Lifetime Renewal Exchange

A comfort layer exchange you can redeem once, at any time, to alter the feel of your mattress or to increase its lifespan (this option saves you time and money while reducing waste).

A little bird told us you live near a Nest Bedding showroom.

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How Do I Choose The Right Mattress?

Categories: mattress shopping

Choosing the right mattress can be one of the most daunting tasks you will face as a consumer. This is true because of several factors. First, you are not a mattress expert. Most people don't buy their very own mattress until they are in their mid-20's, having slept on what they got as a kid until leaving for college, then sleeping on whatever is in the dorm or room they rent. The vast majority of people are completely inexperienced when they go out into the mattress marketplace and wouldn't know the difference between memory foam, high density foam, latex foam, or synthetic foam. 

Another factor is most mattress stores and companies know you are inexperienced, and they craft a marketing scheme to take advantage of your inexperience by creating an atmosphere of marketing terms that mean absolutely nothing to the casual buyer, changing names and fabrics from store to store and employing used car sales tactics to pressure you into buying before you are comfortably ready to make your purchase.

You could spend weeks doing research online, going to store, talking to salespeople in mattress stores throughout your area and still not be sure which bed will solve your problem. And then there is the selection! A ton of brands. Why, just in the San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose Bay Area, there are many stores advertising even more brands. Stores bragging about their huge selection, this store saying their beds are the best, another saying that stores beds are not good, only theirs are the best. Latex vs. Memory Foam, etc. It is overwhelming and confusing.

I have always tried to help educate and arm consumers I come in contact with by giving them some simple advice when choosing the right mattress. There are three factors that help you narrow down your choices:

  1. Is it comfortable. Does it solve your issues and allow you to get the rest you so desperately desire.
  2. Is it durable. Is it built to last and does the manufacturer back that up with a legit warranty.
  3. Is it affordable, or in your price range. Makes no sense to be trying out beds you either can't or don't want to afford.
There are seemingly as many mattresses out there as there are stars at night, however, if you look at construction of mattresses, you can narrow it down quickly and take some of the fear and confusion out of the process. There are two types of foam; latex and synthetic foam. Anyone telling you otherwise is not being honest. In between those two types of foams are combinations of the two materials, latex with synthetic blended in it and synthetics with some natural material blended in it. Memory foam is just a fancier version of synthetic foam, and latex foam is just rubber whipped into foam form.

And there is generally 2 ways to create a mattress with this foam: Put it on top of another layer of foam, or put it on a spring unit. So, when you go out into the marketplace, you are going to be looking at coil mattresses with either latex or memory foam on top, or foam mattresses with support foam on the bottom instead of coils. There is Sleep Number, with an air mattress base, but other than that, these are the basic types of mattresses out there.

So, back to our formula: Finding one that is comfortable requires an investment of time. Do your research first online so you don't get overwhelmed by marketing speak and sales pitches. Choose a few brands that seem to fit your price range and plan on spending a good 15 minutes in the position you normally lay to get a good feel for the mattress. Memory foam or latex foam? Organic mattress or name brand mattress? That decision will have to be yours. As you read and research online, you will find things you like, such as not wanting a toxic FR (fire barrier) or harmful off-gassing or synthetic fabrics. 

Durability is important, as you would like your bed to last a solid 10-15 years. Research warranties and claims, and check out consumer review sites to hear what people are saying. Learn from other's mistakes.

And finally, keep it in your price range. Don't waste your time checking out beds outside of your budget. Most of the time, beds are more expensive because they have a fancier fabric and name, or more foam. Avoid paying for a lot of brand advertising. Companies like Bed In A Box. com are a good example of a foam mattress that is durable, affordable and comfortable. In Northern California, you can try them out at Nest Bedding in the San Francisco, Berkeley San Jose area. In the SF Bay Area, there are lots of places to shop, but use the internet, Yelp, Sleep Like The Dead.com and other sites first, then go and check the beds out.

Good luck and sleep well!







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Albany and Berkeley

Address

835 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706

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Hours

Mon10AM–6PM
Tue10AM–6PM
Wed10AM–6PM
Thu10AM–6PM
Fri10AM–6PM
Sat10AM–6PM
Sun10AM–6PM

Costa Mesa Showroom

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3323 Hyland Ave Suite D
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

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Hours

Mon11AM–7PM
Tue11AM–7PM
Wed11AM–7PM
Thu11AM–7PM
Fri11AM–7PM
Sat10AM–6PM
Sun11AM–6PM

Sleep Sherpa Online Mattress Chicago Showroom

Address

415 W Huron St
Chicago, IL 60654

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Hours

MonPermanently closed
TuePermanently closed
WedPermanently closed
ThuPermanently closed
FriPermanently closed
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Sleep Sherpa Online Mattress Minneapolis Showroom

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7313 Washington Ave S.
Edina, MN 55439

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Hours

Mon11AM - 6PM
Tue11AM - 6PM
Wed11AM - 6PM
Thu11AM - 6PM
Fri11AM - 6PM
Sat11AM - 6PM
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196 Bowery
New York, NY 10012

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Hours

Mon11AM-7PM
Tue11AM-7PM
Wed11AM-7PM
Thu11AM-7PM
Fri11AM-7PM
Sat10AM-6PM
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Seattle Showroom

Address

2008 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98121

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Hours

Mon11AM-7PM
TueClosed
WedClosed
Thu11AM-7PM
Fri11AM-7PM
Sat11AM-7PM
Sun11AM-7PM

Santa Monica Showroom

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1311 Montana Ave. Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90403

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Mon11AM–7PM
Tue11AM–7PM
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Thu11AM–7PM
Fri11AM–7PM
Sat10AM–6PM
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San Francisco Showroom

Address

367 9th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

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Mon10AM-6PM
Tue10AM-6PM
Wed10AM-6PM
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Fri10AM-6PM
Sat10AM-6PM
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Phoenix Factory Showroom

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4455 W Camelback Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85031

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Hours

Mon9AM - 5PM
Tue9AM - 5PM
Wed9AM - 5PM
Thu9AM - 5PM
Fri9AM - 5PM
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Los Angeles, Studio City

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12345 Ventura Blvd. Suite K
Studio City, CA 91604

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Mon11AM–7PM
Tue11AM–7PM
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Palo Alto

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230 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301

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Mon11AM-7PM
Tue11AM-7PM
Wed11AM-7PM
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Fri11AM-7PM
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Our Sleep Guide Online Mattress Austin Showroom

Address

4220 S Lamar Blvd #150
Austin, TX 78704

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Hours

Mon10AM–7PM
Tue10AM–7PM
Wed10AM–7PM
Thu10AM–7PM
Fri10AM–7PM
Sat10AM–6PM
Sun1PM–6PM

Chico Showroom

Address

1905 Notre Dame Blvd. Suite 140
Chico, CA 95928

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MonComing Soon
TueComing Soon
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ThuComing Soon
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