How to Choose the Correct Mattress

Decide how much you want to spend. The size you choose, level of quality and material options will affect pricing. Pricing can range from about a hundred dollars for the most basic of twin mattresses, to thousands of dollars for high-end king sizes.

Choose a size. Consider the size of your bedroom and measure the width of the wall you plan to set the bed against. Decide if you are going to use an end table on either side of the bed. Calculate your overall desired width, including the mattress width or bed frame width and end tables and see if your overall width fits on the wall. If it does not, you can eliminate an end table, choose a smaller bed frame or choose a smaller mattress size to make it fit. Also measure the distance from the wall you are setting up on across to the opposing wall, and make sure you have enough available length so you have room in front of the bed to walk, open a closet door or install a dresser, etc.

Determine how high or tall you want the finished mattress to be. If you already have a bed frame, measure up from the rails the mattress will sit on to the level you would like to have the mattress finish. Consider the distance to the floor, the height of headboard you are using and the height of end tables you are using. If you have a platform bed, you will not be using box springs, so the measurement will be for the mattress height only. If your frame requires the use of a box springs with the mattress, you must account for the height of a box springs in your overall measurement. There are three standard heights for box springs: platform, low-profile and regular. Make adjustments to your overall height by choosing shorter or taller box springs.

Decide on a level of firmness. Also decide if you want a pillow-top layer on top of the mattress, which can add softness without compromising the firmness level you have chosen. Other specialty materials are newer options in mattress construction including latex based "memory foam" mattresses and air mattresses.