How to Buy a New Mattress: How to Test a Mattress

One thing we have noticed here at the Seattle Mattress showroom is... Whether you are a customer who has just popped in to buy a new mattress on the spur of the moment because you just can’t stand your back pain anymore; or whether you’ve visited our showroom 2, 3, 4 or yes even 5 times and spent 1-3 hours with us each time: there is only a minor difference in the frequency of comfort exchanges between these two types of customers.

In other words, it doesn’t appear to us that spending literally days & weeks on end of tedious, painstaking research towards mattress shopping lessens the likelihood that you will need to exchange your mattress for reasons of comfort within the first weeks of buying that mattress.
That’s because, even if you’ve spent a minimum of ½ hour on your bed of choice several times over and really felt that it was the right bed for you – the story may change for you because of any number of unforeseen reasons that you were not able to determine in the limited confines of a store trial compared to time spent over several full nights of sleep on it.

Comfort exchanges are relatively common for us here at Seattle Mattress, although we’re also pretty good at helping you find the best mattress for you to begin with. We like to believe that is also one of the reasons why there is such a minimum of differences in comfort exchanges between these two types of customers for us. So don’t be discouraged if you don’t happen to choose the perfect bed the first time around, we’re here to help you find it one way or another.

Wear comfortable clothes when visiting the Seattle Mattress Showroom and drop your inhibitions - because the best way to decide on a new bed is to test them out for yourself! Lay down on several mattresses in the position(s) you usually sleep in at home - on your side, on your belly, on your back, etc. How does it feel when you roll over, do you like the bounce, etc? Lie down next to your partner and discuss your likes & dislikes. Take your time – maybe even bring a magazine – we’ll give you the time & space you need to really “test drive” the beds you are interested in - that’s why they are on the floor!

The salespeople on our floor can be an invaluable resource at helping you find the best mattress for your needs - if you are willing to give us your feedback. The more information you give us, the more we’ll be able to help you.

Go back and re-try mattresses you are drawn to and feel comfortable in again and again, eliminating them until you are able to narrow them down to 2 or 3 good options. Take note of how you initially feel when you lay down on them - sometimes a first impression is a good indicator. Does it make you feel all cozy as you lay down, or are you immediately turned off by something about it? What is it that is turning you on or off? That is good information to tell us, so we can help guide you toward your comfort zone.

If a bed feels comfortable initially and if you have the time, lay on it for 10-15 minutes and try as many sleeping positions as possible. Studies have shown that there is a good correlation between impressions formed in a 15 minute trial period and longer-term satisfaction.

Too Firm or Too Soft?

When you’re deciding if a bed is too firm, too soft, or just right, look at two major factors: the support — which is provided by the mattress core — and the comfort, provided by the padding.

The mattress core is the support layer for your body frame; while the comfort layer is what lies between you and the mattress core, and determines how firm or soft the mattress feels against your body. Orthopedic experts generally recommend you go for the firmest (most supportive, not “hardest”) mattress you find comfortable.

If a bed is too firm, you’ll get pressure points at the heaviest parts of your body. This reduces blood circulation in places like shoulder &  hip joints, and signals your body to turn over in an effort to restore blood flow. Because of this, and because the mattress is too hard for your pressure points to sink into the mattress, your upper back takes the brunt of the stress as the muscles in your back and neck have to work harder to keep your spine straight. After a night of tossing and turning, you won’t feel refreshed or relaxed, and you might even feel a bit stiff from the all-night workout.

On the other hand, if a bed is too soft it will take more effort for you to move or roll over, and your spine won’t be properly supported or aligned, causing tension in your back, neck and/or hips as your muscles work to compensate for the lack of support.

While it can be difficult to tell the difference between the relative firmness and softness of the support and comfort layers, the key lies in the alignment of your spine: The mattress should support a natural sleep posture – your spine should be straight when you lie on your side - the ear, shoulder, hip and ankle should be in a natural, straight line to each other - and maintain a natural curve when you lie on your back. You should not be able to slip your hand easily between your lower back and the mattress. There should be at least some support there, according to your comfort preference.

Make sure your new bed will be roomy enough. The average sleeper turns 40 to 60 times during the night, so finding the right size mattress is imperative.

Standard Mattress Sizes
Twin 39” x 75”	Full 2 adults will each have only 27" of width 54” x 75”	Queen America’s most popular size - 30” width per person 60” x 80”	King 38” width per person 76” x 80”
Miscellaneous Mattress Sizes
Crib 27” x 52”	Extra Long Twin generally used in college dorm   rooms 39” x 80”		California King 72” x 84”

How to Buy a New Mattress: Overview

People are different, and everyone has their own way of dealing with buying a new mattress. Some people really dread it and put it off until they just can’t ignore their discomfort any longer. Other people are really on top of things and begin to do research and shop around months before they plan on buying anything.

Most people, however, buy a new mattress about every 10 years, so it is a decision that you have to live with for awhile – we get that here at Seattle Mattress. It is also a decision that has the potential to affect your daily mood and overall health, so making the best decision is very important to you – we get that, too.

Over the course of 10 years, a $1,000 mattress set costs about .28 cents a day or $2 a week or $8 a month. And since you spend about 1/3 of your life in bed, it is probably the best “value” of anything you purchase.

But shopping for a mattress and trying to get the best deal can be maddening. Most of the major mattress manufacturers and retailers offer the same models but rename them, in order to make comparison shopping difficult - plus, all the differences in mattress style and construction can be mind-boggling to keep track of. That's why we're here - to help you sort through the information overload.

The bottom line is, when it comes to mattresses, there is no Universal standard. If someone you know has found a mattress that they like, and claim that it gives them a good night’s sleep - that same style mattress might not sleep as comfortably to you. People come in all shapes & sizes, which means that we all have different things we need from a mattress.

Generally speaking, our best advice is to make your best decision based on:

1)     Comfort & Care for Your Body

2)     Quality / Construction

3)     Warranty

4)     Price

The difference between an $800 mattress and a $2,000 one may not be that great, but sales people will inundate you with “facts” about foam, coil count, and the quality of the mattress ticking - and these things may or may not be that important to you. If any of these details are especially important to you, it is recommended that you do some research ahead of time into the specifics of what exactly you desire in a bed. Keep in mind however, that the most important thing about buying a new bed is your long-term health & comfort. If you put your priority on what kind of mattress ticking the bed has, you may end up with a really pretty bed that you hate sleeping in.

Many people read the mattress comparison shopping reviews on the Internet in order to get information about a specific type or brand of mattress. While this is probably a good idea to a certain extent, keep in mind that unhappy people are far more likely to write a review; and for every bad review you read, there may be many more customers who were satisfied with their purchase.

Don’t worry if you haven’t done all your homework or if you have any confusion about details. A good sales person is an invaluable resource and should be able to help guide you through your bed-buying adventure with a knowledgeable, non-pressurizing demeanor – no matter what your own knowledge level is.

What to Expect on Your 1st Visit

What to Expect on Your First Visit to the Seattle Mattress Company Showroom

We love our job… People are so fun and everyone has a different story. Some of you have been buying mattresses for various households from us for years; while others of you are just coming in for the first time around the age of forty-something to buy your first “adult mattress” after sleeping on your beloved childhood mattress for decades.

If you’ve never stepped into a mattress store before, you’ll find the experience different depending on the type of store you choose to visit. Many larger mattress chain stores have strict sales rules, guidelines and quotas that their sales people need to adhere to during interactions with customers that can make the experience feel a little impersonal for the customer - but a new mattress is a very personal thing, and we believe that the experience should be as personalized as possible!

Here at Seattle Mattress, our sales people are not under any kind of sales pressure… We’re small and local, and we care far more about taking care of our customers than fulfilling rigid sales quotas. So you’re welcome to come on in, relax, and take your time picking out your cozy new bed at your own pace. Yeah, we’re a little different than most other mattress stores around…

We'll greet you at the door and start off by asking a few basic questions, like:

• Do you know what kind of “feel” you like – something on the softer or firmer side, or something “in between”? (Don’t worry if you don’t know, we’re good at helping you find your comfort level.)
• Are you looking for a mattress made out of something in particular? (Like an Organic or Latex Mattress)
• Do you have any issues that need to be addressed – for example, if you’re looking for a bed with no off-gassing; or you have Arthritis or Fibromyalgia; or a bad back; or problems with motion from your partner waking you up during the night, etc.
• What is your bed like now, and what (if anything) would you like to be different about this new bed? (Other than it not causing you pain anymore, that’s a given.)
• What size mattress are you looking for?
• Do you have a budget in mind?

Try not to be put off by the budget question... We have all kinds of mattresses in all kinds of comfort levels and price points on our floor, and we’re simply trying to show you what you’re looking for. For instance, if you let us know that this mattress is for a guest room that is used once in awhile and you’re on a budget, we’ve got some great guest bedroom options at decent prices that we’re only too happy to show you.

Next, we’ll guide you around to the mattresses on our floor that we feel meet your criteria. We like to pay special attention to your initial reactions because they tell us so much. We’ll continue around the showroom until we narrow the mattresses you like down to two or three, and then help you decide between them.

We believe mattress shopping should be a fun educational experience, and you’ll learn a lot from us about mattresses, taking care of yourself, and maybe even a little on the “history of mattresses” while you’re here.