How to make your dorm bed more comfortable

If you’re used to sleeping like a king or queen at home, that’s going to change when you arrive to your college dorm. Dorm mattresses are notorious for being uncomfortable because colleges use cheap durable mattresses to cut costs.

Even though you’re living away at home, there’s nothing quite like sleeping on a comfortable bed, and you’ll be glad if you take the time to make your new bed as comfortable as you can.

Most dorm beds are extra long twins. So, when you buy things for your bed, bear this in mind so that it will actually fit.

• Buy a mattress pad. Mattress pads add an initial layer of padding that not only feels better for you, but helps protect the mattress.
• Use memory foam. Creates a great padding that molds to your body, look for one that is atleast 4 inches thick.
• Make sure your sheets fit snugly. My bed sheets were very loose for a while, which meant I was constantly laying on uncomfortable wrinkles and feeling the sheets slide under my body.
• Bring your pillow from home. Or, if you don’t want to risk it, buy a new pillow. Make sure the pillow’s size and firmness is ideal for you — using a pillow that’s too large or too flimsy is never any fun.
• Don’t buy cheap/durable sheets. Some sheets are cheap and/or meant to be especially durable. Chances are, your bed isn’t going to go through much wear and tear in one year, so you won’t need extra durable sheets. Finding something comfortable will be worth the money.
• Bring soft blankets. I recommend avoiding Afghan blankets or anything with polyester covering unless you especially like that — these usually aren’t too soft.
• Bring as many blankets/pillows as you want. If you like to sleep with a zillion pillows and ten blankets, then do so! If you only like the top sheet and that’s it, then don’t bother bringing a lot.
• Make it comfortable for sitting. You will be spending lots of time sitting on your bed whether its studying, watching movies or hanging with friends.  A great product to transform a bed into a couch is the SlouchBack.

Of course, the best way to make your bed comfortable is to tailor it to what you like. If you like a soft bed, then adding layers of padding will help. If you like to be really cool when you sleep, then thin sheets will work best. Go with what works for you.

How do you like your bed?