Mattress Guides

How to Make a Mattress Firmer Tonight: Expert Tips That Actually Work

Is your mattress too soft and ruining your sleep? If you wake up with lower back pain, feel stuck when turning at night, or notice your bed sagging, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with mattresses that feel overly plush long before they’re ready to replace them. The good news? You can make a mattress firmer tonight using practical, low-cost solutions no shopping trip required. While most manufacturers recommend replacing a mattress after 7–10 years, there are several effective ways to increase firmness and support immediately, especially if your mattress is still structurally sound. This guide explores why firmness matters, who benefits most, and methods to make your mattress firmer tonight, along with long-term solutions and signs it’s time for a replacement.

Key Takeaways

• A mattress that’s too soft can cause back pain, poor sleep, and sagging issues.
• You can make a mattress firmer tonight using simple fixes like a firmer base, a bunkie board, or a firm topper.
• Cooling the room and improving airflow can help memory foam feel firmer.
• Rotating your mattress and reducing moisture can slow sagging and improve support.
• Temporary fixes work best if the mattress is still in good condition.
• Deep sagging, lumps, or ongoing pain are signs it’s time to replace your mattress.
• Choosing the right firmness depends on sleep position, body weight, and health needs.

Why You Might Need a Firmer Mattress

If your mattress feels too soft, you don’t always need to buy a new one. Identifying these telltale signs can help determine whether adjustments are necessary for better sleep quality.

How Do You Know If Your Mattress Is Too Soft?

Common signs your mattress is too soft include:

• Lower back pain when you wake up: This happens when your hips sink too deep, bending your spine unnaturally.
• Hip or shoulder pain: Soft mattresses often fail to support pressure points, especially for side sleepers.
• Difficulty moving in bed: Feeling stuck or struggling to change positions at night is a clear sign of poor support.
• Trouble getting in or out of bed: This can mean the mattress lacks firmness and edge support.
• Visible sagging or deep body impressions: Sagging in the center or dents deeper than half an inch show the mattress has lost structure.
• Restless sleep and frequent tossing: Your muscles cannot fully relax on an overly soft surface.

Quick test: Lie on your back and try sliding your hand under your lower back. If your hand does not fit easily, your mattress may be too soft.

Read Also: How to Keep Mattress from Sliding | Proven Fixes

Who Benefits Most from a Firm Mattress?

Some people sleep better on firmer mattresses than others.

• Stomach sleepers need firm support to stop their hips from sinking too low, which can cause back pain.
• Back sleepers often benefit from a medium to firm mattress because it helps keep the spine straight.
• Heavier individuals (over 230 lbs) usually need firmer mattresses to prevent sinking too deeply.
• People with back pain may feel better on firmer surfaces that support proper posture.
• Hot sleepers stay cooler because firmer mattresses allow better airflow.
• Older adults often find medium-to-firm mattresses comfortable and supportive.

Who Should Be Cautious With Firm Mattresses?

Very firm mattresses aren’t ideal for everyone.

• Side sleepers often need more cushioning for shoulders and hips
• Lightweight sleepers may feel pressure points on very firm beds
• People with joint pain or arthritis may find excessive firmness uncomfortable

For most people, medium-firm is the safest balance.

Tips to Make a Mattress Firmer

If your mattress feels too soft, you don’t always need to buy a new one. There are several ways to make it firmer and more supportive.

1) Check Your Sleep Trial Period

Before changing anything, see if your mattress is still under a trial period. Many brands allow returns or exchanges during this time. For example, Tempur-Pedic offers a 90-night trial and says their mattresses may feel firm at first but soften as they adjust to your body. Mattress offers up to 120 nights, but they usually ask customers to try the mattress for at least 30 nights. Your body might also need a little time to get used to a new mattress.

2) Use a Firm Mattress Topper

Not all mattress toppers make beds softer. Firm toppers made from high-density foam or latex can actually add support. These toppers help keep your hips lifted and your spine aligned. For very soft mattresses, choose a topper that is 4 inches thick. If you only need a small change, a 2–3 inch topper may be enough.

3) Rotate Your Mattress

Turning your mattress 180 degrees helps reduce sagging and spreads wear evenly. For best support, rotate your mattress every 3–6 months.

• Memory foam and latex mattresses: rotate 1–2 times a year
• New innerspring mattresses: rotate 1–2 times a year
• Older innerspring mattresses: rotate 2–5 times a year

Most modern mattresses should not be flipped unless they are designed to be double-sided.

Read Also: How Often Should You Flip Your Mattress?

4) Use a Firmer Bed Base

Your mattress base plays a big role in firmness. A strong base prevents sinking and improves support.
If you use a slatted base, the slats should be no more than 3 inches apart and at least 2 inches wide, with center support. For extra firmness, you can place plywood or a bunk board under the mattress. Make sure there are holes for airflow to avoid moisture buildup.

5) Try a Bunkie Board

A bunkie board is a thin, flat board placed under your mattress. It adds firm, even support without making the bed taller. It works especially well for memory foam mattresses and helps prevent sagging. Bunkie boards are also more affordable than box springs.

6) Put Your Mattress on the Floor

Placing your mattress on the floor can make it feel firmer because there is no soft frame underneath. This can help improve spine alignment and reduce back pain for many people. However, sleeping this way can trap moisture under the mattress. To avoid mold, stand the mattress upright regularly so it can air out.

7) Adjust the Layers Inside Your Mattress

If your mattress allows it, check the inside layers. A good mattress usually has three layers: a strong base layer at the bottom, softer layers in the middle, and a firm top layer. Mattresses with only one or two layers often do not give enough support.

8) Set the Right Room Temperature

Room temperature affects mattress firmness, especially memory foam. Memory foam becomes softer in warm rooms and firmer in cool rooms. The best temperature range is 15–20°C (60–68°F). Keeping your room slightly cool can make your mattress feel firmer and more supportive.

9) Air Out Your Mattress

Over time, mattresses can collect moisture from sweat and humidity. This can cause mold, bad smells, and sagging. Air out your mattress once or twice a year in a dry, sunny place. If the mattress is already badly sagging or wet, airing it out may not fix the problem.

10) Think About Replacing Your Mattress

If these steps aren’t effective or practical, it could be time to invest in a new mattress. This is particularly true if your mattress is heavily sagging, over 7–10 years old, or no longer provides proper comfort and support. Replacing it can help reduce aches and pains and significantly improve your sleep quality.

Read Also: What Happens if You Sleep on a Memory Foam Mattress Before 24 Hours?

When to Consider a New Mattress

Sometimes, no matter what you try, a mattress cannot be fixed. When this happens, replacing it is the best option. Knowing when to stop using temporary solutions can save money, time, and prevent body pain.

Signs your mattress is beyond repair

When a mattress exhibits certain telltale problems, it indicates the internal structure has deteriorated beyond salvation. Physical indicators include:

• Visible sagging or body impressions deeper than half an inch, causing you to roll toward the center
• Lumps or uneven surfaces where internal foam, padding, or coils have shifted and broken down
• Foam failing or layers shifting, especially after liquid exposure has damaged adhesives between layers
• Springs poking through the fabric, often resulting from repeated sitting in the same spot
• Feeling the foundation beneath your mattress, suggesting compressed layers no longer provide adequate cushioning

Consequently, physical discomfort offers another crucial indicator. If you wake up with back, neck, or shoulder pain that improves during the day, your mattress may not support your spine properly. Also, if your allergies or asthma feel worse at night, dust and allergens trapped in the mattress could be the cause.

Choosing the right firmness level for your needs

Mattress firmness operates on a scale from 1-10, with 1 being extremely soft and 10 being extremely firm. Medium-firm (typically 6/10) represents the most popular choice, meeting approximately 80% of sleepers’ needs.

Your ideal firmness depends primarily on:

• Sleep position: Side sleepers generally need medium to medium-firm (5-6/10), back sleepers require medium-firm to slightly firm (6-7/10), and stomach sleepers benefit from medium-firm to firm options (6-8/10).
• Body weight: Heavier individuals (over 230 pounds) typically need firmer mattresses (7-8/10) to prevent excessive sinking, whereas lightweight sleepers often prefer softer surfaces as they engage less with comfort materials.
• Health considerations: People with lower back pain benefit from mattresses that maintain proper spinal alignment, neither too soft nor too firm.

Best mattress types for firm support

If you want a firmer mattress, some types offer better support than others.

• Hybrid mattresses use strong springs with comfort layers on top. They feel firm and supportive, especially for heavier sleepers.
• Latex mattresses are naturally firm and bouncy. They keep their shape well and can stay supportive for many years.
• Innerspring mattresses with reinforced coils provide solid, even support and help prevent sagging over time.
• High-density memory foam mattresses can also feel firm and supportive without letting your body sink in too deeply.

Ultimately, a mattress with proper support should align your spine neutrally. A too-soft mattress causes excessive sinkage and potential pain, whereas one too firm creates uncomfortable pressure points. When temporary fixes no longer deliver results, investing in a properly supportive mattress becomes essential for both comfort and health.

Read Also: Hybrid vs Innerspring Mattress: Which Is Right for You?

FAQs 

1) Do firm mattress toppers work?

Yes, firm mattress toppers effectively help firm up sagging mattresses. Choose high-density materials for best results.

2) Does everyone need a firm mattress?

No. Your ideal firmness depends on multiple factors, though most people prefer medium-firm mattresses.

3) Can a too-soft mattress cause back pain?

Undoubtedly. Mattresses rated 1-2 on the firmness scale lack adequate support for proper spine alignment, potentially causing back pain.

4) What mattress firmness works for different sleep positions?

Side sleepers require softer mattresses (levels 3-6) that contour to shoulders and hips. Back and stomach sleepers typically need firmer options.

5) What’s the best firmness for lower back pain?

Research indicates medium to firm mattresses (5-8 on the scale) work best for people with back pain.

6) Will firm mattresses last longer?

Yes. Firmer mattresses typically feature sturdier construction and resist sagging better than softer alternatives.

7) Does a mattress pad work like a topper?

No. For increasing firmness, a mattress topper is preferable since mattress pads are often too thin.

8) Does body weight affect perceived firmness?

Yes. Heavier individuals may find mattresses feel softer than advertised, while lighter people may experience them as firmer.

Conclusion: Better Sleep Can Start Tonight

If your mattress feels too soft, you don’t have to suffer, or shop right away. Simple changes like lowering room temperature, improving your bed base, adding a firm topper, or placing the mattress on the floor can dramatically increase firmness tonight. However, if your mattress shows signs of structural failure or causes ongoing pain, replacement isn’t a luxury. It’s an investment in your health.

The right firmness supports your spine, improves sleep quality, and helps you wake up pain-free. Start with the fixes above, listen to your body, and upgrade when it’s truly time.