DIY mattresses (from “Do you recommend your mattress?” Thread)

A few years ago I remembered reading this mattress thread and saw that @sbenois and @sprout ordered DIY mattress components. 

We are upgrading to a king and I have started to research. 
Previously I spent about $3k at Orange Mattress and still needed to add several toppers to get the plushness I prefer. I like the idea of starting with the firm latex base and then adding the plush/soft layers. 

Was wondering how they’re holding up and if you still like them. Or if there’s any advice you might have as I start planning. 

https://themattressunderground.com/list-all/any-mattress-type

https://www.mattresses.net/

https://latexmattressfactory.com/

@shh,

Unfortunately, I haven't found the magic combination for myself yet.

2 years ago, I ended up getting my teenager this TwinXL set from https://www.mattresses.net/ (Arizona Mattress) as our test mattress:

Mattress Components:
- Combi-Zone Pocket Coil by Leggett and Platt
- 2 " Blended Talalay Latex Topper 1: Mattress Topper Firmness = Soft#19
- 2 " Blended Talalay Latex Topper 1: Mattress Topper Firmness = Medium
- Organic-cotton-mattress-cover 1: Size = TwinXL

My kid really likes it. When I slept on it a couple times when he was away, I enjoyed the cloud-like feel for one or two nights... but after that my back missed the firmer support of my own mattress. And the springs of the Combi-Zone Pocket Coil do move a lot (it seems to wiggle side-to-side). I'm used to my very firm mattress (with multiple toppers), which doesn't move much at all.

[Edited to add]: I think I would like the mattress better if there was an option for firmer, less side-to-side wiggly, and probably shorter (maybe 6" instead of 8") springs.

Thank you for responding! I tried to post yesterday and it didn’t go through. I did a bit more research and went with king size from Latex Mattress factory. 9”: 3X 3” layers. Base of firm Dunlop, middle Medium Dunlop and topper soft talalay. With an 8” wood foundation (two twin XL) which I will use as a frame, maybe adding really low wooden legs and if necessary a box spring cover that slips around.

The rep there said with our weight and sleeping positions this should work well. Fingers crossed. He said I should not need additional toppers. 
 

sprout said:

@shh,

Unfortunately, I haven't found the magic combination for myself yet.

2 years ago, I ended up getting my teenager this TwinXL set from https://www.mattresses.net/ (Arizona Mattress) as our test mattress:

Mattress Components:
- Combi-Zone Pocket Coil by Leggett and Platt
- 2 " Blended Talalay Latex Topper 1: Mattress Topper Firmness = Soft#19
- 2 " Blended Talalay Latex Topper 1: Mattress Topper Firmness = Medium
- Organic-cotton-mattress-cover 1: Size = TwinXL

My kid really likes it. When I slept on it a couple times when he was away, I enjoyed the cloud-like feel for one or two nights... but after that my back missed the firmer support of my own mattress. And the springs of the Combi-Zone Pocket Coil do move a lot (it seems to wiggle side-to-side). I'm used to my very firm mattress (with multiple toppers), which doesn't move much at all.

[Edited to add]: I think I would like the mattress better if there was an option for firmer, less side-to-side wiggly, and probably shorter (maybe 6" instead of 8") springs.

@shh - Hope it works well for you! Keep us posted. 

I believe I started that thread a few years ago. The information gleaned on the thread was very helpful and I bought a mattress that was perfect for my needs. Unfortunately, here it is, less than 4 ears later, and I need a new mattress again. Part of the problem is that lately I've weighed at close to 250 and I don't think any mattress is designed to keep its integrity under that kind of weight. There's a deep valley running down the middle of the mattress now. 

So, alas, I'll be back in the market soon. I will not, this time, however, replace the box spring. 

We got our DIY mattress from latex mattress factory. It was not difficult to assemble the layers. (Or the boxspring—though he told me I could use most boxsprings or bases as long as the slats were not too far apart, we opted to get from them because I needed a new one.) 

No joke the first night I slept like 9 hours. I think I wouldn’t mind a little more plushness but I’m comfortable and wake up not achy. 

More than anything I like the direct aspect of the purchase this way. It feels more honest. I like knowing What I’m sleeping on and that I can always add another soft layer on my side if I feel I need it. 

I wanted a more clean look so just have the box spring on the floor and got a thick cover for it from Amazon so it ends up looking like a low upholstered bed. 

Pricewise I think for the quality of the cover, the components etc, What we paid is fair. Most of the vendors on that mattress underground blog had comparable pricing. I chose what I did because it seemed pretty straightforward, and the guy responded to my message immediately on a Sunday (which was unexpected). Then I called the following day to confirm what we discussed and he was very helpful but not pushy. 

I just bought a Dream Cloud Hybrid, an internet, compressed mattress in-a-box. I was skeptical but I read a bunch of articles and ratings and I decided to take the plunge. So far, 7 days in, I love it. Just the right amount of firmness (I like it firm) and just enough give. I paid $899; a very good price compared to Mattress Firm and other retail stores. It comes with a new mattress cover, a set of sheets and 2 pillows. The sheet set is 0% cotton, so I don't know if I'll use them (I like 100% cotton percale) but the pillow are great. The delivery, via UPS, was quick and it was left on my doorstep. They don't take the old mattress. 

I used my existing box spring. The mattress is a wee bit bigger than my old mattress in every dimension. (It's described as 14" tall but I don't think it's quite that tall.) My fitted bottom sheets fit fine but I can't really tuck the top sheets under the mattress as much as I usually do. I like to be tucked in and a slightly bigger top sheet would be better.

I'm a cynical shopper, for sure, but I'm sleeping better than I have in a long time. (The trazodone helps.)