Mattress Firmness Guide
Finding the right mattress firmness is crucial for creating a relaxing and restful bedroom retreat. Discover our expert advice on the mattress firmness scale to help you choose the best mattress for your needs and enjoy the comfort of supportive sleep every night.
Mattress firmness - in other words, how soft or firm your mattress feels - is a deeply personal choice, yet one that plays a vital role in your overall well-being. The right level of firmness supports healthy spinal alignment, promotes restorative sleep, and helps you wake feeling refreshed and rebalanced.
From your preferred sleep position to specific health needs, several factors influence the ideal mattress firmness for you and your family. Our expert guidance will help you navigate the mattress firmness scale with confidence, so you can explore our collection of high-quality mattresses and find the perfect level of support for consistently restful, revitalising sleep.
Why does mattress firmness matter?
When chosen correctly, a mattress with the right firmness level cushions sensitive areas, supports natural spinal alignment and relieves pressure points in your preferred sleep position. A mattress that’s too soft may lack the structure your body needs, while one that’s overly firm can create discomfort around the shoulders, hips or lower back. Striking the perfect balance ensures your body is gently supported and cradled in comfort.
Here’s how each level feels and who it’s best suited to…
Soft mattresses
Soft mattresses offer a deeply indulgent sleep experience, with a plush, sink-in feel that gently cradles the body. Crafted from luxurious materials, they contour beautifully to your shape, making them an excellent choice for side sleepers, lightweight individuals, or those with joint or hip pain. The softness helps relieve pressure on sensitive areas, allowing the body to fully relax into a cocoon of comfort.
For instance, our Owen Mattress offers a sumptuously soft finish with generous layers of flax and hemp for a cloud-like softness that doesn’t compromise on support. It’s a wonderful choice for those who enjoy a warm, cosy sleep environment.
Medium mattresses
A medium mattress strikes a harmonious balance between softness and support, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of sleepers. It offers gentle sinkage to cushion the body, while maintaining enough structure to support spinal alignment – an ideal option for combination sleepers or couples with differing sleep styles. Positioned on levels 4 to 6 of the mattress firmness scale, medium mattresses provide adaptable comfort without compromising on support.
The Chaucer Mattress is a fine example, with six layers of breathable natural fibres and a responsive spring system, it offers year-round comfort and a beautifully balanced feel.
Firm mattresses
Firm mattresses provide a more supportive, stable surface, perfect for those who prefer the sensation of sleeping on top of the mattress rather than sinking into it. They’re particularly well-suited to back and stomach sleepers, as well as individuals with a larger build in need of extra support to maintain proper alignment.
Our Bamboo Hybrid 4000 Mattress combines graphite-infused memory foam with natural bamboo and pocket springs, offering the perfect blend of firmness, breathability and pressure relief.
Extra firm mattresses
At the highest end of the mattress firmness scale, extra firm mattresses offer a robust, orthopaedic-level sleep surface. These are often recommended for those with chronic back issues, as they provide maximum support to the spine, muscles, and joints, helping to maintain alignment throughout the night.
The Conrad Mattress, available in an orthopaedic tension, is handcrafted with British fibres and five layers of pocket springs for tailored support and enhanced lumbar alignment. It’s a highly recommended choice from our experts for the best extra firm mattress.
Split tension mattresses: Personalised comfort for two
Finding the perfect firmness can be a delicate balance, especially if you share your bed with a partner. Perhaps one of you prefers the enveloping softness of a plush sleep surface, while the other requires the structured support of a firm mattress for back pain. In such cases, a split tension mattress offers a practical solution. Built with two separate firmness levels within one mattress, it allows each side of the bed to be tailored for individual preferences.
Whether you favour the gentle sink of a soft mattress or the reassuring stability of a firm or extra firm mattress, this bespoke approach ensures that both sleepers enjoy optimal comfort and spinal alignment, without compromise.
Is a firm mattress better for your back?
If you suffer from back problems, a medium to firm mattress can help to alleviate pressure and relieve pain as you sleep. The ideal solution lies in a mattress that strikes the correct balance - firm enough to support, yet responsive enough to cushion. A memory foam mattress offers precisely this harmony, gently contouring too your body while providing the structure needed for deep, restorative sleep. This balance helps to ease tension, promote healthy posture and encourage deeper, more restorative rest.
What is the best firmness for a mattress?
We understand that choosing the right mattress firmness is a significant decision with long-term implications for your health and well-being. Feather and Black’s lead buyer, Rob Cole, offers the following expert advice:
“The firmness of your mattress is a deeply personal choice, so there is no right or wrong answer to which mattress firmness is best. Take a moment to consider your preferences and needs, including your favourite sleeping position. Are you a side sleeper or do you prefer to lie on your back or stomach? Allow for your body weight and any targeted health problems, such as back, shoulder or hip pain.
“Envisage how you like to feel when you settle into bed – do you prefer to snuggle up in a warm and cosy cocoon or stay cool with more freedom of movement? If you sleep with a partner, you may also need to consider any differences in your individual requirements and take those into account when choosing the right mattress firmness. Explore our helpful guidance on the best mattresses to suit different needs to guide you on your way.”
Matching mattress firmness to your sleep style
Your sleeping position plays a vital role in determining the ideal level of mattress firmness. Whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, the way your body rests affects how pressure is distributed and how well your spine remains aligned throughout the night. Understanding this relationship is key to choosing a mattress that supports your posture and enhances your comfort.
If you're unsure which firmness level suits your sleep style best, our mattress buying guide offers further expert insight to help you make a confident, informed decision.
How to make a mattress firmer
If your mattress feels overly soft and you’re waking with discomfort or a lack of support, there are several practical steps you can take to enhance its firmness. These adjustments can help restore a sense of structure and alignment, although it’s worth noting that they are often temporary solutions.
If your mattress no longer meets your needs, it may be time to invest in a new, firmer mattress that’s better suited to your body and sleep style.
Add a firm mattress topper
A well-chosen mattress topper can significantly alter the feel of your bed. Opt for a mattress topper made from dense materials such as latex or high-density memory foam, which will add a layer of firmness without compromising comfort. This is particularly useful if your mattress is relatively new but feels softer than expected. A mattress topper can also extend the lifespan of your mattress by reducing direct wear on its surface.
Use a supportive base or board
The foundation beneath your mattress plays a crucial role in how firm it feels. If your bed frame includes slats, ensure they’re closely spaced and structurally sound. Wide gaps between slats can cause the mattress to sag, reducing its firmness and support. A mattress is only as supportive as the structure beneath it, so make sure to inspect your bed frame for signs of wear, instability or sagging.
Rotate or flip the mattress regularly
Mattresses naturally soften in areas where pressure is consistently applied. Rotating your mattress 180 degrees every few months helps redistribute wear and maintain a more even surface. If your mattress is double-sided, flipping it seasonally can also help preserve its original firmness. For single-sided mattresses, rotation alone can still make a noticeable difference in how the mattress feels and performs.
If your mattress still lacks support after you’ve made these adjustments, it may be time to consider a replacement. A well-chosen mattress, tailored to your sleep style and health needs, can transform your rest and restore lasting comfort.
Find the mattress that supports you best
With our expert guidance in mind, you can refer to the mattress firmness scale as you select the best mattress for you and your family’s needs. Whether you prefer a soft, plush feel or a firm, supportive surface, understanding the different levels of firmness will help you make a more informed decision. Explore our expertly curated collection of mattresses and best-selling models, designed to offer exquisite comfort and superior support for a sound night’s sleep.