How to choose a mattress

1. Pick the size for the room and the sleepers

Size is the easy decision, so settle it first. Measure the bedroom, leave room to walk around the bed and open drawers, and check the doorways and stairs the mattress has to pass through. A queen is the usual choice for two adults; couples who want more space, or who sleep very differently, often move up to a king. The table below lists the standard US sizes, and the queen, king and full and twin pages go into each one.

2. Match the comfort level to how you sleep

Comfort level is how soft or firm the surface feels, and the mattresses at Snooze run from plush to firm. It is not the same as support: a plush mattress can still hold the spine in line, and a firm one can leave a side sleeper’s shoulder aching. The Sleep Fit Quiz places you on a five-step scale: Plush, Medium-Soft, Medium, Medium-Firm and Firm.

As a rule of thumb, side sleepers need the shoulders and hips to sink in a little, so they lean toward the softer end; back sleepers usually sit in the middle; stomach sleepers need firmer support so the hips do not sag. Your body shifts the answer too, which is why analyzing your pressure points beats a rule of thumb. Some lines are built around the question: Helix matches body type, sleep position and firmness preference, and SmartLife by King Koil supports all sleep positions. If you wake up sore, see mattresses for back pain.

3. Choose the construction

4. Decide on the extras

• Adjustable baseraises the head and feet into custom positions that help relieve pressure, reduce snoring and support a healthier sleep posture. See adjustable bases.
• Mattress protectorguards the mattress you chose against spills, stains, allergens and wear. See mattress protectors.
• Pillowone suited to your sleep position keeps your neck in line with the spine the mattress is supporting. See pillows.
• Premium sheetschosen for softness, breathability and durability. See premium sheets.

5. Notes for sleeping in southern Colorado

Pueblo West has dry, high-altitude air, strong sun, cold winters and warm summer days, often with a big temperature swing between day and night. None of that changes the basics above, but it is worth keeping in mind when you choose:

• If you sleep warm, look at breathable constructions: the Copper Collection by Spring Air uses copper-infused foams for airflow and temperature regulation, Helix uses breathable materials, and the cooling mattresses page gathers more options.
• Breathable sheets, plus a layer you can add or take off, make it easier to stay comfortable when a warm evening turns into a cold night.
• Memory foam responds to warmth, so in a cool bedroom on a winter night it can feel a little firmer at first and soften as it warms to your body.
• A bedroom that takes strong afternoon sun can still be warm at bedtime, one more reason to weigh airflow alongside comfort.

6. Try it the measured way

Lying on a few beds for a few seconds each tells you which one feels nice in the moment, not which one suits your body all night. Dream Mapping analyzes your pressure points and your preferences in about five minutes; then the Sleep Coaches take you only to the mattresses that match your body, narrowing the selection by around 85%. It is free, with no pressure to buy and no obligation. Book a free fitting whenever you are ready.

Snooze Mattress + Wellness is at 1002 N Market Pl Unit B, Pueblo West, CO 81007, open Mon – Fri 9 AM – 7 PM and Sat – Sun 10 AM – 6 PM. We will deliver and set up your new mattress, as well as haul away your old mattress if you no longer need it. Financing is available through Synchrony Bank, Wells Fargo and Snap Finance, and your new mattress comes with the Sleep Comfort Guarantee; ask a Sleep Coach for the details.