Mattress Selection Tips, Articles, Food & Home

Perhaps the most important thing to getting a good night’s rest is having a comfortable mattress. It’s recommended that if your current mattress is ten years or older, then it’s time to get a new one. Here are four tips to keep in mind when buying a new bed mattress.

Test out various mattress types. Mattresses vary in the way they are constructed so be sure to try out different kinds in order to identify the one that makes you feel most comfortable. Some options include a pocket coil spring mattress which has individual springs wrapped in a fabric encasement, an open coil spring mattress in which the springs are hinged together, and a memory foam mattress which moulds itself to the shape the body.

Choose the right size. Feeling cramped in your bed all night certainly won’t leave you to feel well-rested in the morning so be sure to pick a size that gives you plenty of room to move around while you’re asleep. If you sleep with a partner, a queen or king size bed is recommended since these are wider and longer than a standard "double” size bed. This will allow both of you to sleep comfortably. When deciding on the bed size, also consider the size of the room that the mattress will be in. The last thing you want is to buy a bed that takes up all the space—or worse, doesn’t fit—in the room!

Ensure adequate support. Look for a mattress that will provide excellent support to all parts of your body, and in particular to the lower back, hips and shoulders. When lying down, your spine should maintain the same shape as when you’re in a correct standing posture. By not having the proper support, you are susceptible to incurring back pains. Be sure to lie down on the mattress in order to test it out for the right amount of firmness.

Take it for a test sleep. Some manufacturers offer a comfort warranty in which you can return the mattress within a set period of time should it turn out that the mattress winds up feeling uncomfortable after a few nights’ sleep. Ask about any specific terms that need to be met to in order for the warranty to be honoured. For example, you may be required to purchase a mattress pad so that the mattress remains in good condition upon return.