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A mattress matters to your overall health and well-being, but it can be a pricey investment up front. Consumer reports recommends a new mattress every 7 to 10 years, so think of the cost of a quality mattress as one that can be spread out every night over the course of a decade. That should help put the purchase into perspective.

You should expect to spend anywhere from $350-$600 on a nice king size mattress. One in the $900-$1500 range is more common for a quality night sleep. One with all of the bells and whistles of memory foam, individually wrapped coils, and gel could run over $2000.

Let’s look at the options, one by one.

Innerspring Mattresses

The most common and least expensive mattress is the innerspring. It has metal coils inside of the mattress with foams and fibers on the top. The lower priced mattresses tend to use the older style coil in which they’re all tied together.

The more quality mattresses have stronger springs and will be individually wrapped. If the springs are individually wrapped, they contour better to your body and have less transfer of motion. So, if one person bounces around or changes positions, the partner will not feel it as much. Many innerspring mattresses also offer the added luxury of pillow top.

Specialty Foam

Foam mattresses are becoming much more popular, and they tend to get higher customer satisfaction ratings than innerspring mattresses. There are two major types of specialty foam, latex and memory, and a foam bed will usually have at least one of them, if not both.

Memory foam is probably the most recognized type of foam in bedding. It is a slower-response foam that takes time to return to its normal position. This has the benefit of not causing pressure to the body. Memory foam is often mixed with a type of gel to add additional support and cooling. Some foam mattresses are a bit stuffy.

Latex foam is the other type of common specialty foam. It tends to be more supportive than memory foam, more durable, and feels a bit cooler to the touch. It is not as good at relieving pressure as memory foam.

Most of the time, these types of foam will be put on a base of what’s called “poly foam,” which is just a high density, resilient support foam. Many times, memory foam and latex are mixed.

Foam Plus Springs

Many of the top-rated mattresses offer a mix of both springs and foam. Most feature an advanced pocketed coil technology combined with multiple layers of advanced memory gel foams. They offer support, cooling action, and pressure relief.

Depending on your needs and your budget, a quality mattress in any of these categories can be found. This investment in your overall well being doesn’t have to break the bank. Remember to shop sales and clearance mattresses before making your decision.

Your mattress is an investment for your comfort and health. You need to make it last! Depending on the type of mattress that you crawl onto every night, the rules of caring for it may have changed. Maximize your mattress with the following tips.

1 - Rotate It
While manufacturers used to recommend both flipping and rotating your mattress regularly to help it wear more evenly, newer beds have just one “right side up.” For a new set, avoid lumps and bumps by rotating it end to end every two weeks for the first four months, and then every three months after that. Don’t ignore the box spring! That should also be rotated (but not flipped) every six months. 

2 - Sit in New Spots
Most of us do more than just lay down in our bed. Many people sit to put on shoes or get dressed. But sitting on the same spot over and over again may cause your mattress to lose its structure prematurely. Try to vary where you sit on the edge of your bed.

3 - Mattress ProtectorBefore putting on your fitted sheets, invest in a quality, waterproof, and washable mattress cover. This will add a layer of comfort as well as protect against stains.

4 - Clean It
You might not think of taking a vacuum to your mattress, but you should. Regularly giving it a clean sweep helps to keep dust from becoming ground into the mattress. For spills, dab at the spot with warm soapy water, but avoid getting it any more wet than you have to since moisture creates a breeding ground for mold. Then, let it dry completely before making the bed. You can also use baking soda for smells. Sprinkle your mattress with baking soda and wait 20 minutes. Then use a vacuum to suck up the baking soda.

5 - The Foundations
Your mattress is only as good as the foundation or the adjustable bed base that it’s placed on. Ideally it is a good-quality frame, foundation or bed base that you purchased at the same time as your mattress. Keep it up by checking the legs and castors every six months to see if they need to be tightened.

You spend one third of your life sleeping, so if back pain is keeping you awake, your mattress has got to go. Studies indicate that night and morning back pain are tied to the type of mattress you have, your sleeping position, and proper support of your body. Having the right mattress will minimize your pain and maximize your rest.

Proper Alignment

You want the mattress to hold you in proper alignment from head to toe. You need the mattress to push up on your body to counteract your body weight. Now, that does not mean getting a super hard or firm mattress. Your body isn’t a straight line; it has curves, so a mattress must contour to support the curves and arches of your body. The Serta iComfort Blue Max is designed for gentle yet firm support and will hug the curves of your body.

A supportive mattress will dip down around your shoulders and hips, yet keep your spine in proper alignment. If a mattress is too firm, your hips and shoulders will be pushed up and you will wake up feeling stiff. The same issues can occur if a mattress is too soft. You want a mattress to contour to the shape of your body to hold it in its neutral alignment.

Avoiding Pressure

You don’t want the mattress to cause pressure to your body, causing painful points along your back. If a mattress is too hard, it can cause pressure that cuts off circulation and pinches nerves and will cause you to change positions throughout the night. The American Bedding mattress features a medium firm feel with a quilted foam cover and 2 inches of gel-infused layering. It’s designed for comfort for those looking for a firmer feel.

Sleeping Positions

Side Sleepers

Most side sleepers enjoy the fetal position with their arms and legs bent and curled in towards the body, and the spine is gently curved. This is the most common of all sleep positions, and it is often said to cause back pain or long-term back problems. This is partially true, but it is nothing a good mattress can’t correct.

Since this position is significantly curvier than others, pressure relief is vitally important. You do not want your shoulders and hips to take the strain every day for an extended amount of time. To allow your body to sink into the mattress, a softer and thicker comfort layer is needed. In most cases, the average side sleeper needs a comfort layer that is about 3 inches thick.

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back with your arms at your sides is said to be the best position, but it’s the least common. The recessed space in the lumbar area is really the only major gap created when you sleep on your back. A thinner top layer actually works best. Most back sleepers are satisfied by a 2-inch comfort layer

Stomach Sleepers

This is probably the least advantageous of the sleeping positions, from the stand point of back pain. If this is what makes you comfortable and is the only way you can fall asleep, then buying the right mattress can help minimize the negative effects.

The last thing a stomach sleeper needs is a soft or thick comfort layer because there are little to no recessed areas to support. Plus, if you sleep on a softer surface on your stomach you are likely to hyperextend the lumbar area. Firm, thin comfort layers are ideal. There can be an inch of softness to provide cushioning to bony areas, but the firmness should be met by the body to avoid creating an unnatural backwards curve of the back. You will also want to take special care when choosing a pillow if you sleep on your stomach. The right pillow can minimize neck strain.

Testing the Mattress

When you’re trying out the mattress, you should be able to lie in one position without moving around for at least a few minutes. If you can do that, you’ve found a good mattress.

The right mattress can be life changing!

1. Allergies

   If you find that your allergies seem worse at night or first thing in the morning, keep reading. Dust mites are a huge cause of most allergies. Those little mites love an old mattress, but there are ways to combat the problem.

   Memory foam and waterbeds are good options to keep dust mites at bay. Waterbeds aren’t as popular as they used to be, but foam mattresses are becoming much more popular. Serta iComfort is perfect for allergy sufferers. The memory foam cuts down on allergens while offering a good night’s rest

2. Back Pain

   This is one of the most common reasons for replacing an old mattress. Old mattresses will gradually lose the ability to provide proper support. As the layers lose their compression and shape your body will no longer feel supported in the mattress. This typically manifests in the form of back aches and pains

   You need to look for a high-quality innerspring mattress. The more quality mattresses have stronger springs and will be individually wrapped. If the springs are individually wrapped, they contour better to your body and have less transfer of motion.

   Many innerspring mattresses also offer the added luxury of a pillow top, which can help relieve pressure points. The Englander King Size Laurel Pillow Top offers plush quilted layers with the support of an innerspring.

3. Supporting Your Sleep Style

   Figure out what kind of sleeper you are to find the perfect mattress. Stomach sleepers, for example, need more support than back or side sleepers so their lower back doesn’t arch, which can cause pain. An innerspring mattress would work best.

   Side sleepers should avoid extra-firm mattresses since their bodies will unconsciously start rotating into a prone position in order to get sufficient support. A side sleeper may be more comfortable with a memory foam mattress.

   Back sleepers can get away with just about any mattress as long as it is high-quality and does not cause the back to lose its natural curves.

4. Staying Cool

   Do you notice that you are sweating a lot at night? It may be your mattress. If you are prone to being hot, the old rule of thumb was to avoid memory foam. But times have changed. Many of the top-rated mattresses offer a mix of both springs, foam, and cooling gel. This Beautyrest features an advanced pocketed coil technology combined with multiple layers of advanced memory gel foams. It offers support, cooling action, and pressure relief. It is perfect for keeping your body cool and supported.

The right mattress will help you get a good night’s rest. Sleeping well means you can face the day and tackle new challenges head-on. Listen to your body, and choose the mattress that is right for you.

Alright, you’ve decided your old mattress isn’t cutting it anymore. It sags, it creaks, and it makes you want to sleep on the sofa. It’s clearly time to take the plunge into a new comfy mattress! Before you head to the store, it’s important to know what you need in a new mattress.

You want the mattress to hold you in proper alignment from head to toe so you don’t wake up with a backache. You need the mattress to push up on your body to counteract your body weight. Now, that does not mean getting a super hard or firm mattress. Your body isn’t a straight line; it has curves. A mattress must contour to the curves and arches of your body. The Serta is designed for gentle yet firm support and will hug the curves of your body.

A supportive mattress will dip down around your shoulders and hips, yet keep your spine in proper alignment. If a mattress is too firm, your hips and shoulders will be pushed up, and you will be stiff when you wake up. The same issues can occur if a mattress is too soft. You want a mattress to contour to the shape of your body to hold it in its natural alignment.

You don’t want the mattress to cause pressure to your body resulting in tossing and turning. If a mattress is too hard, the pressure to your body could cut off circulation, and pinch nerves, and will cause you to change positions throughout the night. Some American Bedding mattresses feature a medium-firm feel with a quilted foam cover and 2 inches of gel-infused layering. It’s designed for comfort for those looking for a firmer feel and still offers a quilted foam layer for good circulation.

When you’re trying out the mattress, you should be able to lie in one position without moving around for at least a few minutes. If you can do that, you’ve found a good mattress.

Motion: If you share your bed, you want to minimize motion transfer. Try the mattress in the store with your partner, and have your partner switch positions and get up and down from the bed.

Temperature: Most good mattresses have features to help cool your body. A cheaper memory foam mattress is a bad buy if you are easily overheated. Many of our top name brands offer mattresses with multiple layers of foam that allow airflow through the mattress.

Beyond these features, it’s really just a matter of preference. Some people like the bounce and feel of an innerspring mattress, while others prefer the extra pressure relief of a foam mattress. Whichever you choose, it’s important to try the mattress out in the store before making the purchase. Don’t be afraid to stretch out and experiment. It’s a big purchase, and the right mattress can be life- changing.

1. It’s 8-10 years old - Consumer reports recommend a new mattress every 7 to 10 years. Shocked? Most people are. Many folks can’t remember when they bought their mattress! If you know it’s older than a decade, it’s time to start looking.
2. You move all night - Constantly shifting position? If you can’t get comfy in bed, that’s a pretty sure sign you need a new mattress. Don’t let old springs push on sensitive pressure points. You need a quality mattress that evenly distributes weight.
3. Squeaks and creeks - The ability of your mattress to provide support can be altered by what supports your mattress. Broken or worn out box springs can affect a mattress’s comfort, support, and shape. Squeaks and creeks can damage your mattress and make it wear out faster than normal. Without proper support, you may notice your mattress sagging in the center.
4. The great sag - Speaking of sagging, if you notice yourself rolling towards the middle, it’s time for a new mattress. Sagging can occur as springs break down and lose resiliency. And get this: Sagging and impressions of as little as 1.5″ are linked to increased pain!
5. Allergies - If you find that your allergies seem worse at night or first thing in the morning, it may be time for a new mattress. Dust mites are a huge cause of most allergies. Those little mites love an old mattress. Memory foam and waterbeds are a good way to keep dust mites at bay.
6. You find yourself sleeping elsewhere - Constantly falling asleep on the sofa? Maybe it means you are more comfortable there than in bed. Notice that a hotel is more restful than your own bed? That’s a serious problem.
7. Your back hurts - This is one of the most common reasons for replacing an old mattress. Old mattresses will gradually lose the ability to provide proper support. As the layers lose their compression and shape your body will no longer feel supported in the mattress. This typically manifests in forms of backaches and pains.

Any of this sound familiar? Then it may be time to replace that old mattress with a new more supportive one!

In most homes, sleep is a precious commodity. A mattress matters to your overall health and well-being. Consumer Reports recommends a new mattress every 7 to 10 years. If you are concerned about the age and quality of your mattress, it may be time to shop around. But where do you begin? Here’s a handy mattress buying guide that will help you get started.

There are two basic categories of mattresses:

Innerspring: These are the traditional mattresses with springs. They can be all tied together or individually wrapped.

Specialty foam: These will usually be made of different types of foam. Two categories of specialty foam are latex and memory foam.

Beyond these two major categories, there are other types that are a bit rarer. Some manufacturers make air mattresses that use air chambers instead of springs for support. Plus, the darling of the 80’s, waterbeds, are still around. These two subgroups are a specialty market and are not nearly as common as an innerspring or specialty foam mattresses.

There are also beds with adjustable frames like the Serta Motion Plus.

The most common mattress is innerspring. They have metal coils inside the mattress with foam and fiber on the top. The lower-priced mattresses tend to use the older style coil in which they’re all tied together.

The more quality mattresses have stronger springs and will be individually wrapped. If the springs are individually wrapped, they contour better to your body and have less transfer of motion. So, if one person bounces around or changes positions, the partner will not notice it as much.

Many innerspring mattresses also offer the added luxury of a pillow top. The Englander King Size Laurel Pillow Top offers plush, quilted layers with the support of an innerspring.

Foam mattresses are becoming much more popular, and they tend to get higher customer satisfaction ratings than innerspring mattresses. There are two major types of specialty foam, latex and memory foam. A foam bed will usually have at least one of them, if not both.

Memory foam is probably the most recognized type of foam in bedding. It is a slower-response foam that takes time to return to its normal position. This has the benefit less pressure to the body. Memory foam is often mixed with a type of gel to add additional support and cooling. Some foam mattresses are a bit stuffy.

Latex foam is the other type of common specialty foam. It tends to be more supportive and more durable than memory foam and feels a bit cooler to the touch. However, it is not as effective as memory foam at relieving pressure.

Most of the time, these types of foam will be put on a base of what’s called “poly foam,” which is just a high-density, resilient support foam. Many times, memory foam and latex are mixed.

Many of the top-rated mattresses offer a mix of both springs and foam. This Beautyrest mattress features an advanced pocketed coil technology combined with multiple layers of advanced memory gel foam. It offers support, cooling action and pressure relief.

You should expect to spend anywhere from $350-$600 on a basic king size mattress. One in the $900-$1500 range is more common for a quality night of sleep. One with all of the bells and whistles of memory foam, individually wrapped coils, and gel could run over $2000.

It’s tempting for a do-it-yourselfer to attach a headboard to the wall over a metal frame bed. However, this may not be the best or most cost-effective option for your bedroom. A bed and bedroom are an oasis in your home. For many, it’s the only room of the house they can truly call their own. Finding the right bedroom furniture to create the right place to relax is essential to love your space.

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to buy the entire bed frame and not just a headboard.

• Price

  Headboards alone can be upwards of $300 dollars; the entire package, headboard and frame can actually be easier on your pocketbook. Look at the Marshall Queen size bed. It starts at a price that’s less than a quality queen size headboard. For one price you get a nice frame that matches your headboard and the other pieces in your room. You won’t have to spend extra time and fuss trying to hide that metal bedframe under bedding.

• Style

  You may be tempted to buy a headboard for the unique style you think it will add to your room. But beds can add style all on their own. Many come with gorgeous headboards that attach to the bed and not to your wall. The Kaitlyn Queen bed makes a statement with its oversized headboard. This can easily be the design center of your space. You can play off of a bed like this to create an entirely unique master bedroom. Plus, you have the added style that the bed frame itself brings to your space.

• Ease

  Besides being easier on your wallet, buying the entire bed is actually easier to live with. Most headboards are going to attach to the wall above your metal frame bed. That means unsightly screw holes and some elbow grease to put together the look you are hoping for. And once you attach it to the wall, it cannot be easily moved. With the purchase of an entire bed frame, the headboard attaches to the frame itself. It can be placed in front of a window, at an angle or in the middle of the room. It can also be easily moved at any time.

• Statement

  It’s easier to make a statement with an entire bed. Look at the Chateau King bed. Its posts, along with the headboard, can be the centerpiece of any bedroom. It makes a clear statement on style and comfort. It allows for understated bedding and accompanying furniture. A bed like this can be an anchor of design in a plain bedroom.

Just buying the headboard limits your bedroom’s potential. It limits the placement and style of your bed. It also means extra costs for bed skirts, and more ostentatious bedding in general, to camouflage the metal frame. A bed frame with headboard and footboard is often the better option for price and flexibility.