The Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for a Mattress

Buying a new mattress is a daunting task that few relish. The range of prices, features, and stores can make your head spin. It doesn't have to be this difficult. Bearing a few things in mind while you try and find that perfect place to sleep can ease that big purchase tension.

1. Don't limit your mattress search to innerspring mattresses.
Innersprings mattresses have long been the standard and for that reason many people are inclined to shop accordingly. Recently that trend has been changing as more and more people are realizing the benefits of getting-edge sleep systems. Latex and memory foam beds are superior to innersprings in comfort, support, and price.

2. Explore what will best suit your needs.
It is easy to be swept up in advertising and form opinions about products without ever having tried them or done any further research. This is one of the biggest mistakes to be made when shopping for a mattress. Being dead set on having a memory foam bed can blind you to the possibility that latex, with its antimicrobial properties and breathability may be a better mattress for you. You may find that memory foam is what you needed, but it is important to keep your mind open.

3. Don't be sidetracked by trends or gimmicks.
Though it may seem like fun to change the firmness of your bed every night through products like air beds, it is not worth losing the support your body needs. Find a mattress that is customizable but continues to offer support. For example, it is easy to customize latex mattresses to any firmness level without losing support, even for couples.

4. Know the difference between firmness and support.
It is a common misconception that firmer is better. This theory has been debunked. As it turns out the human body does in fact have curves. The best mattress for you will relieve pressure points while supporting your body.

5. Don't buy more than you need.
Many mattress sellers will try and sell you a whole new mattress set even if you already have a perfectly good box spring. If your box spring isn't broken don't replace it. In the case of a platform bed, which provides more under bed storage, a box spring is unnecessary.

6. Know what the exchange policy is.
Being stuck on an uncomfortable mattress that cost you a fortune is a miserable experience. Many retailers have exchange policies extending up to a month to ensure that you know the mattress you buy is the mattress you want. Know what the store's policy is before thinking about buying.

7. Take into account the importance of a good night's sleep.
A lot of people undervalue the time they spend in bed. A cheap innerspring mattress will not relieve pressure points near as well as memory foam or latex, which means more tossing and turning, and less deep restful sleep.

8. Don't be too attached to brand names.
Name brand products are often very high quality. However, many smaller scale manufacturers and retailers generate comparable and often superior products at a fraction of the price.

9. Take into consideration the longevity of the mattress.
Mattress lifespan is important to consider because it affects the cost of the mattress relative to time. A good latex mattress will remain a premium sleeping surface for twice as long as any innerspring mattress. Be sure to ask about warranties on any mattress you are considering.

10. Be sure to know the features and benefits.
Knowing the features and benefits is the only way to decide which mattress is going to work best for you. To the uninformed eye a cover is a cover. To someone in the know, a cover is an amazing feature. Some covers are antimicrobial to reduce the number of allergens in the sleeping area. Some breathe better than others allowing excess moisture to be rapidly dissipated. Still others stretch to form to your body. Remember that there are important considerations when choosing a mattress cover.

With these tips in hand, it's easier to focus on the ultimate goal of achieving a comfortable, restful sleep. Inquire into new technologies and investigate as many different options as possible using the internet before you walk into a store. Use these points to form your own list of preferences and questions and take your business to someone who listens to your questions and answers them honestly. The most powerful ally for any consumer, after all, is preparation!

Ben Hermsen, a latex mattress and foam cushion engineer, is a manager for FoamSource.com where he champions the benefits of latex mattresses, toppers and pillows for both individual health and also the preservation of our natural environment. For more information on ordering latex mattresses, click here.

---

Carbon Monoxide Can Be Deadly--Early Detection Monitors Make It Easy to Protect Your Family

If you burn gas, kerosene, or wood in your home... Read More

Roller Blinds

What is behind the popularity of roller blinds. Is it... Read More

Home Office: Identifying Your Needs

Not many years ago, the thought of working from home... Read More

Kitchen Design Online ? Understanding the Work Triangle and Kitchen Layouts

Good kitchen design online means having a layout for your... Read More

Electrical Home Inspection: What You Need to Know!

Whether you're buying a home, or just moving in to... Read More

Which Lamp Should I Choose?

With all the lighting choices out there, you may want... Read More

Bathroom Magic

Believe it or not, the bathroom is one of the... Read More

Feng Shui Tips For Your Home Office

Did you know that over 50% of women now run... Read More

What Does It Take To Be An Interior Designer?

When trying to decide if Interior Design is right for... Read More

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Every one lives in a house but every house is... Read More

Traditional Interior Design

Traditional interior design encompasses a great variety of elements in... Read More

Deck Building Ledger - The Secrets to Successful Deck Construction

The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to successful... Read More

5 Questions To Ask Before Starting Any Home Improvement Project

1. What experience does your contractor have with this type... Read More

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More

Kitchen Cabinets are The Soul of Your Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets reflect the heart and soul of the homeowner.... Read More

Tips To Improve The Quality Of Your Outdoor Space And Patio

It's easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out just... Read More

Planning Your DIY Project

Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through... Read More

Unique and Imaginative Wall Storage Ideas

Everyone can use more organization in their lives (except those... Read More

Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix

You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some... Read More

Ridding Your Home of Geopathic Stress

Just as there are solar magnetic stresses that come from... Read More

Hand Hooked Rugs

Hand hooked rugs are a great way to add splendor... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More

The $27,000 Toilet Seat - Funny DIY Story

This story was told to me by a plumber I... Read More

New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living

For the past several years I have seen the emergence... Read More

Ladder Safety Tips

One of the many tools that home owners use regularly... Read More