Buying Guide: Mattresses

Navigate the path to a great night's sleep

Despite spending a third of our lives sleeping, many of us are not investing in a good quality mattress. After years of helping our customers find their dream mattresses we've listed the most common questions we get asked.

1.     How do I know if my mattress needs replacing?

Think about the following:

• Are you waking up with a sore back, neck or shoulders? 
• Do you find that your nights are more restless?
• Are you more tired than normal?

Most people will put up with one or all of the above and not realise their mattress is the culprit. One definitive way to check is by sitting on the edge of your mattress. If the side collapses then it's definately time to get a new mattress! 

 

2.     What should I think about when I'm trying out mattresses?

It's easy to feel conspicuous when you're trying out mattresses but please try not to. It's important you take your time to find your perfect mattress and we're there to answer all your questions. It's all part of the service!

• Lie down in your usual sleeping position, whether it's on your stomach, back or side. 
• If you lie on your side, can you feel any pressure in your hips? You may sleep better on a softer tension mattress.
• If you lie on your stomach you might consider a firmer tension to support your back. 
• Springs -  help distribute weight evenly; more springs - better weight distribution - longer mattress life
• Side stitches - create support for the edge of the mattress; more side stitches - better intregrity - longer mattress life

The number of side stitches and springs in a mattress combine with the filling to create a tension standard for each type of mattress. 

It can be a bit confusing, so try not to focus on numbers and just think about what's comfortable for you. In general, you’ll be looking to vet different mattress comfort levels until you find the perfect one; because in the mattress world, one size does not fit all!

 

3.     How important are the mattress fillings?

Mattress fillings serve two purposes; to provide comfort and to provide support. Different types of filling are used because they have such different properties; some are warm, some are soft, some are resilient. Fillings are often combined to create a mattress that has a specific comfort while still offering excellent support, breathability and long last resilience. 

To provide you with a little background knowledge, we have compiled a list of some of the most popular types of mattress fillings currently used in our mattresses and what properties they each have.

• Cotton – A natural filling which provides a soft, cool feel. Cotton provides excellent airflow and is excellent at absorbing  moisture.
• Wool – A natural filling that is breathable, resilient and offers a luxurious feel.
• Horse Hair – Used in many mid to high-end mattresses, hair is added due to its high resilience. Resulting in an increase in the durability and lifespan of the mattress as it has an inherent ability to recover to its original shape
• Cashmere, Mohair and Silk – These types of mattress filling are natural fibres are added to provide extra comfort and luxury, and an indicator of a high-end mattress.

 

4.     Is it a good idea to buy a mattress online?

It is very important when you're investing in a mattress that you research as much as possible to be sure you're choosing the right one. Finding that you're not sleeping any better on your new mattress is sometimes more stressful because of the investment you've made. 

Buying online means:

• You can take your time comparing the various properties of different mattresses to see how they differ.
• You can check the measurements and depth to be sure that you're selecting the right size for your bed.
• You will be able to access payment options such as Klarna that may not be available in store to help spread the cost of your mattress. 

There are many advantages to buying a mattress online, but before you do take the time to go and try as many as you can instore. You can ask as many questions as you like and be confident that when you do buy your mattress that you're buying the perfect one. 

 

See our mattress collection online or visit our Elkstone Studios showroom