Along with the carpets, suite, curtains and kitchen appliances, our bed is one of the staple items in the house. But unlike these others, because a bed is nearly always kept covered up, it tends to get taken for granted.

While it may look perfect in its setting, very little thought is given to the wear it gets, both in the mattress and the base unit, until it starts to cause discomfort. Even then, many people continue to sleep on the problem literally rather than do something about it.

A bed can be reasonably expected to have a lifespan of between five and 10 years, and although that isnt long in terms of furniture, if it is considered just how much use it actually gets in comparison with the houses other major items, thats pretty good going.

We spend, on average, eight hours every night on it, and those eight hours are vitally important for allowing our bodies to recharge and achieve complete relaxation, so that we can be ready to face the next day. But because we are, literally, out like a light for that time, we are often not conscious of how we are tossing and turning in order to stay comfortable, and to move our bodies to the most supportive part of the mattress.

And when that is happening, its a sure sign that that bed is not giving us the support and comfort we need for proper rest. Another reason many people give for delaying the inevitable decision to change their bed is that the choice of whats available is simply too complex.

But two considerations should come before all others when deciding on the right new bed. They are the support and comfort given by the new bed and only after that, how it fits in with the bedrooms dcor.

Sleeping on either too soft or too hard a bed could mean the back not getting the support it needs, and lead to longer-term problems. So getting the firmness of the mattress just right when choosing a new bed is the starting point for making the right selection. And bearing in mind that average lifespan, a wrong choice could mean missing out on the best sleep possible.