How to Select a Mattress Set

by J. Paventi

Purchasing a mattress is an important decision. People spend anywhere between six to nine hours each day in their beds, making it one of the most used pieces of furniture in any home. Old or inadequate mattresses can affect the quality of your sleep, which translates into poor performance the next day.

Selecting a Mattress Set:

Select a size. The size of the mattress set is the combination of necessity and preference. If you are single, you may only need a single or twin bed but prefer something bigger. A couple may only need a double or full-size bed but want a king-size bed. When selecting the size of a bed, consider two things:

Size of Bedroom

The size of the bedroom. If the bedroom is only 8 feet by 10 feet, the 6-foot by 7-foot California king may not be the right choice.

Size of Sleepers

The size of the people using the bed. Mattress retailers recommend purchasing a bed that is at least 4 inches longer than the tallest person sleeping in the bed.

Decide between a spring and non-spring mattress. The vast majority of the mattresses consist of spring mattresses. Pricing on spring mattresses is usually determined by the number of springs. Open-coil mattresses feature the least amount of springs, widely spaced throughout. Continuous spring mattresses have smaller springs that are spaced closer together. Pocket spring mattresses have softer springs that fit into pocketed areas on the bottom of the mattress. Non-spring mattresses include water beds and visco-elastic memory foam mattresses.
Determine the firmness of the mattress. The density of the mattress does not affect the quality or price. Mattress firmness is a matter of preference. Mattresses are available on a scale of extra soft, soft, medium, firm and extra firm. Your desired level of firmness will usually depend on your preferred sleeping position. Back-sleepers tend to prefer firmer mattresses that support the spine. Stomach-sleepers typically prefer a softer mattress. People who sleep on their sides usually like a mattress of medium firmness to avoid pressure points but also keep the spine aligned.
Determine what should be on top. Regular mattresses have flat tops, but as an added option, they can be equipped with special tops for comfort. Pillow-top mattresses feature material to soften the top of the bed. The stuffing ranges from the visco-elastic foam to down feathers to textile filling. The complexity of the filling increases the price of the mattress.
Box springs can be just as important as the mattress. Replacing a spring mattress without replacing the box springs is a common mistake. Memory-foam mattresses do not need box springs. However, spring mattresses require the box springs in order to function properly, just as a car needs tires.