If you snooze you win ...how to choose a bed in 4 easy steps!

How to choose a bed, in a few simple steps.

1. Avoid any newfangled self-vacuuming, water-loaded, massage-your-shoulders sci-fi stuff. A good night's sleep is predicated upon one thing, and one thing only: comfort. Your whizz-bang split the atom laboratory stuff can be bought for other parts of the house. Nothing wong with a few gizmos and gadgets in the kitchen, for instance.

2. Make sure you get a good mattress. Science does feature here, but not in terms of wires, circuitry and motors. The science is all in the design of the mattress. For a decent night's sleep, an orthopaedic mattress is a must. Preferably one that is also hypo-allergenic. I speak from experience here - I have in the past used a cheap non-ortho mattress and paid for it in lower back pain every morning after sleeping on it. Instead, go for a mattress that combines comfort with technology. It's one of life's less exciting investments, but worth every penny.

3. And that's about it. The only last consideration is the price. Some beds seem to cost more than small cars, whereas if you shop around you can definitely spot great deals here and there where money can be saved.

4. One last thing - once you've got the bed, don't get mean with the bedclothes. Decent quality cotton sheets , pillow cases and duvet cover. None of this polyester-cotton mix, especially in the summer. Way uncomfortable.

Check out what's on offer, take your time. Furniture retail stores are there to advise, so check 'em out and see what's on offer. And make sure you get a bed that you're happy with - that way, if you snooze you win. After all, we spend a third of our hours asleep...