The One Bedroom Essential Nate Berkus Says You Should Splurge On Every Time

The bedroom might just be the most important room in the house. It's where you can relax, rest after a long day, and recharge yourself for the next. That's why creating a calming environment should be the top priority when creating a bedroom. Interior designer Nate Berkus knows exactly what to splurge on to make the most relaxing bedroom. In an Instagram video, Berkus explains that you should splurge on a new mattress when creating your dream bedroom. "And, of course, the number one place to splurge [is] a brand new mattress," Berkus says in the video. "You don't want to sleep on somebody else's mattress, right? I don't either."

Berkus captions the video by saying to splurge on the best mattress you can afford. "We spend so much time in bed and there's nothing more important than a good night's sleep. It will always be a worthwhile investment," the interior designer writes. You're not going to replace your mattress every time you redo your bedroom, but if your mattress is old, splurging to replace it will always be worth it. On average, you should replace a mattress every seven to ten years.

A good mattress should encourage spinal alignment and prevent back and joint pain. On a good mattress, it's easier to get and stay comfortable, allowing you to stop spending the night tossing and turning. All of this can lead to better, more quality sleep. Good sleep means better health and lower stress levels.

Many people may not keep track of exactly how old their mattress is. But there are signs that a mattress may be too old and need replacing. First, you can start by listening to your body. Waking up feeling achy or in pain indicates that your mattress no longer offers the proper support. The materials in the mattress may be giving out or aging. Similarly, if you don't wake up feeling rested or have trouble sleeping, these may be signs of an uncomfortable or old mattress.

You can also tell you need a new mattress by its physical state. If your mattress is sagging, that's a sign that the structural integrity is not what it should be. Sagging can occur anywhere on the mattress, but many people notice it in the center, creating a hammock-like effect. Sagging means your mattress won't properly support your body, leading to aches, pains, and nights of bad sleep. If you only sleep on one side of your mattress, rotating your mattress can help prevent sagging. However, if it's sagging in multiple places, it may be time for a new mattress.

Interior designer Nate Berkus has a collection with Beautyrest to design mattresses, mattress protectors, and pillows that help you get the most comfortable night of sleep. "[Beautyrest] share[s] my belief that people should never choose between comfort and style," Berkus explains to The Healthy. 

You want to consider what position you sleep in the majority of the night when choosing the firmness of your mattress. Side sleepers do best on a soft to medium-firm mattress, while back and stomach sleepers need a little more support with medium to firm mattresses. Your body weight also may come into play. In general, the heavier you are, the more firm of a mattress you'll want because of the pressure exerted.

Finally, the mattress material will also have an effect. There are three common mattress types: innerspring, foam, and hybrid. All three have varying levels of firmness and support. Innerspring mattresses offer more edge support and don't sink as much as the other types. Foam mattresses mold to your body and absorb motion, so they're good options if you're sleeping with a partner. Hybrid mattresses have some of the best features of the other two types, so they can be a good compromise or meeting point between the two.