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Finding the right bed is important.
We want to start this section with something we're passionate about, and here it is: the bed where you sleep is the single most important possession you will ever buy, period. More important than a coat, more important than a car. After all, you spend a third of your life in direct contact with it. And the more unhindered your rest, the more dynamic your life during the day can be. It truly is in your best interest to take the time to research, learn, test, and ultimately purchase the bed that is right for you. You might even decide to buy it elsewhere, and that is okay.
How should I shop for a bed?
While there is no definitive "best" way to go about bed shopping, we can tell you that whichever way you decide to start, either by researching beds and materials on the internet, or going to mattress stores in your area, or even going to friends houses to try out what they're sleeping on, your search should involve a LOT of lying down.
When visiting a bed store, be sure to set aside a several hour block of time, preferably during a weekday, so you won't feel rushed in any way. And while you're there, try everything! Try out futons, innerspring mattresses, foam mattresses and anything else that sounds good - even those memory foam mattresses - why not? Go to the mattress stores near you, kick off your shoes, and take the time to get comfortable on each bed. Be purposeful: lie down on each bed as though you intend to sleep on it. Do not rush your decision. Take your time. It's not a bad idea to take 15-20 minutes per bed, even!
Here's the secret: feel first, think second. Forget all the facts you've acquired about beds and just let your body tell you when it's comfortable. Your brain will only get in the way if you think too much at this stage. When your body has everything it requires - enough firmness to be straight and enough softness to keep blood flowing - your body will tell you. It will feel great. Your body will relax. Your body will have no complaints, no aches, no pressure points, no discomfort. Your body will give you the physical equivalent of a relieved, exhaled "ahhhhhhhhhhhhh." This is your body telling you that it has found the bed it needs to get a good night's sleep.
Once your body gives you the okay, your mind can go back to work learning the practical and technical information about the bed you like. Learn what it's made of and how long it will last. See what variations are available. Find out if there are organic versions of the same bed. Ask any question that comes to mind. Find knowledgeable individuals and absorb their expertise. If you're satisfied with your findings, congratulations! You found your new bed. If you feel at all unsure, go home and consider your options for a while. You should only purchase a bed you feel absolutely comfortable with, both physically and psychologically. The bed you choose should relax both your body and your mind.
So how do I find a bed with all of the right qualities for me?
Be wary of mattress companies who tell you they have "The Most Comfortable Bed You'll Ever Sleep On!!!" For a certain percentage of their customers, of course, this may be true. But in the more than 25 years that we've been helping people find the perfect bed, we've learned that no one style of bed is right for everybody.
We all have some basic needs in common, though. Everybody needs some firmness to keep the back straight. Everybody needs some softness to cushion and relieve pressure on those body parts furthest from the spine, like shoulders and hips. Everybody needs something resilient to fill in and support body curves, like the waist and the small of the back.
Of course, we all require differing quantities and configurations of these needs. Some people require more firmness to keep the hips higher and the back straighter. Some people require more softness to free hips and shoulders from the pressure of supporting the body's weight. Some people require more contour support, to support the waist and small of the back.
Thickness, support, and softness
As you explore the Soaring Heart website, you'll discover that we make beds in different thicknesses ranging from 3" to 10". You might ask yourself, "How can I tell which thickness is perfect for me?" In reality, the thickness of a mattress isn't so much as important as its firmness and its ratio of support to softness.
We're also of the opinion that one of the best ways to achieve your ideal level of comfort and support is by layering two or more thinner futons on top of each other, rather than lumping them all together in one mattress. That way, you can mix and match to reap the benefits of the materials you're most interested in, and each of the layers can be more easily maintained when necessary.
That said, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to body shape/size/weight, futon style, or layering method, but here are some general guidelines we find to be true most of the time:
For adults, when sleeping on a futon that is laid on the floor or on tatami mats, any thickness of futon that is comfortable will work. When sleeping on a futon that is on a platform bed with slats, futons of 8" or more are generally necessary in order to avoid feeling the slats underneath.
People who are tall and thin and people who tend to sleep on their backs generally feel more comfortable on a firmer surface that doesn't bend or bulge under their long, straight bodies. Consider two 3" Cotton Futons, a 3" Cotton with a 4" Cotton/Wool on top, or our 6" Extra-Firm Classic Latex
without a wool topper.
People who are of average size and shape can feel comfortable on a range of firmnesses and tend to like an even mix of firmness and softness. Try a layered approach arranged with a 3" cotton layer in the middle, a 3" latex layer on the bottom, and a 4" wool layer on top. Or try a 6" Firm Classic Latex with a 2" Wool Topper.
Very small, slight adults tend to feel best on softer beds, because their light bodies can't sink into firmer surfaces. Consider a 6" Medium-Firm Classic Latex with a 2" or 4" Wool Topper, or a 3" Medium-Firm Classic Latex with a 4" Wool Topper
People who are curvy and have wide shoulders or hips, and people who sleep on their sides tend to feel good on beds with a firm base but with a thicker, softer top that allows for more give where they're curviest. Try a 6" Firm Classic Latex with a 4" Wool Topper, or a three layer approach with a 4" wool layer on top, a 3" cotton layer on the bottom, and a 3" latex layer in the middle.
Because of their natural ability to adapt, children can feel good on thinner futons than adults. And even though they're light, their growing spines benefit from firmer support. We recommend our 6" Cotton (less expensive) or our 6" Classic Latex (more durable).
As a final thought, if you and your sleeping partner have extremely different opinions on what is and isn't comfortable, it isn't unheard of to have different styles of futon on different sides of the same bed frame. It costs a little more, but it may be worth considering in the name of good sleep.
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