Sleeping is a daily activity so why do we ignore the importance of a good bed? We are recommended by the Sleep Foundation to change our mattress every 6-8 years, but how many of us ignore this and as a result suffer from uncomfortable and sleepless nights.
ON AVERAGE WE SLEEP FOR AT LEAST 25 YEARS IN OUR LIFETIME AND THAT IS A LOT OF SHEEP TO COUNT IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING THE SLEEP YOU NEED.
By ignoring your old and unsupportive mattress then you may find yourself waking up sore and stiff. The golden rule for a comfortable sleep is to maintain the natural curve in your lower back while keeping the rest of your spine aligned. Everyone has their own preferred sleeping position, but we want to help find the perfect fit for you, so you can get the beauty sleep you deserve.
Here we have composed our top ten tips for finding the best mattress for you. Bedding sales specialist Karen Milne had spoken with me to give some sound advice if you fancy meeting her yourself then you can find her in our Broughty Ferry store.
1. WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
Before coming in to look for a new mattress make sure you know what you have. Inherently we favour what we are most accustomed to meaning that you are more than likely going to choose something that your body is used to. We encourage you to be adventurous and try new materials, but make sure you do not deviate drastically from what your body is used to as it may have a negative effect. We recommend you note what your current mattress is made of, what tension it is and what kind of base you have before you start your hunt for a new mattress. Typically details of your mattress can be found on the label located at the foot-end of your bed.
2. WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Have an idea in your head, if you would like to change your mattress to try something new then be prepared to come in and try that one out. Let our specialists know what your purpose is for buying a new mattress as we can make recommendations based on your initial requirements and desires. For instance, if you have your heart set on a new memory foam mattress but your sleeping style suggests you require a unique support we can suggest hybrids that are possibly more appropriate.
-Something to think about-
There are three main materials mattresses are made from:
Natural (Wool, cotton)
Viscos-elastic (Memory)
Hybrid Latex/Gel
3. MEASURE YOUR BEDROOM
You might find yourself in the market for upscaling your bed size so before you come in-store make sure you know what size of bed your room can accommodate. The larger the bed the better the sleep; by having more space in bed sleep disturbance is reduced giving you and your partner the best nights sleep.
-Something to think about-
UK bed sizes are as follows:
2ft6 Small Single: 75cm x 190cm / 2’6″ x 6’3″
3ft Single: 90cm x 190cm / 3′ x 6’3″
4ft Small Double: 120cm x 190cm / 4′ x 6’3″
4ft6 Double: 135cm x 190cm / 4’6 x 6’3″
5ft King size: 150cm x 200cm / 5′ x 6’6″
6ft Superking size: 180cm x 200cm / 6′ x 6’6″
4.BE PREPARED TO LIE AND TRY
The best way for you to pick a mattress is by trying it out, luckily for you we have a large showroom filled with quality mattresses in many different materials and sizes; so please simply hop on and give them a proper “Lie-test”. You might not want to do this, but we recommend you be prepared to lie down and try to get comfortable on our beds to find what is “just right” as Goldilocks would say.
5.WHAT TENSION DO YOU LIKE?
Personal preference and body structure is important when considering tension, you must consider whether you favour:
- Soft
- Medium
- Firm
Tension can differ between material choices, so it is important to discuss with your sales person what tension you require based on your physicality and frame. Usually you need a mattress where you are cushioned but not engulfed by. If you are sharing a bed, then Gillies have several bed brands where you can choose different tensions on one mattress to suit each person using the mattress specifically.
6.THE BED BASE!
If you are looking to only replace your mattress you must refer to the base that you currently have as this will determine the tension and comfort that your mattress provides you with. We are a stockist of Vispring and Harrison mattresses which are both recommended to be sold with sprung bases; these have a layer of pocket springs within their structure to enhance the mattress. Moreover, some of these mattresses are not suitable for slatted bed frames and require a specific structure or slat-cover. This is something that should be discussed with your sales person, so they can advise you accordingly, although currently most of our existing bases are compatible with our mattresses.
7.TRY, TRY AND TRY AGAIN
Buying a mattress that is just right for you is an investment and the decision should not be rushed. All our bed specialists want you to be delighted with your purchase so take the time in-store to test the mattress you are considering and narrow it down to discover your ideal bed.
8.PILLOWS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Most people under estimate the importance of a supportive and comfortable pillow. Getting the right pillow makes a big difference for feeling your most comfortable in bed. As previously mentioned the alignment of your back is important and if your pillow is too soft or too firm then it disrupts your spines natural form. Gillies have a comprehensive selection of pillows in-store and online to enhance your sleep!
9.TWO IN A BED? TRY TOGETHER
If you share a bed, then you share the responsibility of buying a bed that suits both of you. The tension and comfort of a bed can change when there are two people as opposed to one, so it is important to both lie on it at the same time. It is worth taking the time to wait for the opportunity to get both you and your partner in store at the same time to get a mattress that you are both comfortable with.
10.UTILIZE YOUR SALESPERSON
It can be a daunting task choosing a mattress as there is such vast choice, but if you tackle it one at a time and limit your search you will find the right one in no time. Especially with the help of our attentive staff.
As a part of our bed specialists training; supplier visits and in-store demonstrations and presentations are provided to our bed sales professionals; this allows our staff to have a wealth of knowledge over the full spectrum of our mattresses- this is all for one reason, we are here to help! Ask us questions on our opinions; even test us! We want to get is right for you too! We are a very hands on and helpful company and we love to advise people to make the best possible decisions.
Finally, Karen has given us her top 3 favourite mattresses that we have instore right now:
