How to Choose the Right Firmness for Your Custom Mattress

We spend a huge amount of time sleeping, so it’s normal to put in a lot of research into your next mattress. There are many different aspects you need to consider including the materials and manufacturer, but the firmness rating may be the most important variable.

Looking for a mattress that’s comfortable, good for your back, and lasts for decades? Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right mattress firmness.

1. Sleeping Position

People who have firmer mattresses often experience fewer moments of back pain throughout the day, however this doesn’t mean that firm is always best. Instead, you should consider your resting position and how it affects the quality of your sleep.

• Sleeping on Your Side: Medium-soft to medium-firm mattresses tend to work best as they alleviate pressure points on the hips and shoulders.
• Sleeping on Your Back: In this case, the best may be a medium-firm mattress to support the spine and prevent sagging in the midsection.
• Sleeping on Your Stomach: If you sleep on your stomach you probably need a firmer mattress to maintain proper spinal alignment and avoid excessive pressure on your lower back.

2. Weight and Body Type

It’s also important to note your body and mattress have a symbiotic relationship.

In other words, your body type and weight will also affect how your mattress behaves impacting your ideal firmness rating.

Lightweight Individuals may find a standard firmness mattress too firm, potentially needing a softer option. If this is your case, you may notice that the firm surface produces sore joints.

Heavier folks may require a firmer mattress for adequate support because they tend to sink into their beds a bit more. So, it makes sense to have more support under your joints.

3. Personal Preference and Comfort Level

One of the biggest things you should consider is your personal preference. 

The reason for this is that some people naturally prefer a softer feel while others prefer more firmness, regardless of their body type and other factors.

In this sense, finding the perfect mattress requires you to find the sweet spot between what your body needs and what you personally prefer. 

4. Sleep Companion

If you share a bed with a loved one or sleep companion, it’s also important to consider this person during your mattress research. In addition to weight and body type, it’s also important to consider this person’s preferences if they’re sharing the same bed. 

As an alternative, you can opt for a custom mattress that has different compositions on each side. 

How to Find the Appropriate Firmness

So, your sleeping position, weight, and other variables listed above will all influence your mattress choice. But how do you choose the right firmness? Here’s what you need to do. 

• Understand the Firmness Rating: While not universal, firmness ratings can give you a good idea of what part of the range your mattress will fall in. So, the first step is understanding mattress firmness rating, which ranges from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest), but keep in mind that each manufacturer holds its own standard.

• Consider Your Body and Health Needs: Next, you should consider your body type and overall health needs. For instance, if you need to sleep on your back for health reasons, having a mattress on the softer side may be the best alternative. 

• Accessories or Custom Mattresses: Finally, you should consider toppers and similar accessories. Finding the perfect firmness is difficult if you’re opting for standard mattresses, but a good way to take a shortcut is to order a custom mattress tailored to your specific needs. 

Trying Different Firmness Levels

It’s always a good idea to test out the firmness level of your mattress by sitting on the edge, then lying down and spending a few minutes on it. Here, it’s a good idea to mimic your natural sleeping positions and notice how your body feels while resting there. If you feel comfortable after a few minutes, it’s a good sign that the mattress you’re trying is comfortable. 

If you can, test the mattress with your sleeping companion, or if this person is not available it’s always a good idea to ask a friend. Likewise, you should stay in the bed until your body temperature is regulated, that way you can figure out if there’s enough air circulation.

Get the Perfect Mattress for Your Home

There are many variables that you need to consider before choosing the perfect mattress. The brand, materials, and type of mattress are all essential factors, but the most important for your sleep may just be the firmness levels.

Getting a mattress of the right firmness means that your joints will get the support they need without going through aching, which is a common sign that your bed is too hard. 

Just remember to keep your sleep position, weight, comfort levels, and companion in mind before choosing the right firmness rating for your mattress.