Six shopping “Musts” when buying a mattress.

COMFORT: Mattresses don’t have to be as hard as a board to be good for you, though some people may prefer a firmer feel. Today, mattresses are built with luxurious new cushioning materials and surface treatments. While these mattresses may feel more plush, the core provides necessary support for your body.

SUPPORT: A quality mattress and foundation gently support your body at all points
and keep your spine in the same position as good standing posture. When selecting
a mattress, keep in mind that your body should be able to relax, with your spine supported in its natural curve.

SPACE: Select a mattress that gives you enough room for free, easy movement,
especially if you’re sleeping with a partner. Couples should select a queen- or
king-size mattress to ensure that both individuals have enough space to feel
comfortable. When shopping for a new sleep set, remember: If you sleep with a partner,
your mattress should allow you both enough space to move easily during the night.

DURABILITY: Durability refers to how long support and comfort will continue. Like all products,
a mattress and foundation gradually wear out. Eventually, you won’t receive the same support
and comfort as you did when the sleep set was new. That’s why you should re-evaluate your set
regularly — twice a year. Don’t look to the warranty to tell you how long to keep your sleep set.
The warranty protects you against product defects and workmanship mistakes, not gradual loss
of comfort and support.

MATCHING SLEEP SETS: Matching mattresses and foundations are engineered to work
together. Mismatching sets, putting a new mattress on an old foundation or adding a board
between the mattress and foundation can impede comfort and reduce the useful life
of the mattress.

VALUE: Buy only quality products made with all new materials. Shopping for
the best value — not the lowest price — is a healthy investment in your quality of life.

(The preceeding information is credited to The Better Sleep Council.)