Most people test a mattress the way they test a sofa: sit on the edge, press it with a hand, lie flat for thirty seconds, then stand up. None of that tells you how you will sleep on it.
A bed is the one piece of furniture you use with your eyes shut, for hours at a time. Testing one properly takes a little longer and feels a little odd in public. It is worth it. Here is the method we suggest to everyone who comes in.
Come dressed for it
Wear clothes you can lie down in and shoes you can slip off. If you sleep on a particular pillow, bring it. A pillow that is too high or too low will make a good mattress feel wrong, and you will blame the mattress. We also have a huge range of pillows in the showroom to try.
Lie down the way you actually sleep
Hypnos, which has made beds in the UK since 1904, advises lying on a bed in your normal sleeping position for at least 10 minutes. We agree. The first minute tells you about the surface. The next nine tell you about the support.
While you lie there, notice three things:
- Your shoulders and hips. On your side, they should sink in enough that your spine stays roughly level. If your hip feels jammed, the bed may be too firm for you. If it feels like you are lying in a hammock, it may be too soft.
- The small of your back. On your back, slide a flat hand under it. You should feel gentle contact, not a gap and not a squeeze.
- How you move. Turn over as you would at night. A mattress that makes you work to roll over will wake you up.
Bring the other person
If you share a bed, test it together. Hypnos makes the same point: take your partner with you and lie on the beds side by side. A mattress that suits one of you can feel very different with two people on it.
If you and your partner want different firmness, that is common and solvable. Marshall & Stewart beds can be made with split tensions, so each side is built for the person sleeping on it. Ask about it rather than settling for a compromise neither of you loves.
Sit on the edge, then lie near it
People sit on the edge of a bed every day: putting on socks, answering the phone. Couples often sleep closer to the edge than they think. A firm edge also means more of the mattress is usable.
Edge strength usually comes down to how the border is built. On a hand-made mattress it comes from rows of hand side-stitching, which we explain in our guide to side-stitching. Sit on the edge and see whether it holds you or rolls you off.
The first minute tells you about the surface. The next nine tell you about the support.
Compare three, not ten
After four or five beds, everything starts to feel the same. Narrow it down quickly:
- Start in the middle. Try a medium bed first, so you have something to compare against.
- Try one firmer and one softer. You will usually know within minutes which direction you lean.
- Go back to your favourite last. If it still feels right after the others, that tells you something.
The advantage of a multi-brand showroom is that the comparison is fair. Hypnos, Tréca Paris, Marshall & Stewart and our own Westend beds sit in one room, so you can feel the difference between makers in one afternoon, not across four shops in four postcodes.
Questions worth asking before you buy
Feel matters most, but ask these too:
- What is inside it? Name the fillings and the spring system, not just the comfort grade.
- Does it need turning? Some mattresses turn, some only rotate. It changes the care routine.
- What is the guarantee, and what does it require? Some makers ask for a mattress protector, or for the mattress to sit on a suitable base.
- How long will it take to make, and how will it reach my bedroom? See our guide to made-to-order lead times.
- What does it cost as a complete bed? Our pricing page gives indicative starting points for each maker.
How long a visit takes
A browse with us usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. No appointment is necessary, though we recommend booking at weekends. If you want longer, we offer private Sleep Consultations of up to two hours, by appointment and with no obligation. There is no pressure to buy on the day, and we would rather you went home and slept on it.
Frequently asked questions
How long should you lie on a mattress in a shop?
Hypnos advises at least 10 minutes in your normal sleeping position. That is long enough to feel the support, not just the surface.
Should I test a mattress with my partner?
Yes. A mattress can feel different with two people on it. If you prefer different firmness, ask about split tensions, which some makers, including Marshall & Stewart, can build in.
Do I need an appointment to test beds at Westend Bed Company?
No appointment is necessary, though we recommend booking at weekends. Private Sleep Consultations of up to two hours are available by appointment, with no obligation.
Come and lie down properly. Call us on 020 7723 2925 to book a quiet hour at our East Sheen showroom, 215 Upper Richmond Road West, SW14 8QT, or arrange a Sleep Consultation.
We are open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5.30pm.