A mattress is an important piece of furniture that you should purchase. Unless you are prone to sleeping in an armchair, you will spend about a third of your life on it.
These seven factors are important to consider before purchasing a mattress. They will have a significant impact on how you feel the next day and the quality of your rest.
1. Set a budget. Prices for mattresses can vary widely. You may be able to find a cheap mattress and box spring set for as low as $100 if price is your main concern. However, I would recommend getting the best mattress and box spring that you can afford. My first two mattress purchases were made purely on price and I never got a good night's sleep. I saved money and bought a high-quality mattress years ago. It was a wise purchase. Now I wake up feeling refreshed and energized, and not tired and sore as I used to be.
2. Decide the size of mattress you want to buy. A twin-sized mattress is best for a small boy. However, if you're buying a mattress to sleep on, I recommend a queen-size bed. If you can afford a king-size bed, and have the space for it, I recommend it.
It's nice to have a king-sized bed. If you think a full-size mattress would be enough for two people, consider this: A full-size mattress gives each person the exact same amount of space as a baby crib. Although queen-size mattresses are the most common size, two people can sleep in a queen-sized bed. However, they still have 10,5 inches more bed width than if they were sharing a twin bed.
Standard sizes for mattresses include: Double/Full: 54 inches wide, 75 inches long; Queen; 60” wide, 80” long; King: 76” wide, 80” long; Twin: 39” wide, 75” long; Twin Extra Long; 38” wide; 80” long; California KING 72” wide, 84” long
3. Examine. Take a test. Essay. Try the mattress. Try different mattresses in different stores. Find the one that you feel most comfortable. Not all mattresses are made equal. It all depends on each individual. You and your partner may prefer different firmness levels. A mattress with different firmness levels can be found on either side. So, for example, I like a firmer mattress than my partner so that his side is firmer than mine. Comfort, as long as it is within your budget, might be your first consideration.
4. Do not be too concerned about the words firm, extra firm, etc. Particularly when you are looking at mattresses made by other manufacturers. In the mattress industry, firmness is not uniform. A mattress labelled "firm" by a producer could actually be firmer than a mattress labelled "extra firm". Comfort and support are what you should be looking for. When you lie down on a mattress, you want to feel secure and cradled. Don't be afraid to go into stores and lay down on as many mattresses you like. This is the best way to determine if a mattress suits you. If you don't plan to sleep in your clothes and shoes every night, lying on a mattress without your coat or shoes is not the best way to determine what mattress is right for you. Take them off.
5. Although warranty is important, it's not as crucial as you might think. While a mattress with a 25-year guarantee is excellent, the average life expectancy for a top-quality mattress is only 10 years. A warranty should protect you from any faults or troubles. A sleep warranty to protect you from faults and troubles is far more important than a longer warranty. A sleep warranty gives you a period of time to test your mattress. Some stores and manufacturers offer a sleep warranty for up to ninety-days, while the minimum is thirty days. You can return the mattress or exchange it if you feel it isn't right for you.
My last mattress was purchased from Verlon, a specialty sleep shop that custom-builds each mattress. It came with a 60-day sleep guarantee. The store would come to our home and pick up the mattress if we didn't like it. They also take it back to the factory to rebuild it. That peace of mind was a great thing. After sleeping on the mattress for several weeks, I realized that my side was too firm. We called the shop where we purchased it and set up an appointment for them to pick it up. The store collected our mattress at the beginning of the morning, then took it to the factory/store, rebuilt it, and returned it the next day. This was done to ensure that we had a mattress to rest on.
6. The next terms to be familiarized with are innerspring and box spring. Also known as the foundation. The most popular type of mattress is innerspring. Innerspring mattresses are made with tempered steel coils and encased by layers of cushioning or upholstery. The mattress is supported by a box spring. A mattress that is not new can be placed on an old box spring. The producer box spring and the mattress will work together to provide you with the best product. Many manufacturers will also void your warranty if the mattress is not used with the box spring.
7. You should know what other options you have, beyond the box spring and innerspring sets. There are many options available depending on your needs. These options include foam mattresses, futons and adjustable beds as well as waterbeds.
Foam mattresses A foam mattress may be made of a single piece of foam or several layers of different types. Many foam mattresses include a memory foam top layer. This foam remembers your body's shape and adapts to it.
Futons - futon bed frames are basically a frame that has a folded mattress. Futons can be used as a couch or bed. Futons come with a 6-inch mattress which is not very comfortable if it is to be used as a principal bed. An innerspring mattress is a better choice if the futon will be used as a bed. Many manufacturers make innerspring mattresses suitable for futons. Although innerspring mattresses can be a bit more expensive, they are also much more comfortable. An 8-inch foam mattress may be the best option if an innerspring mattress is not within your budget.
Airbed - An airbed is exactly what it sounds like: a bed filled with air. Airbeds can be easily transported, set up quickly, and stored away after use. An airbed is a mattress that I keep in my house for extra guests on vacations. Airbeds today are more than just a large piece of plastic. The airbed is extremely comfortable thanks to its pillow top mattress. Airbeds can be adjusted in firmness and/or heated to increase comfort.
Adaptable beds: An adjustable bed can be compared to an infirmary bed. It allows you to adjust the foot and head of the bed as you wish. All sizes of adaptable beds are available. Larger sizes have separate controls for each side.
Waterbeds – Today, waterbeds are stronger than the water-filled mattresses you used to get sick from in the 70's. These new designs look like an innerspring/custom box springs. To provide support and comfort, the inner layer of the mattress is covered with foiling and upholstery.
