Before Delivery Day
Measure Everything
A mattress that fits your bed frame might not fit through your hallway. Before delivery day, measure:
- Front door width and height
- Hallway width at the narrowest point
- Staircase width and any turns
- Bedroom door width
- Any tight corners the mattress needs to navigate
A queen mattress is typically 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. A king is 76 by 80. These dimensions do not bend. If your staircase has a tight turn, the mattress needs to fit around it. Delivery teams can angle and maneuver, but physics has limits.
If measurements are tight, discuss it when you order. Some mattresses compress better than others. Split kings solve many access problems. Knowing about a tight fit in advance prevents surprises on delivery day.
Clear the Path
Walk the route from your front door to your bedroom. Move anything that could get bumped or knocked over:
- Shoes and coat racks near the entrance
- Hallway tables or decorations
- Rugs that could slip or bunch
- Anything fragile near doorways
The delivery team is carrying something large and heavy. A clear path makes their job easier and protects your belongings.
Deal with the Old Mattress
You have three options for your old mattress:
Option 1: Remove it yourself before delivery. Put it in another room, the garage, or at the curb if it is your large item pickup day. This gives the delivery team a clear workspace.
Option 2: Have the delivery team remove it. Many retailers, including us, offer old mattress removal when delivering a new one. Ask about this when you purchase so it is arranged in advance.
Option 3: Leave it for now and deal with it later. Not ideal if the old mattress is in the same room, but workable if you have space to store it temporarily.
Decide which option works for you before delivery day. Scrambling to figure out what to do with the old mattress while the delivery team waits creates unnecessary stress.
Bed Frame Check
If you are keeping your existing bed frame, confirm it works with your new mattress. Some frames require a box spring. Some work with just a mattress. Platform beds do not need a box spring. Adjustable bases need compatible mattresses. Sorting this out before delivery prevents problems.
Delivery Day
Be Home
Someone needs to be there. The delivery team cannot leave a mattress on a porch or with a neighbour. Plan to be home during your delivery window, or have someone else there who can receive it.
Delivery windows are typically 2-4 hour ranges. The team will call when they are on their way. Stay reachable by phone.
What the Delivery Team Does
Standard delivery means bringing the mattress into your home and placing it where you want it. The team will:
- Bring the mattress from the truck to your bedroom
- Place it on your bed frame or in the location you specify
- Remove packaging materials
- Take the old mattress if that service was arranged
Setup typically means placing the mattress on the frame. For adjustable bases, setup involves positioning and basic assembly. Discuss what is included when you schedule delivery so expectations are clear.
Inspect Before Signing
Before the delivery team leaves, look at your mattress:
- Check for visible damage, stains, or tears
- Confirm it is the correct size and model
- Make sure it is positioned correctly on the frame
If something looks wrong, mention it before signing the delivery confirmation. Problems are easier to address on the spot than after the truck is gone.
After Delivery
The Break-In Period
New mattresses often feel different than the showroom model. This is normal. The showroom mattress has been tested by hundreds of people. Yours is fresh.
Give a new mattress 2-4 weeks to break in. Your body also needs time to adjust, especially if you are coming from a very different firmness level. The mattress you chose in the store will feel like itself after this adjustment period.
Mattress-in-a-Box Considerations
If your mattress arrives compressed in a box, it needs time to expand:
- Unbox it in the room where it will stay. Once expanded, it is hard to move
- Cut the plastic carefully to avoid damaging the mattress
- Allow 24-48 hours for full expansion before sleeping on it
- Some off-gassing odour is normal and dissipates within a few days
Traditional mattresses delivered fully expanded do not have this waiting period. You can sleep on them the same day.
Why Delivery Matters
A mattress is awkward to transport. It is large, flexible in ways that make it hard to control, and easily damaged by folding or bending. Professional delivery ensures it arrives in proper condition. Strapping a mattress to your car roof can void warranties and cause damage you will not notice until you are sleeping on it.
Delivery to Upper Floors and Tight Spaces
Stairs
Two-person delivery teams handle stairs regularly. Straight staircases are straightforward. Turns require more maneuvering. Spiral staircases can be challenging depending on diameter.
If your bedroom is upstairs, mention it when ordering. If your staircase has unusual features, describe them. The delivery team can prepare accordingly.
Apartments and Condos
High-rise buildings add complexity:
- Check elevator dimensions. Will the mattress fit?
- Book the freight elevator if your building has one
- Inform the concierge or building management about the delivery
- Know any delivery time restrictions your building has
Some buildings only allow deliveries during certain hours or require advance notice. Handle this before delivery day.
When Measurements Are Tight
If doorways or turns look borderline, discuss options:
- Split kings are two twin XL mattresses that together equal a king. Each piece is more maneuverable
- Some mattresses compress more than others and can squeeze through tighter spaces
- Removing doors from hinges creates extra inches
- Window delivery is possible in some situations, though rarely needed
Tight access is usually solvable with planning. The time to figure it out is before delivery, not during.
Ready to Order?
Browse our mattress collection or visit our Brantford showroom at 441 1/2 West Street. We offer flippable mattresses, adjustable beds, and more. Call 519-770-0001.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does mattress delivery take?
Once the delivery team arrives, most deliveries take 15-30 minutes. This includes bringing the mattress in, placing it, removing packaging, and taking the old mattress if arranged. Complex setups like adjustable bases may take longer. The delivery window itself is typically a 2-4 hour range when you should be home.
Do I need to be home for mattress delivery?
Yes. Someone needs to be present to receive the delivery, direct where the mattress goes, and sign for it. If you cannot be there, arrange for another adult to be home. Delivery teams cannot leave mattresses unattended.
Will delivery include setting up my mattress?
Standard delivery includes placing the mattress in your bedroom and positioning it on your bed frame. For adjustable bases or more complex setups, confirm what is included when you schedule. Setup services vary by retailer and product.
What if my mattress does not fit through the door?
Measure before ordering. If a standard mattress will not fit, options include split king mattresses (two pieces that are easier to maneuver), removing doors from hinges for extra clearance, or choosing a mattress that compresses better. Discuss tight access with your retailer before purchase so you choose a product that will actually get into your bedroom.
Can I sleep on my new mattress right away?
Traditional mattresses delivered fully expanded can be slept on immediately. Mattresses that arrive compressed in a box need 24-48 hours to fully expand before use. Check whether your mattress is delivered expanded or compressed, and plan accordingly.
Visit Mattress Miracle
Find us at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario. Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Family-owned since 1987.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.
How to Prepare for Mattress Delivery
Step-by-step guide to prepare your home for mattress delivery, including measuring doorways, clearing pathways, removing old mattresses, and what to expect on delivery day.
Step 1: Measure doorways and pathways
Measure front door width and height, hallway width at the narrowest point, staircase width, bedroom door width, and any tight corners. A queen mattress is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. A king is 76 by 80 inches. Confirm your mattress will fit through these spaces.
Step 2: Clear the delivery path
Walk the route from your front door to your bedroom and move anything that could get bumped: shoes and coat racks, hallway tables, rugs that could slip, and fragile items near doorways. This protects your belongings and makes the delivery easier.
Step 3: Arrange old mattress removal
Choose your option: remove it yourself before delivery, have the delivery team remove it (arrange this when you purchase), or move it to another room temporarily. Decide before delivery day to avoid stress while the team waits.
Step 4: Check your bed frame
Confirm your existing bed frame works with your new mattress. Some frames require a box spring, some work with just a mattress. Platform beds do not need a box spring. Adjustable bases need compatible mattresses. Sort this out before delivery.
Step 5: Be home during delivery
Have someone home during your delivery window (typically 2-4 hours). Stay reachable by phone as the delivery team will call when they are on their way. The team cannot leave a mattress unattended.
Step 6: Inspect the mattress
Before the delivery team leaves, check for visible damage, stains, or tears. Confirm it is the correct size and model. Make sure it is positioned correctly on the frame. Mention any problems before signing so they can be addressed on the spot.
Step 7: Allow mattress break-in time
Give your new mattress 2-4 weeks to break in. The showroom model feels different because hundreds of people have tested it. Yours is fresh. If it is a mattress-in-a-box, allow 24-48 hours for full expansion before sleeping on it.
Quick Answer: What Should I Do Before Mattress Delivery?
Clear a path from your door to the bedroom. Measure doorways, hallways, and staircases to confirm the mattress will fit. Remove your old bedding and mattress if possible, or arrange for the delivery team to take it. Have someone home during the delivery window. Most deliveries take 15-30 minutes once the team arrives.
Brad, Owner since 1987: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1987. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7