An adjustable bed is a great option if you’re looking for a comfortable addition to your bedroom. This type of bed allows you to switch positions from lying down to sitting up, all at the touch of a button.

Adjustable beds come in different types to suit your needs. Choosing the right mattress and adjustable bedding to pair with your bed is also important.

Below, our guide details everything you need to know about adjustable beds and mattresses, and what to look out for when buying a bed and linens.

What are adjustable beds?

Adjustable beds, or as they’re otherwise known, electric beds, are beds you can adjust to suit your comfort needs. For example, they can be positioned in upright or lying down profiles and suit people with additional mobility needs.

The bed’s adjustability is controlled by a remote, which features different functions. So you can adjust the bed without getting out of it.

What is an adjustable bed mattress?

An adjustable bed mattress is designed to be flexible to the movements of an adjustable bed. The mattress should pair with the moving sections depending on the type of adjustable bed you choose.

Just like a standard mattress, you can choose an adjustable bed mattress in a host of designs such as soft, firm, pocket-spring and memory foam. They are also typically longer than a traditional mattress as this offers allowance when the bed moves.

Can I put a standard mattress on an adjustable bed?

Standard mattresses are not recommended for adjustable beds. As the bed moves in different sections, a traditional mattress will not naturally move with it. This will often give an uncomfortable experience and will degrade the materials more quickly.

What are the advantages of adjustable beds and mattresses?

There are several benefits of adjustable beds and mattresses, such as:

Better quality of sleep

Adjusting your sleep position can help improve the quality of sleep. This style of bed is said to help reduce tossing and turning and relieve issues such as back pain to help ensure a more restful sleep.

Improves comfort

With an adjustable bed, you never need to prop up pillows to watch the TV or read your book. Instead, the movement in the frame and mattress provides a comfortable resting posture tailored to your comfort level.

Provides additional support for mobility

An adjustable bed is an excellent addition to your room for those with limited mobility. Choosing a profiling bed offers more movement than a lifestyle option, as this supports height adjustment as well as in-bed posture control. Lowering the bed height also reduces falls as you can move the bed closer to the floor and step out easily.

What are the disadvantages of adjustable beds and mattresses?

When choosing an adjustable bed and mattress, there are a few disadvantages of these designs to consider, including:

Price

The price of an adjustable bed is generally higher than a traditional bed. This is due to the mechanisms and technology behind the design. However, there is a range of bed types, with lifestyle adjustable beds often coming out cheaper than profiling designs.

Weight

Adjustable beds and mattresses are typically heavier than standard beds. This isn’t a significant issue. But it can prove challenging to move them compared to a traditional design.

The bed and mattress need to match your needs

Not all adjustable beds and mattresses are the same or have the same adjustment options. So, it’s essential to match your needs with the right type of bed. Cheaper beds are not always the best suited to those with mobility needs, as they may not have specific functions to help fully.

What are the different types of adjustable bed and mattress?

There are two main types of adjustable beds, which mainly come in single and double sizes:

Lifestyle adjustable beds

Choosing a lifestyle adjustable bed gives you slightly more options for comfort, which make it easier to watch the TV or read in bed. These designs are made to add a little more flexibility to your bedtime routine and take away the need to prop pillows against your headboard.

However, a lifestyle adjustable bed doesn’t have as many functions as other models. So it probably isn’t suitable for those that need help with mobility.

Profiling adjustable beds

If you’re looking for an adjustable bed with a variety of functionality, a profiling design is a great option. This bed is also known as a variable posture bed and is suitable for people with additional mobility needs.

Profiling adjustable beds also come in a selection of adjustment options, such as:

Two-part adjustable beds – Also known as sit-up beds, the bed’s top section is flexible, making sitting up easier.

Three-part adjustable beds – Alongside an adjustable upper section, the bottom section of the bed also moves.

Four-part adjustable bed – Similar to the three-part bed, this additional section offers a flat area to sit on.

What to look for when buying an adjustable bed?

Just like shopping for a standard bed, there are a few things to consider before buying an adjustable bed and mattress.

Size

The size of the bed is one of the most important features in your decision. Adjustable models come in a range of sizes, including single adjustable beds for individuals and adjustable double beds for two. You can also get roomier king and super-king models if you’d prefer more space.

However, it’s worth noting that single adjustable beds, alongside their double and king counterparts, tend to be slightly longer, wider and heavier than traditional ones. So, checking which size is best for your room and comfort needs is essential.

The movement of an adjustable bed sometimes pushes the user down slightly. This makes it essential to check the length and also test the bed first before buying.

Adjustable sections

Another aspect to consider is how many adjustable sections you need in the bed. If you’d just like to sit upright in bed, a lifestyle design is a handy option, as it bends at the upper section.

A profiling bed is the best option if you need several adjustable sections for mobility and height adjustment.

When choosing the right adjustable bed for your lifestyle, ensure it covers everything you need, as this will give you the best sleep and rest experience.

Manual or electronic adjustments

Most adjustable beds are made with electronic controls. However, there are still some options with manual adjustments. Electric beds tend to be the most popular as everything is controlled via a remote and makes light work of moving the sections of the bed to suit your comfort.

Spilt double beds

A spilt adjustable double bed is a great way to have more freedom of comfort if you share a bed. These options are ideal as each side has a remote to adjust to the best level of comfort without affecting the other side.

It’s also a handy addition for couples where one person has additional care or mobility needs.

Additional features

Adjustable beds and mattresses may also come with a range of additional features to take your comfort to the next level. Some factors to consider include the following:

Handrails – This makes getting in and out of bed easier.

Guard rails – Extra protection during the night to stop falls.

Drawers under the bed – Some adjustable beds have extra storage under the bed.

Built-in TV stand – Lifestyle adjustable beds may feature TV stands at the end of the bed.

Battery back-up – In case of a power cut, some electric adjustable beds have back-up power to ensure you can move easily.

Massage and heat pads – Some beds may include heat and massage functions to relieve aches and pains.

Are all mattresses suitable for adjustable beds?

No, not all mattresses work well on an adjustable bed. Traditional mattresses are designed to lay flat. In comparison, an adjustable bed mattress is constructed to match the movements of the bed sections. This special design ensures the mattress is robust yet flexible to meet the demands of the user.

Choosing the right mattress for an adjustable bed is essential. This helps to get the right size for the frame and allows for movement when the bed is adjusted. You can buy each part separately. However, some companies provide a combination offer, which pairs the right mattress with the bed.

Like standard mattresses, you still have a wide range of options, such as foam or pocket-sprung. You can also choose the firmness to get the right comfort level for your needs.

Can side sleepers use adjustable beds?

Side sleepers may benefit from an adjustable bed, just like back sleepers. While it’s not the most obvious choice, the adjustability of the upper section allows your shoulders to be elevated while the rest of your body is in a neutral position. This can contribute to better sleep, as there’s less pressure on the shoulders, neck and hips.

Unfortunately, an adjustable bed may not be the best option if you’re a front sleeper. The incline in each section may overextend your muscles, causing discomfort.

What bedding is needed for an adjustable bed?

You can still get great quality bedding for an adjustable bed. There are just a few differences to ensure it fits nicely on your bed. There are several linens you can get for an adjustable bed, including:

Duvet covers

Most of the time, you can choose standard duvet covers for an adjustable bed. But it’s worth considering the size. As the bed moves at different sections, this means your duvet cover will also move. Choosing a slightly larger duvet ensures you have extra drape around the edges as the incline can pull the cover up at the sides and end.

Semi-fitted sheets

Fitted sheets can prove challenging to keep on an adjustable double bed, so a great alternative is using semi-fitted sheets. This combines a fitted sheet with a flat sheet, and they work by fitting around the foot of the bed and opening up at the top like a flat sheet. This ensures the sheet doesn’t come off when the bed is raised.

For more information about how to keep sheets on an adjustable bed, check out our guide.

Adjustable mattress protector

You don’t have to go without a mattress protector either if you have an adjustable bed. Specially designed adjustable mattress protectors have an elastic hem, which helps them stay in place even when the bed is adjusted.

They have all the same benefits of a traditional mattress protector, such as being machine washable, durable, splash proof and comfortable. You can also get them in a range of bed sizes.

Adjustable bed valance

While a bed valance might not seem like an obvious choice for an adjustable design, adding one is still possible. Valances are a great way to tie your home’s soft interiors to the main colour scheme, and they offer a great way to hide the bed frame.

Adjustable bed valances are created using Velcro attachments so you can easily place them onto the base. You can also choose the drape depth, colour and style at Victoria Linen to suit your bedroom and linens.

Where to get bedding for adjustable beds?

With our selection of adjustable bedding at Victoria Linen, finding the right sheets for your adjustable bed and mattress doesn’t have to be difficult.

An adjustable bed mattress combo provides a host of benefits, including an improved night’s sleep, so it’s essential to get the right bedding to complement the experience. Our adjustable options provide everything you need to create a sleep haven.

From high-quality semi-fitted sheets to anti-allergy mattress protectors and valances – each is made with high thread count fabrics and comes in a range of sizes to fit your adjustable bed.

What’s more, if you can’t find the size you need, we can help make custom bed linens to fit your bed perfectly. To discuss this option or get additional advice on adjustable bed sheets, protectors and duvet covers, contact our team on 01706 220 020 or drop us an email.