What is a dorm mattress?

Dorm room mattresses tend to be firm and are made with either low-quality foam or innersprings. You would also hope the mattresses are switched out with each incoming new resident, but that's far from the truth. There's no saying how much dust mites and dander have collected inside the beds over the years.

What type of mattress is used in dorms?

The standard blue inverted seam mattress comes in twin, a spacious twin XL, and is also available as a full-size student mattress. Another popular option is the memory foam mattress, providing comfort and coziness. This student mattress comes in full-size with a 2” memory foam layer and a 5” support layer.

Are dorm mattresses twin or twin XL?

The twin XL is the standard mattress size found in dorm rooms at most universities and colleges. In fact, twin XL mattresses are so specific to college living, that most people are not aware of the mattress size until someone is sent off to college.

Why are dorm mattresses so hard?

When your school buys a new mattress, they want one that's gonna last more than just a couple semesters. As a result, most dorm mattresses are built using extra-firm foam designed to handle a beating.

What size are college dorm mattresses?

Almost every dorm room comes equipped with a Twin XL Mattress–that is, Twin Extra Long, as opposed to the standard Twin length. Normal Twin size mattresses measure approximately 38" x 75", while college beds are 38" x 80".

Top 10 Dorm Bedding Facts

Are dorm beds twin?

The majority of dorm room beds are actually a Twin XL size, which measures in at a full 5" longer than a standard Twin. Don't spend your entire time away at school stretching and pulling a too-small fitted sheet over your mattress.

Will twin sheets fit a dorm bed?

This means your standard twin sheets won't fit on your college bed and you'll need to purchase one of the best twin XL sheets. If you're looking for the best sheets for your new dorm room, we have you covered.

Can you buy your own mattress to college?

Your college might not let you bring your own mattress, but it's worth asking. Call your university's student services and see what their policy is on bringing in your own twin XL bed. If they do, even a cheap mattress is usually more comfortable than an old dorm room mattress.

Are dorm mattresses uncomfortable?

Almost 24% of students surveyed reported a comfortability factor of 5 or below in their dorm rooms. Of students who rated comfortability in their dorm room at or above 7 out of 10, 73% reported purchasing additional mattress accessories to achieve that comfort level.

How thick is a typical dorm mattress?

Typical Thickness: Dorm mattresses are usually between 6 to 8 inches thick, thinner than standard home mattresses. Reason for Thinness: They are designed to be space-efficient, cost-effective, and durable for the college dorm environment.

How often are dorm mattresses replaced?

According to Paul Bailey, president of dorm mattress manufacturer University Sleep, eight years is a pretty standard life expectancy for a dorm mattress.

Can you change your dorm mattress?

Most dorms do not allow students to replace their mattress with their own. However, if your school does, the most effective way to guarantee your dorm mattress is comfortable is purchasing your own.

Do dorm beds have box springs?

Most on-campus housing departments provide their own box springs, if not board foundations. However, if you need to add one to your mattress purchase, confirm the size, material quality and profile height.

Do dorm mattresses have bed bugs?

Unfortunately, bed bugs are pretty common in dorm rooms. The National Pest Management Association found dorms are the seventh most common place to find these annoying insects. Here's why. Bed bugs are commonly seen in places with high occupant turnovers, such as hotels, apartment complexes, and (of course) dorm rooms.

Should you get a mattress topper for dorm?

Extra comfort: One of the chief benefits of adding a mattress topper to a dorm bed is added comfort. A mattress topper can enhance softness, support, contouring, or temperature regulation depending on its design.

What size bed is most common in dorms?

The twin's slightly longer cousin, the twin XL mattress, is the most popular size for college dorm rooms. It measures five inches longer than a twin, at 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. In addition to students, XL twin beds are a good solution for taller teenagers and individual adults with limited space.

Are dorms bad for mental health?

Psychology Today even said that not having sufficient alone time can cause increased levels of stress and anxiety. When living in a single room with another person, there is a limited amount of alone time. There's really no private space for students when the rooms, bathrooms and study areas are constantly communal.

Do dorm rooms smell bad?

That is why the musty smell of dirty laundry and your roommate not showering never really sets in at most hotels. These odors do, however, hit DORM rooms! The good news is that before your college move-in day, your university will do a heck of a job trying to make your room feel new.

How do you sleep in a dorm bed?

To improve sleep quality, students can invest in a mattress topper, choose breathable sheets, use blackout curtains or a sleep mask, keep their phone away from the bed, and create a serene environment with white noise machines and decluttering.

How much should I spend on a mattress in college?

Budget Priced Mattresses

A touch above “cheap,” but still budget-friendly, would be mattresses in the $1,000 to $1,500 range for a queen size. Many mattresses you can buy online (which is extremely popular these days!) fall within this price point. A lot of our favorite mattresses are within this budget as well.

How much should a college student spend on a mattress?

For college students it's probably best to spend less than $1,000 on a new mattress. You can find plenty of queen and full size mattresses for $1,000 or less.

Why do you need a mattress topper in college?

On the one hand, the extra few inches of cushion you get with a mattress topper make sleeping in a dorm room much more comfortable. Most dorm mattresses are way too firm for many students' liking. A topper can definitely help there.

Can you use a queen comforter on a dorm bed?

The brief answer is ''Yes''. A full queen comforter (88 x 100 inches) is nearly double a twin XL's size (38 x 80 inches). Still, folding up the full queen comforter can be acceptable somehow. Anyway, it may fall further down the Twin XL beds' sides than a twin comforter will.

Where do you hang towels in a dorm room?

If the back of your bedroom door is free try using the Bungee Overdoor Towel Rack by Umbra or an over the door rack that has 4 or 5 hooks. (All dorm doors are different so remember to keep that receipt.) The Command Hooks will work in a pinch for an individual towel.

Why do colleges use twin XL beds?

The twin XL has a twin-size width—helpful given dorm rooms' limited space—and its king-size length, presumably, is a bone thrown to the comfort of students whose bodies are, after all, adult-size. Don't miss what matters.