After spending over 20 years helping people create their dream bedrooms, I’ve learned one thing for sure – the mattress makes or breaks your sleep sanctuary.
I can’t tell you how many clients come to me frustrated because they’re tossing and turning all night on a mattress that just isn’t working for them.
Choosing a mattress for a double bed seems simple enough, right? Walk into a store, lie down for 30 seconds, and pick whatever feels good. Oh, if only it were that simple!
I made this mistake myself when I first moved into my own place. I grabbed the first double mattress that felt “fine” in the store, and three months later, I was waking up with back pain that followed me throughout the day.
When looking for mattresses to match double beds, exploring options like a fabulous collection of double beds can help you find designs that suit both style and function.
In this post, we are going to learn how to choose the right mattress for your double bed.
Understand the Right Mattress Size for Comfort
Let’s start with making sure a double bed mattress is actually right for you.
Standard Double Bed Dimensions
A standard double bed mattress measures about 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. That’s 4.5 feet wide and 6.25 feet long.
Now here’s where I get real with clients. A double bed gives each person just 27 inches of personal space if you’re sharing. That’s narrower than a baby’s crib! I had a couple once who thought they could save space with a double, and two weeks later they were back in my office looking for an upgrade.
For context, most single adults who sleep alone find doubles perfectly comfortable. But if you’re over 5’10” or share with a partner, you might want to consider a queen or king instead.
According to the Better Sleep Council, about 47% of couples report improved sleep quality after upgrading from a double to a queen size mattress. That’s nearly half of all couples sleeping better just by gaining a few extra inches!
Room Size Considerations
Before you commit to any mattress size, measure your room. I recommend at least 2 feet of clearance on three sides of the bed for easy movement.
I once had a client who insisted on putting a double bed in a tiny guest room. She loved the idea until she realized she couldn’t fully open the closet door anymore. Measuring first saves headaches later!
A double bed works best in rooms that are at least 10 x 10 feet. Any smaller and you’ll be doing that awkward sideways shuffle to get around the room.
Mattress Types and Their Suitability
When I first started designing bedrooms, we basically had one type of mattress with springs that went squeak in the night. Now there’s so many options it makes my head spin! Let’s break them down.
Inner Spring Mattresses
These are the traditional bounce-bounce mattresses many of us grew up with. They use metal coils for support and usually have a pillow top layer for comfort.
Inner spring mattresses are great if you:
- Like a bouncy, responsive feel
- Sleep hot and need good airflow
- Want strong edge support
- Are working with a tighter budget
My brother swears by his inner spring mattress because, as he says, “I don’t want to feel like I’m sinking into quicksand every night.” Fair point!
Modern inner springs have come a long way. The best ones now use individually wrapped pocket coils that reduce motion transfer, so you won’t feel your partner’s every move.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam molds to your body like a gentle hug. It was actually developed by NASA, which always impresses guests at dinner parties for some reason!
These mattresses are perfect if you:
- Have joint pain or pressure points
- Sleep with a restless partner
- Like feeling cradled rather than supported
- Prefer a silent mattress with no squeaks
I switched to memory foam after developing shoulder pain from my design work, and it was a game changer for side sleeping. Just be aware that traditional memory foam can sleep warm.
According to a survey by Sleep Like The Dead, about 8% of memory foam owners report significant heat issues. Not huge, but worth considering if you run hot at night.
Latex Mattresses
Latex is the marathon runner of mattress materials. These things just keep going and going.
Latex mattresses are awesome if you:
- Want excellent durability
- Prefer natural materials
- Need good bounce with moderate contouring
- Have allergies
I recommended a natural latex mattress to my cousin with severe dust mite allergies, and she finally stopped waking up congested every morning.
They’re pricier upfront but can last 15+ years with proper care. That’s about 5 years longer than the average mattress!
Hybrid Mattresses
Can’t decide? Don’t! Hybrid mattresses combine an inner spring base with foam top layers to give you the best of both worlds.
These work well if you:
- Want the support of springs with the comfort of foam
- Sleep in multiple positions throughout the night
- Share a bed with someone who has different preferences
- Need good edge support with pressure relief
My husband likes firm support while I prefer a cushiony feel. The hybrid mattress keeps us both happy, which means I get to hog the blankets without too much complaint from him.
Choosing the Right Firmness
Firmness is probably the most personal aspect of mattress shopping. What feels like sleeping on a cloud to one person might feel like concrete to another.
Firmness Scale Explained
Mattresses typically use a firmness scale from 1-10, with 1 being super soft and 10 being extremely firm.
Most mattresses fall between 4-8 on this scale, with 6.5 considered medium-firm. According to research, about 80% of people prefer mattresses in the medium to medium-firm range.
Match Firmness to Sleep Position
Your sleep position is the secret sauce to finding your perfect firmness level.
Side Sleepers If you sleep on your side like I do, you’ll want a mattress on the softer side, around 4-6 on the firmness scale. This allows your shoulders and hips to sink in just enough to keep your spine aligned.
I had a client who was a dedicated side sleeper but insisted on a super firm mattress because she thought it was better for her back. She was waking up with numb arms until she switched to something softer!
Back Sleepers Back sleepers typically do best with medium to medium-firm mattresses, around 5-7 on the scale. This provides enough support for your lower back while still contouring to your body.
Stomach Sleepers Stomach sleepers need the firmest support, usually 7-8 on the scale. This prevents your midsection from sinking too deeply, which can strain your spine.
My design partner sleeps on her stomach and swears her firm mattress saved her from years of lower back pain.
Weight Considerations
Your body weight also plays a huge role in how firm a mattress feels to you.
Lighter people under 130 pounds usually need softer mattresses because they don’t sink in as much.
Heavier folks over 230 pounds typically need firmer mattresses with better support systems to prevent excessive sinking.
I worked with a client who weighed about 250 pounds and couldn’t figure out why his “firm” mattress felt so soft. We switched him to a hybrid with reinforced support, and his back pain disappeared within weeks.
Temperature Regulation and Motion Isolation
Keeping Cool at Night
Did you know the ideal sleeping temperature is around 65°F? Your mattress can help or hinder maintaining that temperature.
Inner spring and hybrid mattresses typically sleep the coolest because air can flow through the coil systems.
Traditional memory foam has a reputation for sleeping hot, but newer versions include:
- Gel-infused foam that draws heat away
- Open-cell structures for better airflow
- Phase-change materials that maintain consistent temperatures
I’m basically a human furnace at night according to my husband, so I made sure our mattress had cooling technology. The difference was immediately noticeable.
A study from the Sleep Foundation found that about 62% of people consider temperature regulation “very important” when choosing a mattress. I’m definitely in that group!
Motion Isolation for Couples
If your partner tosses and turns like they’re practicing for the Olympics, good motion isolation is a must.
Memory foam and latex excel at absorbing movement. You could drop a bowling ball on one side and barely feel it on the other!
Inner spring mattresses typically have the worst motion isolation, though models with pocket coils perform much better than traditional connected coils.
I once had clients who were considering separate bedrooms because one was a light sleeper and the other moved constantly. After switching to a mattress with better motion isolation, they happily shared a bed again. Mattress therapy works!
Budget and Warranty Considerations
Setting a Realistic Budget
Good double mattresses typically range from $500 to $1,500, though specialty models can go much higher.
In my experience, the sweet spot for quality and value is usually around $800-1,200 for a double mattress. Below $500, you might save money now but pay for it with a shorter lifespan and poorer sleep quality.
I always tell clients that if you break down the cost per night over a 7-year mattress life, even a $1,000 mattress costs just about 40 cents per night. That’s less than a cup of coffee for something that directly impacts your health and wellbeing!
Understanding Warranties and Trial Periods
Most quality mattresses come with warranties ranging from 10-25 years, but read the fine print! These typically only cover manufacturing defects, not normal wear and tear or comfort preferences.
More important than the warranty is the sleep trial. Good companies offer at least 100 nights to test the mattress in your home. Some even offer 365 nights!
I always recommend clients look for trials with free returns and no restocking fees. Breaking up with a mattress shouldn’t cost you extra.
Tips to Buy Double Bed Mattress
Research Before Shopping
Before setting foot in a store or clicking “buy now,” do your homework.
Read reviews from people with similar sleep preferences and body types. Someone who’s 6’4″ and sleeps on their back will have very different needs than someone who’s 5’2″ and sleeps on their side.
I always check multiple review sources since some websites may have biased ratings. Look for patterns in the feedback rather than focusing on individual outliers.
Try Before You Buy
If possible, test mattresses in person. Wear comfortable clothes and spend at least 10-15 minutes on each contender.
Lie in your usual sleep position and check for pressure points. Can you slip your hand between your lower back and the mattress when lying on your back? If there’s too much space, the mattress might be too firm.
I tell my clients to ignore the awkwardness of lying down in public. This is a long-term relationship you’re starting! A good salesperson will give you space and time.
Ask the Right Questions
When shopping, ask about:
- The exact materials used
- Whether the mattress is one-sided or can be flipped
- If there are any special care instructions
- What foundations work best with the mattress
- Return policies and associated costs
I once saved a client hundreds of dollars when we discovered the expensive foundation being pushed with a new mattress wasn’t actually necessary.
Conclusion
Choosing the right double bed mattress isn’t rocket science, but it does deserve more thought than many people give it. Your body, sleep quality, and partner will all thank you for taking the time to make an informed choice.
Remember that the “best” mattress isn’t universal. What works beautifully for me might be terrible for you. Focus on your unique needs rather than marketing claims or what’s trendy.
I’ve guided hundreds of clients through this process, and the ones who end up happiest consider their sleep position, body type, temperature preferences, and motion sensitivity before making a decision.
Sweet dreams are literally made of the right mattress choice. Happy mattress hunting, and here’s to thousands of nights of better sleep ahead!
