Shopping for a mattress can be an exhausting and exhausting process, from marketing jargon to choosing the appropriate size. Many factors should be taken into consideration before committing to your purchase decision.
Sleepopolis is here to assist in selecting your ideal mattress! This guide covers all of the most crucial considerations when making this important purchase decision.
Size
Your mattress size should be determined by the dimensions of your room. An overly-large mattress can create a disorganized environment, while too-small mattresses could lead to bumping into each other or worse, falling off altogether. To ensure you find an appropriate size bed, it is wise to record its measurements beforehand.
Consider whether or not your room will include furniture such as a dresser and other furniture when selecting your mattress size, as this can affect its selection. Be sure to leave enough room to open drawers and stand in front of your dresser without impeding access. If unsure, trace around the perimeter of your bed using masking tape on the floor while walking around – this will allow you to visualize different mattress sizes to decide the optimal one for your space.
Consider your height and sleep position when selecting a mattress, for instance those taller than average may require a larger mattress in order to have enough legroom, while back and stomach sleepers need additional space than side sleepers. Finally, the type of mattress you purchase should depend on both your budget and personal tastes for feel and materials of bed; ultimately you want a mattress which provides support and comfort so you can sleep soundly each night.
Materials
Materials used to construct mattresses are one of the key factors in determining their comfort. You should seek organic, natural, or non-toxic options in order to protect your health while sleeping and select those which wick away moisture and regulate temperature.
Look for materials that have been tested to ensure safety. For instance, avoid mattresses containing flame retardant chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which have been linked with thyroid disruption and neurodevelopmental toxicity in animals.
Once you have chosen a foundation, the next step will be constructing your mattress layers. Starting with the base foam — usually composed of thin yet dense memory foam — as a solid baselayer — place either an endless or pocketed coil system on top; both versions provide superior support but differ in their construction methods.
As the top layer of your mattress, choose your comfort material carefully. From gel-infused memory foam to traditional memory foam mattresses, select something that feels good against your skin and provides soft comfort. For best results, select something soft to touch that has no sharp edges.
Once you’ve assembled each layer, it’s time to cover and zip up your mattress. At this point, it will be time to test out how the mattress feels; taking note of its ease of movement as well as how well it supports your back.
Firmness
Your choice of mattress will have an enormous effect on its comfort. Different manufacturers employ various methods for defining firmness; most list it on a scale between one and 10 (with 10 being firmest).
Before purchasing a mattress, it is essential to consider your sleeping position, body weight and any desired comfort preferences such as how soft or firm the bed should be. Furthermore, costs, convenience and durability must also be factored into consideration; make sure the return policy and warranty terms suit you before making a decision.
How firm or soft a mattress feels depends on its inner core construction and layering system. Most mattresses use comfort systems on top of support cores; their thickness will have an impactful on how it feels; thicker layers made of more conforming materials will have a softer surface while thinner ones will create firmer feel.
After considering how the mattress feels, it’s also essential to think about its durability and lifespan. Aim for something that will stand up over time without sagging or leaving permanent indentation marks; testing such claims in-store or during an online sleep trial may not always give accurate feedback – therefore researching durability claims made by manufacturers as well as reviews from long-term users is recommended.
If you’re concerned about the longevity of your mattress, factors like coil gauge and coil count can help. Coil gauge refers to how thick the steel is while coil count indicates how many individual coils there are within. Mattresses with higher coil counts tend to last longer.
Support
Support provided by your mattress is a critical consideration in finding an appropriate mattress, affecting comfort levels and spinal alignment during sleep to help avoid aches and pains. Furthermore, people suffering from back, hip or shoulder conditions require strong back support while side sleepers typically prefer something softer while stomach and back sleepers usually need something firmer.
When testing a mattress for support, lay down with your head, neck and feet in different positions to evaluate how well the bed conforms to your body. A quality mattress should feel firm but soft & supple without gaps or areas where you sink too deeply into it.
Once in bed, test how easy it is for you to sit up, roll over, and get out. If any of these movements prove difficult or uncomfortable, this mattress may not be right for you.
Material selection plays an integral part in mattress performance and comfort. Latex mattresses typically offer better breathability than memory foam options and tend to last longer; making them suitable for people suffering from allergies or joint pain.
When shopping for latex mattresses, keep coil gauge and count in mind when making a decision. A higher coil count signifies firmer mattresses while lower numbers indicate softer options. Also keep an eye out for innovations like breathable covers or charcoal-infused gel which help regulate temperature while improving airflow. Don’t forget that mattresses tend to weigh more than they appear so lifting up each model before purchasing is often useful to gauge weight as well as ease of mobility.
Budget
When selecting a mattress, the primary consideration should always be budget. Though we advocate investing in high-quality beds due to their proven link to improved health outcomes, you don’t need to break the bank to find something comfortable that meets your preferences and sleep style. Also be sure to research retailers’ return policies and at-home trial periods prior to making a decision.
Waiting until mattress sales to buy your new bed may also be worthwhile, since these events typically provide substantial discounts from multiple brands and save you money while providing you with something comfortable – and possibly even get some free items along the way!
Shopping in-store can also be advantageous as this allows you to test mattresses on yourself and experience their firmness and comfort levels first-hand. In addition, staff may assist in helping find one which matches both your sleeping position and budget needs.
