According to “Better Homes and Gardens," most of us replace our mattresses every 8 to 10 years. Trying to pick the right mattress for you, one that you want to sleep on for the next 10 years, can seem like a daunting task. You spend 1/3 of your life sleeping, make it a comfortable 1/3.
As we're about to show you, it can be as easy as choosing the next show to TiVo.
The first question you may be having is, “do I need a new mattress?" This one is probably the easiest. Ask yourself if you are sleeping well at night. Do you feel rested in the morning or do you need five cups of coffee before even thinking about getting ready for your day? If so, chances are you do need a new mattress.
The age of your mattress could also be a factor. Chances are you have dust mites, and dust mites can actually double the weight of your mattress in ten years.
We won't go into detail about that here, but you get the point. This along with mold and mildew can create havoc on allergies and asthma.
Some of the most common indicators of needing a new mattress are:
- mattress is too lumpy
- mattress is too soft/hard
- mattress is too old
- mattress is just not comfortable
Ok, so you decided that you do need or want a new mattress. The first thing you need to do is decide on what size you want. If it's the same size as you already have, you're ahead of the game.
If you have decided to move up in size, a simple way to see how your new mattress will fit is to move the old bedding and mark the area where the new bed will sit. You can do this using towels, sheets, or even an outline in string.
If you want to really get creative, buy yourself some graph paper and organize all of your bedroom furniture. Draw out your bedroom dimensions and on another sheet cut out your furniture to scale. Then you can organize your whole bedroom without lifting anything heavy.
Here are some of the more popular mattress dimensions to help get you started.
Twin: 38" x 75"
Extra-Long Twin: 38" X 80"
Double/Standard/Full Size: 53" x 75"
Queen: 60" x 80" King: 76" X 80"
California King: 72" x 84" (Recommended for people over 6'4")
Important Tip: Remember these sizes can vary by manufacturer and don't forget headboards and foot boards can add several inches to these dimensions.
When it comes to beds and mattresses, the softest are not always the best. This almost always comes down to personal preference. Your going to have to “test drive" your mattress. Don't be shy, and don't be afraid t ask the sales staff to leave you alone while you try out the mattresses.
If someone will be sleeping with you, bring them along. Above all, the mattress should support your spine and should not interfere with your pressure points.
Check the number of coils the mattresses has. The higher number of coils the better the mattress will wear. Generally, 300 coils for a double and 350-800 for a queen. A king size mattress can range from 400 to 900 coils.
You'll also want a few fabric and padding layers and a pillow top.
Many recommend going to a local mattress store and test the ones you like, then go online to stores like were you can find better deals.
When you've found the perfect mattress, you need the perfect frame. You want a good solid frame. One that will sufficiently support the mattress and box spring.
Now, go buy yourself some nice new sheets to go with your brand new mattress!
You can find beds, mattresses and box springs along with bedroom furniture, living room furniture, and dining room furniture in a variety of styles and wood types at http://www.GreatPricedFurniture.com
Copyright © Matt Trostle, 2006. All Rights Reserved
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