Blog - Inspiration — mattress-in-a-box

Buying a new mattress? If so, you may not yet be familiar with how many options there are. One of the main choices to make is whether to get a mattress in a box or a traditional mattress. Because they differ slightly, it can be a tough decision.

We’re here to help make the choice easier! Keep reading to learn the differences between these two mattress types and which one will best suit your needs.

Traditional Mattress

A tried-and-true classic, the traditional mattress is a go-to for many people. Let’s break it down:

Traditional Mattress Material

Because traditional mattresses don’t need to be put into a box, they are designed in a wide range of materials, such as foam, pocket coil and more. A wider material range = more choice! Specific preferences can almost always be met since you have more options to choose from.

Purchasing & Delivery

Most traditional mattresses can be viewed in store, which is a big selling feature for many. This makes it easy to physically see and test out a variety of models.

Once purchased, they are delivered (often with a plastic covering for cleanliness) via a delivery truck and carried into your home. Delivery is popular because the heavy lifting is done for you, allowing for quicker enjoyment of your new mattress.

Keep in mind that if you reside in an apartment or condo, the delivery may take longer due to navigating elevators, stairwells and hallways. If picking up the mattress yourself, you will need a roomy vehicle for transportation and possible assistance getting it into your home.

Both are good options, however, personally picking up your new purchase may prove more challenging for those with limited mobility or lack of assistance.

Using a Traditional Mattress

Arguably the biggest positive of a traditional mattress is how it can be used immediately once placed in your home. Just take off the plastic covering, lay it onto your bedframe, and you’re ready for relaxation!

The Mattress in a Box

This style of mattress is a relative newcomer to the mattress market but has quickly gained popularity due to its convenience and, depending on the brand and model, cost-effectiveness. Let’s break it down:

Mattress in a Box Materials

These mattresses need to be rolled up, condensed, and fit into a box, so most manufacturers opt to make them out of foam or hybrid materials. If you prefer a traditional pocket coil or innerspring, you may have a more difficult time finding that in a mattress in a box.

Purchasing & Delivery

The ability to test a mattress in a box before buying it depends on the brand and retailer. Some offer display models in-store, while others do not.

Most are displayed online-only and are supplemented with tons of information to help you make an informed decision. With online shopping becoming the norm, this option is appealing for a variety of buyers such as those who don’t have the time or desire to shop in-store.

The best part of a mattress in a box is how convenient it is to bring home. Once delivered, the compact size of the box makes it a breeze to move through doorways and hallways – a huge plus, especially for those who live in apartments, condos or dorm rooms. This removes the hassle of awkwardly navigating your mattress through narrow areas.

Plus, picking up a mattress in a box from your retailer is incredibly easy. They will fit in most vehicles for simple and quick transport to your home – you may not even need another person there to help you with it!

Using a Mattress in a Box

After your mattress in a box is removed from its packaging, it will need to be rolled onto your boxspring or bedframe and given time to expand. Each manufacturer will have different recommendations as to how long your new mattress should sit before use – be sure to follow any guidelines for optimal results.

Because of the recommended wait time before laying on your new mattress, this may be a downside to those who would prefer to get right to relaxing.

If you don’t need your mattress right away, its compact size will allow you to keep the box sealed and stored in your home until it’s needed.

Which to Choose & Where to Buy

Each mattress type has its own unique set of pros and cons, and when it comes down to it, purchasing a mattress is a personal decision. We hope this breakdown helps guide you to a choice that provides a wonderful snooze night after night.

The great news for both mattress types is that they are readily available and, in most cases, can be returned or exchanged without hassle. If you find your mattress isn’t the right fit for you, most retailers and brands have exceptional return policies that make it easy to return or exchange.

The Brick proudly offers both traditional mattresses and mattresses in a box from an array of quality brands. With many locations across Canada and a website available to shop online 24/7, you can find your perfect mattress with ease. To streamline your decision, take advantage of our handy Mattress Selector tool!

Our mattress experts are here to help – contact us today to start your mattress shopping journey.

So – you ordered a mattress in a box and now it’s here! What do you do? First, congratulations on your new purchase! Second, it’s time to unpack that mattress, and we’re here to help.

Follow along with our easy step-by-step guide to unpacking and setting up your mattress in a box. You’ll be sleeping better than ever in no time!

Remember to always read the instructions that come with your mattress to ensure you don’t miss any essential steps.

Step 1: Open Your Mattress in a Box

Take care not to damage your new mattress! When opening the box, cut away from yourself. Lift the seam of the box as you cut to ensure you don’t accidentally damage the mattress or the packaging that keeps it sealed in. We don’t want to open that up before we’re ready.

Step 2: Remove the Packaging and Mattress

Once the box is open, it’s time to remove the mattress from the rest of its packaging. Carefully take your mattress out of the box completely before opening the bag it comes in. You don’t want it to pop out at you! The safest way to do this is to direct the bed where you want it to go as it unrolls and expands. It’s a good idea to keep kids, pets and breakable items away from the mattress’s as it unrolls for a smooth unboxing.

Make sure you have the mattress placed where you want it, such as on your bedframe or boxspring, for the easiest unboxing experience. Once the bag is open it will start expanding immediately. Discard any remaining packaging from the mattress once it’s fully unrolled, and voila! You have unpacked your mattress in a box.

Extra Tips + Info

The best practice for your new mattress is to let it unroll and settle for as long as the manufacturer recommends so it can expand to its true shape. There is no set timeline; different brands will recommend different timeframes, often between 12-48 hours, so it can also be helpful to go by your best judgement. If your mattress in a box looks well expanded, it’s probably good to go! You won’t damage it by sleeping on it too early, so do what works best for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is your mattress rotation schedule. For best practices and to get the most out of your mattress in a box, rotating it every 3-6 months is ideal. You can quickly set up a reminder on your phone or write it down on your schedule, so you never forget when it’s time to rotate. Consistently rotating a mattress allows for a more even weight distribution over time, which ultimately helps to increase its lifespan. Learn more about the importance of rotating your mattress with our guide.

We hope these tips help you successfully unpack your new mattress in a box. If you’re looking to complete your bedroom setup, we recommend checking out our pillows, bedding and sheets to find the perfect complementary accents that will bring your whole bedroom together.

What is a Mattress in a Box?

Just as the title suggests, this is a mattress that comes conveniently packed in a box. How is this possible, you may ask? A mattress in a box is most often made of foam, making it easier to roll up, compress and package than traditional innerspring or pocket coil mattresses.

Some mattresses in a box are hybrid style, which is an intuitively designed combination of foam and coils. Available in most standard bed sizes just like a traditional mattress, the mattress in a box is quickly rising in popularity.

Why Choose a Mattress in a Box?

With innovative materials such as memory foam and gel foam becoming more common, mattresses in a box continue to be a popular choice among retailers and consumers alike. People are flocking to these modern mattresses for a variety of reasons, including:

Compact Packaging

• Due to arriving in a box, these mattresses are easy to transport in a vehicle, maneuver through doorways/elevators, store in your home or receive via delivery.

Compact Level

• The specialty foam materials used in these mattresses make them ultra-comfortable for all types of sleepers.

Savings

• Mattresses in a box are usually an affordable, quality option, ideal for many people in the market for a new mattress.

How to Set Up a Mattress in a Box

Because they come packaged in a box, setup is a breeze. You can quickly open the box, remove the mattress from its covering, and carefully roll it onto your bed frame or boxspring. This turns the hassle of trying to get a traditional mattress through doorways and rotating it around your room into a quick and easy process. Just bring to the desired spot and unpack.

Remember to always read the instructions that come with your specific mattress to ensure you don’t miss any tips for setting it up. Most brands require (or recommend) waiting a certain amount of time before using the mattress so it can properly expand and settle.

Buying a Mattress in a Box

If you’re loving the idea of a mattress in a box, you may be wondering about the buying process. With these mattresses becoming more and more prominent, you can often find them both in store and online, depending on the mattress and brand you’re interested in.

The Brick proudly offers a selection of mattresses in a box from quality brands for you to choose from. With different firmness levels, features and price points, there is sure to be a mattress in a box that will suit your needs.

Shopping for a mattress in a box is easy as can be! Just head over to The Brick’s mattress in a box collection to browse the available options at any time. To narrow your search, simply use the menus on the left-hand side of the page to filter for sizes, firmness and more.

If you prefer to shop in-store for a mattress in a box, some retailers have floor models to look at. Visit any Brick location within Canada and one of our dedicated associates will guide you through our mattress selection. Shop your nearest Brick location for mattresses in a box.

Buying the right mattress is essential for a restful, restorative sleep. If a conveniently packaged, comfortable mattress at an appealing price point sounds like the best fit for your lifestyle, a mattress in a box is an excellent choice to explore.

Happy mattress shopping!