The Top Questions to Ask When Shopping for Mattresses
Do you need to furnish your new home's bedroom? If a bed is on your must-buy list, take a look at what you need to know before shopping for mattresses.
What Size Do You Need?
Even though you might want a California king, an extra-large sized bed may not fit your space. Your mattress options include, from narrow to wide—twin, full, queen, king, and California king. If you don't have space restrictions, choose a width that:
Feels comfortable. Do you like to stretch out when you sleep? Make sure you have enough space on both sides to accommodate your stretching, sleeping, and space needs.
Accommodates others. Your spouse, a child who co-sleeps, or your best pet friend need space too.
Matches other furniture. If you already have a bedframe or other piece of furniture that fits around the mattress, choose a size to match it.
Along with width, you also have length options. An extra-long mattress is ideal if you're tall or need foot-of-the-bed space for your pet.
What's Your Favorite Firmness?
Now that you've chosen a size, you need to select a firmness. Like with size, you have several different firmness options. To choose the best firmness for your needs:
Try several options. A manufacturer's idea of "firm" may feel soft to you. Try the mattresses yourself to make sure the label matches the real feel.
Ask about wear. An "extra firm" mattress may meet your needs right now. But what will it feel like a month, a year, or five years from now? Ask the sales staff or manufacturer for information on how the bed wears over time.
Read reviews. If you're still not sure about the firmness, read reviews. Real customer reviews and references can help you to determine how the bed wears and whether it's firm or soft enough for you.
While size and firmness are major issues to consider, these aren't the only factors. Read on for more information on what else you need to think about before you buy a brand-new bed.
What Type of Material Do You Want?
The internal structure of your bed can create a firmer, softer, or generally more comfortable feel. The most common inner materials include:
Coil. These beds are filled with metal or wire springs. The coils compress under weight, providing superior support.
Memory foam. This type of foam-filled bed offers support, helps spinal alignment, isolates motion, and can relieve pressure in specific areas of the body.
Gel. This type of bed feels somewhat like memory foam, but offers a cooler sleep choice.
Whether you prefer a wide, firm coil mattress or a narrow, soft memory foam bed, you have plenty of choices. Try a few different combinations, read reviews, and select the bedroom centerpiece that feels just right to you.