Verlo Mattress Factory Stores of Boulder owner Dick Summerfield

Are the springs in your mattress protruding into your back? Do you wake up with pain, stiffness or soreness? Are you not sleeping as well as you were a year ago? Was your best night's sleep somewhere other than your own bed? Does your mattress show other visible signs of wear and tear? If you answered, "yes" to any of these questions, your mattress could be affecting the quality of your sleep. And it's more than likely time for a new one.

For most consumers, shopping for a mattress can be as dreadful as a trip to the dentist. In fact, Consumer Reports consistently receives more inquiries about mattresses than about any other product except cars.

The reason behind the numerous inquiries is because so many shoppers are perplexed by the common piece of furniture they sleep on every night. Words thrown out by sales professionals, like latex, memory foam, coils and springs, leave the customer feeling vulnerable and uneducated.

"The mattress-buying experience doesn't have to be an unpleasant one," Verlo Mattress Factory Stores of Boulder owner Dick Sumerfield said. "You need to spend time finding the mattress that's most comfortable and supportive for you."

As a Verlo Mattress Factory Stores owner and Craftsman with close to 20 years of experience, Sumerfield said he runs into customers daily who experience their share of aches and pains from a poorly constructed mattress. A mattress lacking in quality construction reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles and creates restlessness. Sleepless nights also bring unproductive tomorrows so he recommends looking at choosing a mattress as a major investment in your health.

Try it on for size
First off, choosing the right sleep set is a decision only you can make, and of course, it's a decision you need to make lying down. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can remove easily to create a true sleep experience. It is also helpful to bring your sleeping partner along and "test drive" a variety of mattresses together. If you do have a sleeping partner, don't settle for anything smaller than a queen. Consider a king if you're tall or like lots of extra space.

"Firm" not the term
Additionally, keep in mind while going through the comfort testing process that today's mattresses are much more "sleeper friendly." Get rid of those old notions about mattresses having to be from the Middle Ages, as hard as a board, to be good for you. Conventional mattresses combine comfort with deep-down support. Innovative technology is manufactured into many sleep systems.

First impressions count
Along with state-of-the-art technology, look for quality in outward appearance as well. Look for fine tailoring, superior fabrics and a surface that looks and feels plush. Better sleep sets feature extra layers of soft cushioning in high-quality natural or man-made fibers. Once you've decided on a new mattress, don't make the mistake of putting it on old box springs. A mattress and box spring are designed to work together as a sleep set. At Verlo, we manufacture the mattress and box springs right in our store! We can build a mattress to suit your specific needs as well as deliver it right to your door.

Invest in your health
Finally, invest in the best. When you take into account that you'll be spending three of the next 10 years in bed, it makes sense to invest in the best-quality sleep set.

About Verlo Mattress Factory Stores
Verlo Mattress Factory Stores is the nation's largest Craftsman-Direct mattress retailer. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Verlo mattresses are custom made and handcrafted at locally owned retail/assembly stores to meet individual customers' specific needs and preferences. The Craftsman-Direct philosophy - which eliminates the middleman - ensures that customers get the highest-quality custom-made mattresses available on the market today for the best value cost. In addition to mattress lines, Verlo also sells adjustable beds, futon sofa sleepers and bedroom accessories. Verlo Mattress Factory Stores of Boulder is located at 3080 Valmont St., Suite 130, Boulder; phone: 303.447.1154.