Don’t buy a mattress until you’ve read these tips!
When asked what’s worse than buying a mattress, most people are stumped. Buying a car? Root canal? There’s so much to learn and as you go from store to store (or website to website) you start to realize there’s a lot more going on here than you ever expected. For example, which mattress components are better for your sleep: latex, inner spring, memory foam? Which ones will support your back, maintain a consistent temperature throughout the night and simply, help you sleep better?
It’s enough to turn you into a grumpy-ready-for-a-nap-toddler!
There’s a steep learning curve to shopping for a new mattress but it’s not a guessing game. Finding the best new mattress for you (and your partner) takes time – and about 12 steps. The good news is that if you follow all 12 steps, you’ll be rewarded with the best sleep of your life at the end. Worth it, right? Follow our 12 step mattress buying guide and make an educated choice when you’re ready to buy a new mattress.
12 simple steps to buying a new mattress
Assess your current mattress – If you sleep better in hotels than at home, if you wake up tired and with a sore and achy back more than once a week or if your mattress is lumpy or sags, it’s time to go mattress shopping.
- Assess your current mattress – If you sleep better in hotels than at home, if you wake up tired and with a sore and achy back more than once a week or if your mattress is lumpy or sags, it’s time to go mattress shopping.
- Choose your mattress size – If you share a bed with a partner or if you’re taller than average, you’ve probably experienced at least one night struggling to get comfortable. Size matters – for the people in the bed and the room you put the bed in. Not every bedroom can fit a king size mattress. Print out our mattress size chart and then break out the tape measure.
- Talk to your doctor – Do you have a health condition that affects your sleep? While your doctor may not fully appreciate the difference between inner spring and latex, s/he might be able to offer advice on temperature control or the need for extra cushioning for your joints or back.
- Research online – Visit manufacturer websites and read lots and lots of reviews. But be wary. Not everything you read online is true and some of it can be downright confusing. Check out our guide to understanding and using mattress reviews to make a better buying decision.
- Set your budget – It’s important to understand that mattresses vary in prices because of what’s inside them. You might want a Cadillac version that offers temperature control, back support and a slick designer cover. But your Honda budget might object. Just remember that there’s a lot of nice Honda’s at lower prices. Decide how much you want to spend and focus your research on that price category. You’ll be amazed at the comfort options within each budget.
- Go shopping – We believe buying a new mattress should take longer than it takes to order a pizza. You might suffer indigestion one night if you order the wrong pizza but a wrong-for-you mattress has a bigger impact on your life. There’s no better way to shop for a mattress than to go to a store.
- Test drive a lot of mattresses – When you buy a new smart phone, you hold it in your hand, push the buttons, check out the apps – and you do that for a lot of phones before you choose the one that feels right to you. Buying a mattress is no different. Understanding the difference between mattresses means lying on each one in different positions.
- Slow down – Your body needs time to feel each mattress and compare it to the one you’re currently sleeping on. Eliminate the ones that don’t feel good and spend at least 15 minutes on the mattresses that do. Chat with your partner while you’re lying down and focus on areas that give you discomfort at home.
- Talk about the components of the mattress – Some people prefer a plush, pillow-top mattress with a supportive inner-spring core while others enjoy the suppleness of latex. As you lie on each mattress, ask questions about what’s inside and how those components can help you sleep better. This step keeps you on the mattress longer, which will help you begin to understand what your body responds to better.
- Visit LA Mattress Stores – Department stores may advertise more sales but they can be crowded and it can be tricky to find a qualified sales person to answer your questions. Begin with an independent mattress retailer or furniture store for the expertise – and you’ll likely be surprised at their price competitiveness too.
- Talk about the warranty – Before purchasing, understand what the retailer and manufacturer warrants in the mattress. Workmanship and materials should be guaranteed but comfort is a personal perspective and often not covered in the warranty. Read the fine print so there are no surprises if you need help after your purchase.
- Protect your purchase – Stains on a mattress void the warranty – with every manufacturer. A tipped cup of coffee or glass of wine and there’s no going back. Invest in a waterproof mattress protector when you buy your mattress – for hygiene and to protect your warranty. You’ll be glad you did.
We hope this mattress buying guide has helped you navigate through the sometimes crazy world of mattress shopping. If you have any questions about mattresses, let’s connect!
