Buying a new bed or mattress can be a difficult task, with so many different terms thrown around it’s hard to understand what is what. That’s why Click 4 Beds has put together a useful bed glossary to help you buy your new bed or mattress.

Open coil Designed with individual coils linked together using wire in horizontal or vertical rows, the larger the mattress the more coils there are. If you press down on one spring the surrounding springs will also move, and where your body is heaviest the springs will push down the most.

Pocket sprung Made of individually pocketed springs within the wadding of the mattress encased in soft fabric pockets that move independently for targeted support. Ideal for different body weights sharing a bed where individual support is required.

Memory foam Responds to heat and pressure changes to contour to body shapes for support where it’s needed, made from visco elastic polyurethane foam and hypo allergenic. Pushes down only as much as body weight needs and has pressure relief for the lower back.

Latex foam Similar benefits as memory foam but is natural and doesn’t hold moisture for a cooler feeling and is hypo allergenic. Designed with holes that soften the latex, the larger the holes, the softer it will feel. Some have small and large holes for varying support levels across the body.

Orthopaedic Provides pressure relief and high levels of support for key areas of the body, in particular the lower back. Has a very firm feeling.

Spring gauge Describes the thickness and number of coils in the springs that creates the firmness of the mattress.

Bounce The level of firmness of a mattress with soft, medium and firm, depending on the support required.

Platform base Most commonly used, a flat base with a wooden frame and a rigid unsprung panel on the top with a firmer effect.

Sprung base Used in high end divan beds, features an extra layer of springs on top of the base for added comfort and creates a softer effect.

Slatted base Typical support system on bed frames with wooden slats fixed within the frame to allow the mattress to breathe and increase stability. Larger beds may also have a support bar down the middle.

Sprung slatted base Features curved wooden slats within the frame with a natural bounce to adjust to where most pressure is exerted.

No turn Mattresses that only have one sleep surface and don’t need turning.

Ottoman A style of bed storage that uses a gas lift mechanism to lift up the top of the bed to reveal under bed storage.

Divan bed A type of bed that comes with a mattress and base in a single unit, usually with storage integrated into the base.

Sleigh bed A type of bed that features equally tall head and foot ends with a flared design.

Bed frame Describes the frame that makes up the main structure of a bed and does not include a mattress.

Midi sleeper A style of bunk bed that features one single bed that is slightly elevated above the floor, providing limited space underneath.

High sleeper A design of bed that is similar to a midi sleeper but is raised much higher and has more space under the bed for storage or a futon.

Hypo allergenic Fillings within mattresses that are do not hold dust, mould and bacteria to keep it fresh and clean. Useful for reducing symptoms of asthma and allergies.

Air vents On the mattress side that allow air to circulate to keep the mattress fresh and clean.

Mattress handles On the mattress side that allow the mattress to be easily moved.

Bycast/bicast leather A combination of natural leather that is bonded to a man-made surface and coated with a layer of polyurethane for a shine that also prevents scratching and fading.

Damask Used as any cotton with a woven design, it was originally referred to as Belgian cotton import and has a glossy patterned finish.

Side stitching The finishing of the mattress side for strength and stability.

Hand tufting Secures the mattress fillings and prevents the loose fillings from becoming dislodged.

Micro quilting A technique of stitching used to attach the mattress cover to the layers of filling. Creates a raised pattern effect and can be altered to create a high loft design.

Diamond quilting – A style of stitching used to attach the mattress cover to the layers of filling underneath. Creates a diamond design that has a smooth and firm finish.