
Emilia Hitching
Emilia is our resident sleep writer. She spends her days tracking down the lowest prices on the best mattresses and bedding and spends her nights testing them out from the comfort of her own home. Emilia leads a team of testers across America to find the best mattress for every sleep style, body type, and budget.
Emilia's quest to learn how to sleep better takes her all around the world, from the 3Z mattress factory in Glendale, Arizona to the Hästens headquarters in Köping, Sweden. She's interviewed luxury bedding designers at Shleep and Pure Parima, as well as the Design Manager at IKEA. Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford.
Latest articles by Emilia Hitching
-

Weighted blankets freak me out − I much prefer the comforting cocoon of the viral Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket
I bought the Cozy Earth Cuddle Blanket on a whim in the sales – now, it's an indispensable part of my bedspread
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

How to cool down a memory foam mattress − 5 easy, affordable hacks, tried and tested by experts
Whether you suffer from night sweats and hot flashes or you live in a warm climate, it's worth learning how to cool down a memory foam mattress
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

Struggling to sleep away from home for the holidays? This best-selling memory foam mattress topper works magic on any tired mattress
The Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper excels at pressure relief and thermoregulation – and it's ultra-affordable in the mattress sales
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

This is why you can't find Wamsutta towels anywhere – and what to buy instead
Wamsutta towels set the standard for absorbency – now that they're out of stock, both in-store and online, these are the best alternatives
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Can I make my mattress firmer? Yes − here's how
I asked sleep scientists and mattress manufacturers how to toughen up a soft, sagging mattress for more supportive sleep
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

How to fix a sagging mattress – 4 easy hacks to extend its life
I asked mattress manufacturers how to fix a sagging mattress – these are their tried-and-true tips and tricks for a short-term solution
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

Want to be the host with the most this holiday season? Curate a guest welcome box – I've already found all you need for all kinds of stays
Help your friends and family feel at home with a guest welcome box, containing everyday essentials and little luxuries to sweeten their stay
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Looking for luxury Christmas decorations? Head to Saks Fifth Avenue to deck the halls in style
Whether you're shopping for ornate ornaments, ceramic serveware, or glittering garlands, you'll find it in the Saks Fifth Avenue Holiday Shop
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

The Pottery Barn holiday collection puts a fresh spin on old classics – it's vintage with a 2024 twist
Between the red berry wreaths and gingerbread serveware, the Pottery Barn Christmas collection looks good enough to eat – these are my favorite finds
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

How a mattress is made − inside the mattress factories at IKEA, Hästens, and 3Z
I've traveled from the heart of Arizona to the slopes of Scandinavia to see how foam is poured and springs are coiled to make the world's best mattresses
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

IKEA's Christmas collection has launched, and it's everything I need to add a Scandi charm to my home over the holidays
I've spent hours searching the IKEA Winter Holiday Shop for affordable designs that channel Scandi chic and make the most of smaller spaces
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

If you're after designer-approved holiday decorations, head to Target – Joanna Gaines just revealed her favorite finds from her Christmas collaboration
I've spent hours shopping the Magnolia Hearth & Hand Christmas collection to find wreaths, garlands, and festive decor at a fair price
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Missing the Yuletides of yesteryear? Magnolia's 2024 Holiday Collection oozes old-school charm
Whether you're shopping for vintage-inspired ornaments and stockings or ornate wreaths and garlands, you'll find them at Magnolia
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

These are the best places to buy Halloween decor – 5 spookily chic collections worth shouting about
Halloween wreaths and garlands, dining and kitchenware, throw pillows and blankets: these stores stock everything you'll need for the holiday season
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Trust me – head to Target for the largest and most affordable Christmas decor collection of 2024
I'm a shopping writer and a sales hunter – these are my favorite finds from Target's Wondershop, from festive wreaths to Christmas trees
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

I tried the million-dollar Hästens mattress – but I can't stop dreaming about this $10,000 alternative
There's so much more to Hästens than the Grand Vividus − I took a trip to the luxury mattress factory in Köping, Sweden, to see for myself
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

I tested the Bear Natural Mattress − now, I can't wait to go to bed
I sampled the Bear Natural Mattress back in April before I called it home for long-term testing − breathable and bouncy, it's worth the wait
By Emilia Hitching Published
-

How to make an air mattress more comfortable – 5 tips to elevate an air bed
I asked an expert panel of interior designers how to make an air mattress more comfortable − and how to style it to impress your guests
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

How to make an uncomfortable mattress more comfy – 6 tips from a mattress tester
We've all endured a sleepless night on an uncomfortable bed. This is how to make the most of a lumpy bed
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Is it okay for a mattress to have fiberglass? A sleep editor investigates
I asked mattress manufacturers and medical professionals how to tell if your mattress contains fiberglass – and what to do if it does
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

Should you put a mattress directly on the floor? Experts outline the pros and cons
I spoke to mattress manufacturers and sleep scientists to find out whether it's ever a good idea to put a mattress directly on the floor
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

How to break in a mattress − expert tips from mattress testers
I spoke to mattress manufacturers and sleep scientists to learn how to break in a mattress for better sleep on a time crunch
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

5 signs you're sleeping on a bad mattress − how to spot the red flags
I asked medical professionals and sleep scientists how to spot the signs you're sleeping on a bad mattress and when it's time to upgrade
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
-

What to do with kids' mattresses when your kids grow up
Don't let a good mattress gather dust – you can reuse, repurpose, recycle your kid's old mattress to gain a brand new bed
By Emilia Hitching Last updated
