How to Buy the Best Mattress: 5 Tips to Guide You to a Good Night’s Sleep

Studies show that we sleep approximately two-thirds of our life (eight hours out of 24 hours daily), so it makes perfect sense to approach the purchase of a mattress from a well-researched position.  It’s also reasonable to understand the fear some of us have when shopping for a mattress. First, there’s the cost – buying a mattress is not cheap (at least not a good one; they carry hefty price tags). Then there’s the very real fear of buying the wrong mattress.

The wrong mattress can be the wrong size,  too hard, too soft, too tall, or too short. Whatever may be wrong with the mattress usually results in a bad nights sleep. And study after study has shown that not getting enough of “good” sleep will affect other aspects of our lives negatively. So choosing the best mattress really is a major decision. We’ve prepared a quick guide to mattress buying that will help you make the best decision when you’re shopping for a mattress.

1.   Get the Right Size: If you have an existing bed, then measure your current mattress (assuming you got the right size to fit your bed originally) and take those measurements along when shopping for your new mattress. For a new bed, also measure the bed for the box springs as well as the mattress, as you will most likely be buying a mattress set (mattress and box springs).   Measure for depth as some mattresses are very deep (plush pillow tops) and may not fit your bed well. Another thing to keep in mind if you have an existing mattress set – is to consider whether you will be replacing the box springs in addition to the mattress.

2.  Take the Mattress for a Test Sleep: Don’t bother wasting your time at bedding or mattress stores that do not offer generous “test” periods. There is absolutely no way, really no way, in which you can tell if a particular mattress is meant for you by testing it for five minutes or so. Just not going to happen. The  store environment makes it impossible for you to relax enough to let your inhibitions rest as you contort your body into your natural sleep configurations (and in some case you may not even be aware that you flip or switch sides during the night). 

Ask for a 30 to 90 day test period with full refund if you should decide the bed is not for you– if they don’t give it to you, leave and find another mattress store that will. 

3.  Not all Mattresses are the Same: Let me bust the myth that all mattresses are equal and buying the cheapest one is just as good. No. No. No. We get hundreds of email questions on mattress buying and one of the the running themes is “I read that you can buy a $200 mattress that feels like a $1000 mattress – is that true?”. The answer always is, “perhaps”. There’s mattress clearance sales in which old or discontinued mattress models need to be liquidated to make room for new mattresses. Then there’s the possibility that a mattress store is going out of business and needs to sell all products at clearance prices.

However, the above scenarios depict quality mattresses being sold below value for a variety of reasons . but it is extremely rare to pickup a truly cheap mattress, not a $1000 mattress on sale, (say in the $200 to $400 range) that in anyway, shape or form meets with the quality of a $1000 mattress.

Having said that, I also believe that you can be happy with a less expensive mattress because in the end it’s not simply about the price tag or prestige associated with the mattress that matters. Comfort is king, and if a $200 mattress fits your needs than why spend $1000?

4.  State Your Mission: Don’t let a mattress salesperson pin you down to a price range – let them know that all you care about during the test period is comfort, warranty,and, of course, a store that offers a generous mattress testing period. 

5. Focus on the Important: Keep in mind that the mattress will be part of your home and life for a substantial part of your life. Buying a cheaply made, uncomfortable mattress is bad for your health in the long run. As with any household product that will last for several years, buy the very best you can afford now – otherwise you may find yourself shopping for a new mattress sooner than the “new one’s” end of life.

As was mentioned earlier, you can buy high quality, high end, even luxury, mattresses on sale at various times of the year. Once you know what you are looking for in a mattress then it becomes easier to take advantage of seasonal bedding sales, where you can get incredible deals and savings.

How many layers should a latex mattress have?

“Ask The Decorating Diva”

Dear The Decorating Diva,

I’m looking to buy a latex foam mattress and after reviewing all the available mattress choices I’m having a hard time figuring out if there is any benefit to buying a latex mattress that has one, two, three, or more layers. Is it worth the money? These mattresses are kind of steep price wise and I don’t want to spend money on a feature that isn’t necessary.

B. Steele in Austin, TX

B.,

Most eco-friendly bedding, including mattresses do tend to carry a much higher price tag than it’s less environmentally friendly siblings, so I can understand your desire to obtain some savings by carefully weighing your mattress buying options.

Typically latex foam mattresses are constructed from either two, three or four layers, with the softest layers on top of more firm layers beneath. In the two layer latex mattress you can expect to find a thin layer of foam laid atop a much thicker layer of latex foam. The three layer latex mattress follows the same layer recipe as the two layer – and then adds an even thicker layer at the bottom which will provide a nice and firm sleeping surface.

The best method to determine which layered latex mattress best suits your sleeping needs is to try them out.  A mattress is a major expenditure and many mattress and bedding companies allow “sleep trial” periods.

Best,
Carmen Natschke
Editor, The Decorating Diva LLC

Sealy Posturepedic Pillow Topper Mattress Pad

The Sealy Posturepedic pillow top mattress pad is an excellent and affordable upgrade to your current mattress. The pillow top mattress pad fits snuggly and also protects your mattress from stains – so even if your current mattress doesn’t need a rejuvenation plumping, you may want to consider the Sealy mattress topper to help lengthen the life of your current mattress.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Sealy Bedding

Vera Wang Mattress: Something Blue

Vera Wang brings her signature high design style to Serta with the introduction of the “Something Blue Plush  Mattress Set”. What makes this Vera Wang bedding option worthwhile (in our opinion) is that it is eco-friendly and luxurious. The Vera Wang Something Blue mattress is created from environmentally safe natural latex foam combined with technologically advanced Visco memory foam for a perfect night’s sleep.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Vera Wang

Latex and Soy Cloud Mattress – Eco Friendly Bedding

Cloud Mattress from Natura World made of an eco-balanced combination of natural latex and natural soy foam encased in an eco-friendly and hypoallergenic wool lining covered in a soft cotton blend.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Natura World

Savvy Rest Organic Mattress

Organic Mattress from Savvy Rest. Savvy Rest lets you customize your organic bedding experience, you can choose from 2, 3 or 4 layers of natural latex (your choice of Dunlop latex or Talalay latex) wrapped in organic cotton or wool.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Savvy Rest

Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo Latex Foam Mattress

Simmons Natural Care Latex Foam Mattress (Pike’s Peak). The Pike’s Peak luxury mattress features the best natural latex available, Talalay. In addition to the highest quality natural latex material, the Pike’s Peak mattress provides a firm seating edged composed of soy enhance foam. The Evenloft (TM) Design provides for a very even sleeping surface which can contribute to a better night’s sleep.

Images copyright of respective companies.

Home Decor Buyer Resource: Simmons Natural Care by Danny Seo

Eco Chic in Bedroom Design

The Eco Chic decorating style transcends using only sustainable materials in interior decorating. Eco Chic design combines organic and sustainable materials with the concept of giving old decor and materials a new lease on life!

DESIGN  SKETCHBOOK ELEMENTS (Bedroom design “Eco Chic”):

• Continental Organic Mattress (Hastens - dealer locations) – A purely organic, hand-made mattress made from Cotton, horse hair, flax and pure wool. Completely free from all types of Earth toxic materials like foam rubber, polyurethane and latex. A favorite of the Swedish royal family.
• Legna Seville Luxury Linens (SDH Enterprises, Inc – dealer locations) – Sustainable and organic sheets never felt so good as the silken texture of the SDH Legna collection. Indulge in pure luxury with zero guilt. This eco-friendly, alternative to cotton, luxury bedding is created from wood pulp that has been harvested from managed forests. The process yields a long-lasting, supple and lustrous fabric that gets softer and softer with every wash.
• Madeleine Boulesteix Teacup Chandelier (Madeleine Boulesteix) – Ms. Boulesteix elevates recycling to an illuminating art. She re-imagines the common tea cup, broken chains and other “discarded” every day housewares; a heap of broken bits, salvaged, fused and given new life as one-of-a-kind chandeliers.
• Recycled Glass Balloon Vases (Viva Terra )
• Diminutive Polychrome Painted Louis XVI Slant Front Desk (1st Dibs) – Buying antiques is earth friendly, its that simple. The furniture is already here, no need to manufacture it, so why not take advantage of such gorgeous pieces such as the Louis XVI  desk? This piece will set you back about $30,000 but you can pick up similar beautiful antiques or used reproductions at flea markets and garage sales.
• J.H. Thorpe “Beaufort House” Lovely Printed Linen (Design Diva Fabrics) – Re-purposing/ Re-using vintage fabrics is earth friendly, and the 44 yards of this beautiful linen can be used to reupholster a flea market find, create custom drapes or sew up that fabulous upholstered headboard you’ve been day-dreaming about.

Image Attributions: All Images are copyrighted from their respective companies.

5 Tips For Green Nursery Shopping – The Nursery Issue 2008

1. Look for nursery furniture made from sustainable and renewable sources such as bamboo, cork or from trees harvested from renewable forests in which trees are planted for those cut down.

2. Recycle, Repurpose and Reclaim – three words to keep in mind when looking for environmentally friendly baby furniture. Many home furnishing manufacturers are now using reclaimed woods . As for repurposing, take a walk into any thrift store and let your imagination go wild.. Note the only exception to this rule: buy the crib and mattress new from a Green Vendor.

3. Buy locally if at all possible, doing so will reduce the carbon foot print required to transport the furniture. This is another reason to check out second hand stores for furniture you want, since that furniture has already made the trip once.

4. Avoid any furniture products created with particle board since formaldehyde is used to bind the wood particles. Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) and should be avoided. Also take note of paints and varnishes used on the furniture, as with the formaldehyde avoid VOC laden finishes.

5. Ask for natural fibers (silk, linen, cotton) for furniture fabrics and eco-friendly foam (soy foam is becoming more widely available) in sofa cushions and pillows.

BABY GOES GREEN

Solare Crib Ash Cloud with Moonlight Mobile from qCollection Junior Baby Furniture – a celebrity favorite counting among their fans: Gwyneth Paltrow . This eco-friendly baby crib adheres to strict sustainability standards. No use of toxic Formaldehyde! Safe for baby and for the Earth. ($1220 at qcollectionjunior.com).

Baby Natura Organic Crib Mattress is made with all-natural Talalay latex a renewable natural resource. The mattress is covered in a soft, European 100 percent organic cotton cover. Eco-conscious parents will also love the no-pesticide standard this company embraces. (naturaworld.com).

Blanket Friend made of 100% Organic Egyptian Cotton ($15) – (underthenile.com).