I've decided to treat myself to a new one and just don't know where to start.

At the moment my mattress is on wooden slats directly on the floor. I don't like my bed frame and was looking to get a new one., problem is the one I'd like I can't justify paying out for..
I'm in a dilemma in the sense do I stick to the sizing I have now with all the bedding etc which fits or change?

I currently have a super king size bed in the European size (Habitat and Ikea), do I stick with this or change to a UK super king size and have to change all the sheets etc?

Also what do people think about the memory foam mattresses? I've heard that they make you really hot at night, I don't need anything else over heating me..

Have got a memory foam mattress topper and on the strength of that I wouldn't get a MF mattress 'cos it does make me hot. It must be a problem for others as the shops are now selling 'super cool bedding/mattress protectors'.

When I looked at mattresses recently the memory foam type seemed to be in the majority so choice of the others is more limited now.

It can work out quite pricey to replace bedding but I got a great superking duvet cover from Tesco Direct and prefer it to the one that cost me double in Debenhams.

> Have got a memory foam mattress topper and on the strength of that I wouldn't get a MF mattress 'cos it does make me hot.

Well thats me made a decision not to get one then.. Prob save me a heap of money too as they are more expensive.. Right now decisions on size really.. All my bedding, or near it, is from Habitat and I LOVE their stuff...
A trip to Ikea seems to be the way to go to start with me thinks and then maybe Habitat - But I think the one in Bluewater may see me very soon for that then - Can't be doing with going to Brighton..

I think a bed is such an important purchase and I'd always buy the best I could afford at the time - even if it meant a smaller bed. Bed linen from places like Dunelm is so inexpensive that I'd not worry about that - but I would a mattress. Took us ages to decide on our current mattress/divan but I don't think it's something I could ever pick on a first trip - try loads !.

> I think a bed is such an important purchase and I'd always buy the best I could afford at the time - even if it meant a smaller bed

Agree - as the saying goes - "With shoes and mattresses, always buy the best that you can afford. If you're not in one, you're in the other" :) :)

Daisy

I get my bed linen from the duvet and pillow company excellent price and good quality. Mainly cotton bedding  in cream or white which I love I also have a superking bed so price can be a big issue. 
I tried a memory fom pillow and wouldnt bother again my sister however who owns the pillow and a mattress loves it.
I love a really soft mattress anyway

>I love a really soft mattress anyway

Ah, now I much prefer a firm one; a mattress that I sink into gives me terrible backache.

I bought a very good 7 layer wool and cotton futon mattress and handmade base which must be nearly 10 years old now--the mattress is as firm as ever, none of the horrible valleys you get with ordinary spring mattresses that you can't climb out of. Depends whether you like a very firm mattress--I love it and so do the dogs :)

I think the European mattresses are longer as well as wider, so I'd stick with them.

I've heard nothing good about MF, most people I know regret spending the money...

Good luck with finding what you want, take your time and get whatever is best for you (e.g. avoid any hard sell).

> I've heard nothing good about MF, most people I know regret spending the money...

I'll rectify that for you, I love my memory foam topper  :-)

Thanks for the information.
I currently have a very hard mattress and even though they are good for your back I find that i'm not sleeping well and its not actually that comfy. The last time I stayed at my friends she had a very cheap soft mattress from Argos, it was the best nights sleep i'd had in ages..
So going to look at something a lot softer.. Just wondered apart from Ikea and Habitat if my options are somewhat limited in these bed shops for sizing as i'm going to keep to the European ones.

I've always understood that if you lie on your back and can't slide your hand under the small of your back then it's better for your back. If you can slide your hand easily then it's too hard Ours is very firm but gives plenty of support. If it's too soft then it gives no support at all and won't be comfortable for very long.

We've had our new memory foam mattress for a couple of months. It is so comfortable and as really helped my OH as he has terrible back problems but it is much warmer than our old mattress. However I'm happy to kick the covers off a bit or open the window because it is so comfy!

We bought a memory foam mattress 2 years ago now we have had it changed 3 times as it keeps dipping in the middle ( we bought it cause it said no roll together ha total lie) and our 3rd one is going that way now too i really really regret spending the money on it tbh i haven't had a good night sleep since we got it and the oh complains every morning about his back (he never complained before having this mattress)

I suffer with a bad lower back and bought a memory foam mattress. It was the worst nights sleep I ever had. My back was a thousand times worse the next day. Also I got really hot which I hate. Went back to a normal one. I would certainly buy the very best you can afford but I myself wouldn't have a MF again if you paid me.

Dont forget if you have a 6ft bed you can buy different mattresses for each side I have mine soft oh has firm and as the zip together nothing moves. Also with separate mattresses you solve the rolling into the middle bit
(unless you want to LOL)

I have a king sized memory foam mattress. Its the best bed i have ever slept in, i do get hot in the summer but have not noticed being any hotter with having this mattress. I absolutely love it and look forward to my bed every evening!
I was also getting back ache on normal mattresses previously but that has gone since i got this bed.

I think one of the problems with memory foam mattresses is that there are so many cheap ones on the market that simply don't have the required depth of MF topping, or are manufactured from an inferior grade of MF. Added to that is the quality/structure of the mattress base.

My Rhumatologist suggested I might find one beneficial, but warned me not to consider anything with less than 9cm of MF, and also to ensure that the rest of the mattress was of excellent quality. In the end we took the advice of the Salesman and I have to say it has probably been one of the best purchases we ever made. I am sure we paid about £1000, but I would pay it again with no hesitation whatsoever.

You see i paid £900 for mine and i still wouldn't do it again i hate it with a passion i just can't afford too go and buy another one just yet!

I'm going to visit some mattress shops too, but from looking online they don't seem to advertise the European sizes which proves a bit of a problem. I don't want to limit myself to just 2 high street shops for one.. As for Habitat they don't have all their mattresses out to try out, where as Ikea do and i'm not sure really how good quality they are, the one I have now is from there and i'm not happy with it..

Ive got a memory foam and I would never sleep on anything else. We are moving home again (after a rebuild) IM ditching my old bed but buying a new wooden bed and keeping my memory foam. I would recommend one. Ours was about £900 and its lovely..

Not much help I know but I havent seen anywhere else but the two shows you mention that sell european sizing which is why I didnt go that route.
It might sound daft but the kind  of places I would ring are harrods or john lewis as they tend to have more  unsual products alongside the usual.

> harrods or john lewis

Nope just checked online, though Harrods are selling Hungarian Goose Feather 4.5tog duvets ranging from £200-£400
Also had a look at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, but no luck there either.
Ho Hum.....

Maybe i'd be better off looking an UK mattresses then..

before you make a decison c what you think of the bedlinen prices here if you have to go the whole way and get standard uk sies.
I must admit I think that is the weigh I would go if you can afford it. Could you do it a bit at a time or will nothing fit together ?

http://www.duvetandpillowwarehouse.co.uk/default.htm The products are cotton which at least helps on the heat side of things.

I think really its fitted sheets that I will need new ones of. As it is the SuperKing size covers from Habitat actally fit a normal UK superking duvet..
But will need a new bed frame though as don't want mattress directly on floor, bed slats are a min.. Thing is I really want a black wood 4 poster bed.. I have all the voiles for it too...

just looked at my last post sorry folks it looks like a never went to school let alone teach children now !

brain faster than fingers I really am literate lol

I have a MF bed (£900) and love it.. cant say ive noticed being any hotter than usual in it.  Super linen fron Dawsons. Quality and designer but at much reduced prices. Super quality. www.justlinen.co.uk