Bed springs: a complete guide

Choosing a new bed is an exciting prospect for anyone, but with so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. At Bishops Beds, we believe that understanding what’s inside your mattress is the key to finding the perfect fit for you.

The core of many mattresses is a spring system, which provides the essential support and comfort needed for a restful night’s sleep. Together, let’s discover the different types of bed springs and why a careful and considered choice is essential.

Why your mattress choice matters

The importance of consistent, refreshing sleep shouldn’t be underestimated. After all, it’s likely we’ve all experienced the after-effects of sleeping in a poor-quality hotel or guest bed while travelling. Your bed springs play a crucial role in providing the correct support for your body, ensuring proper spinal alignment and relieving pressure points.

A mattress that’s not suited to your needs can lead to aches, pains and restless nights. By understanding the differences between spring types, you can make a more informed decision that will benefit your wellbeing for years to come.

It’s also worth remembering that the quality of your sleep impacts more than just how you feel the next morning. A well-supported night’s rest can improve concentration, reduce stress levels, and even boost your immune system.

Choosing the right spring system can therefore have a meaningful effect on your overall health and daily performance, making it one of the most valuable investments you can make in yourself.

When selecting a mattress, think about factors such as your preferred sleeping position, any back or joint issues, and how firm or soft you like your bed to feel. These preferences, combined with the right type of spring system, create a sleep surface that supports you exactly where it’s needed most.

The different types of sprung mattresses

Open coil springs

Open coil mattresses, also known as Bonnell springs or continuous coil mattresses, have been a staple in bedrooms for decades. They are defined by their simple yet effective construction: a single, continuous wire is coiled into a series of hourglass-shaped springs that are all interconnected.

This means they operate as one large unit, creating a uniform and often ‘bouncy’ feel across the entire mattress surface.

Benefits

Open coil mattresses are renowned for their affordability, making them a great entry point for a new bed or an excellent option for a guest room. Their interconnected design provides a firm and consistent feel, which is particularly beneficial for those who prefer a solid sleeping surface.

The open structure of the bed springs also allows for excellent airflow, helping to keep the mattress cooler throughout the night compared to some alternatives.

In addition, open coil systems are durable and easy to maintain, making them a great choice for children’s rooms, holiday homes or rental properties where long-term reliability and value for money are key considerations.

Suitability

This type of mattress is best suited for those trying to keep to a modest budget. Its uniform firmness can be great for back sleepers who need consistent support.

However, due to the interconnected bed springs, it can have a high degree of motion transfer. This means that if you share your bed with a partner who tosses and turns, their movements can easily be felt on your side of the bed, potentially disrupting your sleep.

That said, open coil mattresses have come a long way in recent years. Many modern versions feature reinforced edges, padded comfort layers and innovative fillings to boost both comfort and durability. When combined with a high-quality bed base, they can still deliver a supportive and refreshing night’s rest.

Pocket springs

For a more tailored and luxurious sleeping experience, pocket sprung mattresses are a superior choice. Their unique design represents a significant evolution in mattress technology. Instead of being linked, each spring is individually housed in its own small fabric pocket.

These pockets are then typically glued together, allowing the bed springs to move and respond independently to the pressure applied to it. This independent action makes pocket springs a highly appealing option.

Benefits

The most prominent advantage of pocket bed springs is their ability to contour precisely to your body’s shape. Each spring compresses exactly where it needs to, providing targeted support to your hips, shoulders and spine, and ensuring proper spinal alignment. This also results in incredible pressure relief.

Another key benefit, especially for couples, is superior motion isolation. Since the springs move independently, a person’s movements on one side of the bed will not disturb the partner. When it comes to choosing a pocket sprung mattress, note the spring count as this is generally an indicator of greater support and responsiveness.

Pocket sprung mattresses also tend to have excellent longevity. Because each spring is individually cushioned, wear and tear are evenly distributed across the surface. This means your mattress retains its structure and comfort for longer, offering a sound investment in quality sleep.

Many premium models also include natural fillings such as wool, silk, cotton, or cashmere, which enhance breathability and temperature regulation. These materials work harmoniously with the pocket spring system to create a mattress that feels cool in summer and cosy in winter.

Suitability

As mentioned previously, pocket sprung mattresses are perfect for couples – particularly when one or both people are fidgety – due to their minimal motion transfer. They are also highly recommended for anyone who desires a mattress that offers bespoke support and pressure relief, making them ideal for all body types and sleeping positions.

Side sleepers, for instance, often find that the adaptive nature of pocket springs helps alleviate shoulder and hip discomfort, while stomach or back sleepers benefit from consistent spinal alignment.

For those seeking the ultimate in comfort and support, hybrid mattresses, which combine pocket springs with layers of memory foam or latex, provide an exceptional balance of cushioning and bounce.

Discover a curated collection of luxury and comfort

We pride ourselves on offering a wide and varied collection of mattresses to suit every need and budget. Whether you’re looking for the classic support of an open coil mattress or the luxurious feel of a pocket spring, our range has something for everyone.

As a National Bed Federation Retail Champion, you can trust that we adhere to the highest standards of quality, safety, and integrity. We are committed to helping you find the perfect mattress to ensure you get the sleep you deserve.

We understand that choosing the right mattress can be a deeply personal decision, and that’s why we’ve created our innovative Mattress Match tool. This simple and insightful quiz asks you a series of questions about your sleeping habits, comfort preferences and lifestyle to help us understand your unique needs.

By using your answers, we can provide you with a personally curated selection of mattresses from our collection that are suited to you and your needs, taking all the guesswork out of finding your ideal sleep solution. Discover your perfect match today and start your journey to a better night’s sleep.

With expert advice, trusted brands and years of experience in the industry, we make finding your perfect mattress easier than ever.

At Bishops Beds, our mission is simple: to help every customer achieve their best sleep yet, offering quality beds at a comfortable price.

Explore our full range online or visit us in-store to feel the difference for yourself. Because when it comes to sleep, the right support makes all the difference.