How to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable (Tips From A Former Student)
Wondering how to make dorm beds more comfortable? Good news, I’ve got you covered friend!
One of the things you should always consider while planning for your first year in college is the dorm bed. This may sound extreme but…your dorm room bed can make or break your freshman year!
I remember when I first laid on my college dorm bed the first night and my back immediately said “OH NO!” I knew I couldn’t live my entire freshman year with an uncomfortable bed. I wouldn’t survive!
Okay, yes I’m being dramatic, but in all honesty, it’s true.
Unfortunately, most colleges don’t allow students to replace mattresses on their own. So to make your bed more comfy, you have to get creative. That’s where I come in!
Since I know you’ll be spending a lot of time in your college dorm room, I wanted to share my tips that I actually used to make my dorm bed the ultimate cozy resting spot and where I shopped too!
Related: 29 Best Dorm Shopping Websites Every College Student Should Know
In this ultimate guide, I’ll show you how to make dorm beds more comfortable with these simple yet highly effective tips.
I know you’re tired of feeling like you’re sleeping on concrete, so let’s jump right in!
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Get college ready with some of my favorite dorm room essentials!
- Carry all your shower stuff with this shower caddy for your dorm bathroom!
- You’ll definitely need a couple of extra long phone chargers so you can use your phone while charging anywhere in your room or use them anywhere on campus (you never know when your phone will die)
- The absolute best shower shoes that are cute, feel great, and keep your feet protected from dorm shower floors.
- Save 50% of space in your dorm closet with these convertible hangers!
5 Tips for How to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable
1. Protect Your Body from Your Mattress
One thing that always bothered me about dorm room mattresses is that I knew other people slept on this same mattress.
(I think that’s one reason it subconsciously made it even more uncomfortable to get a good sleep)
If you lay on a dorm mattress, you’ll notice how firm and uncomfortable it is. That’s because it’s probably worn out from continuous use over the years.
(Colleges do frequently replace mattresses during the school year, but they’re not buying a new mattress for the highest quality of sleep on those twin beds)
Besides having a too-firm mattress, you don’t know who slept on the mattress before you! Talk about being grossed out.
That’s why it’s a good idea to always put a mattress protector on your bed first thing before you sleep in your new bed.
Mattress protectors are necessary because they help protect your mattress from bed bugs and any other creepy crawler infestations (now i’m really grossed out!).
In addition to doing their original job (protecting the mattress), they also double as buffer zones that spare you and your new sheets from getting in direct contact with the mattress very often, so you can feel comfortable sleeping in your new bed.
Needless to say, they are absolutely dorm room essentials!
Related: 57 Guy Dorm Room Essentials Every College Man Needs
Here’s a Gem: Mattress protectors are great for college dorms that don’t have air conditioning! They are a great way to cool down your bed when it’s hot.
Best Mattress Protector for Dorm Bed
Mattress protectors come in a variety of types, with the two most common being ones that sit on top of the mattress or that fully cover the mattress.
If you really want to protect yourself from your bed, I suggest you go with the second option for full protection. I used a similar mattress protector like this one and it was great for protecting the mattress and making my bed feel like home!
This is the first step for how to make dorm beds more comfortable!
Do you have a college email? You can get Amazon Prime Student FREE for 6 months! Don’t miss out on free two-day shipping for all your college essentials. Get it here while it’s still available.
2. Get a Quality Mattress Topper
Sealing the mattress will give you peace of mind but it doesn’t do much to make a rock-hard mattress softer. So what do you do?!
Run, don’t walk to buy a mattress topper if you need a good night’s sleep! These toppers will transform your bed from a rock-hard brick to a plush cloud your body will love while you watch TV or do homework.
Related: 5 Best TVs for Your College Dorm Room
As a rule of thumb, the thicker the mattress the better. That’s why you want a topper that will add some thickness to your bed for more comfort! Mattress toppers usually range anywhere from 1 to 4 inches thick.
(Most dorm mattresses are only 6 to 8 inches thick whereas the usual home mattress is between 10-12 inches thick. That’s why they aren’t that comfortable)
Here’s a Gem: Quality mattress toppers can be expensive! If you’re on a budget but want a softer bed, I suggest buying a mattress pad! They are similar to mattress toppers but much more budget-friendly. Here’s one I highly suggest and it’s a great price!
Best Dorm Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers come in a variety of fabrics that vary in softness and comfort levels. The mattress topper that I had in college was a memory foam pad like this one (like sleeping on a literal cloud).
This one also features a ventilation pad at the bottom, which solves the only downside of memory foam toppers (they can get hot in summer especially if you’re dorm doesn’t have AC).
If you want to make your dorm bed more comfortable, adding a mattress topper to your dorm bed is your best bet!
3. Choose Cozy Fabric For Your Bed Sheets
We already know that sheets are one of the top dorm bedding essentials, but they are more important than you probably realize!
If you’re like me, you probably didn’t think too much when you were first buying your sheets (I honestly went with the cheapest that had a cute pattern).
If you want a cozy bed that feels like a dream to sleep in every night, you need to invest in high-quality sheets…or at least higher-quality sheets than the cheapest option out there.
When buying sheets for your twin xl bed, pay attention to the fabric of the sheets. Bed sheets come in a variety of fabrics, including cotton, bamboo, linen, silk, polyester, and other synthetic blends.
To keep it simple and cozy, go for sheets with cotton fabric and a higher thread count of 600 or higher because they’re super soft, hypoallergenic, and won’t be extra hot when you sleep.
Here’s a Gem: The higher the thread count, the softer the bed sheet!
Best Sheets For A Dorm Bed
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A good example of a cotton sheet would be one with a high thread count of 600 or higher, such as this 800 Thread Count Egyptian Cotton Fitted Sheet.
Remember, dorm beds are usually a size twin XL, so make sure you buy a Twin XL sheet.
I suggest having at least 2 sets of sheets, so even if one set is dirty, you don’t have to rush to do laundry just to go to bed!
4. Layer Your Bedding
Layering your bedding is one of the best ways to make your dorm bed more comfortable!
(and it’s so simple)
All you need to do is choose the right bedding for how comfortable you want your bed to be!
We’ve already layered your mattress protector, mattress topper, and sheets, so let’s look at the next layer….bedspreads.
Bedspreads come in a variety of types. You can use a duvet cover, a comforter, or a quilt.
It really all depends on your personal preference when you sleep and if you get hot or not.
(Like for me, I use a comforter for extra softness, but I actually always sleep on top with just a regular blanket)
If you sleep hot go for bedding that will keep you cool at night. I suggest a quilt or a lightweight/ cooling comforter like this one.
On the other hand, if your dorm is in a relatively cold area, you should choose something warmer like a thick comforter or an electric heated blanket to be extra warm and snuggly.
5. Add All the Pillows
Okay, now we’re really at the fun part. If you ever wondered why nice beds always have lots of pillows…it’s because they’re awesome and they make the bed so much more comfortable!
You have two sets of pillows you need to think about.
- Sleeping pillows
- Throw pillows (or decorative pillows)
Sleeping on a cozy bed just feels wrong if the pillows are flat or stiff! Besides being uncomfortable, some studies found that sleeping with non-plush pillows can negatively affect your sleep quality and cause chronic pain in the neck.
(I’ve woken up one too many times with a crook in my neck from sleeping the wrong way on bad pillows, never again!)
So you want to make sure you have the right pillow for your bed!
My top choice for sleeping pillows are ones made from memory foam! They help me sleep so well because of the neck support.
While they’re pricey on a college student’s budget, they’re great if you plan to keep them all four years.
If memory foam isn’t your thing, the next best choice would be to get a few plush pillows for your regular sleeping.
For decorative pillows, my all-time favorite is a cute reading pillow!
Just think about how cute this would be on your bed or in your dorm chair!! Getting a pillow like this will definitely help you make dorm beds more comfortable.
Related: 5 Best Chairs To Buy For Your College Dorm Room
Frequently Asked Questions: How to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable
To make your student bed more comfortable, start by investing in a good-quality mattress topper or pad that offers extra cushioning and support. Consider adding a soft and cozy mattress cover, along with high-quality, breathable sheets and pillowcases. Utilize body pillows or extra pillows for added comfort while sleeping or studying. Ensure proper alignment and support by adjusting the height and angle of your pillows, and consider using a lumbar support cushion if needed. Additionally, add a warm and soft throw blanket for extra coziness, and incorporate calming scents or essential oils to create a relaxing ambiance in your bedroom.
Dorm mattresses can vary depending on the specific dorm, type of housing, and school. Generally, dorm mattresses are firmer than traditional household mattresses because they are designed for longevity and heavy use by college students.
No, you should not bring your own mattress to college. At most schools, you cannot bring your own mattress for your dorm room. Mattresses are provided by the student housing department on a college campus.
Absolutely! Mattress toppers can be a game-changer for college students. Many dorm mattresses are known for being on the firmer side, and a mattress topper can add a layer of comfort and support to enhance your sleeping experience. They are worth it if you value a good night’s sleep and want to make your bed feel more cozy and inviting. A quality mattress topper can help alleviate pressure points, improve the overall comfort level, and provide a more restful sleep, which is crucial during the demanding college years. Additionally, since mattress toppers are portable, you can easily take them with you if you move off-campus or switch dorm rooms. It’s a worthwhile investment for maximizing your comfort and well-being while studying away from home.
Before You Go
Now that you know all about how to make dorm beds more comfortable, have you thought about how you’re gonna get up for your early morning classes in your new comfy bed?
Trust me, once you make the bed of your dreams, making it on time to your 8am classes is gonna be so much harder than before.
Well no worries, I’ve got you covered!
Check out this post where I reveal 7 secrets to survive 8am classes in college!
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