Cincinnati Idea Book Feb/March 2023

EVALUATE FIRST
With that in mind, it’s best to start by thinking not of when to buy a new
mattress but when to evaluate whether you need one. Rogers explains: “Ask
yourself, ‘How am I sleeping and how am I feeling when I wake up?’ If it’s good,
then you’re good to go.”
On the other hand, if you’ve recently gone on vacation and realized that you
sleep much better on vacation than at home, it may be time to replace your
mattress. Or, if you’re undergoing a lifestyle change, such as getting married, it
may also be time, as your existing mattress may not align with what your partner
needs. And if you’re experiencing a body change (think injury, pregnancy,
weight gain, weight loss, etc.), those are all triggers for you to evaluate whether
you need a new mattress.
COMFORT AND SUPPORT
While personal preference, size, firmness level, cost and more can influence
your mattress purchase, the top two factors to consider when shopping for a
new mattress are comfort and support. In other words, when you lie down in
your preferred sleeping position (i.e., back, stomach or side), you should feel
comfortable. Not only that, your head, neck and spine should be supported and
in proper alignment. Here’s a breakdown of some different mattress categories
relative to the kind of comfort and support they can provide.
TO SPRING OR NOT TO SPRING
Roberts explains that there are two “mega” categories of mattresses: those with
springs and those without. Historically, mattresses have contained springs, but
modern times call for modern mattresses. Springless mattresses are comprised
of foam or air; examples include latex and memory foam.
• Latex mattresses have a bouncy feeling (without the feeling of sinking) and
are known for their durability. Because they are harvested from rubber trees,
eco-conscious consumers favor them, though this also means they can be
more expensive.
• Memory foam mattresses are, for many, the heroes of the mattress world,
perhaps because they envelop sleepers like a hug, molding to the body and
evenly distributing weight. They allow people to sink into them for maximum
comfort and can even alleviate back or joint pain.
• Hybrid mattresses are just that: a mix of support springs and then a foam core
with varying levels of comfort at the top.
• Spring mattresses are certainly not obsolete. In fact, they provide support
and bounce in their own right, with the coils allowing for airflow and
ventilation. And spring mattresses often provide a cooler sleeping surface
than other mattresses (though many of today’s foam options also help
regulate temperature and wick away moisture). ➻
30 housetrends.com