Soft, Medium or Firm Mattress: Which Mattress Firmness Is Right for You?
- Jun 9
- 5 min read
Choosing a new mattress involves more than simply deciding between a soft, medium or firm comfort feel.
While personal preference plays an important role, your sleeping position and body weight may also influence which mattress feels most comfortable and supportive.
Whether you're a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper, understanding how mattress firmness may affect your sleeping experience can help you make a more informed decision.
This guide provides general information only and should be considered a starting point rather than a rule. Individual comfort preferences can vary significantly from person to person.
Understanding Mattress Firmness
Mattress firmness refers to how soft or firm a mattress feels when you lie down.
Generally speaking:
Soft mattresses provide greater cushioning and contouring.
Medium mattresses aim to balance comfort and support.
Firm mattresses provide a more supportive and stable sleeping surface.
At Composure Luxury Mattresses, our Soft comfort feel is referred to as Plush. Throughout this article, the terms Soft and Plush are used interchangeably. The same mattress can feel different from one person to another depending on body weight, body shape and personal preferences.
Why Sleeping Position and Body Weight Matter
Different sleeping positions place pressure on different parts of the body.
Similarly, body weight can influence how much a person sinks into a mattress's comfort layers.
As a general guide:
Lighter individuals may perceive a mattress as firmer.
Heavier individuals may experience greater contouring and sinkage.
Different sleeping positions may benefit from different levels of cushioning and support.
For this reason, many mattress specialists consider both sleeping position and body weight when discussing mattress firmness.
Side Sleepers
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions. Because pressure is often concentrated through the shoulders and hips, many side sleepers appreciate a mattress that offers a balance of pressure relief and support.
General Firmness Guide for Side Sleepers
Under 60kg: Soft (Plush)
60kg–100kg: Medium
Over 100kg: Medium to Firm
Many side sleepers find that adequate cushioning around the shoulders and hips contributes to a more comfortable sleeping experience.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers often look for a balance between comfort and support. Many people who sleep on their back prefer a mattress that supports the body's natural curves while remaining comfortable through the shoulders, hips and lower back.
General Firmness Guide for Back Sleepers
Under 60kg: Medium
60kg–100kg: Medium
Over 100kg: Medium to Firm
Many back sleepers find medium-feel mattresses provide a balanced combination of comfort and support.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping often requires greater support through the hips and torso. Many stomach sleepers prefer a mattress that helps minimise excessive sinkage through the midsection.
General Firmness Guide for Stomach Sleepers
Under 60kg: Medium
60kg–100kg: Medium to Firm
Over 100kg: Firm
Individual preferences vary, but many stomach sleepers find firmer comfort levels provide greater support and stability.
Combination Sleepers
Many people change sleeping positions throughout the night. If you regularly alternate between side, back and stomach sleeping, a balanced comfort feel may provide greater versatility.
General Firmness Guide for Combination Sleepers
Under 60kg: Soft (Plush) to Medium
60kg–100kg: Medium
Over 100kg: Medium to Firm
A medium-feel mattress is often considered a versatile option for a wide variety of sleeping styles.
Quick Mattress Firmness Guide
Sleeping Position | Under 60kg | 60kg–100kg | Over 100kg |
Side Sleeper | Soft (Plush) | Medium | Medium to Firm |
Back Sleeper | Medium | Medium | Medium to Firm |
Stomach Sleeper | Medium | Medium to Firm | Firm |
Combination Sleeper | Soft (Plush) to Medium | Medium | Medium to Firm |
How Couples Can Choose the Right Mattress
Choosing a mattress as a couple can sometimes be more complex than choosing one for yourself.
Partners may differ in:
Sleeping position
Body weight
Comfort preferences
Support preferences
As a result, finding the right balance between comfort and support can be an important consideration.
For example, one partner may be a 55kg side sleeper who prefers a softer comfort feel, while the other may be a 95kg back sleeper who enjoys greater support. In situations like these, many couples find that a medium comfort feel offers a practical balance between contouring comfort and supportive stability.
Partner disturbance may also play a role. Some mattress designs are intended to help reduce the transfer of movement across the sleeping surface, which may contribute to a less disruptive sleep experience for couples.
While preferences vary from couple to couple, many people consider a balance of comfort, support and motion isolation when selecting a shared mattress.
What We Have Seen in Our Showroom
One observation we encounter in our Port Melbourne showroom is that some people arrive believing they need a firm mattress. After trying different comfort levels, some discover that a medium comfort feel may better suit their sleeping position, body weight and personal preferences.
Others who initially assume they need a softer mattress may find they prefer a more supportive sleeping surface once they experience the difference in person.
This is one reason why mattress firmness guides should be viewed as helpful starting points rather than definitive recommendations.
Personal comfort remains highly individual, and trying different comfort feels can often be valuable when making a mattress decision.
Why Luxury Hotel-Inspired Sleep Appeals to So Many People
Many travellers enjoy the feeling of sleeping in a luxury hotel and wonder why hotel beds often feel so comfortable.
One reason may be that premium hotels typically seek to accommodate a broad range of guests rather than a single sleeping preference.
A hotel mattress may need to suit a lighter side sleeper one night and a heavier back sleeper the next. As a result, many luxury hotel-inspired mattresses are designed to balance comfort, support and pressure relief without feeling excessively soft or overly firm.
Another factor is that luxury hotels often focus on creating an overall feeling of comfort and relaxation. The sleep experience is designed to feel welcoming, supportive and restorative to a wide variety of guests.
This balanced approach may contribute to the sense of comfort many people associate with a luxury holiday.
For this reason, many people searching for a new mattress are not necessarily looking for the softest or firmest mattress available. Instead, they are often seeking a balance of comfort and support that helps recreate the feeling of a relaxing hotel stay at home.
Comfort Preferences Still Matter
While sleeping position and body weight can provide useful guidance, comfort remains highly personal. Two people with similar body weights and sleeping positions may still prefer different mattress firmness levels.
For this reason, mattress firmness guides should be viewed as helpful starting points rather than definitive recommendations.
Whenever possible, trying a mattress in person can help you determine which comfort feel best suits your preferences.
Finding the Right Mattress
At Composure Luxury Mattresses, our collection includes Soft (Plush), Medium and Firm comfort options designed for cooler sleep, pressure-relieving comfort, body-contouring support and minimal partner disturbance.
Inspired by the comfort often associated with luxury hotel stays, our mattresses are designed to help create a refined and relaxing sleep experience at home.
Whether you prefer a Soft (Plush) comfort feel, a balanced Medium feel or a Firmer sleeping surface, exploring different comfort levels can help you discover the mattress that feels right for you.
Visit our Port Melbourne showroom at 384 Bay Street or explore our collection online to find your ideal sleep experience.
Explore the Collection
Emporio Platinum Royale – Exquisite Luxury
Emporio Black Symphony – Premium Luxury
Luxury Hotel Estate – Essential Luxury
Our mattresses are made in Melbourne by Comfort Sleep Bedding – a trusted supplier to some of Australia's leading hotels.
Sleep that restores. Mornings that inspire.
