Presidents Day weekend has earned its reputation as one of the year's best opportunities to buy a new mattress. Retailers clear out inventory before spring, which means genuine discounts on everything from budget-friendly options to luxury hybrids. This guide will walk you through the mattress-buying process step by step. You'll learn how different mattress types actually work, how to match a bed to your body and sleep habits, and how to maximize your savings during Presidents Day sales. By the end, you'll have the knowledge to choose confidently rather than relying solely on a salesperson's recommendations.
A quick history of Presidents Day in the United States
Presidents Day began as a celebration of George Washington’s birthday on February 22, honoring the first president’s role in shaping the nation and setting the standard for the presidency, a tradition that became a federal holiday in the late 1800s; then, in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to move certain holidays to Mondays for consistent three-day weekends, and Washington’s Birthday was shifted to the third Monday in February starting in 1971—yet the official federal name is still “Washington’s Birthday,” even though that Monday falls between Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12) and Washington’s (February 22), leading many states and communities to broaden the observance to honor multiple presidents, which is why the popular name “Presidents Day” took hold (especially in retail) and eventually became one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year while still rooted in recognizing presidential leadership and American history.
Why Presidents Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a mattress
If you’ve ever looked at mattress prices and thought, “I’ll wait for a sale,” Presidents Day is exactly the kind of weekend you were waiting for—and not just because it’s a long weekend. This holiday sits in a sweet spot on the retail calendar where inventory pressure and competition collide, and shoppers benefit.
For many retailers, February is the moment to clear space before spring. New lines and refreshed models often start appearing as the year picks up, and showrooms don’t want to carry too much older inventory into the next season. That’s why Presidents Day sales often feel “real” compared to random promotions—you’ll see price cuts on a wide spread of options, from budget mattresses to upgraded hybrids and cooling models.
The other big reason is simple: everyone runs a sale at the same time, which forces better offers. When multiple brands and stores compete for the same holiday traffic, the deals typically get sharper—whether that’s a stronger discount, a better bundle, or added value like accessories and delivery perks. It becomes less about a single markdown and more about the overall package you’re getting for your money.
Presidents Day is also when mattress shopping becomes easier from a decision standpoint, because the promotions often line up with what most people actually want to buy: popular sizes and crowd-favorite styles (especially queens, kings, and hybrids). Instead of hunting for a “deal” on a mattress you don’t really love, you’re more likely to find savings on the models you were already considering.
And if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your entire sleep setup, this weekend is ideal because you’ll often find the best value in mattress + adjustable base bundles. Adjustable bases can be expensive on their own, but during Presidents Day promotions at Bel Furniture, they’re frequently discounted more aggressively when paired with a qualifying mattress—so the upgrade suddenly becomes realistic, not “maybe someday.”
Understanding Mattress Types: What You're Actually Buying
Before comparing deals, it helps to understand what's inside the mattresses you're considering. Each construction type offers distinct advantages and trade-offs, and knowing these differences will help you identify which features matter most for your situation.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam was originally developed by NASA in the 1960s to cushion astronauts during liftoff. The material responds to heat and pressure, softening where your body presses against it and then slowly returning to its original shape when the pressure releases. This creates the distinctive "contouring" or "hugging" sensation that memory foam is known for.
The practical benefit of this contouring is exceptional pressure relief. When you lie on memory foam, the material distributes your weight across a larger surface area rather than concentrating it at specific points. For side sleepers especially, this means less pressure on shoulders and hips—the areas that bear the most weight in that position.
Memory foam also excels at motion isolation. Because the material absorbs energy rather than transferring it, movement on one side of the bed doesn't ripple across to the other side. Couples where one partner tosses and turns or gets up frequently during the night often appreciate this quality.
The main drawbacks relate to heat and responsiveness. Traditional memory foam's dense structure traps body heat and restricts airflow, which can make sleeping uncomfortably warm—a significant consideration in Texas. Memory foam also responds slowly, which some sleepers experience as feeling "stuck" when trying to change positions. If you've ever struggled to roll over on a memory foam mattress, you've encountered this limitation firsthand.
Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine two different support systems: a pocketed coil base (typically six to eight inches thick) topped with substantial foam or latex comfort layers (typically two to four inches). This dual construction aims to capture the benefits of both technologies while minimizing their individual weaknesses.
The coil base provides structural support and natural airflow. Unlike traditional innersprings where all the coils connect to each other, pocketed coils are individually wrapped in fabric sleeves. This allows each coil to compress independently, conforming to your body's contours while still providing the pushback that keeps your spine aligned. The spaces between coils also allow air to circulate freely, making hybrids significantly cooler than all-foam mattresses.
The foam comfort layers on top provide the cushioning and pressure relief that coils alone cannot offer. Quality hybrids use substantial foam layers—at least two to three inches—to cradle your body's pressure points. Be cautious of budget mattresses that claim "hybrid" status with only an inch of foam padding; these won't deliver the pressure relief you'd expect.
Hybrids also tend to have stronger edge support than foam mattresses because manufacturers can reinforce the perimeter coils. This means you can use the entire sleeping surface without feeling like you might roll off, and sitting on the edge of the bed remains comfortable.
Innerspring and Latex Options
Traditional innerspring mattresses rely primarily on interconnected coil systems with minimal padding on top. They sleep cool, feel bouncy, and cost less than other options, but they typically offer less pressure relief and more motion transfer than modern alternatives.
Latex mattresses use natural or synthetic rubber foam. They share some characteristics with memory foam (pressure relief, motion isolation) but feel more responsive and bouncy rather than slow and conforming. Latex also sleeps cooler than memory foam and tends to be exceptionally durable. The main barrier is price—quality latex mattresses often carry premium price tags.
Matching a Mattress to Your Body
Now that you understand what's inside different mattresses, the next step is understanding what your specific body needs. Two factors matter most: your primary sleep position and your body weight.
How Sleep Position Shapes Your Needs
Your sleep position determines where your body needs cushioning to relieve pressure and where it needs support to maintain spinal alignment. Getting this balance wrong—too much cushioning without enough support, or vice versa—leads to pain and poor sleep quality.
Side sleepers face unique pressure challenges. In this position, your shoulders and hips bear the concentrated weight of your body, creating pressure points that can cause numbness, tingling, and morning stiffness if your mattress doesn't provide adequate cushioning. At the same time, your waist spans a gap that needs support to prevent your spine from sagging.
The solution for side sleepers is a mattress that allows shoulders and hips to sink in moderately while still supporting the waist. This typically means medium to medium-soft firmness (around 5 to 6 on the industry's 10-point scale). Memory foam mattresses excel here because they contour precisely to your body's curves. Hybrids with plush foam comfort layers also work well, combining cushioning with the structural support of coils.
If you're a side sleeper who also experiences shoulder pain, look for mattresses with "zoned support"—meaning different firmness levels in different areas. These mattresses are typically softer at the shoulder zone for better sinkage and firmer at the lumbar zone for better support.
Back sleepers need a different balance. This position distributes weight more evenly than side sleeping, but it creates a gap at the lumbar region (the small of your back) that requires proper support. Without it, your lower back either sags into the mattress or hovers unsupported, both of which lead to stiffness and pain.
Back sleepers generally need medium to medium-firm options (6 to 7 on the firmness scale). The mattress should be firm enough to prevent your hips from sinking too deeply while still contouring enough to fill the space beneath your lower back. Hybrid mattresses often work beautifully here—the coil base provides excellent pushback to keep your hips elevated, while the foam comfort layers fill the lumbar gap.
Stomach sleepers face the greatest risk of back strain because this position puts the most stress on the lower spine. When your hips sink deeply into a soft mattress, your spine curves into an unnatural position that, over time, leads to chronic pain.
The solution is a firm to extra-firm mattress (7 to 8 on the firmness scale) that keeps your hips from dropping below shoulder level. Firm hybrid mattresses and high-density foam mattresses with minimal soft comfort layers work best. Plush memory foam, which allows significant sinkage, is the wrong choice for stomach sleepers.
How Body Weight Affects Firmness
Here's something many shoppers don't realize: firmness ratings assume an average-weight sleeper. Your body weight significantly affects how any mattress actually feels because heavier individuals compress the materials more deeply.
If you weigh over 230 pounds, mattresses will feel softer than their ratings suggest. A mattress labeled "medium-firm" might feel merely medium to you. To compensate, consider choosing one firmness level higher than typical recommendations for your sleep position. You'll also benefit from mattresses with strong support cores—hybrids with high coil counts and gauge, or high-density foams—that won't compress excessively under greater weight.
If you weigh under 130 pounds, the opposite applies. Mattresses will feel firmer than expected because you don't compress the materials as much. A "medium" mattress might feel medium-firm to you. Consider one firmness level softer than typical recommendations, and look for mattresses with softer comfort layers that will actually respond to your lighter body weight.
Solving Specific Sleep Problems
Beyond matching your sleep position, you may have specific issues you want your new mattress to address. Here's how to shop for common concerns.
Shopping for Back Pain Relief
Back pain affects roughly 80 percent of adults at some point in their lives, and your mattress plays a significant role in either alleviating or worsening that pain. Understanding why mattresses cause back pain helps you avoid repeating the mistake.
Mattress-related back pain typically stems from one of three problems. First, a mattress that's too soft allows your spine to curve into unnatural positions—particularly problematic for stomach sleepers and heavier individuals whose hips sink deeply. Second, a mattress that's too firm creates pressure points and prevents your spine from maintaining its natural S-curve alignment. Third, an old mattress that has developed body impressions no longer provides consistent support anywhere.
When shopping for back pain relief, prioritize proper spinal alignment above all else. Your mattress should support the heavier parts of your body (hips and shoulders) while filling the gaps at your waist and neck, maintaining your spine's natural curvature throughout the night.
Zoned support technology can make a meaningful difference for back pain sufferers. These mattresses feature different firmness levels in different areas—typically firmer in the middle third to support your lumbar region and slightly softer at the head and foot for comfort. The targeted support addresses the specific mechanics of spinal alignment rather than applying uniform firmness everywhere.
Material quality matters more for back pain sufferers than for others because low-quality materials break down faster, and a mattress that causes pain after a year negates any short-term relief. Look for high-density foams (at least 1.8 lb/ft³ for memory foam) and durable coil systems that maintain their supportive properties over time.
Hybrid mattresses frequently top recommendations for back pain because they combine foam's contouring comfort with coils' structural support. The coils provide pushback against your heavier body parts while the foam cradles pressure points—addressing both sides of the back pain equation.
Shopping for Temperature Regulation
If you wake up sweaty, kick off covers throughout the night, or find yourself flipping the pillow to find the cool side, you understand how much sleep temperature affects rest quality. Living in Texas makes temperature regulation even more important.
Hot sleeping happens when heat gets trapped between your body and your mattress. Traditional memory foam is the worst offender because its dense structure doesn't allow airflow, and it absorbs and retains body heat. But mattress cooling technology has improved dramatically, and several features make genuine differences.
Gel-infused memory foam contains gel beads or swirls that help conduct heat away from your body. While not a complete solution on its own, gel infusion provides noticeable improvement over traditional memory foam.
Open-cell foam construction represents a more fundamental improvement. Unlike traditional closed-cell memory foam, open-cell foams have a more breathable structure that allows air to flow through the material rather than getting trapped. If you want memory foam's pressure relief without overheating, look for open-cell construction.
Phase change materials (PCMs) represent the most advanced cooling technology. These materials absorb excess heat when you're warm and release it when you cool down, helping maintain consistent temperature throughout the night. Look for PCM-infused covers or foam layers.
The simplest cooling solution is choosing a hybrid or innerspring design. The space between coils naturally promotes airflow, making these mattresses inherently cooler than all-foam designs. For Texas sleepers who run warm, a hybrid with gel-infused foam comfort layers and a breathable cover offers the best combination of cooling and comfort.
The Memory Foam vs. Hybrid Decision
This is the most common decision point for mattress shoppers, and understanding the trade-offs helps you choose confidently.
Memory foam makes the most sense if you're primarily a side sleeper who prioritizes pressure relief, if you naturally sleep cool and aren't concerned about heat retention, if you prefer the slow, cradling sensation of conforming foam, or if motion isolation matters most to you—perhaps because your partner moves frequently during sleep or keeps different hours.
Hybrid mattresses make more sense if you sleep warm or live in a hot climate like Texas, if you're a back or stomach sleeper who needs structural support, if you prefer a responsive, bouncy feel that doesn't trap you in one position, if you want strong edge support that lets you use the entire mattress surface, or if you're a heavier individual who needs the reinforcement that coil systems provide.
Many shoppers fall somewhere in between, and that's where in-person testing becomes valuable. The difference between memory foam's slow hug and a hybrid's responsive support is difficult to appreciate from descriptions alone. Spending ten to fifteen minutes on each type in your typical sleep position reveals which sensation you actually prefer.
Understanding Mattress Sizes
Choosing the right size affects sleep quality more than many people expect. Here's a framework for thinking through the decision.
Queen mattresses (60 by 80 inches) are the most popular size, offering reasonable space for couples while fitting in most bedrooms. They work well if your bedroom is under twelve feet square, if you're on a tighter budget (queens cost less than kings), if you and your partner prefer sleeping close together, or if you're furnishing a guest room.
King mattresses (76 by 80 inches) offer 38 inches of personal space per person—equivalent to each partner having their own twin bed. They make sense if your bedroom is at least twelve feet square (ideally larger), if both partners are above average size, if you have different sleep schedules and want to minimize disturbance from movement, if children or pets regularly join you in bed, or if you simply value maximum space.
California King mattresses (72 by 84 inches) are narrower than standard kings but four inches longer. They solve a specific problem: accommodating very tall sleepers (over 6'2") who need the extra length. They're also useful when your bedroom can fit an 84-inch-long bed but is too narrow for a 76-inch-wide standard king. Beyond these situations, most couples prefer the wider standard king.
Before committing to any size, measure your bedroom. You'll want at least 24 inches of clearance around three sides of the bed for comfortable movement. Also measure doorways and staircases to confirm your new mattress can actually be delivered.
Adjustable Bases: Worth Considering
Pairing your mattress with an adjustable base transform how you use your bed, though it represents an additional investment worth evaluating.
The health benefits are genuine. Elevating your head reduces acid reflux symptoms and can significantly decrease snoring by keeping airways more open. Elevating your legs improves circulation and relieves pressure on the lower back. If you have chronic back pain, slight knee elevation takes pressure off your lumbar spine. If you use CPAP therapy for sleep apnea, head elevation complements the treatment.
Beyond health, adjustable bases simply make beds more versatile. Reading, watching television, and working on a laptop all become more comfortable when you can adjust the bed to the perfect angle. Many people discover they spend more quality relaxation time in bed once they have this flexibility.
Not every mattress works with an adjustable base, though. Memory foam and latex flex easily and pair well. Most modern hybrids are designed for adjustable compatibility, but verify before purchasing. Traditional innerspring mattresses with rigid construction typically cannot flex without damage.
Presidents Day is an excellent time to bundle a mattress and adjustable base together. Retailers often offer adjustable bases at significant discounts when purchased alongside a qualifying mattress, making the combined upgrade more accessible than buying each separately at full price.
Making the Most of Presidents Day Sales
Presidents Day sales offer real savings but approaching them strategically helps you maximize value without making compromises you'll regret.
The preparation matters more than the shopping itself. Before stepping into any showroom, clarify what you need based on your sleep position, body type, and specific concerns. Know what mattress type (hybrid, memory foam, or otherwise) and firmness level you're targeting. Set a budget before seeing sale prices—it's remarkably easy to overspend when everything appears to be a deal. Research specific models in advance so you have a shortlist ready to test rather than starting from scratch.
When you arrive at the store, give yourself time. Brief testing doesn't reveal how a mattress actually performs. Spend at least ten to fifteen minutes on any serious contender, lying in your typical sleep position. This extended testing reveals whether the firmness actually works for your body and whether the surface feel matches your preferences.
Regarding timing, Presidents Day ranks among the year's best mattress-buying opportunities. Retailers are motivated to clear inventory before spring arrives, which translates to genuine discounts. The savings are comparable to Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday. If your current mattress has been causing problems, there's no need to wait for a different sale—these are excellent prices.
Shop Presidents Day Deals at Bel Furniture
In-Stock Selection From Popular Brands
One of the biggest reasons to shop Presidents Day at Bel Furniture is the variety of mattress types and comfort feels available in-stock—so you can compare options side-by-side instead of settling for whatever is available later. Bel Furniture offers exceptional deals on mattresses from trusted brands including Bel-opedic, Restonic, Sealy, Spring Air, Sierra Sleep, GhostBed, and Nectar. Whether you need a cooling hybrid to handle Texas heat, pressure-relieving memory foam for aching joints, or a budget-friendly option for a guest room, you’ll find great options in our showrooms and online. From cooling and responsive hybrids to contouring memory foam and supportive innerspring styles, you can choose what actually fits your sleep needs.
180 Days Price & Sleep Comfort Guarantee
We take pride in offering a 180-Day Price & Sleep Comfort Guarantee, one of the longest guarantees in the mattress industry, compared with other retailers in the market. If, within 180 days of the purchase date on your receipt, you find a lower printed advertised price on the same in-stock item we carry, we’ll match it—just bring in the current printed competitor ad for the exact same item (internet specials excluded). Our 180-Day Sleep Comfort Guarantee is exclusive to BEL Mattress Company and gives you time to be sure your mattress feels right.
Lifetime Warranty Option: The Last Mattress by Spring Air
For shoppers who want maximum long-term durability, ask about The Last Mattress by Spring Air, featuring premium construction and a lifetime warranty on select models for added confidence in your investment.
Free Delivery & Setup on Mattress Orders Over $800
Once you choose your mattress, Bel makes the upgrade easier with free delivery and setup on mattress orders of $800 or more, so you can enjoy your new sleep setup without the hassle.
Presidents Day brings some of our strongest savings and bundle values of the year. Combined with flexible financing, reliable delivery service, and our warranty coverage, it's easy to see why Texas families consistently choose Bel Furniture for better sleep.
Visit your nearest Bel Furniture location in Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, or a surrounding area this Presidents Day weekend, and find the mattress that fits your body, your home, and your budget.
Bel Furniture — Quality Home Furnishings for Texas Families