Why your sofa bed mattress is uncomfortable and how to fix it

Are sofa beds comfortable? Sometimes! Often they tend to be incredibly uncomfortable. But good news! It doesn’t have to be that way!

We’ll help you identify the underlying causes of why your sofa bed mattress is severely lacking in the comfort department, and how to make your couch or sofa bed more comfortable.

Why is my sofa bed so uncomfortable?

Problem #1: You're “feeling the bar”

Making a sofa bed is no easy task — the frame has to be solid enough to effectively and safely hold the weight of multiple grown adults, while also being nimble and flexible enough to discreetly fold into the sofa when not in use.

By its very design, the sofa bed’s frame can be (and often is) a source of discomfort. 

Laying on your sofa bed, you might feel the bar poking through the mattress. This then turns into a ‘Princess and the Pea’ situation, where the pea is massive.

Mattress topper

Bar topper

New mattress

Decent solution

Decent solution

Great solution

Problem #2: Feeling the mattress coils

Do you feel the coils of your sofa mattress poking through, sticking it to you worse than the tax man in April? Don’t suffer in silence!

Feeling coils is a tell-tale and clear indication that you have a poor-quality mattress. Whatever cushioning it once had (or never had) no longer exists.

Problem #3: Your sofa mattress is too soft

Soft is good. But one thing you’ll loathe is a mattress that is too soft, as all it’ll leave you is feeling all the bumps and beams of the bed frame.

Thing is — at first — a soft mattress might feel plush and superbly comfortable. But don’t be deceived. The lack of support for your joints and muscles will quickly become apparent, and once those rose-tinted glasses are removed you’ll be aching from head to toe.

Mattress topper

Bar topper

New mattress

Bad solution

Bad solution

Great solution

Problem #4: Your sofa mattress is too firm

Firm mattresses aren’t necessarily a bad thing. After all, a firm mattress usually means your body is being supported! However, if a mattress is too firm, it can cause other issues.

For example, pain or discomfort in the hips and shoulders is a common complaint when a mattress is too firm.

It takes the right combination of support and comfort to provide the perfect mattress for backs and joints, while also not feeling overly rigid and stiff.

Mattress topper

Bar topper

New mattress

Great solution

Bad solution

Great solution

Problem #5: A sagging mattress

If your sofa mattress is sagging, it could be either the mattress, the sofa bed frame itself, or — in extreme cases — a combination of the two.

If the issue is with the frame itself (which often includes the black fabric “decking” that supports the mattress), it can cause the mattress to lay directly on top of the frame bars.

This results in the mattress having dips and lumps where the frame bars are located, rather than being smooth.

What causes the frame to do this?

  • Worn out or damaged frame perimeter coils.
  • The frame mechanism design lacks foundational support for the mattress.
  • The black fabric decking is stretched out and sagging.

Mattress topper

Bar topper

New mattress

Bad solution

Decent solution

Great solution

clean-sofa-bed-mattress

Solution: Mattress topper

Pros

First, can you put a mattress topper on a sofa bed or hide a bed mattress? Absolutely!

A sofa bed mattress topper is a fast and cost-effective way to improve the comfort of any mattress. 

They’re available in a range of sizes and styles to suit virtually any sofa bed or sleeping preference. Most mattress toppers are around 2″ thick, and can be a quick and easy fix for this issue.

Cons

If the underlying mattress is worn out or poorly constructed, a mattress topper will only do so much to help. The problem may be disguised for a while, but that wear will also affect the topper over time and reduce it’s lifespan. 

Toppers also aren’t designed to be supportive, meaning they won’t help when your mattress isn’t too soft. Mattress toppers should instead be used when you want to make a firm mattress more cushy.

Something else to note — if you purchase a new topper, the added thickness of it may prevent you from closing your sofa bed. In this case, you will need to store the topper elsewhere when not in use.

Solution: Sofa bed bar shield

Pros

These ‘shields’ — often made of a foldable, vinyl-covered foam layer — are placed over the sofa bed frame beneath the mattress. Some also incorporate a 1/4” thick wood board base to add in “shielding” from the steel bars below.

They’re sure to provide a stable surface for the mattress, and should reduce the sagging issues that may be the result of a worn-out sofa bed frame or mattress. 

They can also be used to add a bit of extra support to your sleep, though not enough to make a significant change if this is your primary problem.

Cons

That said, there are some drawbacks. For example, finding one that fits the make and model of your sofa bed might be a challenge.

Depending on the thickness and the room in your sofa bed, as well as how it folds, you might need additional storage space for the shield when not in use.

Solution: A new sofa bed mattress

In many cases, your best bet is to splurge on a new sofa bed mattress (versus sinking money into a worn-out mattress that you already kind of hate).

Replacing the entire sofa mattress itself can seem complicated, but there are easy solutions — like working with us!

Pros

The right mattress can make a world of difference by transforming that uncomfortable, lumpy bed into the perfect night’s rest that’ll ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and not sleep deprived

You have available to you a world of sofa bed options — any size, shape, or mattress material you want.

Your options

  • A specific material for that perfect firmness and comfort level
  • Cooling features to help keep you from overheating
  • Folds or hinges so that you can pack up your sofa mattress easily

 

Mattress Insider is here to make all of your sleep-dreams come true in a reliable, durable, comfortable, and affordable way.

The benefits

Unmatched durability: Built from the finest materials, our mattresses are sure to keep their shape and integrity, ensuring long-lasting comfort. You can relax knowing that you won’t have to replace your mattress for many years.

Personalized comfort: Tailor-made support helps eliminate restless nights. Our mattresses are designed with your personalized comfort in mind, utilizing different materials for your preferred firmness levels including options like cooling memory foam. 

Custom shapes and precision fit: We offer custom-sized mattresses tailored to perfectly match the dimensions of your 3/4 bed’s frame. Our mattresses are designed to fit seamlessly, maximizing comfort and space.

Cons

There are always pros and cons to everything, including getting a brand new sofa bed mattress. Those cons are few, but they might include:

  • Being a bit more expensive than you want (though we’re sure to carry replacement sofa bed mattresses at almost any price point).
  • A longer wait time to accommodate manufacturing and shipping.
  • A more involved set-up for the bed.

FAQ

How to make sofa bed mattress more comfortable?

Sofa bed mattress toppers can make all the difference if you find that your sofa bed mattress isn’t cutting it. However, if you still can’t find that good night’s sleep, replacing the mattress entirely is a solid solution. Mattress Insider offers affordable, durable, and extra comfortable replacements!

Do you need a special mattress for a sofa bed?

Due to their foldable nature, sofa bed mattresses are often much thinner than your standard at-home mattress. However, other features on your sofa bed mattress, including materials and even size, will be the same.

What size is a sofa bed mattress?

Sofa bed mattresses come in a variety of different sizes to suit the different sizes of sofa bed. Sizes range from Twin all the way up to King.

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