How often should you replace a mattress?

7 to 8 years for a pocket-sprung mattress used nightly by two adults. Memory foam tops give 5 to 7 before they soften past the supportive range. The Sleep Council rule of thumb: if it sags by more than 3cm under load or you wake stiffer than you went to bed, it is done.

King size or super king: which fits a standard UK bedroom?

A UK king is 150 x 200cm, a super king is 180 x 200cm. A super king needs at least 3.3m of clear wall and 70cm of walking space each side, so it is usually a 4m-plus room. King fits 2.7 to 3m rooms with bedside tables.

What size wardrobe do I need for two people?

As a rule of thumb, 100cm of hanging width per person, plus one drawer block for folded items. Two people sharing a wardrobe with full-length hangers want 240cm of wardrobe across (200cm hanging plus a 40cm drawer column).

Divan or ottoman bed for storage?

A 2-drawer divan gives roughly 240 litres of storage, split into two pull-out drawers either side. An ottoman bed lifts the whole mattress and gives 400 to 500 litres in one compartment, but needs 60cm of clearance above the bed to open. Divan wins on access frequency; ottoman wins on volume.

Memory foam or pocket sprung mattress?

Memory foam contours to one sleep position and runs warm. Better for side-sleepers who do not overheat. Pocket sprung breathes more and supports two people of different weights without dipping into the middle. Better for shared beds and back-sleepers. Hybrids (springs plus a foam top layer) split the difference.

What mattress firmness suits back pain?

NHS guidance points to medium-firm for most lower back pain, not the firm or extra-firm marketed as orthopaedic. Medium-firm (4 or 5 on a 1-to-10 scale) supports the spine natural curve without flattening it. Side-sleepers with shoulder pressure go a touch softer; back-sleepers a touch firmer.