Looking to finally replace our horrible Beautyrest queen with a king, and already my head is spinning! I’ve been reading posts and looking at TMU member websites, but I’m one who really needs to try out a bed, no matter how good a return policy is. Plus it’s going to be a hard sell to get hubby away from the name brand mattresses, especially ordering online! Any recommendations for independent mattress shops in northern Virginia where I may begin my hunt?
Hi kardut,
Welcome to the Mattress Forum! 
Subject to first confirming that any retailer or manufacturer on the list that you wish to visit is completely transparent (see this article ) and to making sure that any mattress you are considering meets the quality/value guidelines here … the better options or possibilities I’m aware of in and around the Washington DC area in post #2 here and the list for Fredericksburg, VA is in post #9 here . I’m not sure of this is close to your home. If not, please let me know.
One of the advantages of trying mattresses locally is that you can try many different types and styles and combinations of materials and components and firmness levels and compare them to each other in “real time” based on your actual experience rather than just “theory” instead of trying one online mattress at a time and not knowing how it compares to the other mattresses that you could have tried or purchased instead.
The major brands such as Sealy/Stearns & Foster, Simmons, and Serta all tend to use lower quality and less durable materials in their mattresses than most of their smaller competitors that will tend to soften or break down prematurely relative to the price you pay which is why I would generally suggest avoiding all of them completely (along with the major retailers that focus on them as well) regardless of how they may feel in a showroom along with any mattress where you aren’t able to find out the type and quality/durability of the materials inside it (see the guidelines here along with post #3 here and post #12 here and post #404 here).
I’m assuming that you’ve read the mattress shopping tutorial here but two of the most important links in the tutorial that I would especially make sure you’ve read are post #2 here which has more about the different ways to choose a suitable mattress (either locally or online) that is the best “match” for you in terms of “comfort”, firmness, and PPP that can help you assess and minimize the risks of making a choice that doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for and post #13 here which has more about the most important parts of the “value” of a mattress purchase which can help you make more meaningful quality/value comparisons between mattresses in terms of suitability (how well you will sleep), durability (how long you will sleep well), and the overall value of a mattress compared to your other finalists based on all the parts of your personal value equation that are most important to you (including the price of course and the options you have available after a purchase if your choice doesn’t turn out as well as you hoped for).
While again nobody can speak to how any specific mattress will “feel” for someone else or whether it will be a good “match” in terms of comfort, firmness, and PPP because this is too subjective and relative to different body types, sleeping positions, and individual preferences, sensitivities, and circumstances and you are the only one that can feel what you feel on a mattress … outside of PPP (which is the most important part of “value”), the next most important part of the value of a mattress purchase is durability which is all about how long you will sleep well on a mattress. This is the part of your research that you can’t see or “feel” and assessing the durability and useful life of a mattress depends on knowing the specifics of its construction and the type and quality of the materials inside it regardless of the name of the manufacturer on the label or how a mattress feels in a showroom or when it is relatively new so I would always make sure that you find out the information listed here so you can compare the quality of the materials and components to the durability guidelines here to make sure there are no lower quality materials or weak links in a mattress that would be a cause for concern relative to the durability and useful life of a mattress before making any purchase
Good luck!
Phoenix
Thank you so much for your in-depth response! I think we’re going to test out mattresses at nearby Urban Mattress, which carries its own line, just to get a feel for what a non traditional bed feels like, then start doing some online studying. Lots of info to get my head around!
Hi kardut,
That sounds like a good plan. I look forward to learning about your progress.
Phoenix
Went to Urban Mattress, tried out their Silver Lake bed, and fell in love! Was going to do more research before biting the bullet, but it was so comfortable, alignment was good, price wa right, and the customer service was spot on. Really recommend UM to anyone in the area
Did you go to the Vienna or Leesburg location?
That Silver Lake mattress looks interesting. What kind of latex is in it?
It’s made with talalay latex. Went to the Vienna store, where we worked with Nathaniel, the owner. He was very aware of TMU
Hi kardut,
Congratulations on your new mattress! :cheer: Your Urban Mattress Essentials Silver Lake (Firm or Plush?) uses good quality materials, and they do have some products there that use high quality materials.
I’m glad you found something so quickly in your search, and I’m looking forward to hearing your comments on your new mattress once you’ve had a chance to sleep on it a while.
Phoenix
Will keep you posted. We need to wait on our new bed frame, so it will likely be about 3-4 weeks before we take delivery.
They did have a lot of wonderful mattresses there, but the Silver Lake (plush) felt the most amazing – no pressure points at all for either me or my husband. We did stay away from the five-digit beds to avoid temptation!
Thanks for all your help!
Hi kardut,
That sounds like a plan! Looking forward to your comments.
Phoenix