There are many reasons you may want to make your mattress firmer. Perhaps you just bought the mattress and thought it would be firmer than it is, or maybe you’re having trouble getting in and out of bed. You may also want a firmer mattress if you’ve gained a significant amount of weight, or if you’ve switched from side sleeping to back or stomach sleeping.
Having the right firmness for your mattress can help you sleep more comfortably and avoid unnecessary aches and pains. We’ll explore how to choose the right mattress firmness and share tips for firming up a mattress. We’ll also discuss how to know when your mattress is ready for replacement.
How Firm Should Your Mattress Be?
The right mattress firmness varies from person to person depending on body weight, typical sleeping position, and personal preference.
Individuals who weigh over 230 pounds exert more pressure on a mattress and may sink too far into softer models. If you fall into this weight category, you may find that a firmer mattress helps you maintain healthy spinal alignment during sleep.
Stomach sleepers also tend to prefer a firm mattress, as a plush mattress can allow excessive sagging in the midsection.
By contrast, side sleepers and people under 130 pounds generally opt for a softer mattress, while back sleepers and those weighing 130 to 230 pounds do best with a medium firm mattress.
Tips for Firming Up Your Mattress
If your mattress is too soft but you’re not ready to invest in a new one, there are some ways to make your bed feel firmer.
Buy a Mattress Topper
A mattress topper consists of a thin piece of material that lies on top of a mattress, and it can be a cost-effective way to change the firmness of a mattress. Toppers are also a convenient solution if you and your sleeping partner have differing firmness preferences – if your bed is big enough, you can cover each side with a different topper.
If you’re looking for a firm mattress topper, the best options are typically latex, polyfoam, or memory foam.
| Topper Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Polyfoam | Polyfoam generally feels firmer than memory foam, and it can be manufactured to allow little to no sink. This versatile material is a popular choice with people seeking a firm feel for their bed. |
| Latex | Latex is naturally springy and quick to regain its shape. Because it’s responsive and conforms less closely than memory foam, latex is a good choice for active sleepers. |
| Memory Foam | Memory foam is a dense material that conforms in response to pressure and heat. While typically associated with pressure relief, memory foam can also be engineered to be firmer. That being said, firmer memory foam toppers tend to be rare compared to softer memory foam ones. |
Use a Firmer Mattress Foundation
While the firmness of a bed is mostly attributable to the mattress’ upper layers, a good foundation provides essential support for your mattress and is necessary to prevent sagging. Different types of foundations may make your mattress feel softer or firmer.
- Bed frames: Bed frames incorporate a flat piece of sturdy material, usually wood, where the mattress can rest. This is one of the best options if you want a firm bed.
- Slats: If you use a foundation made with side-to-side slats, look for a frame with slats that are close together and sturdy enough to support the mattress without bowing in the middle.
- Bunkie boards: Bunkie boards are thin, flat boards that can be inserted between your mattress and bed frame. A bunkie board can help boost firmness and support for a sagging slatted frame.
- Box springs: Box springs provide a responsive surface that works well with an innerspring mattress. However, box springs generally aren’t firm enough to support a foam or latex mattress.
- No bed frame: Placing the mattress directly on the floor should provide more than enough support for your mattress, though be warned that using the mattress on the floor can encourage mold growth and may invalidate your warranty.
Larger mattress sizes may require a foundation with additional legs in the center of the bed for added support.
Rotate Your Mattress
It’s common for a mattress to wear down beneath heavier areas of the body, like the hips and shoulders. Foam mattresses — particularly those made with low-density foams — may soften or develop permanent indentations, while coil-based mattresses may sag. Rotating the mattress every three to six months can promote even wear and prolong its lifespan.
Because most modern mattresses are constructed with a comfort system on top and a support system on the bottom, they should not be flipped, only rotated head-to-foot. The exception is a flippable mattress, which often features a different firmness on each side.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Mattress?
If your mattress isn’t performing like it used to and a mattress topper isn’t helping, it may be time to invest in a new one. Watch out for key signs it’s time to replace your mattress.
- Your mattress is too old: The average lifespan of a mattress is six to eight years, but this can vary depending on the material quality, the usage, and how well you care for it. Eventually, the materials break down and are no longer able to provide adequate support and pressure relief.
- There is noticeable sagging: Sagging usually occurs once the support layers start to give out. Whether foam or coil, it’s virtually impossible to fix a sagging mattress, so this is a sure sign you need a new mattress.
- Your bed no longer feels comfortable: Comfort is subjective and involves many facets of a mattress, but your mattress may be at the end of its life if you’re frequently waking up with aches and pains.
About The Author
Certified Sleep Science Coach, Director of Product Testing
David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity.
- POSITION: Side Sleeper
- TEMPERATURE: Hot Sleeper
- CHRONOTYPE: Lion
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