A good mattress is a guarantee of quality sleep.
You see, a mattress plays a very important role. Not only does it make you feel more comfortable but also supports your spine and helps with muscle relaxation.
And to achieve those conditions, a mattress has to combine multiple layers, use quality components, and should have a special construction that is hard to achieve when making a DIY mattress.
There are many budget-friendly options among them, and each model offers proper support and good pressure relief.
And if you are still craving that DIY project and want to make your own mattress, don’t worry: you can also achieve good results, so keep reading to find out how to do that and what exactly you will need.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Your Own Mattress
To make your own mattress, you will need certain materials and equipment. Here’s the good news though: most of them are quite affordable, so this DIY project isn’t likely to hurt your budget.
So, let’s take a closer look at each step of the process:
Step 1: Decide on the materials
One of the most important DIY mattress components is the “filling”. You have multiple options here, including natural wool, layers of foam, latex, and even pocketed coils.
You can buy each component separately and build your DIY mattress according to your needs.
Let’s start with wool. It’s a natural material that sleeps neutral and effectively wicks moisture away, which makes it great for hot sleepers.
Keep in mind that you will need a lot of wool to make a mattress, and it might not end up being as supportive as needed. However, if you need a relatively thin mattress, wool should work.
There are two types of foam you can buy for your mattress: memory and polyurethane. Memory foam responds slowly to pressure and molds to the sleeper’s body, offering good pressure relief.
It is often used for the top comfort layer in mattresses. Polyfoam is slightly more resilient and responds faster to applied pressure.
It is typically used for the transition layer (to prevent the sleeper from feeling stuck). High-density polyurethane foam is also often used for the support core, but it should be rather thick to deliver reliable performance.
As for latex, it is more expensive (but also more durable). You can buy a few layers of different densities and try various configurations to achieve the desired feel.
There are two types of latex based on the way it is produced – Talalay and Dunlop. Dunlop latex is denser and usually serves as a support layer. Talalay is airier and can be a bit bouncier.
You can also try synthetic latex (or a blend) if you want to save some money. Latex is great for people who want good pressure relief without too much of a hug.
It’s also naturally neutral in terms of temperature and works great for hot sleepers.
You can also buy a system of pocketed coils and combine it with a couple of comfort layers to make a DIY hybrid mattress.
This type may cost more, but you will get a reliable, nicely balanced mattress that combines sturdy support with gentle cradling.
Step 2: Choose the cover fabric and sew it all together
Once you have figured out which DIY mattress components you will use for the “filling”, you need to choose the encasement for them.
It’s better to give your preference to quality (and pricier) fabrics, as those will serve you longer.
Cotton is a popular option thanks to its breathability and hypoallergenic properties. Many people also choose linen due to its natural origin and cooling (moisture-wicking) abilities.
You can also consider stretchy blends, such as cotton + polyester (maybe even with a bit of lycra).
Such fabrics work great for mattresses because they can stretch when the pressure is applied (meaning when you sit or lie on your mattress) and return to their original state quickly.
Such fabrics tend to be rather durable and would work well for a handmade mattress.
Now, you can either buy a cover separately or sew it yourself. The latter shouldn’t be too hard once you figure out what mattress size you need.
Don’t forget to account for “pockets” (the areas around the corners), as those shouldn’t be too roomy to keep everything in place nicely.
It’s also a good idea to add a zipper so that you could wash your cover regularly and keep your mattress fresh.
Step #3: Layer it up and do a test drive
Find a nice spot with a flat surface, spread the cover out, and start adding the layers. You may want to test your mattress after each new layer to see how it feels and whether it seems comfortable to you.
You can also swap the layers and experiment with different setups to see which one feels the best when you lie down.
A quick tip: no matter what you use (foam, latex, or coils), you can add an extra layer of wool or cotton on top.
This will improve the mattress’s breathability, and might also create more padding for extra comfort.
If you want, you can add a bit of adhesive after each layer (after you have decided on the configuration, of course) to secure them in place. Leave them to dry and zip up the cover.
If you aren’t using a zipper, at this point you will need to sew the opening in the cover carefully, trying not to damage the mattress materials.
If you are making a wool mattress, you might want to tuft it afterward. You will need to buy a special tufting needle, which should be quite long and thick.
You will also need a long piece of thick twine to keep everything in place.
Wrapping Up
Now when you have your comfy DIY mattress, you just need to add a few accessories. A set of great bedsheets will allow you to feel more comfortable.
And to make your bedroom look (and feel) cozier, you can build a beautiful rustic headboard or add a couple of throw pillows to your new handmade mattress. Now you’re all set to enjoy your peaceful slumber!