Choosing a Mattress

You wouldn’t buy paint without knowing what kind you need for the job. The same goes for mattresses. It helps to know what you’re looking for before you go shopping. Just ask a few simple questions about your sleeping habits, and you’ll know what features you need to improve your sleep.



Dreaming of a new mattress?

First, do you prefer to sleep on your side, back or stomach? Why? David Bauman, U.S. mattress expert for IKEA , explains, “To be comfortable, your body must have healthy support for your back and body, while minimizing pressure points. So it’s important to get a mattress that supports your body according to your sleep position.” Back sleepers need a firm mattress for support. If you sleep on your side, your shoulders and hips need to be gently cradled by the mattress, so a plusher feel is the way to go. The stomach sleeper’s ideal mattress is not too firm (it doesn’t have enough give) and not too soft (an overly giving one arches the spine).

Next, think about body types. The heavier the person, the firmer their mattress should be. Lighter-weight sleepers will like a soft mattress since it won’t create pressure points at bony points such as the hips and shoulders.

Finally, do you normally feel warm or cool in bed? For warm or hot sleepers, a spring mattress allows air to circulate through its coils to keep you cool. A foam mattress, on the other hand, is a natural insulator, perfect for chilly sleepers.