What to Consider When Buying a New Mattress

Posted by Dufresne Furniture and Appliances

Investing in a quality mattress is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your sleep and achieve a healthier lifestyle. Many people, however, are spending night after night on the wrong mattress or one that’s past its prime. If you can relate to any of the following points, it could be time to replace your old mattress and upgrade your sleep.

1. You wake up with sore or achy hips or shoulders (especially side sleepers)
2. You have worsening or chronic back problems (especially stomach/back sleepers)
3. You toss and turn throughout the night, looking for a comfortable position
4. Your constant readjusting is disturbing your partner
5. Your current mattress is five to ten years old

Were you surprised by the last one? While some mattresses may not show outer signs of wear and tear for ten or even fifteen years, components can compress or relax over time, changing the feel and performance of the mattress. Often, your body will tell you that it’s time for a new mattress before your eyes do.

What is the best mattress for me?

The best mattress for you is the one that is not only comfortable, but properly aligns your neck and spine, relieves pressure points, and allows your body to enter a deep and uninterrupted sleep. Although there are many things to consider when choosing a new mattress, including personal preference, your sleep position, height and weight, and lifestyle all play a big role.

What difference does my sleep position make?

Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach, sleep position is a big factor in deciding the level of firmness you need for comfortable, supported sleep.

For example, a side sleeper might find that a firm mattress leaves them feeling sore in the hips and shoulders or causes them to reposition themselves frequently during the night. That same mattress, on the other hand, could be ideal for a stomach sleeper who experiences back pain from sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft.

Here are some general guidelines for side, back, and stomach sleepers:

• Side sleepers put most of their weight into their shoulders and hips, creating uncomfortable pressure points. Therefore, they need a soft, thick comfort layer that contours to the curves of the body and provides pressure relief in those areas.

A plush memory foam mattress or a medium hybrid mattress with a deep pillow top are two excellent options for a side sleeper. If you are above average in height and weight, look for a hybrid with additional “zoned” support in the center third of the bed where you need it most.

• Back sleepers don’t require quite as thick a comfort layer as side sleepers because they spread their weight more evenly on the mattress. However, it’s still important to have some cushioning to fill in the gap between the mattress and the lower back to provide adequate support for the lumbar area.

Balancing responsive support with just the right amount of cushioning at the sleep surface, a medium or firm comfort top innerspring mattress is a great choice for a back sleeper. Again, the ideal firmness will depend on your weight and height; choose a firmer mattress if your hips sink deeper than your shoulders.

• Because stomach sleepers hold the straightest body position and are in full contact with the mattress, they require even less surface cushioning than back sleepers. In this case, your grandfather was right—always sleep on a firm mattress. Sinking into a mattress that is too soft can create an unnatural curve of the spine, leaving the lower back stiff and sore in the morning.

A firm, tight top mattress that doesn’t allow you to “sink in” will give you the correct spinal alignment, but you may wish to fine tune the sleep surface with a breathable, cooling mattress protector.

Which type of mattress is right for me?

Memory foam, innerspring, hybrid—at this point, you’re probably asking yourself what all of these different mattress terms mean. Your Dream Expert will be able to show you examples of each, but here’s a quick primer on the on the main mattress types you’ll see when shopping for your perfect sleep system.

• Memory foam mattresses, which are often referred to as “Bed-in-a-Box” because they are compressed before shipping for easy transport and set-up, have been growing in popularity in recent years. This is due to their convenience as well as the material’s body contouring, cushioning support and its motion isolating properties.

• Innerspring mattresses are constructed with layers of comfort and support foam over an inner system of sprigs, designed to respond to your body’s every movement. If you share a bed with a partner, kids, or a pet, look for an innerspring mattress with either individually pocketed coils or springs that are connected head-to-toe to reduce motion transfer.

• Hybrid mattresses hit the sweet spot between memory foam and innerspring, combining the two technologies in perfect harmony. If you are looking for the pressure relief of a memory foam mattress, but you also appreciate the classic feel and responsiveness of an innerspring, hybrids are a terrific option.

What about adjustable bed bases?

In addition to promoting healing and circulation and helping with conditions such as acid reflux and snoring, an adjustable lifestylebed can make everyday tasks like reading and watching TV in bed so much more comfortable. Plus, some models even come with a built-in massage feature for the ultimate in after-work relaxation.

Is there help for a hot sleeper?

Kicking off the covers or sleeping with the window open used to be the only relief for overheating at night. Thanks to new technology, however, you can finally have your sleep and keep your cool even if you are a naturally hot sleeper or if hormonal changes have your temperature fluctuating.

Traditionally, innerspring mattresses would be recommended for a hot sleeper, but advancements in mattress materials have opened up a whole new world of choice for hot sleepers. Look for mattresses of all types that use cooling fabrics at the sleep surface, specialized heat dissipating foams, and inner support layers that promote air circulation.

What is the Dream Experience?

When you consider that we spend on average one-third of our lives in bed, it makes sense to put the work into finding the right sleep system. That’s why Dufresne created the Dream Experience. Led by certified Dream Experts, the Dream Experience can help you shop with confidence and in a lot less time, by matching you with your ultimate sleep system.

It all starts with a survey of your sleep habits and any underlying concerns you may have. Backed by experience and extensive training, your Dream Expert uses the information your provide to determine the ideal combination of comfort and support for your sleep style and budget.

We’re confident that you can sleep better and wake rested and refreshed on a new mattress, perfectly matched to your sleep style. Book your appointment today for an in-store or virtual Dream Experience at your local Dufresne, or shop our wide selection of mattresses online today.

Sweet dreams!