buying a new bed...

[sodiumion]

I've never bought one for myself, the one I have at the mo was a moving in present! I thought a divan might last longer, but DH is complaining they are old fashioned?
What do you think?

Apart from that, I dont know where to start? Any tips? Does anyone love a bed (I want a king size) that they want to recommend?

Divans are a bit old fashioned, the bonus of newer style beds are extra storage, easier to clean etc. I 've never really thought about a divan lasting longer but cannot see why it would differ, its normally the mattress that gives up.
We have a king size and would NEVER in a million years go back to a double, the extra space is fabulous and you can fit the kids in for a morning cuddle(if u wanted to).
I think the most important factor is a mattress to suit your sleep style, we have a medium firm one with a fitted topper pad, it is bliss, my friend invested in a tempur mattress, which was mega bucks but is out of this world.
Dont buy a bed without a headboard as you lose your pillow(had one for a very short while) and think long term in bed style rather than fashion.
Ours is a sleigh bed style, wood and very imposing.
You need to go and check them out and lie on them, dont be embarrassed, its a big investment.
If you have a local Ikea, give them a try too as our our 1st 2 beds and DD's beds were from there(we have moved countries alot, easier to sell than take with us) they were excellent value for money and really good quality with a guarantee.
I love my bed and think you get what you pay for and sleep is so important.

I've done sooooo much bed research in the last year my head hurts!

DH wanted a divan (I said no way, too old-fashioned). We ended up getting a divan for DD with 2 underbed storage drawers. They are incredibly handy for bedding etc. and there's no hiding places or junk storage space.

We got a Warren Evans wooden bed after a few personal recommendations. They always have a sale on one style or another.
If you want a wooden bed, many places do the same ones, so shop around and negotiate with independent large furniture stores(not chains).

Definitely get a King Size - good size and easy to get bedding in the sales - more so than a superking.

Check out the MoneySavingExpert threads on beds and mattresses. There are a few about which brands to stay clear of. Department stores are somewhere that I went to try out the mattresses but never bought from as they are ££££ mark-ups. There is one poster who knows enormous anounts about spring counts, pockets, memory foam etc.

I echo coansha's comment about getting what you pay for. I was seriously shocked at the price of a bed and had a figure probably of about 1/4 of what we actually paid in mind originally!

We got a divan because we like a sprung base. Cost £2000 but we have best nights sleep on it. It's got a built in topper. Def worth having a topper but you have to get extra deep mattress protectors and fitted sheets.

I thought about a memory foam bed but wasn't willing to try it. I bought a topper from Debenhams and quite like it- have no idea what my mattress is actually like to sleep on.

Take your time and shop around.

Wish I had bought a king last time instead of a double.

We went for a divan and as the bed has a dramatic headboard it dosent look old fashioned at all. White Company as some really special headboards.
Had a Warren Evans before that and that was great too. Sold it on Ebay for a very high price for a 2nd hand so it held its value and paid us back!
Yes, you do get what you pay for as others have said here. Take your time in the showroom and lie on it every which way without feeling embrassed!