How to Choose a Great Mattress
Do you need a new bed but feel totally overwhelmed by the all options? Memory foam, latex, innerspring, hybrid, zones, sizing, one-sided, flippable….. the list goes on!! Despite spending hours on this topic over the years, I haven’t yet found the holy grail mattress, but I can summarize a lot of information and point your search in the right direction!
What size of mattress should I get?
We spend an enormous percentage of our lives in bed, and our quality of sleep can deeply affect our quality of life. SO: mattresses are absolutely on the “spend money here” list! Invest in the BIGGEST, highest-quality option you can afford, and it should remain comfortable for many years to come (as long as 20, in the case of latex!).
Brass & Oak | Guide to North American mattress sizes.
For Kids’ Rooms
If space allows, go for a Full. If you expect your kids to grow taller than 5’8”, get a Full XL — or just spring for a Queen, especially if your kid(s) will be leaving home soon and their room(s) will occasionally be used for guests.
For Guest Rooms
A Queen is adequate for guests to spend a few nights. Do not use a Full unless you’re actively trying to discourage overnighters 😅. At only 54” wide, Fulls are not comfortable for two people. If you must use a Full because or space constraints, get Full XL which has the length of a Queen.
For Main Bedrooms
King! Get a King - end of story.
Even though they look enormous, Kings are simply equivalent to two Twin XLs pushed together. Have you ever slept in a Twin bed and thought, “This is huge! I am drowning in this Twin bed!!” Didn’t think so😅
A King provides enough space for two people to move around, spread out, and sleep comfortably. Tall sleepers (over 6’) may prefer a California King, which is a few inches longer than a standard King.
RELATED: How to Design and Decorate a Bedroom
What Type of Mattress Should I Get?
In my mind there are five main categories of mattresses:
Illustrations by Sleep Advisor
Innerspring Mattress
This is an older style of mattress comprised mainly of springs / coils, and topped with a few inches of foam / padding. Innersprings are generally less expensive, highly responsive, and quite breathable, but they don’t age well and are said to wear out more quickly than other styles.
Hybrid Mattress
Considered the best of both worlds, hybrids boast the support and responsiveness of coils combined with the comfort and reduced motion transfer of foam. I always find the top layers of polyurethane foam deteriorate very quickly, but I think a hybrid mattress with latex foam components (like this) would be very promising!
Memory Foam Mattress
Foam mattresses don’t have any coils. They may be a single slab of foam, or could be multiple layers piled together. I personally don’t like the sinking feeling of memory foam, nor its synthetic composition. It retains heat, is highly chemicalized, and ages poorly — I do not recommend memory foam.
Latex Foam Mattress
Conversely, latex foam is made primarily from the renewable sap of the rubber tree. It’s natural, breathable, springy, resilient, and can last for decades if properly maintained (and if it’s 100% natural latex, not “synthetic” latex or a “blend”!). You can choose layers of different firmnesses on each side of the bed to accommodate each sleeper’s weight and preferences, which can later be adjusted and/or replaced as needed. These layers can (and should) be flipped and rotated occasionally to maximize their lifespan. Expect to spend several thousand dollars on these mattresses, but they’ll last for many years and are the most health- and eco-conscious option.
Alternative Mattress
Here’s where I categorize less common options like wool mattresses, water beds, air chamber beds, Shikibuton floor mattresses, silcone/gel grid toppers, etc. I don’t know much about any of these, but I’m intrigued by the adjustable air chamber bed 🤔 Let me know in the comments below if you have an alternative mattress you love!
Conclusion
When it comes to mattress sizing, bigger is better. Truly - get the largest sized mattress that will reasonably fit in the room. The one-time additional cost for the mattress and the slightly higher bedding costs are absolutely worth it.
As for mattress types and styles, bite the bullet and purchase a high quality hybrid or latex foam mattress. There is SO MUCH to be gained by increasing the quality of your sleep, and upgrading your mattress to something plush, supportive, natural, and long lasting is a great place to start!
Related Articles
In this post, we review the five main categories of mattresses (innerspring, hybrid, memory foam, latex foam, and alternative) to help you decide which mattress is right for you!