We spend about one-third of our entire lives in bed. If you live to be eighty, that is nearly twenty-seven years spent horizontal, tucked under covers, counting sheep. Yet, despite being the most-used piece of furniture in our homes, the bed is often the most overlooked. We update our smartphones every two years and our cars every five, but somehow we expect a mattress to provide elite support for a decade or more.
This is where National Bed Month comes in. National Bed Month is a dedicated awareness campaign designed to remind us that the foundation of our health, productivity, and happiness starts with what we sleep on. Let's take a deep dive into the history of the campaign, explore what it is and when it is, and share ideas for improving your bed setup this year.
What is National Bed Month?
Before we can discuss anything, it would be a good idea to understand what exactly National Bed Month is. At its core, it is an awareness campaign organised by The Sleep Council and the National Bed Federation (NBF) in the UK in 1990. The idea behind the campaign is pretty simple: to educate everyone on the important link between a high-quality bed and overall physical and mental well-being.
The campaign was born out of a realisation that the British public was notoriously nonchalant about poor sleep. For decades, people would put up with lumpy mattresses, squeaky frames, and morning backaches, seeing them as inevitable parts of getting old or of a busy life.
The National Bed Federation identified that while people were investing heavily in gym memberships and organic diets, they were ignoring the eight hours of recovery time that actually make those healthy habits effective.
How National Bed Month became what it is today
Over the years, National Bed Month evolved from a small industry initiative into a nationwide campaign. It became a time when retailers, health experts, and sleep scientists joined forces to share data on how sleep deprivation affects everything from heart health to cognitive function.
Today, it serves as a time for people to focus on their sleep habits and everything surrounding them. It encourages homeowners to critically assess their mattresses, evaluate their bedroom environment, and realise that a bed is not just a place to crash at the end of the day, but also an important factor in overall health and recovery.
When is National Bed Month?
Now that you know what it is, your next question is probably: “When is National Bed Month?” The short answer is that the campaign runs throughout March each year.
March was chosen because it aligns perfectly with the arrival of Spring, which is a season traditionally associated with renewal, fresh starts, and, of course, spring cleaning. As we emerge from the long, dark winter months, our bodies naturally begin to crave a reset.
By making March the National Bed Month, the NBF tap into our natural desire to declutter our lives and improve our health. It also lines up quite nicely with the clock change, or daylight savings, in the UK. So, a campaign focusing on the importance of sleep helps people adjust their sleep cycles to the change in daylight hours.
The science of sleep and why a good bed and mattress combo is vital
To truly appreciate National Bed Month, we must look at the science of what happens when we close our eyes. Sleep is not a passive state of nothingness. It is actually quite an incredibly active period for your brain. While you sleep, your body performs essential maintenance, so even though you think you are relaxing, it is still working.
The physical restoration
During deep sleep, your body releases growth hormone (GH) that repairs tissues and builds bone and muscle. It is also the time when your immune system produces cytokines, which are proteins that help you fight off infections and stress.
If your bed is uncomfortable, you toss and turn, which frequently pulls you out of these deep sleep stages. In other words, a mattress that is past its prime can actually prevent your body from healing itself.
The mental reset
While you sleep, your brain’s glymphatic system (the brain's waste removal system) goes into overdrive, essentially washing away the metabolic waste that builds up during your waking hours.
This is very important for memory storage and emotional regulation. It explains why, after a night on a poor-quality bed, you feel a bit foggy and can be rather irritable. National Bed Month reminds us that the right bed and mattress combo can help you think more clearly, work harder the next day, and stay emotionally balanced.
How to choose your next mattress
Since the goal of National Bed Month is to improve your sleep, you need to know what to look for when browsing beds and mattresses online this year. The technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and understanding what makes a good bed is key. Here are some things to look out for when upgrading your sleep setup.
Pocket-sprung mattresses
The gold standard for many, pocket sprung mattresses feature individual springs encased in their own fabric pockets. Unlike older open-coil systems, in which the springs are wired together (meaning that when one moves, they all move), pocket springs work independently.
This provides tailored support to your body’s shape and significantly reduces the impact that you feel from movement. Pocket springs are even more essential if you share a bed with a partner or a pet who moves around at night.
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are made of an elastic material that reacts to your body heat and pressure. It moulds to your shape, providing incredible pressure relief for your joints. If you struggle with hip or shoulder pain, a memory foam mattress can be a life-changer and is worth looking into.
During National Bed Month, we often see a surge in interest in memory foam because it provides the weightless feel modern sleepers crave.
Hybrid solutions
Can’t decide between springs and foam? A hybrid mattress offers the best of both worlds. You get the sturdy, traditional support of a pocket-sprung base with a luxurious top layer of memory foamfor comfort. It is a great all-rounder for those who want a premium sleep experience, but can’t decide between the two options we discussed.
Matching the bed frame to your new mattress
While the mattress is undoubtedly the star of the show when it comes to comfort, the bed frame is the unsung hero, providing the foundation of the entire sleep system. A world-class mattress placed on a sagging or broken frame will never perform to its full potential. Think of it as putting a high-performance sports car engine into a rusted chassis.
How bed frames help with mattress longevity
The frame provides the structural integrity and essential airflow needed to keep your mattress in peak condition throughout its lifespan. Without a solid base, even the most expensive pocket-sprung mattress will begin to follow the contours of a failing frame.
Over time, this may create dips and hollows that permanently damage the internal springs. A high-quality frame promotes even weight distribution, allowing the mattress technology to perform as intended.
The single bed frame
The standard single bed is the classic choice for children’s rooms, guest rooms, or smaller studio apartments. While it is compact, it shouldn't be dismissed as basic. A high-quality single mattress can provide the same level of orthopaedic support as our larger models.
It’s often recommended to use singles in multifunctional rooms where you need to maximise floor space for a desk or wardrobe without sacrificing a good night's sleep for a single guest.
The small double frame
The small double is one of the fastest-growing choices for modern UK homes. It is the ideal solution for teenagers who have outgrown their childhood beds, or for cosy primary bedrooms where a full double would feel overwhelming.
Moreover, it provides an additional 12 inches of width compared to a single, offering a significant upgrade in comfort for a solo sleeper who likes to spread out. A small double also allows you to accommodate two adults if you’re furnishing a guest room.
The classic double
Considered the cornerstone of the British bedroom for generations, the standard double bed is the most common size found in the UK, striking a functional balance between sleeping space for couples and room for other furniture.
Although this is a great option for couples sharing a bed, there may still be some disturbance throughout the night, especially if your partner is a restless sleeper. That’s why it's a great idea to pair the double bed with a memory foam mattress, or look to upgrade your bed frame size and mattress this National Bed Month.
The king-size bed
If your room dimensions allow, the king-size bed is a fan favourite for a restful night. This is where you really start to feel the benefits of independent sleep zones if you share the bed with a partner.
A king-size mattress is longer than a standard double, which is a life-changer for taller sleepers. That extra 3 inches of width might not sound like much on paper, but in the world of sleep, it is the difference between feeling cramped and feeling like you are in a luxury hotel every single night.
The super king
Offering a vast 6 feet of width, this size is perfect for families where children might climb in on a Sunday morning, or for couples who simply want the maximum possible space to themselves.
During National Bed Month, we encourage those with larger bedrooms to consider the super king as a long-term investment in their health and the health of anyone they share the bed with. With a super king, motion transfer is virtually non-existent, allowing both sleepers to move through their sleep cycles entirely undisturbed.
When is it time for a new bed setup?
A core message of National Bed Month is the 7-Year Rule. Even the highest-quality mattresses begin to degrade after about seven years of nightly use. Over this period, the average mattress will have endured more than 20,000 hours of pressure.
Beyond the loss of support, there is a hygiene factor at play. Over seven years, a mattress accumulates dead skin cells and moisture, which can attract dust mites. If you find yourself sneezing in the morning or noticing a permanent dip in the middle of your mattress, use March as your signal that it is time to upgrade and say goodbye to a bad night's sleep.
Your best sleep starts with Heatons Furniture
National Bed Month is the perfect excuse to stop compromising on your health. You wouldn't wear shoes that are two sizes too small, so why would you sleep on a bed that doesn't support you? Whether you are looking for a pocket-sprung or memory foam mattress, or a stunning new upholstered bed frame, the right choice is waiting for you.
At Heatons Furniture, we are proud to support the mission of National Bed Month by offering expert advice and an incredible selection of the finest sleep technology available today.
Are you ready to transform your sleep? You don’t have to wait until you're exhausted to make a change. Browse our full range of beds and mattresses online or visit us in-store to find the perfect foundation for your best night's sleep.
