How To Make a Mattress Firmer

We all know how important sleep is to our overall wellbeing and mental health. A restless night can wreak havoc on our mood for the next day so it's a good decision to make sure that we try and get the best night's sleep possible.

The quality of our mattress plays a big part in how well we sleep. A study in 2009 found that sleep issues arise frequently from stress, using electronic devices before bed, psychical pain, and even regularly sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress.

Many people suffer from back pain and this issue may have been exacerbated by the large increase in remote working. It was found that 81% of respondents to a survey claimed that they were experiencing some kind of back, neck, and/or shoulder pain.

One common complaint amongst people with issues arising from their mattresses is that their mattress is too soft. Many factors could be the reason behind this niggling issue which is why we’ve come up with 7 ways to make your mattress firmer.

Use plywood boards

A common and ‘cheap’ solution to creating a firmer feeling mattress is to lay strong plywood or MDF sheets underneath your mattress. This supportive and solid base prevents your mattress from dipping and sapping as quickly and will create a firmer feeling mattress to sleep on.

Adjust room temperature

It’s possible that the temperature of your bedroom could have an impact on the firmness of your mattress. Should your room become too hot, this may soften your mattress which will lead to it feeling less firm. This is especially common in memory foam mattresses, so it might be a good idea to adjust your thermostat to see if this can have a positive impact.

Install a mattress topper

While your current mattress may not be supporting you as required, you may find that a mattress topper can be a cheaper alternative to buying a completely new mattress.

Mattress toppers come in a variety of materials, sizes and depths and are a great way to enhance a potentially sagging mattress. You can find mattress toppers at our sister site; HotelContractBeds.

Divan platform base

Should you still find that your mattress is not to your desired firmness, it could be down to your bed frame itself and not your mattress. Not all bed frames support your mattress in the same way. Some bed frame slats might encourage mattress sagging while others hold a more solid feel.

Divan platform beds, however, create a completely solid foundation to fully support all types of mattresses (open coil, memory foam & pocket spring). On top of that, you’ll find that our divan platform bases include a white anti-slip mattress fabric, ensuring that your mattress stays in place and does not move.

Flip your mattress

As with most products, wear and tear sets in after continued use, and mattresses are not different. Most mattresses are usable on both sides so it is often encouraged to flip your mattress periodically to ensure you prolong its lifespan.

Let it air dry

Let's face it - many of us sweat when we sleep. This helps cool us down so we can continue to have a good night’s sleep but unfortunately, our mattress may absorb much of this liquid and moisture from the air which ultimately softens our mattress.

If you live in a humid region or are currently in the summer months, your mattress might be retaining water. You can get rid of this unwanted water by leaving your mattress in the sun to dry out. Not only will this help firm up your mattress, but it will also kill bacteria, germs, mildew, and allergens trapped inside and on top of the mattress. 

Get a new mattress

Not much can be done if your mattress has completely outstayed its welcome. Mattresses typically should be replaced once every seven years - maybe sooner depending on its condition.

No amount of plywood or temperature changes can resurrect a dying mattress and if the tips above cannot get you your desired firmness, then it might be time that you invest in a new medium-firm or firm mattress to help you get the best nights sleep possible.

Why is a firm mattress important?

It’s said that we sleep for one third of our entire lives. That’s a lot of hours! Given that we spend so much time in bed, it’s important we give our body the necessary support it needs for all those hours laying down.

A properly supportive mattress can help relieve pressure on our joints and improve our posture. If you’re not used to a firm mattress, it may take some time to become fully acquainted with it - but overtime you’ll reap the benefits.

What is the right mattress firmness for you?

Generally speaking, the ideal firmness level will depend on your body weight. The larger you are, the more firm your mattress may need to be in order to get the best night's sleep.

Petite Sleepers

Petite sleepers weigh in at 130 pounds (9.2 stone) or less. Usually, a soft or medium-soft mattress will provide them with all the support they need throughout the night.

Average Weight Sleepers

Average weight sleepers weigh in at 130 pounds to 230 pounds (16.4 stone). This group of sleepers will generally enjoy medium to medium-firm mattress. This firmness will allow them to still feel like they are ‘on top’ of the mattress while still enjoying the comfort as it moulds around your body.

Plus Size Sleepers

Plus size sleepers are those who weigh more than 230 pounds and will generally find that firm mattresses will provide the best support for their bodies. Their weight will compress the mattress enough to enjoy a cushioned feel while still providing adequate support for their joints.