'Sleep divorce' couples remortgage to get bigger homes

Couples are moving to bigger homes, building extensions or forcing their kids to double up – all so they can sleep apart.

'Sleep divorce' is on the rise, with one in 20 owners saying they have re-mortgaged so they can move to a bigger house or expand their own to have separate bedrooms.

And in London, where the stresses of modern life are perhaps more acute, the figure is one in ten, according to a survey.

Among those benefiting from sleeping apart are Heidi Scrimgeour, 48, who has been married to Matt, 49, for 26 years.

She said they discovered the benefits of sleeping apart by accident. Now she has moved into her home office, sleeping on a sofa bed.

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'It all started with crate-training our puppy,' she added. 'I began sleeping downstairs in my office to help her settle, thinking it was a temporary thing. But to my surprise, I was sleeping better than ever.

'What began as a practical solution quickly turned into an accidental 'sleep divorce', and it's been a game-changer.

'No more snoring, no more late-night reading interruptions and no more early-morning gym alarms waking each other up.'

Property landlord Emma Parsons-Reid, 57, has slept separately from her husband Kevin, 63, throughout their 22-year relationship. She said: 'I've found that having separate bedrooms helps me get the rest I need.

'While most people think love means cuddling up together every night, my version of love involves having my own sanctuary. I'm someone who needs personal space and alone time to recharge.'

Relationship expert Dr Anu Sayal-Bennett, of London Child and Family Therapy Centre, said: 'If you've got the resources, it's a brilliant idea. We all need a bit of quiet time, a bit of space. There might be snoring, one of the couple might have sleeping difficulties or be fidgety or restless, so sleeping separately can be beneficial.'

Catherine Morris, of luxury bedding brand Tielle, which carried out the poll of 1,000 adults, said: 'With the pressures of work, children and home lives and sleep being such a fundamental part of overall wellbeing, I see it as a positive step that couples are taking steps to look after themselves.'