A college dorm room rite of passage is figuring out what to do with that old mattress to make it feel like a brand new mattress for you. It can be done! Here’s your guide on how to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable in 6 Simple Steps.
This post is about How to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable in 6 Simple Steps, so you can get the sleep you need all semester long!
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This post covers the best mattress toppers for college dorms, but we have a whole section of the blog covering everything you need for college. This includes things like the best laptop computers on a budget, the best TV for a dorm room, quotes for your favorite college kid, and lots more.
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FAQs: How Do You Make Your Dorm Bed More Comfortable?
You can make your dorm bed more comfortable without spending a ton by layering a foam mattress topper, adding a mattress pad, and choosing cozy, breathable sheets. These all come in varying price ranges, and we recommend splurging on the mattress topper, but then going with the lower cost options for the mattress pad and sheets. Our full run down of how to set up a dorm room bed, with a diagram on how they all fit together, can be found in our dorm bedding essential post here!
The best mattress topper for college is usually a Twin XL size memory foam topper for extra support and comfort. There are a lot of variations as to which one is the right one for you, depending on what type of sleeper you are. Since this is the key purchase for a cozy dorm bed, so we dedicated an entire blog post to it! Check out our recommendations for the 10 best mattress toppers for college dorms to find the one perfect for you.
Absolutely, and we are so glad they are!!! Those dorm mattresses, shared by who knows how many different people over the years, are not the height of comfort. If you want a full run down of all the College Dorm Bedding Essentials, check out our blog post that covers all aspects. Plus it has a diagram of how they all go together.
Using a zippered mattress encasement or protector is the best way to keep bed bugs and allergens out of your dorm mattress. Again, who knows how many people have slept on that before you!! If you want more info than we have in this post, we break it all down in our College Dorm Bedding Essentials, including our recommended zippered mattress protectors, to help you out.
What Do You Need To Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable?
Step 1 – What is the best mattress topper for a dorm bed?
If you’re wondering how to make dorm beds more comfortable, the first step is investing in a quality mattress topper. This is crucial, and the one place you want to go with high quality.
Most college dorm mattresses are thin, stiff, and designed more for durability than comfort. A twin XL mattress topper, especially a cooling memory foam option, is the best way to turn that uncomfortable mattress into a real sleep setup.
After doing some extensive research (you can find our ultimate college dorm bed guide here) we ended up going with the Lucid mattress topper for our two college students, and have been very happy with it.
Step 2 – Do I need a mattress pad for my dorm bed?
We would be remiss if we didn’t also recommend that you combine the mattress topper with a mattress pad. This is like a fitted sheet that will wrap around your mattress topper, before you put on sheets. It adds an extra layer of softness while also keeping everything together.
Step 3 – How do I protect my dorm bed from bugs?
We call this step 3, because we think the topper and the mattress pad are the crucial elements to making a dorm bed comfy, but to us, a mattress protector is a must for hygiene reasons. We prefer the full mattress encasement to keep out bed bugs. This goes on first, directly on the dorm mattress.
Combining these three things – the topper, the pad and the cover – and you’ve just leveled up your entire college dorm bed situation. They are the foundation of a super comfy dorm room bed.
Disclaimer: We have included affiliate links for convenience and ease of reference. If products are purchased via these links, a small commission will be received, at no extra cost to the buyer.
Step 4 – What are the best sheets for a college dorm bed?
Once your base is cozy, it is time for the fun part.
Even though it seems the personal preference for a lot of college kids is to forgo the use of the top sheet (we will never understand!) you must have a good fitted sheet. Find the perfect color of your favorite high-quality sheets and sheet set to perfectly set up your dorm room look.
We usually gravitate towards cotton sheets, but whatever your fabric preference, breathable sheets like cotton, with a higher thread count, can help regulate room temperature, especially in those stuffy dorm rooms that trap heat.
Step 5 – Should I get a twin XL or a bigger comforter for my dorm bed?
Once you have the sheets on the bed, and since twin xl is the size you need for the rest of your bedding, then it doesn’t hurt to get a twin XL comforter to go on top to create a great dorm bed!
However! Although the beds are twin XL sized, don’t be afraid to go a little bigger in the comforter size, especially if you have bed risers to elevate your bed. We went up to a full and even queen size. No regrets.
There are sets that have the sheets and comforter included too!
Step 6 – What is the best pillow for a college dorm bed?
Last, but certainly not least, is the pillow.
A good pillow is KEY, and it can be so hard to find a good one. Trust us, we have gone through it! After testing many, many, many pillows, we have determined that there are two that clearly outshine the rest. (This goes for any bed, not just a dorm bed)
For side sleepers or stomach sleepers, memory foam pillows or functional pillows offer both support and style.
Step 6.5 – Are bed rails necessary for dorm bunk beds?
YES. FULL STOP.
Falls from top bunks cause serious injuries (or even the unthinkable), so we consider a bed rail a necessity if you or your student are in a top bunk.
What Are The Best Ideas To Decorate A Dorm Room?
The 6 items (or 6.5 if you are on a top bunk) listed will create an amazing upgrade to all of the dorm room mattresses you encounter on your college journey. Although we consider those dorm necessities, we also recommend adding things to really make it homey.
From fairy lights to throw pillows, small touches can make a twin XL bed feel like a comfort oasis worthy of college students. In a small dorm room, every simple purchase helps to make it cozy. Things like soft pillow covers, or even a bed tray for your laptop and water bottles.
Adding a throw blanket or cozy blanket is great not just for dorm room aesthetics, but also to add extra comfort and warmth both in bed, and also to drag into the common area for movie night.
Add some decorative pillows and a duvet cover to make your dorm room bed feel a little more like home.
How to Make Dorm Beds More Comfortable in 6 Simple Steps
College freshmen may not have much room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a space that supports good sleep, academic success, and the full college experience. Making a twin XL dorm bed cozy is one of the smartest and most affordable ways to improve your entire school year.
We have everything you need linked in our storefront, so check out all the options there for all your dorm room bedding needs or dorm bedding necessities.
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We hope this post on how to make dorm beds more comfortable in 6 Simple Steps was helpful! Best of luck to you or your favorite college student!
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