Use This Guide for Your Next Mattress Purchase

We’ve heard the story plenty of times: it’s been around ten years since you’ve replaced your mattress, and you’re thinking it may be time to find a comfortable new replacement. The good news is you’ve come to the right place. The not-so-good news is that a mattress purchase is no small decision. In fact, it’s a huge investment – not just financially, but also for your health! Think about it: we spend about one-third of our life sleeping. Since you’re going to spend so much time resting on your mattress, it only makes sense to choose one that is comfortable, suitable for your body, and gives you quality sleep every night.

Of course, there are a ton of options on the market today. The question is: how can you determine which mattress would be the best fit for you? The following information discusses key factors that you should consider, and breaks down some major differences between the many available mattress types.

Mattress Types

First, let’s get an overview of the 4 most common mattress types that you can purchase. These are:

• Innerspring/coils: This is the traditional mattress type and provides strong body support through a network of springs overlaid by a felt pad and foam cover.
• Latex: These mattresses consist of two basic layers: a top layer of latex and a bottom layer of support foam. They offer good bounce and responsiveness.
• Memory foam: This mattress type exploded onto the scene in the ’90s, and has remained popular ever since. It consists of high-density foam that adapts to the contours of the sleeper’s body and provides unsurpassed motion isolation properties (e.g. you can bounce on one side of the bed and keep a glass of wine upright on the other side).
• Hybrid: The term “hybrid” comes from the fact that these mattresses combine the motion isolation and adaptability of memory foam with the strong support of traditional innerspring models.

Of course, there are many more mattress types available (such as adjustable mattresses, waterbeds, etc.), but these 4 options are the most popular choices for the average consumer. Now, let’s consider some key factors you should think about before making a purchase.

Lifespan

If you’re looking for a long-term investment, then you should think about these factors:

• Latex is the most durable mattress type on the market, and can often provide you with good sleep for well over 10 years.
• Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are about neck and neck as far as longevity, with both topping out at about 8-10 years.
• Innerspring mattresses fall into the least durable category, with some lasting less than 8 years before they need a replacement.

Firmness

The firmness or softness of your mattress should be one of the biggest factors in your decision. You need to consider two key elements: your favorite sleeping position, and your weight.

• Favorite sleeping position. For better or for worse, we all have a favorite sleeping position, and it’s important to take that into account when purchasing a mattress. If you tend to sleep on your side, then you’ll want a softer mattress (anywhere from 2 to 5 on the firmness scale) that provides more flexibility for your body’s contours. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, then you’ll probably need a firmer mattress to give you extra support (about 4 to 7 on the scale for back sleepers, and 5 to 7 for the stomach).
• Your weight. Most mattresses are rated for an average sleeper of about 180 lbs. If you weigh less than 150 lbs, then you may want a softer, more comfortable bed top. If you weigh between 150 and 180 lbs, then you’ll likely enjoy sleeping on a mattress with industry-standard firmness (5-7). And if you weigh more than 180 lbs, then you should consider an even firmer option to adjust for sinkage.

Find More Tips for Your First Mattress Purchase

Selecting a mattress is an important investment. You’ll want to carefully consider the above factors in order to make an informed decision that you can be happy with for years to come.

If you need any extra help in choosing a new mattress, don’t hesitate to visit Matter Brothers Furniture in Naples, FL, or at one of our other convenient locations. We carry trusted brands like Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, and Stearns & Foster. Or contact us via our website today, and one of our experienced furniture experts will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.