Are you in mattress distress trying to pick the perfect mattress?

No need to fret – I’ve teamed up with The Brick to share everything you need to know to find your ideal mattress. You’ll be saying goodbye to the snuggle struggle and sleeping like a baby in no time!

How I Knew it was Time for a New Mattress

Speaking of babies, as a new parent, I expected some sleepless nights. But last month I realised that Elle was happily snoozing the night away in her crib, while Aaron and I tossed and turned. The culprit: our mattress. At eight years old, it had seen better days and I longed to wake up in the morning feeling rested and refreshed.

In fact, the Better Sleep Council of Canada recommends replacing your mattress every eight to 10 years. But it could be a sign that it’s time to go mattress shopping if:

• You’re waking up with aches, pains, stiffness or sore muscles.
• You’re tossing and turning throughout the night, feeling restless when you wake in the morning or are finding hotel rooms especially comfortable.
• You notice your mattress is sagging or there’s indentations where you sleep.

My Experience Mattress Shopping at The Brick

After realising it was time for a new mattress, I did what any logical person does and turned to the Internet for a solution. And to be honest, I found mattress research quite overwhelming – there’s a lot to consider! But then, like a sign from the Mattress Gods themselves, a flyer advertising a sale at The Brick landed on our doorstep.

So I loaded up Aaron and Elle in the car and headed to The Brick Mattress Store in St. Albert and suddenly it all became SO simple.

Props to this fellow, Store Manager Forrest Ferguson, and his team: they’re total mattress experts!

Within minutes of walking through the door, we answered a few questions about our sleep preferences and lifestyle and were guided to a selection of mattresses by Stearns & Foster and Beautyrest Black that met both our needs.

To help narrow-down the type and style of mattress that most meets your needs, here’s some things to think about before you begin shopping:

• What do you like most about your current mattress? What don’t you like about it?
• Will you be sleeping alone, or with a partner? (If the answer is with a partner, be sure to shop together to ensure you both find a mattress you love!)
• Do you have any medical issues, aches, pains or sleep concerns?
• What size of mattress do you want?
• What is your sleeping style – do you sleep on your back, side or stomach?
• Are you wearing comfy pants? Okay, yes – this question might seem a bit odd. But when you get in-store, there’s nothing better than lying down, getting comfy and giving the mattresses a try. Reading about them online or pressing down on them with your hand is one thing, but there is no greater test than stretching out on a mattress!

For Aaron and me, answering these questions was easy. We both LOVED how plush our current mattress was before it started going downhill. After years of sleeping on a Queen mattress, we were ready to switch to a King; we’re fortunate that our master bedroom is large enough to accommodate the extra size, and Aaron is a pretty bad snorer so I wouldn’t mind a bit of distance LOL. And while we don’t have any recurring aches or pains, Aaron’s a combination back-side sleeper and I’m a side sleeper.

Did You Know that Different Sleep Styles Mean Different Mattress Needs?

A large part of choosing the perfect mattress is determined by your sleeping style. The Brick’s mattress consultants know which mattress materials – from coils/innerspring to latex and memory foam – will best support and comfort your body, giving you the optimum night’s sleep. However, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side is the most common sleeping position. To ensure proper alignment of the shoulders, spine and pelvis, side sleepers need a mattress with deep support materials to fill in the gaps and support the whole body, as well as provide comfort to the hips and shoulders. Mattresses with innerspring or pocket coils and extra top padding, such as a pillow- or euro-top, typically support this sleep style best.

Back Sleepers

A back sleeper requires a mattress that supports the lower back, where the natural curvature of the spine occurs, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Memory foam mattresses that conform to the body’s pressure points are ideal, as are mattresses without too much added padding that have a high coil count.

Stomach Sleepers

Hate to break it to you, stomach sleepers, but you’re most at risk for back issues given that your sleep position offers no support or relief for your back. For this reason, choose a mattress with firm support and little top padding to ensure proper alignment of the spine.

Our Beautyrest Black Precious Plush Euro-Top King Mattress Set

The mattress that Aaron and I finally decided on was the Beautyrest Black Precious Plush Euro-Top King Mattress Set and we couldn’t be happier. It’s perfect …and I promise I’m not just saying that because I was completely enamoured by the Beautyrest Black commercial featuring Tom Brady, LOL!

We love it because it has a plush comfort level, which was of utmost importance to both Aaron and me. Plus, it’s a euro-top and has firm gauge advanced evolution pocket coil combined with adaptive memory foam technology, meaning it’s perfect for our side- and back-sleeping tendencies. I also found it super interesting that the mattress has memory foam infused with diamond particles to help conduct heat away from the body for all-night comfort.

At the end of the day, though, we’re sleeping comfortably and waking up well-rested, which is all we could’ve hoped for!

Why You Can Rest Easy Choosing the Perfect Mattress At The Brick

I should also mention that having our mattress delivered was such a simple process. The movers were in and out of my home in 12 minutes (yup, I timed it). They took the mattress set upstairs to my bedroom, offered to remove and recycle the packaging, and then hauled away and recycled our old mattress for a nominal fee. It was seamless!

The Brick also gave us 180 days to try out our sleep set (it’s 90 days if you don’t buy a mattress protector, but we did) and if for some reason our mattress isn’t cutting it, we can find another that better fits our needs. That takes a lot of pressure off – just as a new mattress should LOL.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my tips for choosing the perfect mattress! I hope you found it helpful. Thanks also to The Brick for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

xo Holly Hunka

P.S. – I’m going to leave you with one last tidbit of mattress information. It almost didn’t make the cut… but I found it super helpful to see all the different mattress sizes better explained. In case you’re in the same boat, here it is:

The 411 On Different Mattress Sizes

Twin Mattress
A twin (or single) mattress is an ideal size for children two to twelve years old. It’s also a great option for guest bedrooms where space is an issue, as well as bunk beds and daybeds.

Twin XL Mattress
A twin XL is the same width as a twin mattress, with a little extra length for added leg room, making it comfortable enough for adults. It’s a popular choice for college dorm rooms and guest rooms (if you push two Twin XL mattresses together, they’re as large as a King).

Full Mattress
A full (or double) mattress offers a good amount of space for adult single sleepers, though it’d be quite squished for two adults to share. It’s also a good option for teenagers, or kids’ rooms with space to accommodate the larger size.

Queen Mattress
Queen mattresses are the most popular mattress size. They’re ideal for couples who like sleeping more closely together, or who want extra living space in their bedroom. They’re also great for single sleepers who like to stretch out in comfort. Most master bedrooms can accommodate a queen-sized mattress.

King Mattress
Offering the most width of all mattress sizes, a king mattress is the best choice for couples who want maximum personal sleeping space. They’re also great for a single sleeper who want to live a life of luxury! Keep in mind that not all spaces can accommodate their large size, so be sure to measure your bedroom and entryways ahead of time.

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