Air Mattresses: Comfy Space Savers or Just More Hot Air?
by Darlene Zagata on Dec 09, 2006 with 3 Comments
A look at using air mattresses as space savers.
People who live in apartments or small homes look for alternative ways to stretch space. When friends or family come to visit, cramped quarters can present a problem especially when it comes to creating makeshift sleeping areas. People often turn to futons, daybeds and air mattresses to solve the problem.
I recently slept on an air mattress for the first time and I was not at all pleased with the results. I had a terrible night trying to get comfortable and actually didn’t fall asleep until almost daybreak. I think I only managed to finally doze off due to sheer exhaustion and by the time I did get to sleep it was time to get back up shortly afterward. I woke up aching, sore and stiff.
The next night my son suggested that I try his other air mattress. Reluctantly, I agreed. Admittedly, this one seemed to have a little more cushion but I felt like I was sleeping on a waterbed and ended up feeling queasy. Rolling over made me nauseous. The only position I could find any comfort in was lying flat on my back and I don’t like sleeping on my back. I finally did roll over on my side and eventually dozed off but when I woke up my whole left side was sore.
I’m no air mattress expert so I can’t say what the problem was. Maybe the first one wasn’t pumped up enough or maybe the second one was pumped up too much. Either way, I have to say that those were the two most uncomfortable nights of my life. I’ve had more restful sleep by throwing blankets on the floor. Give me a futon any day. In fact, a chair that reclines would do nicely too. While air mattresses may work well for some people, they are definitely not for me.
If you need to increase your sleep space I’d suggest such options as futons, rollaway beds or even fold down chair beds. Make the most out of bedroom space with bunk beds. Air is no substitute for good old-fashioned cushion. Inflatable furniture just doesn’t make the grade when it comes to healthy comfort.
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Published in: Apartment Living
Ruth | Jun 17, 2007 | Reply
I would disagree with this writer’s assessment. When we moved into an apartment, I didn’t have a bed, so I slept on an air mattress. The plan was for me to use this on a temporary basis, but I discovered that I felt much better after a night on the air mattress, than I did after sleeping in a bed at my previous apartment. In fact, it was better than any bed I have ever used.
It is important to properly inflate an air mattress, so maybe that was the problem in the author’s experiences.
J. Andrews | Jul 5, 2007 | Reply
Air mattresses really aren’t that great but they also aren’t that bad either. The key is getting a decent one that won’t leak and then really inflating it until it is very firm. Otherwise it will sag and that is not comfortable.
MattressFan | Sep 6, 2007 | Reply
Air mattresses are great for company. They take up less space than all of those other options. My boyfriend and I keep our air mattress out on the patio for stargazing whenever we don’t have visitors.