Best for Your Sleep Position
How you sleep decides your support
Side, back, front or a mix? Your sleeping position sets the support your spine needs. Pick yours and see the feel — and the handmade Yorkshire mattresses — built for it.
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Which Mattress is best for your Sleep Position?
Cushion the shoulder & hip
On your side, your shoulder and hip are the widest points and carry your weight. They need to sink in just enough to keep your spine in a straight line from neck to hips.
Soft to
Medium
What to look for
- A soft to medium feel that cushions the shoulder and hip
- Pressure relief so you don’t get a dead arm or a sore hip
- Enough support underneath so you don’t sag into a hammock
Watch out: too firm and your shoulder is propped up, bending the spine — the usual cause of pins and needles and a stiff neck.
Support the small of your back
On your back, the gap under your lower back needs filling so your spine keeps its natural curve. Too soft and your hips dip; too hard and that gap is left unsupported.
Medium to
Medium-firm
What to look for
- A medium to medium-firm feel that fills the gap under the lower back
- Even support from shoulders to hips, with no dip in the middle
- A comfort layer on top so it never feels like a board
Watch out: a mattress that is too soft lets your hips sink lower than your shoulders, arching the lower back by morning.
Keep your hips from sinking
Face-down, your hips are the heaviest part of you. On a soft mattress they sink and arch your lower back, so you need firm, level support with only a thin comfort layer.
Firm
What to look for
- A firm feel that keeps hips level with your shoulders
- A thin comfort layer so you don’t sink in
- A low or no pillow so your neck isn’t twisted up
Watch out: deep memory foam lets the hips sag on your front — choose firm, structured support instead.
Easy to move, even support
If you change position through the night, you need a mattress that responds quickly as you turn and supports you evenly whichever way you land.
Medium
What to look for
- A medium feel that suits side, back and front in turn
- Responsive pocket springs, not slow foam you have to climb out of
- Edge-to-edge support so the whole surface is usable
Watch out: thick, slow memory foam can leave you stuck in a dip each time you roll over.
Sleep in every position?
Take the 60-second finder — it weighs your position, firmness and concern together and matches you to one mattress plus two alternatives.
Take the 60-second finder →Why the support lasts
Handmade in Yorkshire, not built in a box
Hand-tuftedLayers hand-stitched in place
Natural fillingsBritish wool, cotton & cashmere
Liversedge workshopMade by Yorkshire artisans
Edge-to-edge supportMore usable sleep space
Good to know
Sleep position questions
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
A soft to medium mattress with pressure relief at the shoulder and hip, over enough support to keep your spine straight. Cashmere, Savoy and Lay-Cell are popular choices; heavier side sleepers often prefer medium.
What firmness is best for back sleepers?
Medium to medium-firm. It fills the gap under your lower back and keeps your hips level with your shoulders. Gravity Cell and Memory Ortho are good starting points.
Is sleeping on your front bad for you?
It isn’t harmful for everyone, but it puts more strain on the lower back and neck. If you sleep on your front, a firm mattress and a low pillow help keep your spine level. If you have ongoing pain, speak to your GP.
I move around all night — what should I get?
A medium, responsive pocket-sprung mattress such as Sleep Adaptive or Clayton. Springs react quickly as you turn, so you are never climbing out of a dip.
My partner and I sleep in different positions — what then?
Choose medium to medium-firm with pocket springs, which respond separately on each side so you can both be supported. See our mattresses for couples, or try them together in the showroom.