If you're not sleeping as well as you once did, or you're waking up with aches and pains, it's probably time to replace your mattress. Actually choosing one from the numerous designs out there, however, is another matter. Will you go for firm or soft? Synthetic or wool filled? Pocket sprung or memory foam? Before you dash out and make a hasty purchase, read what the experts have to say. Adam Black, founder of Button & SprungJamie King, bed buyer at Fishpools Charlie Marshall, founder of Loaf The general consensus is that you should replace your mattress every seven to eight years. "Even if it doesn't show many outward signs of wear and tear, it may not be giving you the support and comfort you need to get a good night's sleep," says Jamie King. "A sagging area in the middle of your bed is a sure sign a new mattress is needed. Other indicators include lumps and any creaking noises coming from the mattress during the night." There are four main mattress types on the market, although others, such as gel mattresses, are also available.
Understand the terminology before you start shopping. Open-spring mattresses offer support from springs made from one long piece of steel wire. This is the most common mattress type and typically the most affordable choice, but it doesn't always offer the best support for daily use. Pocket-spring mattresses, which have springs individually encased inside fabric pockets, can be more supportive. The choice of filling around the springs inside these and open-spring designs — wool, synthetic or another material — will also make a difference in the support the mattress offers. Memory foam mattresses have no springs. They feel quite different from spring mattresses and mold to the shape of the body. Latex has a resilient feel and is good for allergy sufferers. It's naturally elastic, so it offers a good distribution of pressure along the body. Generally, the thicker the mattress, the better the support. Test a range of beds before making a decision. "It's really down to what's right for you," says Charlie Marshall.
"When hunting for your perfect mattress, settle in as you would at home, kick off your shoes and take a good book with you." Lie down for about 15 minutes, adopting your normal sleeping position. If you share a bed, make sure you're both there to try it. Sprung mattresses generally come in a choice of firm, medium, or soft support. "As a rule of thumb, the heavier you are, the firmer your mattress should be to balance out body weight," advises Adam Black."The lighter a person, the softer and more yielding a mattress should be." Be aware that firmness ratings differ from one manufacturer to another. A mattress that is either too hard or too soft can result in back pain, so take the time to find one that's right for you. "A simple way to gauge this is to place your hand under the small of your back — if there's a gap, then it suggests the mattress is too firm. If you struggle to get your hand underneath, it's probably too soft," King says. When it comes to a bad back, there's no single solution, as no two people are the same.
"While many 'orthopedic' mattresses do tend to be very firm, this doesn't necessarily mean that a hard mattress is right for you," King says. "Instead, look for a model that will offer support for your back as well as high levels of comfort." Buy the most comfortable mattress you can afford. As mattresses increase in price, they tend to have a higher spring count and better-quality fillings. The greater the number of springs and the more luxurious the fillings, the more the mattress will contour to your body, so the less interrupted and more comfortable your sleep should be. Arguably, a pocket-sprung mattress provides the most comfortable night's sleep. "In a pocket-sprung mattress, the springs are not linked together, allowing them to move individually and adjust effectively to the contours of your body," Black says. "They are made from higher-quality materials and can be purchased in different tensions to offer an appropriate level of support." Mattress fillings work in tandem with springs to create a balance of comfort and support.
As a general rule, the more fillings a mattress contains, and the higher the quality of those fillings, the more sumptuous it will feel. "In our experience, synthetic fillings tend not to last as well as natural fillings and have inferior qualities," Black says. "We fill our mattresses with a combination of British-grown hemp and Herdwick wool from Yorkshire. Wool has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal qualities, making it ideal for asthma or allergy sufferers. It's also naturally elastic, which means it keeps its structure, so your mattress keeps its comfort." If your partner is heavier or lighter than you, the solution may be a combination mattress with different spring tensions on either side. "The vast majority of people sleep on the same side of the bed, so it's worth the investment," Black says. Alternatively, consider zip and link mattresses, which are essentially two mattresses of different tensions zipped together. Sleep Number mattresses — air mattresses combined with other bed filling materials, such as memory foam — have dual controls so sleeping partners can adjust their side of the bed to their preferred firmness.
The most popular nonsprung mattresses are those made of memory foam, which is sensitive to heat and therefore molds to the contours of the body to eliminate pressure points and give a supportive night's sleep. Some people find memory foam restrictive, so always try before you buy. When testing, adopt one position and then move into another. If you find it tough to switch positions, this suggests memory foam is not for you. Turn your mattress regularly to prolong its lifespan. If you buy a mattress that can't be turned, rotate it every few weeks so that the head end becomes the foot end. "This is especially important in the first few weeks of use, when the snug top layer begins to settle," Marshall says. "And when investing in a new mattress, check that it comes with a guarantee," Marshall says. Houzz helps you renovate and design your home from start to finish, whether you’re decorating a small room or building a custom home and everything in between. Finding the perfect mattress shouldn’t require a Ph.D. in space-age materials.
But there is some high school science involved. The Basics: feel, price, and durability Everyone has an opinion about what makes a bed comfortable. Feel is the combination of comfort and support that feels right to you. Only you know how you sleep and what you imagine when you think of the perfect bed. Buying a mattress is an investment in your well-being, but everyone has a budget. Know how much you can spend so that you can find a mattress in your price range that feels good, provides adequate support, and is made with quality materials. A good mattress will provide restful sleep for 10 years or more. Investing in quality materials and good construction is the best way to ensure that your mattress has a long, healthy life. We offer a 10-year guarantee on all the products we manufacture. what a mattress should do for you It should conform to the unique shape of your body, allowing you to comfortably settle into the softer materials, but keeping your spine in a straight line while you sleep.
It should distribute your body weight evenly to provide pressure relief in areas that can ache or be sore at the end of the day—specifically your hips and shoulders. It should allow you to move around freely and with minimal effort. Especially important, if you sleep with a partner, you should be able to move freely without disturbing them. It should help you maintain a neutral body temperature throughout the night by regulating airflow and wicking moisture. Many of the materials used to make mattresses are found in nature. Latex foam is made from the sap of a tree, and things like cotton, wool, and bamboo are used as comfort and quilting materials. However, there is no established standard regulating and certifying “organic” in the mattress industry, which has led to some understandable confusion among consumers. Some of the adhesives used to hold mattresses together contain chemicals like formaldehyde. Glues made from latex and other natural materials are readily available and commonly used in higher-quality mattresses.
All of our mattresses use non-chemical adhesives. Government regulations require that mattresses pass a test to ensure they are fireproof. Traditionally, a host of nasty chemicals have been used for fireproofing, and many mattresses still contain these chemicals. We only sell products that use natural fire barriers like wool and rubber. We design and manufacture our Urban Naturals line in Denver, Colorado, which means we source the natural materials and guarantee that they are organically grown. Your Bed + Mattress + Pillows + Sheets A great night’s sleep starts with a mattress that is right for you. But other parts of the sleep equation are often overlooked. A pillow that fits your sleep style and is made with natural materials makes a huge difference for a relatively small investment. And sheets that keep you cool and comfortable complete the package. It's time you had a talk with your pillow Our pillows are made in Colorado using only the finest textiles and natural materials available.