More than half of British couples now have at least one strict “bed boundary” in place, from banning food between the sheets to dimming the phone while scrolling, new research has revealed.
Top rule: Never sleep on an argument
The survey, carried out by Bensons for Beds, found that “never sleep on an argument” came out on top as the rule couples swear by. Star-fishing with your legs and starting a conversation at 2am were also big no-nos for those quizzed.
Jeff Howarth, from Bensons for Beds, said: “Sharing a bed sounds simple, but anyone who has ever lived with a duvet thief, a snorer or someone who sets five alarms before getting up knows there can be a surprising amount of negotiation involved.
“The first step is working out what’s really disturbing your sleep, whether that’s temperature, movement, light or an unsupportive mattress, because each needs a different solution.”
Key findings from the poll
The survey found that 38% of respondents believe having clear sleep rules makes for a happier relationship, while 23% confessed they have more than a few boundaries in place.
Three in ten insisted their partner should never switch the main light on for a late loo trip, while 28% demanded they make as little noise as possible when using the toilet.
And 23% have banned their other half from launching into a chat at 2am when they are snoozing. Another 23% have outlawed hogging the bed, while 21% insist curtains must stay firmly closed until both people are awake. Meanwhile, 17% have banned their partner from putting ice-cold feet on them.
Regional hotspot: Stoke-on-Trent
In Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, 39% of couples admitted they are exhausted by their lover’s sleeping habits, making it the home of Britain’s biggest bedroom offenders.
The full list of bed boundaries
- Never sleep on an argument
- No eating food in bed
- Don’t turn the light on if you need to go to the loo at night
- If you need to go to the loo, do it quietly
- Keep the light down on your phone if scrolling at night
- Don’t start a conversation at 2am when the other person is asleep
- No sleeping like a starfish or hogging the bed
- No opening curtains until both parties are awake
- No starting an argument when one of you is already half asleep
- No cuddling in a heatwave
- Tossing and turning should be kept to a minimum
- Never put ice-cold feet on your partner
- Making the bed is a joint effort
- No aggressively flinging the duvet off because you’re too hot
- No tricky questions just before a partner is about to go to sleep
- Don’t impose morning breath on your partner
- It’s acceptable to send your partner to the spare room for snoring
- It’s unacceptable to record your partner snoring to prove a point
- Dogs SHOULD be allowed in the bed
- Always wear headphones if watching silly memes on your phone
