Best combination mattress and base for side sleepers

Hi Simone,

Thank you for your question. How the mattress feels is determined by the upholstery layers on top of the springs. Softer upholstery fibres are usually recommended for side sleepers to provide cushioning for the shoulders and hips. Medium comfort layers are also suitable if you prefer a more supportive feel, as this still has soft cushioning layers in the top layer. Your comfort preference would determine which level of comfort would be the most suitable for you both. Our softest mattress is the Artisan Luxury, which has a softer medium level of comfort in the 100% natural upholstery layers. We also have the Origins Comfort 1000 in our manmade fibre range, which is a little softer than a true medium. It would be helpful to know which mattress you currently have that is too firm for you.

The spring tension is based on your height and body weight. We would pair you both with the medium spring tension to provide you with the correct level of support.

All of our mattresses are suitable for all types of bases, although the type of base can affect how the mattress feels. Our Artisan range of mattresses is designed for the Artisan pocket sprung base, which cushions the mattress. If you put these mattresses on a platform or slatted base, the internal support will feel firmer. Our Origins range of mattresses is designed for a platform base. Putting these on a pocket sprung base will give the mattress a softer overall feel. With slatted bases, you need to ensure that the gap between each slat doesn't exceed 3 inches. If the gap is less than 3 inches, you need to cover the slats with an old or cheap duvet to protect the upholstery layers on the underside of the mattress from indentations. If the gap is larger, you will need to board over the slats, essentially converting it into a platform base, to prevent the springs from settling in the gap as this will damage the mattress.

There are many things to consider with a super kingsize mattress, such as will it fit, the care and maintenance and settlement. Due to the size and weight of a super kingsize mattress, they can be difficult to get into some properties as they are not very flexible. We will need to check that you do have access. These mattresses are also very heavy, which can make them difficult to turn over. If you do not have access or can not turn over the mattress, a zip and link mattress may be a better option as you only need to turn half the mattress at a time. Please note that the Origins range of mattresses is only available as a zip and link in super kingsize.

All mattresses settle where you lie the most. As we are creatures of habit, we tend to sleep in the same position on the mattress, the upholstery layers in this area settle, but leave the surrounding upholstery layers like new. This can look like the mattress has sagged or that there are raised areas on the surface of the mattress, especially in the larger sizes like kingsize and super kingsize where no one sleeps in the middle. By turning the mattress over on a regular basis and utilising the whole of the sleep surface, ie if you are in bed on your own, then sleep in the middle. If you are reading or watching TV in bed on your own, then sit in the middle; this will help to even out the settlement of the upholstery layers.

I hope this helps and if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419.

Kind Regards

Michaela