How to Buy the Right Type of Mattress: Thickness, Firmness and Size

uying a mattress is one of the most important purchases you can make. Get it wrong and you can suffer from a lack of sleep, develop a bad back and even suffer in your day to day life. So, it’s important you get it right. If you want to buy the perfect mattress for you, read our complete guide to buying the right type of mattress now.

Why buying the right type of mattress is important

A mattress is just a mattress right? Wrong! Beyond just having a bad night’s sleep, buying the wrong type of mattress can have a bigger impact on your life than you might think.

Consider the following facts from the Sleep Council:

• 40% of people suffer from sleep issues.
• 20% of road deaths can be attributed to fatigue caused by a lack of sleep.
• 25% of school children are not getting enough sleep.
• Sleep deprivation costs the UK economy £40.2 billion every year!
• On average, when you buy a new mattress you gain an extra 42 minutes of sleep.

We’re sure you’ll agree that those are some pretty eye opening stats. Buying the right type of mattress really can make a difference to you and your loved ones.

We hope the following guide helps you make the best possible choice in mattress.

How often should you change your mattress?

Is it really time to get a new mattress? It may seem easy to put off buying a new mattress - we’ll admit there are plenty of more exciting things to spend money on.

But, as those facts and figures above highlight, living with a poor quality or worn-out mattress really can have a negative impact on your quality of life.

The National Bed Federation recommends that you change your mattress every seven years (although if you have a particularly expensive, high-quality mattress then you can usually get ten years out of it).

Mattress wear and tear

Don’t just take the word of the National Bed Federation though. Over the course of seven years, your mattress will have:

• Been slept on for over 20,000 hours.
• Will have absorbed half-a-pint of fluid every evening (sweat etc).
• Accumulated a pound of dead skin cells each year.

For many people that’s motivation enough to buy a new mattress!

How can I tell if I need a new mattress?

Not sure if you need a new mattress? Then there are a few tell tale signs to look out for that’ll tell you it’s time to buy a new one…

You wake up feeling stiff

If you don’t wake up feeling refreshed after a full night’s sleep - in fact if you wake up feeling worse than when you went to bed - it’s time for a new mattress.

Particularly, if you are getting pains in your neck, shoulders and upper or lower back, this could be a sign that your mattress is no longer giving you the support that you require.

You fall into your mattress

If, when you lie down on your mattress, you feel like you’re jumping into a void, then this is another sign that your mattress is on the way out.

A mattress is there to provide support. It should suspend you above your bed base. If you find yourself sinking down on your mattress, or your mattress has a deep depression after you’ve gotten out of bed, then the core of your mattress has probably collapsed.

You’re experiencing allergies

Should you find yourself sneezing or have a bunged up nose in the morning when you get out of bed, it may be time to change that mattress! This is because an old mattress will have accumulated a large amount of dust, dead skin cells, and more.

Finding yourself feeling allergic to your own bed is a pretty strong reason to get a new one!

Your mattress is noisy

Squeak, squeak! Those aren’t the kind of noises you want to hear from your mattress. Old mattresses that start to squeak are likely to have internal springs or coils that have become rusty and worn out over time.

 

Choosing your mattress from Contract Divan Beds

Thanks to our large range of high-quality mattresses, you're bound to find your ideal mattress. From rolled mattresses to pocket sprung mattresses. Even mattresses for hotels and student accommodation. 

If you've got any questions about any of our products, feel free to get in touch - our team of experts will be happy to help.