10 Ways To Make An Air Mattress Feel Almost As Good As A Real One

Air mattresses have become the go-to bed when you have guests over. This is primarily because they're much cheaper than a traditional mattress. Plus, they can be folded and stored away once your guests take their leave. This also makes them a camping staple, especially if you're driving to the site instead of roughing it on foot. Despite these benefits, they don't come close to the real deal and often make for poor substitutes. But don't worry. If you'd rather not spend money for your once-in-a-blue-moon kind of guests, there are a few ways you can make them more comfortable without spending a lot of money. For starters, something as simple as fitting a sheet over your air mattress will help.

Similarly, adding a frame beneath will elevate its status and make it feel somewhat like an actual bed. Another common issue is that these beds don't trap heat like real mattresses during cold weather. Under such circumstances, a fluffy blanket or heated mattress pad can make a world of difference. You can also turn your air mattress into an elegant bed with this smart home staging hack. Want to learn more about how you can make your guests' next stay as comfortable as possible? Or, perhaps, you've moved recently and are looking for ways to give your sore neck and back muscles some much-needed relief? Whatever your reason, here are 10 ways to make an air mattress feel almost as good as a real one.

In case you or your guests will be occupying the air mattress for a couple of days, cover it with a mattress topper for a good night's sleep. It'll make the air bed more comfy and keep back pains at bay. Opt for a regular topper for year-round use. Otherwise, go with a cooling one to keep your mattress cool during toasty summer nights or a warm one to stay cozy on chilly winter nights. Whichever topper you choose, ensure its cover is washable. This will help you maintain it in the long run.

Besides the mattress, one thing that's non-negotiable when sleeping on a real bed is fitted sheets. Of course, this won't ring true if you're in your bachelor pad phase and don't want to bother with pesky comforts. So, grab a clean bed sheet from your linen closet or splurge on a new one in case you don't have extra. Then, tuck it around your makeshift to make it look like the real deal instead of an air mattress. Pro tip: Choose sheets depending on the weather for a comfortable sleep. For instance, cotton is best for summer, while flannel and silk will keep you warm on long winter nights.

Layering your air bed with loads of throws and pillows is a simple yet effective way to make it feel more indulgent. This trick will add visual interest and turn your lowly mattress more inviting. Start by placing two good-quality pillows on the bed. This will give your neck ample support and prevent painful cricks. Next, complement them with two to three Euro shams. Once you're done, lay down plenty of accent pillows to add a fun element. However, if you don't have a lot of throw pillows handy, dress one in a cute cover and nestle it between the standard ones.

If you're all about keeping a duvet handy irrespective of the weather you're experiencing, lay one down on your air mattress as well. However, instead of preparing yourself to sweat profusely on hot summer nights or shiver uncontrollably on frigid days, check your duvet's tog rating to get one that's fit for the weather. Duvets with a tog rating ranging between 2.5 and 4.5 are best for warm weather, whereas a rating of 9 to 13.5 is ideal for cold months. You could also get an all-season duvet to minimize the hassle of switching it.

Just like you want to keep your mattress from sliding for a peaceful night's sleep, pay similar attention to the inflated air mattress lying on the floor. Their rubber or vinyl base makes them susceptible to sliding when placed on hardwood, tile, or laminate surfaces. Besides, an air bed on a floor will give off squeaky sounds, making it difficult for sensitive sleepers to catch some Zs. So, make it a point to place the inflated mattress on a soft surface, such as a carpet or a mat. A non-skid blanket or towel will work in a pinch.

Tired of bending down to lie on your air bed? Place your air mattress on a box spring (or a folding cot) to give it a little height. An air bed frame works, too. However, if you don't have any of these handy and you're not too keen on spending money on a new frame for your air bed, substitute these with a foam pad. Any old pad you have is fine as long as you use one that provides you with the desired elevation.

Sitting upright on your bed with a cup of coffee in hand and the headboard cradling your back and neck might be part of your morning ritual. However, replicating this will be difficult on an air mattress since it lacks a headboard. But instead of missing your bed at home, scoot your inflated mattress against a wall and place a few pillows in front for a similar feel. In case that's not possible, use the bottom of another piece of furniture, like a couch or sofa, as your makeshift headboard.

One of the most important yet overlooked ways of making your air mattress feel comfortable is inflating it per your or guests' comfort level. This is incredibly important since an over-inflated mattress will feel hard on the shoulders. On the other hand, an under-inflated one will sink the sleeper and lead to sore muscles come morning. So, before you prepare the bed and dive into sleep, ensure the air bed's inflation level is comfortable for you. Don't be afraid to let a little air out or pump it up more to suit your needs.

In case you'll be sleeping a while on an air mattress, staging the area around you to look like a real bedroom will help. Depending on the amount of effort you're willing to put in and your budget, you can add a nightstand that's level with your bed. Pull off the look with a battery-operated lamp, some sleep essentials, and a glass of water. If that sounds like too much work, place a rug at the foot of your bed, add a mirror, or plop a faux plant to the side.

Despite your best efforts, your air mattress won't make for a comfortable bed if it sports sizable holes or is worn down and on its last leg. While you can seal the holes with a dedicated patch kit or a thin plastic material and some tape, you'll have to replace the mattress if it's too far gone. When buying a new air bed, get one with a built-in pump (brownie points if you get one that's battery-operated), is adjustable, made of quality materials, and comes with a warranty.