The Expert's Guide to Mattress Shopping
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Step 1: Take Your Time, Be Prepared
When shopping for a mattress people often make too quick of a decision and it costs them. Make sure you are prepared to shop for a mattress. Wear comfortable clothes, bring your pillow from home, bring your sleep partner if applicable. Don't rush the process because you could make 2,920 hour a year mistake. (that's how long you'll typically sleep on a mattress in one year.)
Step 2: Go to a Specialist
At the risk of sounding self-serving we do recommend that you go to a mattress specialist to shop for your mattress. You may think that that wholesale club store or the big box department store will save you money, but that's just not true and often the salespeople in these types of stores don't have the knowledge to help you select the right mattress. Even if you don't go to The Bed Store, find a mattress specialty store and let them walk you through the process of finding the proper mattress.
Step 4: Be Open Minded...
Often customers come to us with pre-conceived notions about certain styles of mattresses or brands. they also can be so fixated on the price that they miss the point of buying a new mattress in the first place. I understand the importance of being thrifty but try to avoid being close minded. This could cause you to select the wrong mattress and make a poor mattress purchase. If you are so fixated on price that any mattress will do as long as it fits a budget then we here at the bed store will recommend keeping the one you already have. It's free after all. Remember the wrong mattress at any price is a bad deal.
Step 6: Don't Forget Accessories
It's easy to shop for a new mattress and neglect crucial accessories like new pillows, mattress protectors, linens, etc... The proper pillow can make the right mattress even better. Your mattress and pillow work together to provide total support and promote alignment. Most people don't give pillows the credit that they're due. If you are using a cheap fiber pillow you picked up at your local discount superstore then you should really consider replacing that when you buy a new mattress or sooner if possible. Also, there are many other accessories that you should consider when buying a new mattress. One is the motion adjustable base. A motion base can help you get into the perfect sleeping position and many of today's bases come with great technology elements such as speakers, bluetooth controls, alarms, and much more.
Step 3: Lay down...
Don't be bashful about lying down on a mattress to test its quality, comfort and support. You wouldn't buy a pair of shoes without trying them on so why would you buy a mattress without also doing the same. When you test-rest the mattress lay in the position you typically fall asleep in. Get the proper pillow for that position and take a few deep breaths to help your muscles relax. Lay on the mattress for at least 2 minutes. Otherwise you can't accurately judge the support or comfort of the mattress.
Step 5: Goldielocks
Remember the story of Goldielocks and the three bears? She basically did a little mattress shopping at the bear's house. What we call the goldielocks prinicple is doing your best to limit your options. She only had three; too firm, too soft, just right. Don't lay down on every bed in a store. You will only end up mega-confused and a little sore from getting up and down on thirty some-odd beds. You should know what basic comfort/feel you like and let the salesperson guide you to the three best choices for you based on your preferences. Don't think you have to try a lot of beds out. Our experts at The Bed Store can eliminate 90% of the store's offering just by asking you a few simple questions.
