A Good Night's Sleep

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By Katherine Sorrell

A good night’s sleep

Create the perfect restful retreat by combining a great bed with the ideal mattress and sumptuous, stylish linens.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth investing in the different elements that will help ensure the best possible night’s sleep – from a good-looking bed frame to lovely, layered bedlinen, a well-chosen mattress and a set of quality pillows.

Choosing a bed

The most popular choice of bed base is a simple divan frame, which usually sit on castors, but are sometimes elevated on legs. Look for examples with useful side drawers, or ‘ottoman’ divans in which the entire mattress can be lifted up to access storage beneath. The alternative is a bedstead, generally made from wood or metal (though rattan elements are fashionable these days), which may be modern and minimal, but are more often traditional in appearance, such as a four-poster, a ‘sleigh’ bed or Victorian-style cast iron. The choice is largely aesthetic, but do bear in mind that not all mattresses and bases are compatible with each other. Size matters when it comes to beds. Disturbance from a partner (or children) is one of the most common causes of sleeping complaints, so buy as big a bed as you can afford and that will fit comfortably into the room – remembering to leave enough space around it. You will need to allow about 450mm at the foot and sides of a bed in order to be able to make it comfortably, and at least 700mm of floor space between the side of a bed and the wardrobe, if this is where you are going to dress.

All about mattresses

If you prefer a sprung mattress, the best are ‘pocket’ sprung, in which a large number of small springs work independently from each other, adjusting to the body and eliminating ‘roll-together’. Look for springs encased in calico pockets, hand nested in a honeycomb pattern and centre tied with linen cord. Other signs of a high standard are quality ticking (the mattress’s fabric cover), hand side stitching, which keeps the mattress in good condition for longer, and sturdy handles to enable easy turning. Fillings include cotton, wool, coir, foam and horsehair, with added mohair, cashmere and silk at the luxury end of the market. Tufted construction is considered better than quilting, as it prevents loose fillings from

being dislodged. And, if you and your partner prefer different mattresses, or are very different in weight, zip and link mattresses – two singles that can be attached together – could be the answer. The relatively new market in non-sprung mattresses includes latex, foam or gel mattresses that can be delivered straight to your door and are often inexpensive. Warmer than sprung mattresses, they mould to the sleeper’s shape and are said to be good for sufferers of allergies and joint pain. Perhaps the ultimate solution is a combination mattress, which offers the support and comfort of springs with a non-sprung top layer. Consider, too, adding a mattress topper, which will add another layer of comfort and should help extend the life of your mattress.

Comfortable pillows

If you want to wake up feeling refreshed, you’ll need to choose the right pillow. Down, feather, wool, latex, memory foam, synthetic down and hybrid are all options – as are cooling pillows, antisnoring pillows, sleep apnoea pillows, pregnancy pillows and adjustable pillows. There’s no simple recommendation; it’s a case of personal preference, provided your pillow supports your neck and keeps your spine aligned in a neutral position. Experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years. Why? Because over time they start to lose their support – and become less and less hygienic. Using a good quality pillow protector may help with longevity, and you should launder pillows regularly, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Gorgeous bedlinens

Quality bed linen feels comfortable next to the skin, and will also wash well and last for years. What type should it be? Pure linen has excellent breathability, a cool, crisp touch and gets softer as it gets older – but does require ironing. Silk is also highly breathable, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer – it’s even said to reduce wrinkles and keep your hair glossy. It needs gentle handling but can go in the washing machine. Cotton, though, is by far the most popular choice, of which pure Egyptian cotton is generally considered the finest. Look for a thread count of more than 200, and up to 600 for real luxury. And finally there’s easy-care, a 50:50 mix of cotton and polyester, which has obvious advantages. A set of white bed linen is a classic choice and complements any and every scheme. Even pure white, however, need not be completely plain, as all but the most basic duvet covers and pillows offer interesting design details, from pin tucks, cording and scalloped edging to hemstitch, embroidery and lace. Add an eye-catching bed cover, perhaps also a throw and some bed cushions, selecting luscious textures and interesting trims, and you have a gorgeous layered style with a comfortable feel and eternally appealing look.

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1 Combining sustainably sourced wood and natural rattan, this French-style bed features cabriole legs and hard-carved motifs. Montgomery rattan bed, £2,650, The French Bedroom Company: 01444 415 430; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk. 2 Grand yet lightweight and modern, this slender canopy bed makes a statement without seeming overbearing.

Luna Canopy king-size bed, £1,195, Cox & Cox: 0330 333 2123; coxandcox.co.uk. 3 This sumptuous upholstered bed features a large hidden storage compartment. Roman ottoman bed frame, £1,399, Furniture Village: 0800 804 8879; furniturevillage. co.uk.