Bedding, Mattresses
Customize Your Mattress: When You and Your Partner Sleep Differently
Hi Mismatched,
You’re not alone. A lot of couples find themselves mismatched when it comes to sleep comfort preferences. One likes a firmer bed; the other likes a more plush bed, one sleeps hot and so on. Of course, neither one wants to move into the spare bedroom! Fortunately, there are ways you can customize a mattress to meet different sleep preferences. In this blog, we’ll cover four options you and your partner may want to consider.
Option #1: The Split Mattress
Say you prefer an Extra Firm surface feel while your partner prefers Extra Plush. When it comes to a mattress itself, the most customizable option would be a Split Queen, Split King or Split Cal-King mattress. A split mattress is just as it sounds — it’s custom made so that one-half is what you want and one-half what your partner wants.
A split mattress uses a standard box spring (unless you’re using a platform bed frame, for which no box spring is needed). If you’re familiar with adjustable bases where each side can adjust independently, a split mattress is the type you’d need for one of these.
Option #2: The Twin XL
The easiest way to mimic a split mattress (without special ordering one) is purchasing two Twin XL mattresses. This way each partner can choose exactly what firmness suits them. Each Twin XL measures 39 inches wide by 80 inches long. When placed side by side they’re almost the equivalent of a King size mattress. Two Twin XLs should fit your King bed frame perfectly. The two widths together add up to just two inches wider than a typical King, but most frames accommodate that with little issues. Added bonus, (if a King size is an ideal bed size for you and your partner) we have Twin XL mattresses in all firmness levels readily in-stock. We even have adjustable bases and bed frames for a perfect fit.
Option #3 Mattress with a Zippered Cover
This type of mattress gives partners the ability to customize the inside components on each side of the bed to their liking. If you have a mattress with a zippered cover, like our Meridian Latex, Thackeray, Whitman, or Woodland Park, all you have to do is remove the cover in order to swap layers in or out, depending on the surface feel you want. Each partner can perfect their side of the bed just the way they like! Most of our 45th St Bedding Mattresses have zippered covers, because they’re not only great for customization, they benefit the planet by keeping unnecessary waste out of our landfill. How you ask? Well, because you can replace single components years down the line without having to replace the entire mattress.
Option #4 Mattress Pads & Toppers
Maybe budget constraints say now’s not the time to purchase a new mattress. Don’t fret, there are adjustments you can make to your existing mattress that might do the trick. Each partner can use mattress pads and/or toppers to fine-tune the feel of their side of the bed. This creates a sleep surface truly unique to you, without giving up on sleeping next to your partner. A mattress topper is a brilliant way to customize the feel of a bed to suit two partners with different sleep preferences. Desire a softer, plusher surface feel? Add a mattress topper on one side for enhanced cushioning, while your partner retains the firm feel they enjoy. On the other hand, one partner can choose to firm up their side that’s feeling a bit too soft. Try a firming pad over your mattress (but beneath the topper, if you’re using one) for added support. If you’re curious about firming pads stop in and we’ll show you how they work.
Mismatched,
We sure hope these tips help you and your partner create a bed where you can both get the best nights rest.
Yours in Great Sleep,
-Bedrooms & More
I can’t find a brand that carries a mattress topper that is half soft and half hard. We have a Queen size bed and have a topper on it but the topper is too soft for my husband. but I love it and two twin toppers equal a King not a Queen. Can you give a brand name of a topper that would work for us?
Hello,
So, short anwser is yes it would be something we could do for you. Only thing is it would almost all be custom work because split queen toppers are not something we regularly carry.The other thing is that topper are meant to be soft so for the hard half it would almost be entirely custom. Also, for a king it’s actually going to be two TwinXL that make up a king.
Which mattress topper do you recommend for a king size bed but for only one side? I like it super soft/plush, my husband likes it firm. All the mattress toppers I see online offer XL Twin but they all have bands that need to wrap under mattress to stay in place. Is there one made for a king size mattress that is only soft on one half?
Hello Stephanie, There is not a split density topper. For a king size you would have to purchase a Twin XL. We recommend purchasing the 2” latex or Australian Wool Topper. Let us know if you have further questions, thank you.
My husband is approx 100kg and I feel I sink to middle of bed how can we fix
Hi Kerrie, Step one would be verifying that your bed frame has legs that go to the floor in the middle. Even a strong center rail or sturdy box can bow downward with the weight of a mattress plus people. If that does not remedy the issue, the next step would be adding something underneath the mattress to offset the compression feel. More specifics along pictures of your support system would allow us to offer more complete feedback. Feel free to email us sales@bedroomsandmore.com for further assistance. Hope this helps!
I like how you mentioned that different people have different sleep and mattress preferences. I think this could make it difficult to find and decide on one mattress to have for your bed, because you want to find one that is specifically just right for you. My husband and I are looking for a mattress, but we want to make sure it’s one that fits both our very specific comfort needs. We’ll have to look for a custom mattress business that can help us personalize our bed, and get the most out of our night’s sleep- comfortably and agreeably.
I am glad you enjoyed the article! You may be happy to find that we are a custom mattress company that offer quality mattresses of different styles to match the needs of our customers. You should come into our new store in Seattle on 45th Street. We just opened our new location and we would love to show you our selection!
Hi
You mentioned that one way for on partner to firm a mattress that’s too soft is to use a “firming pad over your mattress (but beneath the topper, if you’re using one)”
What is a firming pad?
Hi,
A firming pad is essentially compressed cotton with a cotton cover. They work with our zippered mattresses. They’re excellent for firming up half of the bed. As well as, adding additional lumbar support if you lay it across the middle third of your mattress.
I can’t find firming pads for under mattress toppers to use on one side. Who sells them?
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The firming pad is not currently posted on our website. We will have it post by the end of the day. You may also place your order for a firming pad by calling 206-633-4494.
I noticed you stated that you do have toppers to make one side more firm here but to another response you said toppers are not for making the bed firmer u should put something under the bed. Can you tell me which one? We just bought a mattress from Lull. My husband loves it and I hate it. My back is killing me
We can make one side of a bed firmer than the other in some cases. Many of our beds have zippers and the layers are not glued together. The issue with all the layers being glued is that a bed then becomes only as durable as its least durable component.
In this case, so long as you are within the return period, I’d suggest you arrange for it to go back. The firming pads are meant to insert between layers on a mattress. Putting something under the mattress to crown the surface can work to simulate the support of a firmer, or in this case, a better bed; but would only advise it should you have no alternative.
Serta sells a rather expensive 2 sided topper, so one side can be firm and the other soft. I just sent one to fit on my side of the bed that is soft and plush! Would a twin xl be too wide on half on a king bed? Wondering if 2 twin xl are actually wider than a king, then the topper would take up too much space on half of the bed.
Two TwinXL’s equal the same width as a king. So if you use a TwinXL it will cover just your side of the bed. For a soft natural topper take a look at our 2″ Latex Topper.
We are newly married and finding out he needs firm for his hips, but I sleep best on plush. How does a couple achieve half of a queen, short of a split queen?
Many of our beds have zip covers, and can be made totally different on each side. We also have firming pads that can be used underneath toppers on beds without zippers.
I didn’t realize that you could get a custom mattress with two different levels of firmness on each side. I like more plush and my husband prefers more firm. We will have to keep this in mind as we hunt for a new mattress.
Does anyone make a 1/2 of a queen mattress pad. My hip hurts sleeping on our current mattress but she doesn’t want a pad on her side.
The short answer is probably yes. However, since there is no place to attach the topper, shifting is a bit of a concern; as is the ledge created between the sides of the mattress. A thin topper, doubled over, is a common solution for this problem, and does not create an extreme difference in height from side to side. This is held in place well by a good fitted mattress pad and sheet.
The short answer is probably yes. However, since there is no place to attach the topper, shifting is a bit of a concern; as is the ledge created between the sides of the mattress. A thin queen sized topper doubled over, is a common solution for this problem, and does not create an extreme difference in height from side to side. This is held in place well by a good fitted mattress pad and sheet.
Silly question.
But what happens if u want to cuddle in the middle. It there a notable ridge between the soft and firm sides of the mattress?
When the firmness difference is coming from the support system and not on the surface, it will not adversely affect your cuddling experience. You deserve quality cuddles.
what size would you recommend for a topper that is 50% of a Cal King and any recommendations on the type of material as I’m ooking to firm up my side of a memory foam bed.
Toppers are not an effective means of firming a mattress up. If you are looking to make a bed feel firmer, add something underneath the middle third of the mattress to create a crowning effect. A beach towel folded in half will elevate the hip area about 3/8″ and solve many comfort issues. Save the money.
1/2 of a Cal King is 36″ x 84″
How about a Cal King? Would this be a twinXL mattress topper to cover one half the bed as well?
Thanks!
We can customize a half cal king topper. It would be 36″ x 84″
I am looking for a topper to soften one side of an Emperor Bed (200cm x 220cm). Is it possible to get such a thing that will stay in place and not move about???
Getting a topper that covers half the bed is not an issue at all. The challenge is in preventing the topper from shifting. Elastic straps can work wonders for preventing the topper from sliding to the middle; however the toppers tend to slide off the side unless they have a really well fitting mattress pad on top.
I have a topper I like for my queen sized bed, it provides good cushioning for me but my husband wants a firmer feel. How can I order a firming pad for his side of the queen sized bed? I think I can just slip it under the top cover of the topper or alternatively between the topper and the mattress.
I am sending you an email to discuss firming pad purchase, thank you!
Had a question. my husband wants a memory foam mattress and i have hot flashes in memory foam mattress and prefer a spring mattress instead, is it possible to customize a spilt california king mattress to suite both requirements in one mattress?
We do have beds that can be half coil and half foam. We use latex and not memory foam for durability and off-gassing reasons. Regardless of which mattress you choose, I’d recommend the washable wool mattress pad to maximize temperature regulation.
how can you sequire a singe topper to one half of a double bed
Most toppers include straps that are inset on all 4 corners. In your case using the straps of a twin size topper would not fit with a full size mattress, instead use a secure fitting mattress pad, placing the topper underneath to hold it in place. If you have any further questions we can help answer don’t hesitate to give us a call 206-633-4494