Top 10 List for Selecting the Right New Mattress

Shopping for a new mattress? Want to know what to look for when at the store, what to wear (not a skirt!) and who to bring with you when shopping? Here is a Top 10 list for selecting the right new mattress.

1. Get enough rest first - Shop when you are well rested so you will make the best possible decision. According to a number of studies, sleep deprivation causes attention lapses, slower recall and poor concentration. According to Serta's Comfort U survey, "Americans Wake Up to Sleep Loss," less than 10 percent of Americans get the eight hours of sleep a night that research shows to be the most beneficial.
2. Let your fingers do the walking – Investigate brands on the Internet. Major mattress brands have Web sites that will tell you about the construction of their mattresses and explain their features and benefits. For example, www.serta.com has a wide array of material designed to make mattress shopping easier, including videos showing the inner construction and benefits of Serta mattresses—all written in easy-to-understand terms. Also, if you type in your zip code at www.serta.com, you'll get a list of dealers in your area as well as a map and contact information to help you reach them.
3. Know yourself – In the sea of mattresses that you may see in a retail store, there are basically three comfort preferences: pillowtop, plush and firm. Once you know which "feel" you prefer, you will have effectively eliminated two-thirds of the mattresses in the store. This gives you the chance to concentrate on the mattresses that really will be comfortable for you.
4. Concentrate on comfort – Learn about the innerspring when you do your Internet research, then focus on what feels comfortable to you when you go shopping. Remember, a good innerspring provides good support whether your mattress is a pillowtop, plush or firm. Keep in mind that a comfortable mattress will help you fall asleep at night–and if you're like most Americans, you need all the help you can get.
5. Buy a brand name you trust – When you buy a mattress, remember that you are buying a good night's sleep, not just a place to shut your eyes. That's why it's wise to purchase a brand that you know and trust–one that's earned a solid reputation with consumers over a number of decades. In addition, look at the label on the mattress. This shows the mattress is new and identifies the brand name of the mattress, which you are purchasing.
6. Buy from a retailer you trust – When shopping for a mattress, go only to retailers that you trust and learn what you will get with your purchase. Additional buying incentives often include free delivery and removing your current mattress from your home.
7. Put price in perspective – Mattress buying is arguably the most important decision you will make in furnishing your home, as you and your family will spend close to 1/3 of your lives sleeping on your mattresses. The average buying cycle for a mattress today is between eight and 10 years. For a mattress that costs $1,000, this comes out to approximately three cents a day. Aim to buy the best mattress you can for the money. Look for a brand name mattress that will provide you with comfort, support and durability.
8. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes – Try out the mattresses with the comfort feel that you most want—pillowtop, plush or firm. Lie on the bed; turn back and forth as you would if you were going to sleep. Shop with your partner to be sure that you both like the comfort feel of the mattress.
9. Consider your space – Fifteen years ago, twin and full size mattresses were the most popular sizes sold at retail, but not any more. People are realizing that they need more room when they sleep. As a result, queen mattresses have become the best seller, and more and more couples are buying king mattresses as well. Make sure that your mattress will give you plenty of room to stretch out.
10. Invest in a safer mattress – Whether they realize it or not, consumers today can choose to buy safer mattresses. A select number of mattress brands offer fire resistance protection. Serta is the first major manufacturer to include this protection in all its mattresses throughout the U.S. Serta's propriety FireBlocker® system can give you and your family critical time to escape safely in case of a bedroom fire—and can make the difference between life and death.

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