Is it possible to lay an orthopedic mattress on a sofa?

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03.08.2021

Sofas came to our world in the 16th century from the east and were originally long benches upholstered in fabric. They were later used throughout the world with soft upholstery for cozy gatherings and receptions. In the modern world, sofas have become more multifunctional due to the fact that they are the most popular transformable furniture. Such furniture can stand in the living room and, if necessary, be unfolded, for example, when guests stay overnight. But if the bedroom is small or does not exist at all, and there is a living room or studio room, the sofa can be used not only as upholstered furniture for a comfortable pastime, but also as a permanent sleeping place. Then the question arises: what to put on the sofa for a comfortable sleep? In this article we will talk about special mattresses for sofas, called toppers.

Why can't you put the mattress on the floor?

If it just lies on the floor, the pressure of your body will deform the surface and the orthopedic effect will be lost. Improper spinal support can, at a minimum, lead to poor sleep quality and possibly back pain. Secondly, the option with a mattress on the floor is mainly suitable for young people.

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Toppers

What is the name of the mattress on the sofa? Topper. It is thin (3-12 cm), attached with elastic bands at the corners. It doesn’t fall off, doesn’t slip, and helps turn even an uncomfortable sofa into a comfortable bed.

The topper can be placed not only on an uncomfortable sofa. It is often placed on top of a quality mattress to change the firmness. A thin coconut mattress will make the bed more orthopedic and useful for maintaining correct posture. Natural latex, on the contrary, gives softness. You can purchase a double-sided model with different levels of rigidity.

Overview of options

It will not be possible to analyze all models - manufacturers offer thousands of them. But to get your bearings, you need to get an idea of what choices are possible and consider them in detail.

By the way. In addition to specific characteristics, it is necessary to take into account the size of the bed, the age of the user, and necessarily personal preferences and comfort. You need to lie down on the selected product and try to feel if it is right for you.

Design selection

Perhaps the first thing to start with is choosing a mattress design. Its base will either be spring or not.

In the huge variety of furniture assortment, only one specialized item is intended for sleeping - a bed. However, a significant portion of our contemporaries spend hours of their nightly rest on the sofa. And they sincerely believe that there is no difference in what to sleep on. But if you give supporters of the most comfortable sofas, in their opinion, to sleep on a bed equipped with a high-quality orthopedic mattress, then they will easily lose ground.

The sofa is a piece of upholstered furniture. The Persians who invented it in the 17th century did not even think that their invention would subsequently be used as a sleeping bed. Elegant sofas, upholstered in beautiful fabrics, decorated living rooms and boudoirs. They had no backs, and there was no question that they could be transformed. But over time, the functions of sofas have expanded significantly.

How to turn a sofa into a bed

Sofas have been improved throughout their history. Today it is impossible to imagine houses and apartments without this convenient, functional, beautiful household item. What would it be like without him? You can sit on the sofa, lie down, seat guests, and organize a place to sleep. At the same time, it effectively fits into the interior and often serves as a “stove” from which people “dance”, i.e. form the design of the entire room.

You can spend a few nights on a folding sofa, but if you sleep on it constantly, then over time you will experience a feeling of discomfort, not to mention health problems. The sofa bed consists of two parts, between which there is a gap, which serves as a source of inconvenience. During sleep, the spine does not take the most comfortable position, muscles do not relax, blood circulation is disrupted, tissues and organs without adequate blood supply do not receive quality rest.

The disadvantages of constantly sleeping on a piece of upholstered furniture include the fact that a person comes into contact with synthetic upholstery and filling materials, springs, which are not intended to provide the body with a comfortable distribution of load during sleep.

The problem of ensuring the convenience of constant sleep on the sofa can be solved very simply: by purchasing a special mattress for the sofa. This useful product will provide orthopedic qualities to the sofa bed and will preserve the expensive item from abrasion for a long time.

Difference from orthopedic bed mattresses

Mattresses for sofas differ from their counterparts intended for beds. Often they do not contain a block of independent springs. For production, materials used for the production of springless orthopedic mattresses are used: coconut coir, latex, artificial latex, polyurethane foam, memory foam. To protect the internal contents, sofa mattresses are equipped with covers made of dense and thick mattress covers.

The price of a full-fledged orthopedic mattress for a bed is much higher than the cost of products intended for sofas.

The main purposes of a mattress for a sofa:

correction of the sleeping surface. Its leveling, elimination of bumps and depressions, making it hard or soft depending on individual requirements;
ensuring rest hygiene. Protecting a sleeping person from dust collecting on the surface of upholstered furniture, distancing the upholstery from static electricity;
protecting the furniture surface from abrasion, maintaining a fresh appearance of the product, increasing the service life of an expensive item.

How to choose a size

Choosing the right mattress size for your sofa is very important. If it is smaller than the area of the sleeping place, there will be problems with its fixation, the product will move and create inconvenience during sleep. A “hump” will appear on the surface of the mattress if the dimensions of the mattress exceed the sleeping surface. It will interfere with restful sleep.

To determine the correct dimensions, first unfold the sofa. Then measure the length and width of the horizontal sleeping surface. Mattresses for sofas are available in standard sizes. The width of the products varies from 80 to 180 cm, the length comes in three types: 180, 190 and 200 cm. If necessary, by contacting the store consultants, you can order a product of a non-standard size.

What are the types of fillers?

The height of sofa mattresses is less than that of bed mattresses. Usually it ranges from 5 to 16 cm. Natural, artificial and combined materials are used as fillers.

Natural ones include:

Latex. This is foamed sap of a rubber palm and has a finely porous structure. The material is characterized by durability, environmental friendliness, and good thermal conductivity.

Coconut coir. Coconut fiber is also durable and wear-resistant, giving the mattress rigidity and an orthopedic effect.

Artificial fillers:

Orthopedic foam or polyurethane foam. This is an inexpensive, hygienic filler with good thermal conductivity. The disadvantage is the short service life; after 3 years the product loses its original shape.

Artificial latex is made from polymers; the service life of a product made from it is at least 5 years. It allows air to pass through well, does not cause allergic reactions, and is quite hard.

Memory foam memory foam. A material that is comfortable for relaxation and has a “memory” for remembering the shape of the human body.

Combined fillers

The most popular is the combined struttofiber filler. It contains 20% natural materials (wool, cotton) and 80% polyester fiber.

Manufacturers increase the performance characteristics of mattresses by combining materials. Multilayer mattresses create options that are optimal in quality, comfort and service life.

The level of rigidity of the product depends on the filling:

hard mattresses are made from coconut coir with a thickness of 2 cm or more;
medium hardness is achieved by a combination of coconut and latex, polyurethane foam and latex;
soft mattresses are filled with natural or artificial latex.

Covers for sofa mattresses are made from natural durable fabrics that are comfortable for the skin.

Fastenings

Special fastenings ensure a strong fixation of the mattress on the sofa. Elastic bands are attached to the corners of the mattress and cling to the corners of the unfolded sofa bed. They hold the mattress firmly and do not allow it to move even when a person turns over in his sleep.

Velcro is placed on the sides of the product. Such fasteners are convenient for sofas of complex designs; attaching a mattress with elastic bands to their sleeping place is problematic.

Types of mattresses for a sofa

For almost any model of folding sofa, you can choose a comfortable mattress. Manufacturers, taking into account the diversity of your favorite piece of upholstered furniture, offer practical one-piece and folding options suitable for various designs. The most popular types of sofa mattresses:

Curling. Thin mattresses are easily rolled up. Their thickness ranges from 4 to 10 cm. The products are convenient for storage and transportation. Thin, rollable mattresses are called toppers. Ease of use, the sleeping comfort that toppers provide, and their low price have made them a popular and actively sold product.

Full-size mattresses with coconut cannot be rolled. A layer of coconut coir gives the product hardness, but it is a fragile material and when bent or rolled, it is deformed and the integrity of the canvas is compromised. Mattresses made entirely of natural coconut fibers or with a layer of them are not cheap, so they must be handled carefully and with care.

Folding mattresses consist of two or three sections of the same size, connected to each other by a soft seam. This model is easy to fold and put away in the pantry; their rigidity depends on the filler. They are convenient not only for sofas, but also for chair-beds and folding beds.

7 tips for choosing

When deciding to keep or transform your favorite sofa where you sleep, pay attention to important details that will help you choose the right model.

Determine the degree of rigidity of the future purchase. If your weight is 60 kg or less, you can quite enjoy the comfort of a soft mattress. If you weigh more than 90 kg, buy a product with a high degree of rigidity. Weight ranges from 60 – 90 kg – medium level stiffness is suitable.
Consider daytime storage options. Full-size mattresses will require a large area; folding or rolling models can be easily hidden in a closet or on a loggia.
Carefully measure the dimensions of the sofa bed so that the mattress covers its entire surface with maximum accuracy.
Consider the thermoregulatory properties and ventilation of the product.
If you use the mattress frequently, for example, if you rest during the day, pay attention to the weight of the product. It should not be too heavy and deformable with frequent use.
Find out the average market price of the model you like. You shouldn’t skimp on the comfort of your sleep, but you don’t have to pay extra money either.
Don't forget about your health! If you are prone to allergic reactions, fillers made from natural materials may be contraindicated.

With the right mattress, sleeping on the sofa will be no less comfortable and healthy than on a bed with orthopedic equipment. A successful purchase is an investment in health and attractiveness, so we wish you success!

Types of hardness

The firmness of the mattress should be selected in accordance with your weight and sleeping position. Proper rigidity helps keep the spine straight while you sleep. If the person is large, then the soft mattress is strongly pressed, which means that the back will be in the wrong position. The same result if a person weighs little and the mattress is hard: it simply will not be pressed down enough to ensure a straight position of the spine.

Incorrect and correct position of the spine during sleep. Source: form-vl.ru.

When choosing the firmness of a mattress, you can rely on the table below, but it is better to make a decision based on your own feelings: before buying a mattress, it is important to try lying on it.

Reviews

Alexander, 35 years old “For a long time I slept on the sofa without a mattress. Over the past 5-7 years, the condition of my back has worsened, I began to feel constant pain and malaise. I was examined and it turned out that I had a herniated disc. I underwent a course of treatment and my attending physician advised me to purchase an orthopedic mattress for the sofa. After 1 year of sleeping on it, my back is completely fine, my health has improved. I finally learned what healthy sleep is.”

Marina, 25 years old “I didn’t want to buy an orthopedic mattress. I didn’t understand how it differed from a regular spring one. Only after purchasing the topper did I realize that there couldn’t be a better solution for a good night’s sleep. And most importantly, it is easy to use. I’m glad now that I bought it for my child.”