It's taken us a few decades to realise that splashing out on a decent bed is not a decadent move. Everyone is entitled to a good night's rest, but what we might not have banked on in our quest for the perfect mattress is that a comfy, sleep-inducing bed could be wreaking havoc on our sex lives.

These softer mattresses can discourage us from getting up to naughty things simply due to the logistics of trying to find enough support in order to do the deed.

"It's like trying to do it in quicksand," wrote one reviewer on a luxury mattress brand's website.

Memory foam seems to be the most problematic ingredient, particularly as one sex therapist points out, "There's a lack of resistance for the knees and feet. And whoever is on the bottom is sinking into the bed."

Yet, sales of comfy luxury mattresses continues to sky-rocket. When it comes to the bedroom, it seems people are choosing sleep over that other primal need for sex and with good reason. Insomnia is a huge problem in our fast-paced environments.

It's known that around 60 million Americans struggle to sleep and the phenomenon is considered a common problem in South Africa. The result of sleeplessness can have a major effect on your quality of life.

"Sleep is the fuel of life. It's nourishing; it's restorative. And when you are deprived of it, you are really deprived of a basic kind of sustenance," explained Gayle Greene, author of Insomniac.

While our need for sleep might currently overtake our need for sex, it's important to continue to find time to get intimate with your partner, even if the bed is out of bounds for the moment.

Here are a few ideas:

In water - whether it's a steaming hot bath or a cool swimming pool, give it a try - just make sure you have lubrication at hand, because sex in water can be a little tricky.

The kitchen - Pack the knives in a safe place and mount the kitchen counter…

The dining room table - always such a formal place, but you won't see it in the same way once you've had your way with it.

The entrance hall or front door - knowing that a person might knock at any moment could heighten proceedings somewhat.

In the garden or on the balcony - oh come on! Get creative and a little sneaky and dare each other to bare all to the world whilst you do the hanky-panky.