Couple's Buying Guide
A Good Mattress Helps "Support" a Better Relationship
Few things are more essential to our overall health and welfare than proper sleep. If one or both of you is having trouble sleeping, it can even put a strain on your relationship. After all, it’s harder to be patient, kind and courteous when you’re always tired, or living with back or neck pain caused by a worn-out bed. Given the importance of sleep, a comfortable and supportive new mattress can change life for the better. We hope this little guide will give you the advice you need to find that perfect bed, and get back to being a well-rested and happier couple.
Things to consider before you buy:
Put some space in the relationship. This may be obvious to some of you, but couples should sleep on at least a queen-sized bed. It doesn’t matter how in love you are, a full sized mattress is just too cramped for two people and all the involuntary movement that happens throughout a night affects how deeply each of you sleep. The only exception to this queen-sized rule: Manhattan apartment dwellers.
Have a good, long mattress talk. In terms of daily impact on your life, this is the most important piece of furniture you’ll buy. So be sure to talk about what you want in terms of comfort. Firm? Plush? Pillow Top? If it’s not what you want, don’t agree just to get it over with. Mutual happiness should be your goal.
Can’t agree? Then compromise. If you’re at a stalemate, where one of you wants a firm bed and the other needs something softer, you do have options. There are models that have each side with a different level of softness. Or, for a more economical solution, a thick mattress pad on one side of the bed could help.
Talk about price before you shop. If money is an object, then determine your price range and stick to it. If you can’t find what you want with the money you have, don’t buy an uncomfortable mattress to save a few bucks. Take a few months and save up more. Short-term discomfort always beats long-term misery.
Research can pay off. If you’re not in a huge hurry to buy, there are ways to try out different mattresses. For a true test of comfort, and a romantic getaway, you can always book a night at a hotel that uses a brand of mattress you’re interested in. To help you, some chains advertise which bed they feature. And if you travel, peel off the sheets and take note of beds that you like or dislike.
The wide world of mattresses
There are many types out there, so here’s a little primer to keep you from feeling overwhelmed in the store.
Traditional Innerspring mattresses, the most traditional type of mattress set, typically use systems of open coils or metal springs layered between padding. When shopping you’ll hear the term “Coil Count.” Typically, the higher the count, the more support you’ll get but the ‘support value’ really depends on the design of the coils and layers of padding used in combination with them.
Pocketed Coil mattresses, created by Simmons, feature an advanced innerspring system. The springs are individually wrapped in a fabric cover, enabling each coil to adjust independently to your body. Because these springs move individually, if your bedmate rolls over, the motion won’t awaken you out of your sleep cycle.
Latex and Memory Foam mattresses are made of advanced pressure relieving material and designed to reduce pressure-points and provide natural body alignment. Memory foam is temperature sensitive and conforms as your body warms it. Latex foam provides great durability and pressure relief is available in many different comfort options. When you research, be on the look-out for new and better types of foam, as new generations are constantly being developed.
Hybrid mattresses feature layers of memory foam or latex over an innerspring system to provide a more traditional feel with the benefit of advanced pressure relieving materials. These beds give you the comfort and support of both technologies. Additionally, if you’re not sure about buying an all-foam mattress, it makes for a nice compromise.
Shopping advice
Pricing Mattresses. Different retailers rarely carry the same exact model names, which makes it difficult to compare prices directly. To get a better deal, take note of the construction of a model you like including the types of foams, the coil count, etc. We offer a price match for comparable products.
Never settle. Yes, we’ve said this a lot. But you’ll spend more hours in bed than on your couch. Hard to believe, but true. So keep searching until you find a bed you both feel good about.
Test-Drive the mattress. However you normally sleep, lie that way for a few minutes. And be sure to try out every bed together. This way, you can feel the level of motion in the bed when one of you moves around.
Bad back? There are mattresses out there that are specially designed to relieve back pain, but the truth is, any good mattress should give your back the proper support it needs. So if you’re miserable at night, spend a little extra and get some restful, pain-free sleep. It’s worth it.
Know the policies. When it comes to returns, warranties, delivery charges and hauling away your old bed, every store is different. Be sure to ask about all these details. It may affect where you buy. We try to discuss in detail our policies and why we feel them to be the best.
Yes, buy the box spring. Like any good couple, a mattresses and foundation complement each other. Buying just the mattress may reduce its comfort and support. Plus, it might shorten the bed’s lifespan and possibly void the warranty.
A message to the men: assert yourself. If you’re shopping with a partner, be sure you get a mattress that you are comfortable with. According to research, 38% of men say they are unhappy with the mattress chosen by their significant other.
Tips for better sleep...
- Set the mood. Make sure your bedroom is dark, cool and uncluttered.
- Sleep takes preparation. Don’t pay bills or work late at night. Instead, start slowing down and relaxing well before bedtime. Spend some quiet time together listening to music, reading or just talking.
- No late night sit-ups. Daily exercise can help you sleep better, but if you work out too late in the evening, it can keep you keyed up and make it harder to fall asleep.
- The 11 o’clock news is not relaxing. Don’t watch TV in your bedroom late at night. It goes back to sleep preparation.
- The menacing clock. If you can’t sleep, knowing what time it is only makes it worse. So turn those red lights away from you to help you relax.
- Make it a habit. Establish a regular sleep schedule and don’t sleep in. Instead, take power naps on weekends.
- Bring in the white noise. If you live in an apartment or on a busy street, use a fan or one of those rain forest sound machines to drown out the neighbors and the traffic.
- Try not to drink caffeinated beverages after 2 p.m. If you crave coffee late in the day, try decaf. On a related note, don’t eat anything heavy before bed. If you’re hungry, try fruit or cereal.