Air mattresses are intended to be used on the floor or the ground like in a camping environment. However, the air mattress can be raised to increase comfort and support, and make the bed warmer.
You cannot put an air mattress on a standard bed frame but you will need to do some modifications to make the air mattress fit and be comfortable in the bed frame.
Here are some of the ways you can improve the standard bed frame to accommodate the air mattress.
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1. Use Plywood
A standard bed frame uses 3 to 5 slats to support the foam mattress. This will not be enough to support an air mattress. When you sleep on the mattress, some parts of the mattress will sag between the slats.
This will damage the interior of the mattress and cause the mattress to get weak points that can cause leakage. To overcome this problem, you can have a plywood cut and fitted on top of the bed frame slats.
This ensures that the bed has a flat surface that will adequately hold the air mattress and leave no spaces between the slats where it can sag.
2. Use Of A Box Spring
A box spring is a flat foundation put on the bed frame to provide more support to the air mattress. The box spring will make the air bed more comfortable and able to support more weight.
Box spring will prevent the air mattress from sagging between the slats and add much-needed support to the air mattress. Ensure the box spring is in good condition with no springs protruding. This will ensure the air mattress does not get punctured and damaged.
3. Custom Made Bed Frame
You can have the bed frame custom-made for you to hold the air mattress. In this instance, you will have the bed frame designed to your specifications and will ensure the air mattress fits inaccurately.
A custom-made bed frame may be cheaper or more expensive than a regular bed frame depending on the type of material used, the design of the frame, the size of the frame, and the kind of finishing you desire.
Why Use A Bed Frame With An Air Mattress?
A bed frame may be used together with the air mattress to make it easy to get out of the air bed, protect the air mattress, and helps in preventing the air mattress from sliding.
There are several benefits of using the air mattress on a bed frame including the following.
1. Makes Getting Into And Out Of Bed Easy
A bed frame will elevate the height of the air mattress off the ground. This will be hardy for those people who do not enjoy sleeping closer to the ground. It helps those who have health problems and cannot bend or kneel to get to an air bed on the ground.
At an elevated position, the pain and the struggle of getting into and out of the bed are eliminated by the bed frame.
2. Protects Air Mattress From Dust And Debris
When the air mattress is on the ground, dust and other debris may get on it easily. This may be problematic when sleeping on the bed with dust blocking the air path in the body and may cause flu and other health complications. The dust may also be extremely dangerous to people who are allergic to dust.
3. Protects The Air Mattress From Damage
When the air mattress is on the ground, it is more likely to be pierced or punctured, and deflated. A raised bed frame will raise the air mattress and ensure there is limited damage to the air mattress. The more patches you make on an air mattress, the less durable it will be. Protect the air mattress from damage.
4. Holds The Air Mattress In Place
The air mattress is made of smooth surfaces and when put on the floor, it is likely to move around as the surface has limited friction to keep it in one place.
When you put the air mattress on a bed frame, it is contained within a certain region and this ensures the mattress does not move around. This enhances comfort as you sleep on the bed.
5. More Presentable
When you put the air bed on the floor, it does not make the bedroom have the feel and look of a bedroom. When you put the air mattress on the bed frame, it helps create the feeling of a complete bedroom.
When the mind accepts that you are sleeping on a good bed, you will experience good sleep unlike when you feel that you are sleeping in a temporary place.
Problems With Using Air Mattresses On The Bed Frame
As we have stated earlier, the air mattress is not designed to be used with the bed frame. As such when you try to fit an air mattress into a bed frame, you will encounter some problems.
1. Sagging Of The Air Mattress
The bet support slats are widely spaced and when you put the air mattress on such a frame, it does not get enough support and will cause the air mattress to sag. This sagging will weaken the air mattress and make it more likely to suffer a tear than when the air mattress is on the ground.
2. Air Mattress Sliding Off The Bed
The air mattress is made of materials that are smooth and offer little grip. When the bed frame has no raised edge to hold the air mattress in place, the air mattress may slide off.
This may cause an injury if the air mattress slides and falls off when you are sleeping on it. Ensure the bed has raised edges to hold the air mattress in place.
3. Deflation Of The Air Mattress
When you add plywood, or box spring to the bed frame, you need to ensure no sharp points are raising from the addition. The sharp edges will tear through the air mattress causing it to deflate and beating the purpose for which it was put on the bed frame.
4. Reduced Support
When the bed frame is not completely flat or well designed, it may not offer the support needed for a comfortable sleep on an air mattress. The uneven surface will mean the weight in the air mattress is not evenly distributed and this may cause back pain and other health effects.
Final Thoughts
Though the air mattress is designed not to be used with a bed frame, you can take a few steps as outlined above to make the air mattress fit into a bed frame and add comfort and support to the air mattress.
When it is well thought out and implemented, the air mattress on a bed frame may be used for a longer stay and people with health issues.
