How to Find the Right Mattress for Your Sleeping Position: A Complete Guide

The wrong mattress can turn eight hours of rest into eight hours of tossing, turning, and waking up with aches you didn't have when you went to bed. But here's what most people don't realize: the "best" mattress isn't the same for everyone. Your sleeping position changes everything about what your body needs for proper support and comfort.

After years of making mattresses right here in Michigan, we've learned that matching your mattress to how you actually sleep is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your daily comfort and long-term health. We’re to help you with honest guidance so that you understand what your body needs based on how you sleep. No cheesy gimmicks or high-pressure sales tactics.

Why Your Sleeping Position Matters When Choosing a Mattress

Your sleeping position determines how your body weight gets distributed across your mattress surface. It affects which parts of your body need the most support, where pressure builds up, and how your spine aligns throughout the night.

When you sleep on your side, your hips and shoulders bear most of your body weight. A mattress that's too firm won't allow these areas to get in enough, creating pressure points that can lead to pain and restless sleep. On the other hand, if you sleep on your stomach, you need a firmer surface to prevent your midsection from dipping too deep and throwing your spine out of alignment.

The Connection Between Wrong Mattress Choice and Morning Pain

When your mattress doesn't match your sleeping position, your body works overtime all night trying to find a comfortable position. Your muscles can't fully relax, and your spine stays stressed in unnatural positions. This is why you might wake up feeling like you wrestled with your bed instead of resting on it.

Morning stiffness, lower back pain, hip discomfort, and shoulder aches often trace back to a mattress that's fighting against your natural sleeping position rather than supporting it. The good news? Once you understand what your position needs, finding the right match becomes much clearer.

Why "One-Size-Fits-All" Doesn't Work

The mattress industry loves to promote mattresses that supposedly work for everyone. But your body is different from your neighbor's, your spouse's, and certainly different from some generic "average" person. Your weight, your height, your sleeping position, any existing pain issues, and even your personal comfort preferences all play a role in what will give you the best sleep.

We've seen too many people settle for mattresses that are "okay" when they could have something that actually works with their body instead of against it.

Understanding the Four Main Sleeping Positions

Side Sleepers (~60% of Adults)

If you're a side sleeper, you're in good company—most adults prefer this position. Side sleeping can help reduce snoring, improve digestion, and support better brain health. But it creates specific challenges for mattress selection.

Pressure Points: Hips and Shoulders

When you sleep on your side, your hips and shoulders support most of your body weight. These areas need to “get into” or sink into the mattress enough to relieve pressure, while the rest of your body stays properly supported. If your mattress is too firm, these pressure points won't get relief. If it's too soft, you might sink in so much that your spine curves unnaturally.

Firmness Recommendation: Plush to Medium 

Most side sleepers do best with mattresses that offer some give while maintaining support. The exact firmness depends on your body weight—lighter side sleepers often prefer the softer end of this range, while heavier side sleepers typically need something closer to medium.

Best Mattress Types: Memory foam and hybrid mattresses with soft comfort layers work well for side sleepers. These materials contour around your hips and shoulders while providing support for the rest of your body.

Special Considerations for Heavier Side Sleepers (230+ lbs): You'll likely need a slightly firmer mattress to prevent an excessive sinking feel.

Back Sleepers (~25% of Adults)

Back sleeping can be great for spinal alignment and may help reduce wrinkles and acid reflux. The key is finding a mattress that supports your body's natural curves without allowing your hips to sink too much.

Importance of Lower Back Support

Your lower back has a natural curve that needs support when you sleep on your back. A mattress that's too soft may let your hips sink, straining your lower back. Too firm, and you might feel like there's a gap between your back and the mattress.

Firmness Recommendation: Medium-Firm 

Most back sleepers find their sweet spot in the medium-firm range. This provides enough support to keep your spine aligned while offering enough give to accommodate your body's natural curves.

Best Mattress Types: Hybrid mattresses, latex mattresses, and firm memory foam all can work well for back sleepers. The key is finding something that provides consistent support while still conforming slightly to your natural shape.

Stomach Sleepers (~7% of Adults)

Stomach sleeping is the least common position and presents the biggest challenges. While this position can help reduce snoring, it can also strain your neck and lower back.

Why This Position Is Challenging

When you sleep on your stomach, your midsection is the heaviest part of your body. If the mattress is too soft, this area will sink too much, creating an unnatural arch in your back.

Firmness Recommendation: Firm to Extra-Firm 

Stomach sleepers need firmer mattresses to help prevent their hips and midsection from sinking too deep. This helps keep your spine in a more neutral position.

Best Mattress Types: Traditional innerspring and firm hybrid mattresses offer excellent support, which typically work best. These provide the solid support foundation you need while still offering some surface comfort.

Why to Avoid Memory Foam: Some types of memory foam can be problematic for stomach sleepers because it tends to contour closely to your body, which can make you feel like you're sinking and throw off your spinal alignment.

Combination Sleepers (~8% of Adults)

If you move between different positions throughout the night, you need a mattress that can accommodate multiple sleeping styles.

Balancing Needs Across Multiple Positions

The challenge for combination sleepers is finding a mattress that doesn't strongly favor one position over others. You need something versatile enough to provide comfort whether you're on your side, back, or stomach.

Firmness Recommendation: Medium-Firm

Medium or firm tends to be the sweet spot for combination sleepers, providing enough support for back and stomach sleeping while still offering pressure relief for side sleeping.

Best Mattress Types: Latex and responsive hybrids work well because they respond quickly when you change positions without leaving you feeling stuck.

Considering Your Dominant Position

Even if you're a combination sleeper, you probably spend more time in one position than others. Consider what position you fall asleep in and where you are when you wake up most often. This can help guide your decision if you're torn between options.

How Your Body Weight Affects Mattress Choice by Position

Your body weight plays a huge role in how a mattress feels and performs. What feels medium-firm to someone who weighs 130 pounds might feel much softer to someone who weighs 200 pounds.

Weight Categories and Firmness Adjustments

Here's a general guide for adjusting firmness recommendations based on body weight:

Under 130 lbs:

• Side sleepers: Plush  to medium 
• Back sleepers: Medium to medium-firm
• Stomach sleepers: Medium-firm to firm 

130-230 lbs:

• Side sleepers: Plush to medium 
• Back sleepers: Medium-firm 
• Stomach sleepers: Firm 

Over 230 lbs:

• Side sleepers: Medium-firm to firm 
• Back sleepers: Firm 
• Stomach sleepers: Firm to extra-firm

How Heavier Sleepers Sink Differently Into Mattresses

Heavier individuals naturally compress mattress materials more, which means they experience more of the support layers and less of the comfort layers. This is why heavier sleepers often need firmer mattresses; what feels supportive to them might feel too firm to someone lighter.

The Role of Edge Support for Different Body Types

If you're heavier or tend to sleep near the edge of the bed, pay attention to edge support when testing mattresses. Good edge support prevents that "rolling off" feeling and gives you the full surface of your mattress to use comfortably.

Testing a Mattress for Your Sleep Position

Testing a mattress properly can save you from months of poor sleep and the hassle of returns. Here's how to make the most of your testing time.

What to Look for When Testing In-Store

Don't just sit on the edge of the mattress; actually lie down in your normal sleeping position. Wear comfortable clothes that won't restrict your movement, and don't be shy about spending real time on each mattress you're considering.

How Long to Spend Testing Each Position

Spend at least 10-15 minutes on each mattress you're seriously considering. It takes time for the materials to respond to your body and for you to get a realistic sense of how the mattress feels. If you're a combination sleeper, test multiple positions on each mattress.

Questions to Ask Yourself During Testing

• Does my spine feel aligned, or do I notice any areas that feel strained?
• Are there any immediate pressure points on my hips, shoulders, or other areas?
• Can I easily change positions, or do I feel stuck in the mattress?
• Does anything feel uncomfortable right away?
• If I had to sleep on this for 8 hours, would I wake up feeling rested?

Red Flags That Indicate a Poor Match

Trust your body's immediate reactions. If you feel pressure points, strain in your back or neck, or just general discomfort within the first few minutes, this mattress probably isn't right for your sleeping position.

Why Sleep Trials Matter for Positional Sleepers

It takes time to get used to any new mattress, especially if your old mattress was worn out or not the correct firmness for you. Look for companies that offer meaningful sleep trials—at least 90 nights—so you can make sure the mattress works for your sleeping position over time. At Rested Pillow, our 100 Night Comfort Guarantee is the perfect way to give yourself a chance (at least 3 to 4 weeks) to see if your new mattress is right for you.

Common Mistakes When Choosing by Sleep Position

Avoiding these common mistakes can save you from buying a mattress that doesn't actually meet your needs.

Assuming You Only Need to Consider One Position

Even if you have a preferred position, most people move during sleep. Consider what positions you use even occasionally, especially if you're dealing with pain or pregnancy that might change how you sleep.

Ignoring Your Partner's Different Sleep Position Needs

If you sleep with a partner who has different position needs, you'll need to find a compromise or consider solutions like customizable mattresses with a split feel. Don't assume one of you should just adapt to what the other person needs.

Choosing Based on Pressure Relief Alone (Ignoring Support)

Pressure relief is important, but not at the expense of proper support. A mattress that feels plush and comfortable while testing might not provide the support your spine needs for 8 hours.

Not Accounting for How Sleep Position May Change with Age

As we age, our flexibility decreases and our comfort needs may change. Consider whether the mattress you're choosing will still work for you if your preferred sleeping position shifts over time. Our customizable zipper mattresses give you the option to change the comfort of your mattress without replacing the entire thing.

Buying Based on Sales Pitches Rather Than Your Actual Needs

Salespeople at some mattress stores (not Rested Pillow!) might try to steer you toward higher-priced options or whatever they're trying to move off the floor. Stay focused on what your sleeping position actually needs, not what someone else thinks you should want.

What Makes Our Michigan-Made Mattresses Different

When you choose a mattress made right here in Michigan from Rested Pillow Mattress, you're getting something fundamentally different from mass-produced alternatives.

Quality Materials and Construction Methods

Our Michigan mattress maker has access to quality materials and the time to use proper construction methods. We're not cutting corners to hit rock-bottom prices or rushing production to meet massive quotas. Every mattress gets the attention it needs to be made right.

How Honest Manufacturing Affects Sleep Position Support

When a mattress is made with integrity, the materials inside actually match what's on the label. The support systems work as designed, and the comfort layers provide consistent performance. This matters because your sleeping position depends on predictable support and pressure relief.

Why Local Craftsmanship Matters for Long-Term Comfort

Mattresses made by local craftspeople are built to last. This means the support characteristics that work for your sleeping position today will still work years from now. Mass-produced mattresses often break down quickly because of the quality of materials used, leaving you with a bed that no longer supports your sleeping position properly.

The Difference from Mass-Produced Mattresses

Mass-produced mattresses are often designed to appeal to the widest possible market, which often means they're not optimal for any particular sleeping position. They also don’t use the highest quality foams, which means they won’t last as long or feel as comfortable for you. Our Michigan-made mattresses can be designed with specific sleep needs in mind, giving you better support for how you actually sleep.

Making the Final Decision

After you've considered your sleeping position, tested mattresses, and identified what you need, it's time to make your choice.

Creating a Shortlist Based on Your Primary Position

Start with your most common sleeping position and narrow down to 2-3 mattresses that clearly meet those needs. Don't get overwhelmed by having too many options—focus on what will serve your primary position best. 

Considering Your Partner's Needs

If you share a bed, make sure your final choice works for both of you. Sometimes this means choosing a slightly different firmness than you might prefer solo, or considering features like motion isolation if you have different sleep schedules.

Budget Considerations Without Compromising on Position-Specific Needs

A mattress is a long-term investment in your daily comfort and health. It's better to buy a quality mattress that properly supports your sleeping position than to save money on something that won't give you the rest you need.

When to Prioritize Sleep Trial Length

If you're uncertain between two options, or if you've had bad experiences with mattresses in the past, prioritize companies with longer sleep trials. This gives you more time to make sure the mattress truly works for your sleeping position in your own bedroom.

The Right Mattress for Your Sleeping Position Can Genuinely Change How You Feel Every Day. 

When your mattress works with your body instead of against it, you wake up feeling rested instead of stiff, energized instead of tired.

We know choosing a mattress feels overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Focus on what your sleeping position actually needs, test thoroughly, and choose a mattress made with the ability to deliver consistent support night after night. That's what we do here at Rested Pillow Mattress in Michigan, and that's what your body deserves.

Ready to find a mattress that actually works for how you sleep? 

Visit our St. Joseph showroom to test our handcrafted mattresses made right here in Michigan, or contact us to speak to our friendly team.