa bed equivalent to a king size bed. Make sure you have up to 230cm (7’) from the back of the sofa to open the bed out fully, although some models may be shorter.