Archive for the ‘mattress buying guide’ Category

Get the right mattress size

mattress sizesIf you need to buy a mattress to fit in a particular bed frame or to go in a part of a room where space is limited, don’t be satisfied that by knowing the type, i.e., “queen size mattress”, “full size mattress”, king mattress”, etc. you know the mattress size. Take your tape measure and get the size in inches and make sure it will fit.

If you are buying a mattress in a specific size, don’t assume that if you know it’s a “twin” that you know the mattress size. Mattress sizes can differ even for a particular class of mattress. This is especially true for mattresses from other parts of the world. A “twin” size mattress from Europe will be about three inches narrower than a US twin, and an Asian twin will be about three inches wider and longer.

Before You Buy a New Bed Set - Useful Tips

bed setIdeally, everyone would spend 8 hours each day in bed sleeping. Though not all of us have the time to follow this rule, we do spend a lot of time in bed and the bed we spend it in has a lot to do with how comfortable we are during the night and day. This is a big purchase and the decision should be made a little more scientifically than stretching out, fully clothed, on a store sample. We have some suggestions about buying a bed.

Decide on the Right Size

If you have a small bedroom, you might not have room for a king size bed, even if it’s really what you want. So you can see how the size of your room is one factor to consider. Another thing to think about is whether you’ll be slepping alone, in which any size bed will work; or will you be sharing the bed, in which case, you could choose a full size, queen or king sizes, or even an extra long bed.

Set Your Budget

As with most things, the price of a bed set does not necessarily tell you how good a product it is or how comfortable you will be sleeping on the bed. Beds are priced from several hundreds of dollars to thousands. Don’t skimp, but set your budget and stick to it.

Know How the Bed is Made

While an innerspring mattress with box spring foundation is the traditional construction of bed sets, there are now many new materials available. Memory foam mattress and air mattresses are two of the new popular styles. To find the best for you, ask friends, lie on some in the stores, spend a night in a good hotel, and try as many as you can. Check out options on the internet so you’ll be a knowlegeable shopper.

Decide on the Depth of the Mattress

In an effort to add more comfort and a softer sleep surface, manufacturers now typically add more foam and padding to the mattress top. These are called pillow-top mattresses. On top of that, some people add a feather bed mattress topper. Before you shop for sheets, measure your mattress from to to bottom so you get the right depth of sheets, mattress pads, and a comforter. A very deep full bed might require a queen spread or comforter.

Firmness to Suit You

A good friend of mine would sleep on a board if she could. Others like to cuddle into a thick feather bed. Either firmness of bed is fine, as long as you get good, even support. If you sleep with someone who disagrees on firmness, consider pushing two twin beds together to create a king size bed or shop for a mattress with adjustable firmness. One side can be firm and the other softer.

A Good Bed Frame is Critical

A solid steel metal bed frame provides a long-lasting firm foundation for the bed set. Be sure that the casters on corners and middle of the bed frame are large and heavyweight. A good bed frame should last through several beds. Some are adjustable and others are made to fit a particular size of box spring.

Mattress Depths Review

mattress depthThere are no standard mattress depths. Some mattresses are 9-10 inches deep, but many pillow top mattresses measure 15-16 inches in depth, or more. Box springs and other bed components can make the mattress even higher.

If you’re making a quilt for yourself it’s much easier to consider all the bed size “what ifs.” If the quilt is a gift, you can’t be sure which bed size it will ultimately be used on, so consider making a quilt that would fit a queen mattress, the most popular bed size.

Tips for taking care of your mattress

mattress care tipsMost Important Things One Should Know:
  • Keep your bedding clean (and protect your warranty) by using a mattress pad.
  • Bolster your new bed’s support by replacing your old box spring.
  • Rotate your mattress from head to toe every two months to equalize wear.
  • Don’t remove the law tag label. Believe it or not, these tags are actually used to identify warranty rights.
  • Don’t use dry-cleaning fluid on your mattress. If you need to clean your mattress, vacuum it instead.
  • Mattresses should never get wet (Just like Gremlins!). Protect your mattress’ upholstery at all costs.

What are your mattress needs?

mattress sizesDuring the middle ages, peasants and royals alike slept on beds of straw and, if they were supremely lucky, clumps of horse hair. Fortunately for you, your options are slightly more varied.

These days, mattresses come in a dizzying assortment of styles, from foam to flotation to even air. All of which presents something of a problem: just how do you choose a mattress?

We’ve come up with everything you need to know to get a good night’s rest.

Before purchasing a mattress, there are a number of questions you must address. For instance:

  • Is the mattress intended for your home or a secondary residence like a cottage or camp?
  • How much support do you require?
  • Do you have allergies or other medical considerations?
  • Will the mattress need to accommodate one person, two people, or your entire harem?
  • How much money are you willing to shell out?

All of these questions will help you determine the size and quality of your new mattress. For instance, if you’re buying a mattress for your guest room, it’s safe to assume you’ll want to spend as little as possible to ensure your freeloading guests leave after only a single sleepless night.