Getting started

Start here whatever base you've ordered. One-part bases are ready to use once the feet are on.

1. Remove all packaging, taking care not to damage your new bed, and dispose of it carefully.
2. Turn the base upside down and insert the feet into the holes at each corner.
3. Gently knock the feet in until they click into place. If one won't seat, insert a small screwdriver into the locator hole to clear the blockage.
4. You can also press down firmly on top of the base to click the feet home.

Removing the drawer straps

If your base has drawers, fabric restraining straps hold them shut in transit. They're stapled inside and underneath the base. Remove them like this:

1. Cut the strap across its centre to release the drawer.
2. Trim the remaining strap so it doesn't catch when the drawer opens, then pull it away along with any loose staples underneath the bed.

Joining a two-part base

Bases from 4ft upwards arrive in two halves. Yours will join with either U-clips or link bars — open the one that matches the fittings in your packaging. If you have both, you can use both.

U-clips Joining with U-clips

1. Fit the feet, then stand both halves on their sides and bring them together so the two flat ends meet.
2. Fit the U-clips where the ends meet, clamping them around the underside timber edges so the halves are held firmly together.
3. Lower the base back down the right way up, ready for the mattress.

Link bars Joining with link bars

Bases that join this way come with two link bars. Signature and Artisan models also include two U-clips.

1. Fit the feet, then stand both halves the right way up and bring them together so the two flat ends meet.
2. If U-clips were supplied, fit them where the ends meet so they clamp around the underside timber edges.
3. Find the pre-drilled threaded holes on each side, close to the join. Pass the bolts through the slots in the link bars and screw them in by hand.
4. Check the two halves are tight together, then tighten the link bars fully.

Ottoman bases

Ottomans are heavy, so please assemble yours with two people.

1. Position the base on the floor and carefully remove the fabric strap holding the lid down, keeping one hand on the lid.
2. Once the strap is off, the lid may stay open on its own until a mattress is on top. That's normal.
3. Take the feet and headboard fixings out from inside the base and fit the feet.
4. If your bed is 4ft or larger, it comes in two pre-assembled halves. Stand them the right way up and bring them together so the flat ends meet in the centre.
5. Join the halves with the fittings supplied — either two U-clips or two link bolts, depending on your model.
6. Link the two lids together: pierce the fabric at the marked positions on each lid and fit the bolt provided.
7. Place the mattress on the ottoman while the lid is open.

If your model uses U-clips

Insert the U-clips where the bases meet in the centre, between the storage compartments, and tighten for a snug fit.

If your model uses link bolts

Pass the link bolts and connectors through the two holes in the centre of the bases and tighten.

Joining the lids

Fitting a headboard to a divan base

1. Remove the two wooden struts from the back of the headboard and fix them on with the screws provided — two screws per strut. Make sure the screw fixings sit at the bottom of the headboard, as shown below.
2. Fasten the struts in position with the two extra screws supplied. Each strut has two holes, giving you a choice of headboard heights.
3. Fasten the headboard to the divan with the large-headed screws supplied with the bed — one each side, or two each side for an ottoman bed.
4. Slide the headboard up or down the slots to the height you want, then tighten the screws.

If you've bought a mattress only

An unsuitable base can shorten the life of a mattress considerably, so it's worth checking what you're putting yours on.

• A divan is the best base for a mattress. Don't use a mattress on a base it wasn't designed for.
• On a slatted base, keep gaps between slats to 63mm (2½") or less to avoid damaging the mattress.
• Avoid solid plywood or hardwood bases, and don't place these materials under the mattress. Without ventilation, condensation builds up and can cause mould or deterioration underneath.

Caring for your bed

Airing a new mattress

Once the polythene is off, let the mattress breathe for four hours before you put bedding on. That gives any moisture trapped in the packaging time to evaporate. A new bed can smell of "newness", and memory foam can have a faint chemical smell — both are normal and fade after airing.

Turning and rotating

• Turn a double-sided mattress over weekly for the first three months, then monthly. This settles the fillings evenly and spreads your body weight across the whole mattress.
• Rotate a non-turn mattress 180° head to foot weekly for the first three months, then monthly.
• Over time your body will leave a shallow impression in the surface. This is normal settlement of the fillings, and regular turning keeps it to a minimum.

Everyday care

• Strip the sheets regularly and let air circulate through the fabric and fillings to keep the mattress fresh.
• Use a mattress protector to guard against spills, stains and general wear.
• Give yourself time to adjust — a new bed will feel different to your old one.

What to avoid

• Don't bend, fold or roll the mattress — it damages the fillings, spring unit and wire frame.
• Don't jump or stand on the bed, and don't let children use it as a trampoline.
• Don't sit on the edge for long periods, as it distorts the springs.
• Don't put heavy objects on the mattress. It's built to take body weight, spread evenly.
• Don't overload the drawers — they're for lightweight items only.
• Don't use chemical or detergent cleaners. Sponge spills lightly with a weak solution of soap and water, and avoid over-wetting.
• Don't vacuum the mattress, as it disturbs the fillings. Brush lightly with a soft brush instead.
• Don't move the bed by the headboard — it can damage both the headboard and the base.