Step 1: Is It Time?
Is your mattress destined for the dumpster? You definitely need to buy a new bed if it's more than nine years old, if you wake up feeling like you haven't even slept (and it's been nine hours!), if the surface is covered with bumps and lumps, or if you need to be pried from the sinking sag in the middle. Even if your bed is a dream, it's worth checking out the latest offerings for mattress features.
Step 2: What Size?
Obviously, your space will determine how big a bed you can buy. But it can be difficult to assess the difference between the various sizes of beds. First and foremost, be on the lookout for manufacturer-specific sizes -- some companies now offer a slightly larger queen size marketed as a "European Queen." Arm yourself with a tape measure and jot down the exact size of the mattress, then compare it with our
standard bed dimensions.
Step 3: What's Your Budget?
Comparison-shopping can be tricky when it comes to mattresses; models vary tremendously between retail stores. Your best smart-shopping strategy is to find a sleep set that feels just right, then look for similar comfort and support levels in another store. Expect to drop $1,000 for a reputable queen-size mattress with a box spring -- essential to prolonging the life of your bed. Top-of-the line British VI-Spring Company handmade mattresses can reach a whopping $20,000. Hopefully you have generous wedding guests.
Step 4: Is It Comfy?
"When it comes to sleeping surfaces, what might feel wonderful to one person might feel like a concrete floor to someone else," says Nancy Blatt, executive director of The Better Sleep Council. In order to find the perfect fit, grab your mate and head to a trustworthy mattress store. You'll both need to lie down in your favorite sleeping positions and try out mattress comfort levels, from plush to firm. But don't let a cashmere covering sweep you off your feet. Pay special attention to how the mattress supports your shoulders, hips, and lower back -- too little support can lead to back pain and too much can add unnecessary pressure.
Step 5: Are You Getting Quality?
Next, look inside the box. It's the quality of the materials used and how they're put together that determine how long a mattress and foundation will provide comfort and support. The best mattresses have more springs that are arranged intricately and hand-tied with loving precision. But delicate craftsmanship is going to cost you. Bottom line: Look for details like a complex coil shape (it'll provide better weight distribution) and a thicker wire diameter (for greater resiliency). Each spring system suggests a different feel, so let your body be the judge. Sweet dreams.
Mattress Size Chart
California King: 72" x 84"
King: 76" x 80"
Queen: 60" x 80"
Full ("double"): 53" x 75"
Twin: 38" x 75"
(All dimensions may vary by +/- one-half inch)
From: The Better Sleep Council (bettersleep.org)
-- Kathleen Murray
See More: Buying Furniture