Mattress Guide

A mattress is the one piece of your bed you cannot see once it is made, yet it shapes every night's sleep more than anything else. Choosing well is worth the time. This guide explains the questions that matter, the main mattress types, and the handcrafted and breathable mattresses in the Laud Sleep range, so you can buy with confidence rather than guesswork.

Quick answer: how do I choose a mattress?

Start with how you sleep. Match the firmness to your body weight and sleeping position, choose a size that gives you room to move, and pick a type that suits how warm you sleep and how much support you need. A well made pocket sprung or hybrid mattress, cared for properly, should give you comfortable, supportive sleep for years.

Start with how you sleep

There is no single best mattress, only the one that suits you. A few questions make the choice much easier.

• What position do you sleep in? Side sleepers usually prefer a little more give to cushion the hips and shoulders. Back and front sleepers tend to want firmer, more even support.
• How warm do you sleep? If you often overheat, look for natural fillings and breathable covers that let heat and moisture escape.
• Do you share the bed? Pocket sprung mattresses handle two people well, because each spring moves independently and limits roll-together.
• Do you have aches or a bad back? Good support matters more than pure softness. The aim is a spine that stays naturally aligned through the night.

Mattress types explained

Pocket sprung

Each spring sits in its own fabric pocket and responds individually to your body, giving precise support and excellent motion isolation for couples. The more springs, the more finely the mattress can contour to you. This is the classic choice for supportive, long-lasting comfort.

Hybrid

A hybrid combines a spring layer with comfort layers such as foam or natural fibres, aiming to balance support with a softer, more cushioned surface. Hybrids with breathable covers are a strong option if you want support without sleeping hot.

Memory and reflex foam

All-foam mattresses mould closely to the body and can relieve pressure points, though some sleepers find them warmer. Many people now prefer a hybrid, which offers some of that contouring feel with the airflow and support of springs.

The mattresses at Laud Sleep

Millbrook, handcrafted pocket sprung

Our Millbrook mattresses are handcrafted in England using traditional methods and natural fillings. The Serenity range is named by its pocket spring count, from the 1000 up to the luxurious 6500, so the higher the number, the more springs and the more finely the mattress supports and contours to you. If you want a supportive, breathable, made-to-last mattress with genuine craftsmanship behind it, this is the range to look at.

Luff, breathable bamboo

The Luff Prestige Bamboo Mattress pairs supportive springs with a naturally breathable bamboo cover. Bamboo is moisture-wicking and temperature regulating, so this is a particularly good choice if you tend to sleep warm or want a fresher, cooler surface through the night.

Browse the full range in the mattresses collection.

Firmness and tension

Firmness is personal, but body weight is a useful guide. Lighter sleepers often find medium or soft tensions more comfortable, because a very firm mattress can feel unyielding. Heavier sleepers usually need a firmer tension to stay properly supported. If you share the bed and differ in weight or preference, a medium tension is often the fairest compromise, and a topper can fine-tune the feel on each side.

Choosing the right size

Give yourself as much room as your bedroom allows. As a rough guide, single suits children and single rooms, double works for one adult who likes space or two at a squeeze, king is the comfortable choice for couples, and super king is the luxury option where the room allows. Always measure your room and check the bed frame before you buy.

Do you need a new mattress or a topper?

If your mattress is still supportive but the surface feels a little flat or firm, a mattress topper can refresh the feel for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. Toppers are also a simple way to make a bed cooler or softer. If you often overheat or your sleep is disrupted by night sweats, a cooling topper such as those in our My Nature range can make a noticeable difference. If your mattress sags or you wake up aching, though, a topper only masks the problem and it is time for a new mattress.

Protect your investment

A good mattress deserves looking after. A mattress protector guards against spills, dust and wear, keeps the mattress fresher for longer, and is far easier to wash than the mattress itself. It is a small addition that meaningfully extends the life of the bed.

Complete the bed

Once the mattress is right, the frame and the layers on top finish the picture. Explore our beds to pair your mattress with a frame, then dress it with breathable, natural bedding. If you are not sure which fabric suits you, our Bedding Materials Guide is a good next read.

Ready to choose?

Take your time, think about how you actually sleep, and choose support before softness. Explore our full range of mattresses, from handcrafted Millbrook pocket sprung to breathable Luff bamboo, and build a bed that supports genuinely restful sleep for years to come.