How to create the ultimate bed

The right bed will transform your sleep and make every day feel like a holiday, writes Katie Newton.

The mattress

The right mattress is the foundation for your dream bed. ‘‘When you sleep on it for 365 days a year, eight hours a day, it’s worth spending money on,’’ says Mark Elliot, manager of Bed World.

He compares beds to cars. ‘‘You might lose two grand a year on the value of your car, so why wouldn’t you spend that every eight to 10 years on replacing your mattress?’’

The most common complaints he hears in-store are partner disturbance and back problems. People might think they need a firm bed to fix this, but the level of support is actually similar in each of his beds with the cushioning on top making the difference. ‘‘People come in wanting a firm bed but end up walking out with a plush one,’’ he says. ‘‘With a quality bed, soft is still supportive.’’

Pocket spring mattresses are his biggest seller, but Elliot says natural latex mattresses, made from the sap of the rubber tree,are becoming more popular. ‘‘Latex is really underestimated. It lasts a long time and it’s a natural product. I’ve sold latex beds to friends and they’ve been very impressed.’’

Another option is polyurethane memory foam, which has chemical additives to increase its viscosity, density and fire resistance. ‘‘Memory foam is a different feel,’’ he says. ‘‘It’s a sink-in feeling. Latex has