A soft mattress can leave you waking up sore and tired. If your medium mattress feels less supportive, you don’t have to replace it right away. There are easy ways to add firmness and improve how it feels so you sleep better. Before exploring ways to make your mattress firmer, it helps to understand what a medium mattress is, what a medium mattress means, and what a medium mattress feels like.
Adding a firm mattress topper or placing plywood under the mattress can give you extra support. Adjusting your bed frame or switching to a firmer foundation helps prevent sagging over time. Even simple fixes like flipping or rotating your mattress can improve comfort.
We’ll go through different ways to firm up your mattress so you get better sleep. There are plenty of options to improve support from quick adjustments to long-term fixes. You don’t need a new mattress to feel more comfortable at night.
Key Takeaways
- Rotating a mattress every few months prevents uneven wear and keeps it firmer for longer.
- A firm mattress topper increases surface support and enhances overall firmness.
- Placing a plywood board under a mattress adds stability and reduces sagging for a firmer feel.
- A sturdy bed frame prevents sinking and maintains mattress firmness over time.
- Knowing a mattress’s firmness level helps select the best method to make it firmer.
Rotating Or Flipping Your Mattress
A mattress softens over time, especially in the spots you sleep on the most. Rotating or flipping helps spread out the pressure, so it stays supportive for longer. This keeps it from wearing down too fast, which can help you sleep more comfortably. Rotating means turning the mattress so the head moves to the foot. Doing this every few months helps prevent deep indentations in one place. If your mattress has two sleeping surfaces, flipping gives you a fresh side that feels firmer and more supportive.
Most modern mattresses are one-sided, so flipping won’t work. Rotating still helps by shifting pressure to different spots, which can slow down uneven wear. If certain areas start feeling too soft, adjusting its position might help before replacing it.
Using A Firm Mattress Topper
A soft mattress isn’t always comfortable, it can lack support. A firm mattress topper helps by adding a sturdy layer. Latex foam feels firm with a little bounce, high-density memory foam adds support without feeling too hard, and polyfoam is a budget-friendly choice with a slightly firmer feel.
Thickness affects how much support you get. A 2-inch topper can help, but 3 inches adds more firmness. Anything thinner might not make much of a difference, especially if the mattress is too soft. A firm topper is a simple fix if your mattress feels too plush but still has life left. Instead of replacing the whole bed, adding a topper improves support and helps your mattress last longer. It’s a cost-effective way to get better sleep without a big purchase.
Placing A Plywood Board Under The Mattress
A soft or sagging mattress can be uncomfortable, but adding a sturdy board underneath gives extra support. Placing plywood between the mattress and bed frame or box spring evens out the surface and keeps it from sinking too much. This is a simple fix for small sagging spots. It can also make a soft mattress feel firmer, which may help with back support. Just keep in mind that less airflow under the bed could trap heat.
Steps:
- Measure your bed frame and get a plywood board that fits.
- Put the board between the mattress and its base.
- Check if the bed feels right and adjust if needed.
Smooth out rough edges to avoid splinters. If you’re worried about moisture, drill small holes for airflow. This trick can help for a while, but if the mattress is too worn out, replacing it might be the best option.
Adjusting The Bed Frame
Your bed frame affects how firm your mattress feels, so the right setup helps. A solid platform base gives better support, while slatted frames may allow sagging. Switching to a platform can help your mattress stay even and firm. If your bed has slats, check if they are too far apart or feel unstable. Adding more slats or securing loose ones creates a sturdier surface for your mattress. Uneven spacing can lead to sinking, which might make your bed less comfortable.
Check the frame for any weak spots or broken parts since damage can affect support. A worn-out or unsteady frame can make your mattress feel softer than it should. Replacing broken slats or strengthening the structure keeps your bed firm and stable.
Lowering The Room Temperature
Some mattresses, especially memory foam, react to heat by feeling softer. Keeping the temperature between 60-67°F helps maintain firmness and support. A cooler space also creates a more relaxing sleep environment. Using a fan or air conditioning keeps the room from getting too warm. Lightweight bedding like cotton or linen improves airflow and helps you stay cool. Heated blankets and mattress pads add warmth, which can cause the surface to feel too plush.
If your mattress changes with temperature, lowering the room’s heat can help it stay consistent. A firmer feel supports your body better and reduces sinking. Keeping the room cool is a simple way to improve comfort and sleep.
Drying Your Mattress In The Sun
Over time, moisture from sweat and humidity can get trapped inside a mattress, causing it to feel softer. Letting it dry in direct sunlight helps pull out excess moisture and brings back some of its firmness. A few hours in the sun can also help keep it fresh and clean.
Remove all the bedding and place the mattress in a sunny spot outside on a clean surface. If outdoor space isn’t an option, setting it near a bright window can work too. Leave it for about 3-6 hours, flipping it halfway through so both sides get enough sunlight. This easy step helps your mattress stay dry and comfortable for longer. If you live in a humid area, airing it out in the sun from time to time can prevent dampness. Pairing this with regular vacuuming and flipping helps maintain support and freshness.
Using A Mattress Protector
A firm mattress protector adds slight support and keeps your bed safe from spills, dust, and allergens. Some feel a little stiff at first, but tightly woven or waterproof fabrics block moisture while allowing air to pass through.
Different protectors feel different, so pick one that suits your comfort. Quilted or padded types add softness, while thin, stretchy ones keep the surface smooth. Some claim to have cooling effects, though breathability depends on the material. A protector helps your mattress stay clean by stopping sweat and dirt from soaking in. Washing a removable cover is much easier than deep cleaning a mattress, and a waterproof layer prevents stains. A snug fit keeps everything in place without shifting.
Adjusting Your Sleep Position
Since the right mattress depends on how you sleep, it’s important to know if a medium feel suits your needs. Who should sleep on a medium mattress, is it good, is it good for back pain, and for side sleepers? Your sleep position changes how a mattress feels under you. Some might love a plush surface, while others need extra support.
- Back sleepers benefit from a firmer surface to keep the spine in a neutral position. A softer mattress can cause lower back strain.
- Stomach sleepers need extra firmness to stop the hips from sinking, which helps avoid back pain. A medium-firm to firm bed works best.
- Side sleepers usually prefer medium-firm support. If pressure points develop, a firmer mattress might help with discomfort.
A firmer pillow under the head or lower back adds support and helps with overall comfort.
Considering A Mattress Replacement
An old mattress that no longer supports your body can affect sleep, and quick fixes might not work. If there are deep indentations or sagging spots, the surface may feel uneven and uncomfortable. A worn-out mattress can cause tossing and turning, leading to restless nights and sore muscles. Waking up with back or neck pain could mean the mattress isn’t keeping your spine aligned. Even if it felt good before, the materials wear down over time, so support gets weaker. Poor sleep can leave you feeling tired during the day, affecting focus, mood, and overall health.
Most mattresses hold up for about 7-10 years before losing support and comfort. If yours is older, replacing it with a firmer one may help with posture and reduce body aches. A new mattress can improve rest and help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
Final Thoughts
A soft mattress can leave you tossing, turning, and waking up sore. Instead of dealing with discomfort, you can add support with simple fixes. A firm mattress topper, a plywood board under the bed, or adjusting the frame can help. If the mattress is too old and sinking, these changes might not be enough. In that case, getting a firmer mattress could be the best way to improve sleep and support your spine. No quick fix can restore lost firmness, so replacing it may be the better choice.
While finding the right balance of comfort and support is important, understanding the difference between plush and medium mattresses helps in making the best choice. A plush mattress offers more softness and contouring, while a medium mattress balances cushioning and support. However, a medium mattress has disadvantages, like less pressure relief for those who prefer a deep, sinking feel and insufficient support for stomach sleepers or individuals over 230 lbs.
Whatever you choose, a supportive bed can help you rest better and wake up without pain. Small adjustments can improve comfort, reduce aches, and make sleep more refreshing. A mattress that gives the right support can help you feel better every day.
