When it’s time to buy a new mattress, you may not know where to begin. With so many options to choose from, determining which one is right for you is often easier said than done. This is especially true if you have specific needs to address, such as back pain. It’s important to do your research prior to investing in a mattress so that the one you bring home meets all of your particular preferences.
The trick to finding the perfect mattress is understanding key mattress-related terminology. Knowing the lingo of the mattress world can help you achieve an informed and stylish mattress-shopping experience. Here are the important words to master before you shop for a new mattress at Star Furniture.
Mattress and Construction
Like other furnishings, there is more than one way to construct a mattress. Different materials and techniques are used to achieve varying levels of comfort, support, and durability. Recognizing what sets the main types of mattresses apart from one another can help you narrow down your search for your perfect mattress. Types of mattresses include:
- Luxury Innerspring: These mattresses consist of a soft comfort layer made from something like foam that’s supported by a layer of springs and coils for support. While innerspring mattresses have been around for generations, modern models are made in a way that offers superior comfort and durability compared to the ones of the past.
- Memory Foam: Made from a viscoelastic foam that contours to the natural curves of your body, memory foam is among the most popular mattresses thanks to its personalized comfort. Not every memory foam mattress feels the same, however. Some of the most luxurious options include gel-infused foam that promotes enhanced comfort.
- Hybrid Mattresses: Hybrid mattresses combine the support of traditional innerspring coils with the contouring comfort of memory foam or latex layers, offering a balanced sleep experience. This innovative design aims to provide the best of both worlds, delivering sturdy support for spinal alignment and the plush cushioning necessary for a restful night’s sleep.
Firmness Levels
In the old days, everyone said that sleeping on a firm mattress was better for you. Over time, it’s been shown that this isn’t always the case. The best mattress for your health is the one that helps you get a quality night’s sleep. After all, sleep is a critical aspect of living a healthy life.
For this reason, it’s important to choose the mattress that you personally find comfortable. Reviews from other customers or experts can help, but at the end of the day, you’re going to be the one sleeping on it, so your opinion is really the only one that matters.
Here’s what you need to know about the different firmness levels of mattresses:
- Soft: The mattresses offer noticeable softness and typically have a sinkage range of 1.5-3 inches. Plush mattresses offer a luxurious sleep experience and feel like you’re being hugged as you lie down. They’re a great option for people who prefer to sleep on the side and who are under 130 pounds.
- Medium-Firm: Most people sleep on mattresses that offer medium support. They offer the ideal amount of comfort and balanced support to accommodate a variety of sleeping positions. This makes them perfect for couples who have unique sleep preferences.
- Firm: These mattresses provide less sinkage and bounce when you lie down on them. Their supportive nature makes them ideal for back and stomach sleepers by keeping their spines properly aligned for a restful sleep night after night.
Mattress Sizes
The size of your mattress matters as much as its comfort and support. There are several factors to take into consideration when weighing your options for how spacious your mattress should be. First and foremost, your mattress should comfortably sit in your bedroom while leaving room for other furnishings and to walk around.
If the size of your bedroom is of no concern, then personal preferences will dictate whether your mattress should be roomy or particularly large. Here are some tips to consider from your trusted friends at Star Furniture:
- Queen Mattress: Measuring 60″ x 80″, this is the most common mattress size. Along with fitting nicely in most standard bedrooms, queen-size mattresses provide plenty of room for individuals and most couples to sleep.
- King Mattress: This mattress is the equivalent of having two twin mattresses pushed together (76″ x 80″). They’re perfect for people who are tall or those who sleep with pets or kids.
- California King Mattress: For the ultimate sleeping experience, this 72″ x 84″ mattress is the way to go. You’ll never have to worry about bumping into your partner as you roll over in the spacious bed.
Motion Isolation
No one wants to wake up every time their partner stirs, rolls over, or gets out of bed in the morning. If you’re a light sleeper, it’s worth investing in a mattress that has excellent motion isolation.
Motion isolation refers to how much disturbance occurs on one side of the mattress when another area moves. A good way to visualize this is to set a cup of water on the mattress. If it stays level when you climb into or out of the bed, it’s safe to say that the mattress has good motion isolation.
While no mattress will stay completely still if a person is moving on top of it, some are certainly better than others at minimizing motion transfer and impact. With this in mind, be sure to keep this feature in mind before bringing a new mattress home.
Breathability and Cooling Technologies
If you feel hot when you sleep, you’re not alone. It’s common for people to let off heat as they slumber. The good news is that there are mattresses that are designed specifically to keep you cool and comfortable all night long. Gel memory foam mattresses are made with specialized cooling gel to take in and move heat away from your body.
They contain gel beds or liquid that include cooling properties that aid in regulating the temperature of the mattress where you sleep. This is particularly helpful for people with health conditions that make them more inclined to feel warm at night, including those with hormonal imbalances. Best of all, gel memory foam mattresses are just as comfortable and supportive as their counterparts.
Edge Support
The last time you purchased a mattress, you probably didn’t ask the salesperson about its edge support. While most people have never heard of this term, it’s an important factor to look into when searching for a mattress that will serve you well for years to come.
Edge support is what maintains the overall integrity of the mattress and provides the reinforcement for its exterior. In other words, it describes how much support the mattress will have if you sit or sleep on its edge. Let’s be honest. You’re not only going to use the center of your bed. You and your partner should be able to spread out in comfort from edge to edge of your mattress.
It’s worth asking an expert, such as one of the sleep experts at Star Furniture, how supportive the edges are of the mattress you have in mind. Strong edge support maximizes your sleeping surface while also ensuring the sides of your bed don’t sag after a year or two.
Adjustable Beds and Compatibility
Adjustable beds allow you to customize your sleep experience by raising the head and/or foot for a more personalized sleep position. This is convenient for activities, such as watching television or reading in bed, as well as for health benefits. Sleeping in a customized position could alleviate back pain, make it easier to breathe, minimize snoring, and help you fall asleep faster.
Adjustable bed bases come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and features. Some can be adjusted on both sides, allowing couples to choose their ideal sleep preferences, while others include luxurious features, such as built-in lighting or massage capabilities. Like any other bed, the right adjustable base is the one that you find comfortable or convenient. Fortunately, most of them are compatible with a range of standard mattresses, including gel memory foam.
Get a Better Night’s Sleep with Help From Star Furniture
You deserve to get a great night’s sleep night after night. Unfortunately, too many people settle for sleeping on the wrong mattress until they just can’t take it anymore. All it takes is some reading up on current mattress lingo, and you’re already halfway there!
If you’re ready to ditch your old, uncomfortable mattress for one that meets your specific comfort and support needs, the trusted design team at Star Furniture is here to help. We can help you navigate the mattress lingo that can sometimes overcomplicate the process of finding your dream bed.
We’re proud to offer a large selection of quality mattresses and bedroom furniture to meet your ideal sleep and style preferences. Visit us online to find the home design inspiration you need before stopping by our showroom to begin working with one of our experienced interior designers. We can’t wait to help you sleep like a baby with a quality mattress from Star Furniture.
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