Choosing the right mattress is a combination of searching for one that feels comfortable to lie on while maintaining a healthy back. This article outlines three basic criteria to consider when shopping for a new mattress:

Comfort
Choose a mattress that feels comfortable. Sleeping can only be as enjoyable as the bed we sleep upon. Ignore advice about what should feel good and choose a bed that does feel good.

Support
The mattress should support the heaviest parts of the body – the shoulders, hips and lower back. Don’t choose one that hurts or strains any of these areas. The spinal column needs to be straight while lying down on the side or flat on one’s back.

Durability
Stay within budget, but look for the best coils, foams, frames, or upholstery money can buy. A mattress is an expensive piece of furniture that should last up to eight to ten years.

Buying a new bed need not be a complicated affair. Using these three simple rules will ensure that the next mattress will provide all of the comfort and supported needed for many years to come.

The Different Types of Mattresses
Become aware of the several types of mattresses designed to give the consumer the most relaxing, blissful sleep experience possible. Although mattresses differ in construction, each attempt to achieve the same goal: comfort, support and durability. The different kinds of mattresses are: innerspring, memory foam, latex, air and waterbeds.

Choosing the Right Foundation for the Bed
What the mattress rests on is as important as the mattress itself. Maximizing comfort, support and durability entails purchasing the complete mattress set. If this isn’t an option, the store mattress should be tested upon a foundation similar to the one at home as the feel of the bed can affected by what it is resting upon.

Single and Two-Sided Mattresses
The longevity of a mattress is determined by how well the consumer takes care of it. Two-sided mattresses last longer simply because they can be flipped every six months to prevent early sagging. Single-sided mattresses cannot be flipped and therefore have a shorter lifespan. However, single-sided mattresses are cheaper than two-sided mattresses.

Finding the Right Mattress Store
Knowledgeable, friendly staff will play a vital role in choosing the right mattress. Make sure to choose an outlet with a good reputation and sales record. The salesperson should make the customer feel comfortable testing out different models as well as answer any questions regarding the purchase. When searching for the right mattress, ask the seller these questions :

Is there a 60-Day Comfort Exchange?
Lying in the bed for 10-15 minutes may not be time enough for some customers to determine if the mattress is a good fit. Ask if there is a comfort exchange policy that allows the customer to exchange the bed after two months of purchase.

Can you Dispose of the Old Mattress?
Disposing of the old mattress can be quite a hassle. Make sure the store will remove the old mattress after replacing it with the new one.

Is Delivery Included in the Price?
Some stores may not include the delivery in the total cost thereby allowing some customers to save money by transporting the mattress on their own.

Is there a Pro-rated Warranty?
A pro-rated warranty is longer, doesn’t cover the full cost of repair or replacement of the item, while a non-pro-rated warranty does. Also keep in mind that the benefits of a pro-rated warranty diminish over time.

A good night’s sleep is an essential ingredient to a happy, productive life. Sleeping well largely depends on sleeping on a comfortable surface that supports a healthy back. If sleep mattresses last from about eight to ten years, then perhaps it may be wise to take a few minutes to consider the nuts and bolts of selecting good mattress.