The spring mattress is by far the most common type of mattress in use. The core of the mattress is made up of metal springs, or coils, to support your body. In many spring mattresses, the coils are encased in individual pockets, which offer more contoured support and better movement isolation than connected springs. A comfort layer is added on top of the coils and can be made from a variety of materials, including pillow padding and latex. Spring mattresses range in firmness of the coils and plushness of the comfort layer, so nearly anyone can find a mattress that feels right. They are also extremely affordable, particularly compared to memory foam mattresses. Whether you are in the market for a new pocket-coil mattress or one with continuous springs, here are some key factors to keep in mind to help you choose the best mattress for getting a good night’s sleep. Coil gauge refers to the thickness and firmness of the coils. Many people mistakenly believe that the total number of coils defines a good mattress, but the gauge of the metal the coils are made from is more important.
That’s because coil gauge determines the firmness and overall support of a spring mattress. Coil gauge is measured in quarter increments and the lower the number, the thicker the gauge. Furthermore, the thicker the gauge, the firmer a mattress will be. In addition to coil gauge, you should consider the type of materials used for the upholstered top layer of a spring mattress. While the coils provide support, this comfort layer augments the feel of the mattress, providing further comfort and cushioning. Look for high-quality materials that conform to your body and are layered for extra comfort. The best mattresses are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from twin to California king. Most people change positions frequently in their sleep. Thus, opt for a spring mattress that is big enough for you to move freely for a peaceful and uninterrupted night of sleep. Warranties on spring mattresses cover manufacturing defects, such as a coil popping out of the mattress. Any mattress you are considering should come with a multi-year warranty that protects against such defects.
Purchasing a mattress can be a significant investment, and considering how much time you spend sleeping on it, your mattress should be guaranteed to last for years to come. Since comfort preferences and budget tend to determine the type of mattress you sleep on, no one type of mattress is superior to others. However, a spring mattress can be a smart choice if you’re seeking an affordable mattress that provides your desired level of firmness. Once you find the perfect mattress, you’ll enjoy endless nights of peaceful slumber.Too many sofa beds fall short of being useful as either a sofa or a bed. With firm cushions, bad support, thin mattresses and clunky mechanisms, they’re usually not met with great enthusiasm by house guests. Thankfully, there’s a whole new breed of bed designs that solve the problem, with those at the top of the range being so comfortable they’re good for use every day. As always with large furniture pieces, think about size, access to your home, and guarantees that indicate sturdiness and good craftsmanship.
1. Willow and Hall Appley 2-seater Sofa Bed: from £554, Willow and Hall This small but comfortable bed from Willow and Hall folds out easily by pulling the wheeled base. Good for spare rooms and studies, the two-seater version is 122cm wide, and the armless design means it’s good for getting through small doorways. The frame is steel, and the cushions are foam and fibre. It’s available in 90 different fabrics and leathers, and is handmade and delivered in four and five weeks. 2. Sofa Workshop Jude Corner Sofa Bed: from £1,994, Sofa Workshop More of a sofa with an added bonus, the Jude sofa bed hasn’t compromised on comfort in order to discreetly include a pull-out double bed within its design. Made by hand in Britain, the sofa bed has a 15-year guarantee, a hardwood frame, foam seat cushions with fibre-filled back cushions and a deluxe double mattress that will give your guest a good night’s sleep. 3. John Lewis Clapton Sofa Bed: £349, John Lewis Great for small budgets and spaces, the petite Clapton sofa bed simply folds flat to go from day to night, rather than involving a bulky pull-out mechanism.
The hardwood frame is guaranteed for 10 years – a good investment for a small price. Best for occasional use, the bed is a compact 182cm x 109cm when flat, and may need a mattress topper for added comfort. 4. Habitat Honovi Sofa: £1,700, Habitat If you’re dead set on impressing guests, the Italian-made Honovi sofa from Habitat is a three-seater that converts to the equivalent of a kingsize bed, with a luxurious 14cm-deep sprung foam mattress. Foam is used for the deep seats cushions, and feather-filled for the back. The covering fabric is removable (dry clean only), making it practical too. Delivery takes eight to 10 weeks. 5. Loaf Pavilion Medium Sofa Bed: £1,445, Loaf The slouchy design of Loaf’s beds and sofas put comfort first, with deep seats and feather-filled back cushions across the range. The Pavilion sofa bed is no exception. Proving comfortable as both bed and sofa, it has a 12cm deep folding mattress and a mechanism that’s easy to use. The sofa comes with a 10-year guarantee.
There’s a medium, large and love seat/single bed combination available too. 6. Made Jefferson Sofa Bed: £999, Made The ingenious folding mechanism makes Made’s Jefferson sofa bed stand out. The whole piece glides smoothly from sofa to bed in one action, with the back cushions stowing under the legs. With a 14cm-deep mattress it’s comfortable enough to be used every day – great for studio flats or small bedrooms. The polyester fabric comes in grey and dark red versions. 7. Esme Sofa Bed: £970, Living It Up Esme is a smart-looking sofa bed with extra care given for your guest’s sleep. There’s a 13cm-deep pocket sprung mattress with layers of cotton, fibre and insulator pads. The sofa bed also locks into place at six points, giving good support. The small two-seater version folds out to a bed of 85cm x 186cm. The sofa has loose back pillows making it better suited to occasional rather than constant use. 8. Next Brompton Occasional Sofa Bed: £950, Next
Next’s Brompton bed has a design to suit traditional interiors, with scrolled arms and a high back that look great in tweed and checked fabrics. It comfortably sleeps two with a fold-out size of 194cm x 98cm, and has a standard pull-out mechanism. There’s great scope to design a sofa to suit your needs, with a choice of three feet colours and 91 fabrics. Delivery takes six weeks. 9. Aissa Two Seat Sofa Bed: from £1,410, Sofa This charming sofa bed looks small but packs a lot of space. Thin arms allow it to deliver a generous area for seating and a surprising mattress size of 193cm x 153cm. Comfort is key: the seat and back cushions have feather in the fillings, and the mattress is 12cm deep. There’s a choice of 100 fabrics and the frame has a lifetime guarantee. 10. Backabro Sofa Bed with Chaise Longue: £725, Ikea Ikea’s solution for combining corner sofa and bed is neat and practical – including hidden storage space under the chaise longue section for pillows and blankets.