“Orthopaedic” is not a medical status but the established name for mattresses that keep the body level: they do not sag like a hammock and do not press like a board. Choosing one means matching the size, firmness, construction and height to your weight, sleeping position and bed. Below is a convenient order to do it in, and the mistakes worth avoiding.
What “orthopaedic” really means
The word once described mattresses that differed from wadded and old sprung ones: they do not wear into a hollow and they spread the weight of the body across the whole surface. Today nearly all good mattresses are built that way, so the word has become the name of a class of product rather than a sign of therapeutic properties.
A mattress does not replace a doctor and does not correct anything. Its job is simpler: to let the spine lie on it about as straight as when you stand, without the shoulders and hips going numb. If you have a diagnosis or constant back pain, see a doctor first — they will tell you how firm a surface you need, and with that it is worth going to choose a mattress.
Step 1. Size
A mattress is matched to the bed, not the other way round. Measure the inside of the bed with a tape — the space the mattress will lie in — and do not rely on memory or on the old mattress: over the years it may have changed shape.
- Length: allow a margin over your height so that your head and feet are not right at the edge. A common practical guide is your height plus 150–200 mm.
- Width for one: in the catalogue this is usually 800 or 900 mm, and 1200 mm if there is room and you like space. Go by your own build and sleeping habits.
- Width for two: the standard sizes in the catalogue are 1400, 1600 and 1800 mm. The more room each person has, the less partners disturb one another; choose the particular size to suit the room and the couple's habits.
Most models in the catalogue come in many sizes. The Veneto Comfort Multi Mattress, for example, is made in sizes from 800 × 1900 to 2000 × 2000 mm.
Step 2. Firmness
This is the main thing you will feel every night. Firmness is best chosen together with weight, sleeping position and personal feel: heavier people often need springier support, and those who sleep on their side need more give under the shoulders and hips. Medium firmness can be a convenient starting point for trying mattresses, but it is not a universal rule.
If you are torn between two options, look at double-sided models. The Veneto Duet Mattress has one firm side and one medium: you only need to turn it over. We have a separate detailed article on soft and firm mattresses and who each level of firmness suits.
Step 3. Construction
Mattresses are sprung or springless. A sprung one with an independent unit, where every spring sits in its own pocket, adapts well to the body and does not pass on a partner's movements. Comfort Multi is built that way: a Multi Pocket Spring unit, 230 mm high, medium firmness. A springless mattress is layers of foam, latex and coconut fibre with no metal inside; an example is the Veneto Breeze Mattress, 200 mm high and also of medium firmness.
Neither type is “better” in itself — they feel different. We have put the comparison into a separate article on sprung and springless mattresses, and the properties of the layers into an article on fillings. The whole range is gathered in the mattresses collection.
Step 4. Height and load
The height of a mattress is not only about comfort but about fitting the bed. One that is too high will cover part of the headboard and rise above the sides; one that is too low will “sink” into the frame. Before buying, measure the depth of the bed and check that your fitted sheets will fit.
For an adult, mattresses of roughly 190–200 mm and higher are usually chosen. High models have more layers: the Veneto Double Bico Plus Mattress, for example, is 300 mm high. Children's mattresses, on the contrary, are thin: the Veneto Children's Bio Mattress is 70 mm, firm, made of latexed coir.
The second figure is the permissible load. It is given in the specification of every model and varies widely: Duet is rated for a load of up to 110 kg, Comfort Multi up to 120 kg, Breeze up to 150 kg, Double Bico Plus up to 170 kg. Take a margin: a mattress working at its limit loses its resilience faster.
Step 5. Cover and base
Note two details of the cover. The first is whether it is removable: a removable cover (as on Breeze or Children's Bio) can be taken off and cleaned. The second is “winter/summer” sides: one is warmer, the other cooler, and the mattress is turned with the season. Comfort Multi is made this way.
A mattress has to lie on a level, ventilated base — best of all on slats. If the base is old or bowed, a new mattress will take on its shape. Bases are gathered in the bed frames collection.
How to test a mattress in the showroom
- Lie down in your usual position and give yourself enough time to judge the surface; sitting on the edge is not enough.
- On your back, notice whether the support is even, with no feeling of the hips dropping or of excessive pressure.
- On your side, ask a companion to look at the line of your back: the shoulders and hips should sink in without a marked tilt.
- If you are choosing for two, lie down together and turn over a few times: does the other person feel your movements?
Showroom addresses are on the stores page.
Common mistakes
- Taking the firmest one “because it is healthier”. A surface that is too firm presses on the shoulders and hips just as one that is too soft lets the body sag.
- Choosing by thickness or the number of layers without lying down.
- Not looking at the permissible load.
- Putting a new mattress on an old, bowed base.
- Judging a mattress by the first night alone. The feel of a new surface can change after a few nights, so it is worth weighing more than the first impression.
In short
- “Orthopaedic” is a class of mattresses that keep the body level, not a medical product.
- The order of choosing: size, firmness, construction, height and load, cover and base.
- Match firmness to weight, sleeping position and feel; medium can be a starting point for trying.
- Take the load with a margin, and check the base before buying.
- The final decision comes after you have lain on the mattress in your own position.
Frequently asked questions
How does an orthopaedic mattress differ from an ordinary one?
It does not wear into a hollow and spreads the weight across the whole surface. Nearly all modern mattresses are made that way today, so look not at the word in the name but at the firmness, composition and load.
Which mattress should I take if my back hurts?
See a doctor first: the causes of pain differ, and so do the recommendations on firmness. A mattress can make sleep more comfortable, but it is not treatment.
Can I choose a mattress without trying it?
You can, if you know your firmness and size. But if you have the chance, lie on the model in a showroom. Before ordering, read the warranty conditions again on the warranty page.
What mattress does a child need?
A thinner and springier one than an adult's, with a cover that can be removed. Children's models are gathered in a separate children's mattresses collection; for babies, consult a paediatrician.
