Although it’s standard practice for many loving couples living together to share a bed, opting to sleep separately might be gradually becoming a trendy living arrangement, as many Britons admit they sleep better alone. Furniture Village, one of Britain’s biggest furniture retailers, recently revealed that the number of searches for “couples sleeping in separate beds” has been steadily increasing in the past three years.

Does this mean we’re ready to leave the double behind and switch to twin-beds instead?

What do Britons think about sleeping in separate beds?

Different sleep schedules, restlessness, snoring or just different opinions on the perfect room temperature make it difficult for many of us to remember the last time we had a good night’s sleep with our partner by our side. The latest You.gov data (https://yougov.co.uk/topics/health/articles-reports/2022/06/29/yougov-sleep-study-part-two-sleep-habits) shows that “When it comes to sleep quality, more Britons say they sleep better when alone in bed (37%) than with someone else (19%)”. Women (41%) are more likely than men (33%) to say they sleep better alone.

However, despite the sleepless nights, many Britons are still reluctant to give up sharing a bed. The same research reveals that “eight in ten Britons in a relationship (79%) sleep in the same bed with their partner, while one in five (18%) don’t”.

But, according to search data, this is starting to change. More and more people with significant others are starting to dream of a bed of their own. Furniture Village analysed the number of searches for terms related to sleeping separately and found out that the numbers are increasing dramatically. Searches for terms such as “separate beds for couples”, “sleeping in separate bedrooms” and “sleeping in separate beds” have increased on average by 16% in only one year from 2020 to 2021.

The pandemic has made the debate of sleeping together versus apart even more pressing. “We’ve seen some of the searches for separate sleeping go through the roof in 2020” Tom St Quintin - Bed Buyer says. “Separate beds for couples received 40% more searches in 2020 compared to just one year before. When all waking hours are spent together uninterrupted for a year, it’s expected for sleep incompatibilities to become more problematic for couples. The solution to both sleep deprivation and couple issues resulting from it might be to opt for separate beds.”

Why might couples benefit from sleeping in separate beds?

The top reasons for choosing to sleep in separate beds according to YouGov’s Sleep Study include:

• Restless sleep: “Six in ten (58%) Britons say they often wake up during the night without being prompted by a noise or anything else”

• Insomnia: “One in twelve Britons (8%) claim they have been diagnosed with sleep problems, with the most common being insomnia (5%)”

• Sleep disorders: “One in five (22%) report they have experienced sleep paralysis (a feeling of being conscious but unable to move)”

• Snoring: “Most Britons believe they snore at least occasionally: one in five (19%) report they often snore when sleeping, while around half (45%) do it sometimes”.

Top tips when sleeping apart

There are a few tried-and-tested strategies for couples thinking about making the switch to separate beds.

Define the problem: do you need a separate bed or just a bigger one? Choosing a bigger mattress that allows easy movement and offers stability and support could make a big difference. Try this before committing to a different sleeping arrangement.

Don’t make the change permanent from the start: begin with a trial and remain open to feedback from your partner. It might turn out that separate beds are the perfect scenario for both of you, or you might end up realising that all you needed this whole time was a new bed.

Communicate your thoughts about the new arrangement honestly: this can prove to be a mutually beneficial step and a way to reinforce your relationship. Better sleep means better judgment, fewer cranky mornings and better overall health. But don’t undersell the idea.

Choose the best bed or bedroom configuration for both: there are many possibilities to create extra room and comfort for both of you, from two separate beds to one bed and two duvets. Find what works for you.

Maintain a similar morning & night time routine: even when you have different sleeping schedules, making sure you share quality time when you go to bed and first thing in the morning is a game changer.

In the end, whether you prefer to share a bed or think that separate beds are an idea worth trying, it’s important to remain flexible and communicate your thoughts honestly about the best night-time arrangement for both of you. Furniture Village have shared more of their sleep tips on their Home of Inspiration hub: https://www.furniturevillage.co.uk/the-home-of-inspiration.

ENDS

For more information:

Paige Aldred

tmwi, acting on behalf of Furniture Village

outreach@tmwi.co.uk

01789 404180

Note to editors:

Furniture Village is one of Britain's largest independent furniture retailers with 54 stores nationwide. Since 1989, they have remained a strong family business, offering high-quality, beautifully designed furniture at a great price.

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