The most common mistakes when buying a mattress – and how to avoid them

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so getting the foundation right is key. That’s why we’ve asked a team of experts for the most common mistakes when buying a mattress, so we can help you to avoid any pitfalls and nail this vital purchase first time.

After all, investing in the best mattress for your sleep style doesn’t come cheap, and as Musi Chayla, Vice President of bedding brand Sleep.8 Global, says, 'a mattress is a huge investment in your long-term lifestyle and health both physical and mental, so you want to get it right'.

The common mistakes when buying a mattress

Luckily there are a few simple things to bear in mind before you shop, and we’ve rounded up everything you need to know below.

1. Style over substance

'The most common mistakes we see with mattress shopping are choosing a mattress either because it appeals aesthetically without considering tension, fillings and types,' notes Sarah Massouh, founder of British furniture and bedding manufacturer, Willow & Hall.

It can be so easy to pick what looks the snazziest when looking around a showroom, but this is absolutely one of those situations where looks shouldn't play a part. 

Remember, you'll only ever see your mattress when you're changing your sheets and you take off your mattress protector so its appearance really isn't important. 

2. Choosing synthetic fillings

The filling of a mattress plays a huge part in its sleep comfort. It can be tempting to opt for synthetic fillings as they're often cheaper – and lots of people love the cushioning feel of memory foam in particular – but our expert's say this should be avoided where possible, especially if you want a more breathable sleep that allows for better temperature-regulation overnight. 

Instead, when it's time to change your mattress, our experts advise that it's well worth investing a little more in a mattress with natural fillings, such as cotton or wool.

'A mistake often made is to buy a mattress that is made of synthetic materials,' says Mark Tremlett, founder of mattress brand, Naturalmat. 'Because they get hot and soak up perspiration, synthetic mattresses not only increase the chances of a disturbed night’s sleep, but they also don’t last as long, contributing to the 5 million dumped in UK landfills each year.'

'We believe that a natural, rather than foam filled mattress, is an essential ingredient for a good night’s sleep, and we firmly feel that mattresses should include only natural fillings such as silk, wool, hemp, cashmere and mohair,' agrees Adam Black, co-founder of sleep brand, Button & Sprung. 

'A natural material, such as wool, is a heat regulator and ensures you feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter,' continues Adam. 'Not only does this lead to better temperature regulation and moisture control at night, it also means you sleep on a chemical free, more sustainable and more environmentally friendly bed than the foam based alternatives.'

So if you're wondering is an expensive mattress is worth it, the answer would appear to be, yes.

3. Not testing the mattress properly

Even if you've spotted the best mattress deal you could imagine, ideally you want to be able to test out the mattress thoroughly, or you could very quickly be experiencing buyer's remorse.

'People often rush or are embarrassed to get comfortable when mattress testing',  says Musi from Sleep.8, especially if they're testing in store. Musi advises to 'take your time, get cosy – come to the shop prepared to get comfortable and spend some time on your mattress. Test your mattress without a jacket on, with your full body and for at least 5 minutes or more'.

But what happens if there isn't a mattress store local to you? In this case it can pay to look for a manufacturer that offers a sleep trial. These are now common amongst the likes of online mattress brands Simba, Emma, Woolroom, Nectar and more, and allow you anywhere from between 30 to 365 nights to test out a mattress in your own home before you commit to keeping it. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions that apply to the sleep trial before you shop.

4. Not considering your sleeping position

The mattress you opt for depends heavily on how you will be sleeping on it. 'One of the mistakes when buying a mattress is  selecting one which doesn't provide the right kind of support for the customer's preferred sleeping position,' says Sarah from Willow & Hall. 

'As a simple overview we recommend a standard tension for side sleepers to allow shoulders and hips to sink comfortably into the mattress, a firm tension for back sleepers to support the lower back and a very firm tension for front sleepers to provide support for the neck muscles. So, if you are a front or back sleeper, don't be tempted to choose a soft, sumptuous looking mattress as this will not provide the support you need in the long term.'

5. Not thinking about mattress toppers

Sometimes it's not just about mistakes when buying a mattress, but how to improve the one you already have. Picking up one of the best mattress toppers can be a game changer for your comfort. 

'If you’re on a tight budget, rather than going for the cheapest synthetic option, think about investing in a mattress topper which is a fairly quick and simple way to improve your sleep experience if you aren’t able to invest in a new mattress,' suggests Mark from Naturalmat.

'A mattress topper can help to create greater comfort all year round, and as with mattresses that are made from natural fibres, consider the same when choosing a mattress topper so you are not compromising on your sleep health or the environment.'

So, there we go. Five top tips to bear in mind as you're pondering how to sleep better at night and considering your next mattress purchase. 

You'll find more advice on understanding mattress construction and how to choose the right option for you in our guides to what is a hybrid mattress, what is a memory foam mattress, what is an open coil mattress and what is a pocket spring mattress. As well as advice on how to choose the right mattress size.

And, once you know which mattress is for you, you might want to read our guides to how to get rid of a mattress and how to recycle a mattress to ensure you're disposing of your old mattress responsibly.

Then all that's left to do is lie down comfortably and get in those eight hours of restorative sleep!