A great bed can mean the difference between a blissful night’s sleep and hours of tossing and turning. Find the one that’s right for you
As we get older, we realise just how important sleep is in our lives and how the ideal sleep conditions can sometimes prove elusive. There are a range of things that can come between you and a good night’s rest – young children, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, a racing mind, etc.
Thankfully, there is one thing that is within your control – finding the perfect mattress.
But, it’s not as easy to acquire as you might think. In fact, the sheer amount of choice on offer can feel overwhelming! That’s why it’s vital to know what you need before you begin shopping. Leading furniture and lifestyle brand, Meubles, has shared some expert insights from the team, including mattress specialist Geraldine O’Keeffe, which we think are extremely useful.
1. Choose the right size for you
Ideally, the mattress we sleep on every night should be fresh and allow us to move freely without putting pressure on our bodies. We need to consider that the minimum width recommended for each person is 80-90cm. For couples, the popular king-size mattress (5ft) offers 6 inches and 3 inches more width and length, respectively, compared to the double mattress (4ft 6in) that was more common in the past. This additional space can significantly enhance sleep comfort for couples. It’s essential to bring your partner along when trying out mattresses in-store to ensure it meets both your needs and preferences for comfort and support.
2. Assess firmness and support
Determining the right level of firmness and support is crucial for a good night’s sleep. Testing different mattresses in-store can help you pinpoint the ideal comfort level for your body. When choosing a mattress, consider the support and comfort features offered by different materials. Open coil is affordable but less supportive. Pocket spring offers better support by conforming to your body. Memory foam provides excellent pressure relief but can be hot. Latex is a cooler and natural option, often combined with pocket springs. Gel is a newer material known for aiding sleep and recovery.
3. Consider materials and allergies
When selecting a mattress, it’s essential to be mindful of any allergies or sensitivities to certain materials. Geraldine advises customers to inquire about hypoallergenic options if necessary and to consider the benefits of different mattress materials in relation to their specific needs and preferences. Today there are great ranges available of all-natural mattress with fillings of latex, wool, silk and cotton which are also kinder to the planet.
4. Evaluate temperature regulation
For individuals who tend to sleep hot or cold, it’s important to seek out mattresses designed to regulate temperature effectively. A balanced temperature reduces interruptions and waking caused when our body gets too hot or cold at night. Meubles offers a selection of mattresses with advanced cooling and heating technologies, ensuring that customers can find a mattress that suits their unique temperature preferences for a comfortable night’s sleep.
5. Pressure relief
To help alleviate pressure soreness caused by sports injury recuperation, muscle pain, back pain and a soft pressure-free sleep, gel cushioning is what you should be looking for or memory foam for a lower price option.
6. Enquire about additional services and support
In addition to evaluating the mattress itself, customers should inquire about the additional services and support. This may include professional delivery and setup, mattress removal, and any ongoing support or resources available to ensure customer satisfaction.
Beauty sleep
On a separate but related note, do you have an evening skincare ritual that helps you get ready to sleep? To help you really nail your night-time routine, Ultraceuticals is offering a gift with purchase throughout the month – a free Ultra Satin Pillowcase with every purchase of the Ultra DNA³ Complex Recovery Night Cream. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase helps your skin retain more of its natural moisture, letting you wake up with a refreshed and dewy complexion.