What Is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is a soft foam that warms up with your body heat and slowly moulds to your shape, spreading your weight across the mattress instead of pressing on one spot. When you move, it slowly returns to its shape, and when you get up, it goes back to flat. This gentle moulding is called pressure relief, and it is the reason so many people choose memory foam mattresses for a comfortable night of sleep.
A memory foam bed suits people who like a mattress that feels soft on top but still holds them up underneath. The foam takes the shape of your shoulders and hips, which are the parts that usually press hardest into a mattress, and it lets your spine rest in a natural, straight line.
Memory Foam and Hybrid Mattresses
A hybrid memory foam mattress combines memory foam with pocket springs. Pocket springs are springs where each spring sits in its own fabric pocket, so it moves on its own and does not pull the springs next to it. This means the mattress supports you where you need it and lets your partner move without waking you.
In a hybrid, the memory foam sits on top and gives you the soft, moulding feel, while the pocket springs underneath give you bounce and airflow. The springs let air move through the mattress, which helps it stay cooler than a mattress made only of foam. Our Hybrid Memory 1000 Pocket Mattress, shown in the picture at the top of this article, is a good example: memory foam on top for comfort, and 1,000 pocket springs below for support. See the full range of memory foam mattresses
Which Size Memory Foam Mattress Do You Need?
Memory foam mattresses come in every standard size, and the right size depends on your bed and your room. A memory foam bed double is the most popular choice for couples, because it gives two people room to sleep without feeling crowded. A memory foam mattress king gives you even more space, and it is a good choice if you have the room for a wider bed.
If you are buying a king size mattress, look at a memory foam king mattress first, because the extra width makes the pressure relief even more noticeable. For a queen size bed, a queen size memory foam mattress or a memory foam mattress queen size gives you the same comfort in a slightly smaller size. A memory foam mattress queen is the same size as a queen size memory foam mattress, and both are a step up from a double, with more room to stretch out.
King size beds memory foam combinations are worth a look if you share a bed with someone who moves a lot at night. The memory foam soaks up the movement, so you feel less of it, and the pocket springs in a hybrid keep each side of the bed separate. Queen beds memory foam options work the same way in a smaller room, and they suit a spare bedroom or a first home just as well as a main bedroom.
Firm or Soft: Which Memory Foam Mattress Is Right?
Memory foam comes in different feels, and the right one depends on how you sleep. A memory foam firm mattress gives you a solid, flat feel with less sinking, and it suits people who sleep on their back or stomach, or who like a mattress that holds them up firmly. A memory foam soft mattress lets you sink in a little more, and it suits people who sleep on their side, because it cushions the shoulder and hip.
If you are not sure, a medium feel is a safe choice, and a hybrid memory foam mattress is a good middle ground, because the springs stop you sinking too far while the foam still moulds to your shape. The best way to choose is to think about how you sleep now: if you wake up stiff, a firmer mattress may help; if you wake up with sore shoulders, a softer one may help. A supportive mattress can help you feel more comfortable, but if you have ongoing back pain, you should see a doctor, because a mattress cannot treat a health problem.
Memory Foam in the UK
Memory foam UK shoppers buy today is very different from the first memory foam mattresses. Modern memory foam is cooler, more breathable and quicker to respond than the early versions, and hybrid designs have made it even better. At Kensley Home, our mattresses start from £170, with free delivery and pay on delivery on every order. You can browse all of our mattresses
A memory foam bed mattress is a simple upgrade that can change how you sleep. Choose your size, pick a firm or soft feel, and let the foam do the work. To see the whole store, visit Kensley Home.
