Interview with a Bed Consultant – how to choose the right mattress

We spend up to a third of our lives sleeping so it’s important to ensure we’re getting a good night’s sleep. One of the best ways to achieving that is finding the right mattress which supports your body and feels comfortable. Seath from the bedroom department at Gardiner Haskins Interiors has answered some of the most important questions when choosing a new mattress.

What are the ways to identify that you need a new mattress?

“If you wake up with aches and pains, your body may be sinking into the mattress too much which means poor support for your spine, hips and shoulders which will leave you aching. This could be noticeable if your mattress is visibly sagging. If your mattress is more than 10 years old it is probably time for a change as this is the average lifespan of a mattress – though it can vary depending on the type of mattress you have.”

What’s the first thing to consider when buying a new mattress?

“Are you looking for the same size or larger? The more space you have the better sleep quality you should have. Also, you need to consider the type of springs and the type of fillings, for example memory foam, gel or natural fibres. They all have their own benefits and this is why it is important to discuss when looking to purchase a new mattress. The bed sales consultant will be able to advise on which will suit you.”

How do you make a decision between the types of materials available?

We would recommend a pocket sprung mattress as this gives good independent support, the more springs you have the better the support. The more traditional mattress will have natural fillings for example silk, cotton and wool which will give a cool comfortable night of sleep. Memory foam is a great pressure relieving material, and gel will give the same benefits but a cooler sleep.”

Soft, medium or firm…how do you know which one is right for you?

“We would recommend a back sleeper has a medium to firm mattress to support the lower back, a side sleeper may prefer a medium support so the hips and shoulder sink into the mattress to keep the spine straight. Most of our mattresses are available in soft, medium or firm. Comfort is the most important thing when trying a mattress, that’s why we encourage customers to take their time when deciding to purchase a new mattress, as firmness and comfort is down to personal preference. Spend some time lying on the mattress in different sleep positions that are normal for you and see what feels right.”

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