Choosing and buying a right bed is important, as we spend a third of our life in bed. So rightfully, we don't skimp on something so important. Do not compromise on quality, buy one that you can best afford.

Choosing a bed or mattress can be subjective. Always choose the bed that is best for you and your comfort levels. There are people who cannot sleep on hard mattresses, and there are people who cannot manage on a soft one. Here are some tips.

Comfort and support
Choose the level of support and comfort that suits your needs. Sometimes, a soft mattress may feel great when you first lie down, but by morning you may find your body plagues by aches and pains. You need a bit of support so that your back doesn't sag. There are three different comfort levels when it comes to mattresses, What differs is the type of support or padding that the mattress can provide:

• Firm. This is believed to be better for the back because it gives more support.
  
• Plush. This type usually gives firm mattress foundation, with additional padding or comfort layers on top for extra comfort.
  
• Pillow top. This type is just above plush, whereby there are more comfort layers on top.

Tips:
Don’t just listen to the salesperson. Test the mattress in the store. Don’t be shy - this is something that's going to have an effect on your health and well-being.

Lie down. Roll over. Can you get comfortable? Does the mattress conform to the shape of your body?

Size
The bed mattress that you choose should be built for the standard specifications of a single or double bed. Ask yourself how much room you need on the bed and buy one that suits your needs.

Tips:
A smaller bed may be just right for some people, but if you're tall or big-sized, make sure you have the space you need.

Is the bed wide enough? Do you sleep alone or with a partner? Do you (or your partner) toss and turn?

Quality
Ensure that the foam and other materials it is made with are of high quality so that the mattress would not sag after sleeping on it for a few years. The mattress should be good for at least 10 years.

Tips:
Does the mattress come with a guarantee or warranty and if so, for how long? The minimum warranty should be 10 years.

Don't go for the cheapest model in the store. You get what you pay for. Lower priced mattresses tend to be thinner, poorly made and lack the firmness to give you support.

Finally to impart some general knowledge about choosing the right mattresses, here are some technical terms on the types of mattresses you need to know before setting your foot into the store and stare blankly at the salesperson.

Coiled Spring Mattresses
Most mattresses on the market today use coiled springs to support your body. These springs can either be 'continuous' or 'independent' (individual pocketed springs).

In a continuously sprung mattress, all the individual coils are in effect part of one system. This makes the mattress less prone to sagging in one place, however this type of mattress usually cannot be responsive to the shape of your body.

With an independent coil mattress, each coil is a separate entity, which gives far more flexible support across the body. This type of pocket sprung mattresses tend to be more expensive.

Nevertheless, you also need to consider the number of coils in the mattress. There's no hard and fast rule on the "best" number of coils. A larger mattress will obviously need more coils as will a firmer one. Too many coils could result in a mattress that is too firm for you.

Take note that cheaper mattresses often have less coils than their higher quality counterparts, so make sure that you look at these numbers when comparing products.

Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is a pretty new innovation. Memory foam mattresses are made with this dense, heat sensitive material that mould themselves to your body shape to give an even distribution of weight. This gives a good compromise between comfort and support.

The memory foam comes in different "densities" - the higher densities, the more expensive the mattresses. However more is not always better - a very dense foam might be too firm for some people who would prefer the softer, lower densities.

Last but not least, remember to invest in quality.
Happy mattress shopping!