When you are thinking about how to buy a mattress for your home, there are some basic things that you need to consider. Here are a few sample questions:

• Do you have a frame? What size is it? If you want to keep your same frame and it’s not adjustable, you will need to choose a set that fits it.
• What size will fit up your stairway? If you want a king or queen sized bed, but your stairway is narrow, you can get a split box spring, which is basically equivalent to a twin-sized box spring.
• How tall are you? For the most comfort, you should choose a bed that is 4-6 inches longer than you are.
• Do you want to buy new sheets? If you choose a thicker style, such as one that includes a pillow-top, your old sheets might not fit.

When deciding how to choose a mattress — size matters. There are several basic bed sizes available, today, as well as the California sizes. The basic sizes are twin, full, queen and king. The California sizes are slightly different. For example, a California king is 4 inches longer, but 4 inches narrower than a standard king. Crib sized, minis, supers and doubles are other sizes that you may see.

Picking firmness is another part of how to choose a mattress. Moderately firm mattresses seem to be the best choice for people with back pain, but it’s also a personal choice. You might prefer to sleep on a super-soft pillow top.

Standard coil-type mattresses provide support that’s different from water or air beds. Water and air support while giving. In other words, they conform to your body’s shape. A coil-type mattress conforms, somewhat, but that depends on the firmness (which is determined by the number of coils).

Deciding on the material or construction is part of how to buy a mattress. Some people love water and air mattresses. Other people feel that they do not provide enough support. So far, there is no conclusive evidence about which type of construction is better for people with lower back pain.

Buying a bed can be an expensive undertaking so knowing how to choose a mattress that will fit your requirements for years to come is important. Not only do you have the box-spring/mattress set to consider, but also the frame, headboard and footboard, if you are looking for a whole new bedroom set. If you want to save money, the best place to save is on the headboard and footboard, which are mostly decorative.

The frame keeps the box spring off of the floor, which is more comfortable for most adults, in terms of height. But, basic frames are often free when you purchase a set.

When you are learning how to buy a mattress, don’t forget about the box spring. People sometimes keep their old box springs, but the new mattresses might not last as long if the box springs are not replaced at the same time.

Some manufacturers provide advice about how to choose a mattress, but the advice is often skewed towards the more expensive models. Take your time and shop around. That’s the best advice for making a choice you’ll be happy with.