Mattress buying guide

Finding the right size

There’s so much more to buying a new mattress than finding the right fit for your bedframe, but it’s a great place to start!

Our mattresses are available in a range of sizes, from teeny toddler sizes to king size mattresses fit for royalty. You should always buy a mattress that’s the same size as your bedframe. If you’re unsure, use our handy guide below to find out what size mattress you should look for.

If you can stretch to it, this would be the perfect time to upgrade your bedframe to a stylish new one, making sure your new mattress is supported and adding some instant style to your bedroom too.

A guide to mattress types

Depending on your needs and preferences, all sizes of mattress are available in different types to suit your sleep. From soft and squishy to firm and supportive, finding the right type of mattress can greatly affect your quality of sleep.

Memory foam

Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular due to their adaptability and comfort. By moulding to your body shape and movement, memory foam is great for restless sleepers or those who need a little more support.

Open coil

Open coil or open spring mattresses contain a connected system of springs. These mattresses tend to be the most lightweight and affordable options, which makes them great for growing kids, spare rooms, or student digs.

Pocket Sprung

A pocket sprung mattress is made up of 100s (and sometimes 1,000s) of individual springs, housed in their own ‘pockets’ which are then filled with foam, down, or other materials. Imagine a honeycomb with a spring in each section – that’s essentially what a pocket spring mattress looks like inside.

Because the springs are independent of each other, these mattresses are wonderfully supportive and help to avoid disturbing your partner when you’re tossing and turning.

Top tip: Generally speaking, more springs = comfier mattress!

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses can give you the best of both worlds: the comfort of memory foam, and the support of springs. Hybrid mattresses tend to be lighter and more breathable than a mattress made entirely of memory foam, helping the air circulate underneath and avoiding the risk of you getting too hot in bed.

Orthopaedic

If you suffer from aching joints, orthopaedic mattresses are a safe bet. They offer firm support to help with spinal alignment, as well as relieving pressure points so you can sleep soundly. The materials tend to be thick, firm, and fairly dense to make sure the mattress gives you the support you need

The best mattress for your sleeping position

Front sleepers

Avoid soft mattresses if you sleep on your front, as they’ll increase the risk of you arching your back while sleeping.

Instead, go for a medium to firm mattress of memory foam or pocket sprung for optimum comfort. Pair with a soft pillow and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time!

Side sleepers

To help keep your spine neutral, choose a slightly softer mattress if you sleep on your side. This will make sure your hips and shoulders have a bit of space to sink into the mattress without causing a curve in your spine. Most types of mattresses will work for you if they’re soft or medium, and we’d recommend a firm pillow to support your neck.

Back sleepers

We’d recommend a firmer mattress if you tend to sleep on your back. You should be able to slip a hand under the small of your back when lying flat – if there’s no room to do so, your spine is prone to curving at night which will lead to discomfort. Memory foam, hybrid or pocket sprung would be our top picks!

The best mattresses for allergies

Some mattresses, especially pocket sprung, sometimes use down or feather as padding. If you suffer from allergies, you’re better off going for a mattress crafted from synthetic materials for a comfortable sleeping experience.

You can also grab duvets, pillows and bedding which are gentle to allergies too.

The best mattresses for sharing

A pocket sprung mattress tends to be the best for sharing with your partner. Because of the individual springs, you won’t be at risk of rolling over to your partner’s side, and they won’t be disturbed if you move around – or get up for a midnight snack!

Don’t forget the bedding

You can increase the softness or support of your mattress with a mattress topper – from the softest quilting to memory foam magic, these great value additions can really up the comfort in your bedroom!

Make sure you grab a fitted sheet that’s the right size for your mattress, and don’t forget to consider the depth – thick mattresses may need a deep fitted sheet, or it’ll be a real battle to get it on!

If you need a hand finding the perfect pillow or duvet for your bedding setup, you can read all about it in our guide to duvets and pillows.

Mattress care tips

To turn or not to turn?

Many mattresses will recommend that you turn them, i.e. flip them to the other side, every now and again – especially when they’re new. Others may require you to simply rotate them 180 degrees. The best way to find this out is to check the label at the bottom of your mattress – this should let you know what they recommend, and how often.

Cleaning your mattress

Considering how long we spend in bed, it’s inevitable that your mattress will need a freshen-up every now and again.

Firstly, spot-clean any spills or stains with warm water and a mild soap. Use this sparingly, as you don’t want to get the mattress too wet.

Next, sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress. Baking soda will absorb moisture, neutralise odours, and freshen up your mattress – not to mention it’s cheap!

Leave to work for as long as you can before brushing or vacuuming the excess. Do this during the day where possible, as leaving the mattress to dry in sunlight can freshen it up even faster.

If you’re worried about spills and stains, we’d highly recommend a mattress protector in case of accidents.