Tips for an Uncomfortable Old Bed

Flipping

• There's no mattress material in the world that can stand up to the full weight of a human being or two sleeping on it for months and years at a time. Even the best mattresses break down and develop contours according to the shape of your body. One way to extend the life of your mattress, and perhaps restore a modicum of comfort in the process, is to flip it over every few months. This delays the contouring process, leaving the sleeping surface flatter and firmer for a longer period of time.

Topper

• Another option to an uncomfortable bed is to buy a topper to put over your old worn out mattress. A topper is way to get that new-mattress feel at a fraction of the cost. In case you're not familiar with the idea, a topper is just what it sounds like -- sort of a mini-mattress only a few inches thick -- that makes it feel like you're sleeping on a brand new mattress. Of course, it won't last as long as a whole new mattress, but it is a way to make your old bed feel better in a hurry.

Frame

• If you're sleeping on a mattress and box springs -- or worse, a mattress only -- on the floor, there's a good chance the hard surface is interfering with your sleep. Raising your sleeping surface off the floor and installing it in a frame is one way to make your sleeping hours more comfortable in a hurry. The reason this works is that most floors are quite hard and unforgiving. A frame allows the mattress and box spring to flex more, which is kinder to your back and other aching body parts.

Considerations

• Ultimately, there is only so much that can be done to make an uncomfortable old bed more comfortable. If nothing makse much difference, your only recourse might be to buy a new bed. Yes, it's true that new beds can be expensive, but you don't have to shell out for a deluxe model -- even a cheap new bed is likely to be more comfortable than a cantankerous old one.