Air mattresses are great for unexpected guests and even long-term everyday use. If you plan to use an air mattress in lieu of an innerspring or a foam mattress, you want to make your air mattress as comfortable as possible.
To help you get restful sleep every night, we thought of a few ways to make your air mattress more inviting. When you implement all of these ideas, it will be hard to tell that you’re sleeping on an air mattress.
Think About the Size Before You Buy
If you haven’t bought an air mattress yet, we strongly recommend getting a large one. Even if you’re the only person who will be sleeping on it, a big air mattress will give you plenty of room to stretch out. Like standard mattresses, air mattresses come in sizes from twin to California king.
Most people opt for a queen-size mattress because it offers plenty of room without taking up a ton of floor space.
Pay Attention to the Air
The amount of air in the mattress will have a direct effect on the quality of sleep you get. If a mattress has too much air inside of it, the mattress will be too firm and possibly pop a hole. On the other hand, if a mattress doesn’t have enough air, it will be saggy and lack the ability to support your body weight.
Vinyl and PVC stretch when you inflate an air mattress, especially within the first few hours of use. Warm air tends to soften these materials, and the mere pressure from the weight of your body can push out a little air – both phenomena are normal.
If you’re still shopping around for an air mattress, make sure you pick one made of thick PVC or vinyl. Shoot for a 15 to 20-gauge thickness. Of course, make it a habit to check for leaks regularly. An air mattress with a built-in pump makes it quick and easy to add and release air to your liking.
Make the Surface Soft and Plush
Many air mattresses have a flocked top that’s soft to the touch. While the velvety feel of a flocked top feels soft, it’s not thick. Surprisingly, you can make an air mattress plush by adding a topper. For mattresses without a flocked top, a padded surface is an absolute must to rest comfortably.
You have a plethora of options to use for a topper, all of which will provide a cushy mattress on which to sleep. If your budget is tight, you can use items you already have around your house, such as a sleeping bag or a thick blanket.
If the temperature is a concern, there are other choices. To stay toasty warm on a cold night, a quilted or a microfiber pad will do the trick. Memory foam or a gel topper will keep you cool on hot nights.
Put on Sheets and a Blanket
You can use the same sheets on an air mattress that you would put on a regular mattress to make the air mattress feel, look and sleep more like a real bed.
A fitted sheet will keep the topper from sliding off the surface of the air mattress, and a flat sheet will increase your comfort. Fitted and flat sheets made of flannel or jersey will keep you warm while those made of bamboo or linen will keep you cool.
Along with a fitted and a flat sheet, you’ll want to put some type of blanket, quilt or comforter on your air mattress. Like the sheets, the blanket or comforter can either keep you cool and covered or warm and cozy.
A light cotton blanket is great won’t overheat you when it’s hot, and a down comforter will help your body retain heat. If you’re allergic to goose feathers, there are down-alternative comforters that are filled with fluffy cotton, polyester or rayon.
Keep It Still
Air mattresses with a slick bottom will slip and slide on hard floors. If you have carpet or an area rug in your house, you can put the mattress on top of it to minimize slippage. A rubber mat is an effective alternative. If you have an air mattress with grips on the bottom, you don’t have to worry about it skidding while you move around in your sleep.
If you want to raise your air mattress off the floor, you have that option. Elevating the mattress will not only prevent it from slipping but also shield you from drafts. To do so, you can put the air mattress on a platform frame. For an extra cushy sleeping surface, you can use a box spring with or without a standard bed frame.
Add a Pillow or Two
You wouldn’t sleep on a regular bed without a pillow, so why would you not use one when sleeping on an air mattress? A proper pillow helps keep your spine aligned and prevents cricks in your neck and even headaches.
Body pillows are excellent for those who are prone to backaches. Side sleepers tend to benefit from thick, firm pillows while stomach sleepers usually prefer softer pillows. Then, there’s the filling in the pillow. Down feathers, cotton, memory foam – The options are almost endless.
Whatever pillow, or pillows, you use, make sure to put them in a pillowcase. A zippered cover will keep dust mites at bay.
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Create the Right Atmosphere
A put-together bed creates an atmosphere that invokes restfulness. To make your air mattress comfortable and complete, a few finishing touches are in order. A headboard makes the air mattress look like a standard bed.
If you don’t have the money to buy a headboard, you can put the mattress against the wall and hang a curtain or a piece of artwork above the bed. Using a headboard or utilizing the wall will keep your pillows from sliding. Of course, if you have an air mattress with built-in pillows, you don’t have to worry about your pillow slipping from under your head while you sleep.
Consider putting a bed skirt on the box spring too. A nightstand on one or both sides of the air mattress offers convenience and creates realism. Before you lay down at night, spritz some fabric spray on your pillows. Lavender and chamomile are two relaxing, sleep-inducing scents.
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Last Update: 2024-03-27 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API