Mattresses are an important part of any home set up, regardless of whether it’s a campervan or not.
In this article, we will look at what kind of things you might need to look for, specifically, in a van mattress. We’ll talk about how to pick the right mattress for your set up, pros and cons of different mattress types, how to successfully cut mattresses to fit your campervan and layout shape, and as always, what we did for our LWB Crafter build and if we’ve learned anything worth sharing after living in it for a while.
How to pick a mattress for your campervan
Comfort and support: The obvious one. Find a mattress that strikes the right balance between comfort and support for your body. The experts will say pick a mattress that will relieve pressure points and keep your spine aligned, so consider your favourite sleeping position and pick a mattress with the appropriate firmness level. (Does anyone actually know the answer to this?)
Durability and quality: Seek out reputable brands with positive reviews (check Amazon, there are loads of reviews on mattresses there) and see if they come with warranties that give you confidence that your purchase will last for a good number of years.
Adaptability to campervan bed styles: Your campervan mattress should be versatile enough to work well with the space you have, the layout and the set up your van allows. Memory foam, latex, or tri-fold mattresses are great options that can easily adapt (/be cut) to different sleeping arrangements. Remember that van’s are different widths at different heights, and you might need to trim edges of your mattress so it fits the contours of your vehicle walls.
Climate suitability: Choose a mattress with temperature-regulating properties to keep you comfy in a range of climates. Materials like gel-infused memory foam or natural latex are excellent for breathability and heat dissipation.
Sleep habits: Think about your sleep habits and the type of bed in your campervan. Do you need near perfect hours of sleep every night? If so, perhaps consider prioritising mattress quality and budget.
Cost: Once you know what you want, search for a mattress that offers excellent value for the price. Compare various brands and models to find one that fits your needs and budget, look on marketplace and source some deals. Amazon and Wowcher are both good online places to check.
Types of mattresses
Below, we will go through the main types of mattresses available and breakdown the pros and cons of each to help you decide which type is best for you.
Memory foam mattress
Memory foam mattresses conform to your body shape, providing pressure relief and support. They are available in different thicknesses and densities and can be easily cut to fit custom bed shapes.
Pros:
- Excellent body support and pressure relief
- Can be customised to fit your unique bed shape
- Good insulation properties for colder climates
- Minimal motion transfer
Cons:
- Can retain heat, making it less suitable for hot climates
- May have an initial odour when new
- Can be heavy and bulky
Latex mattress
Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic rubber and offer a good balance of support and comfort.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting
- Breathable and suitable for different climates
- Resistant to mould and dust mites
- Provides good support and comfort
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- May be heavy and difficult to manoeuvre
- Not as customizable as memory foam
Innersprung mattress
Innersprung mattresses are what you’d typically find in your house. They have a core of steel coils that provide support, with layers of padding and upholstery on top for comfort. Whilst we couldn’t write this without including them, they might not be the best choice for campervan’s.
Pros:
- Familiar feel and comfort
- Good airflow and temperature regulation
- Wide range of firmness options
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Potential for motion transfer
- Less durable compared to other mattress types
- Less easy to cut apart
Custom mattress
Custom mattresses do exist and they can be made to fit your specific requirements for unique campervan bed shapes or sizes. You’ll have to find and work with manufacturers directly to create a mattress that suits your needs using materials like memory foam, latex, or other specialised materials.
Pros:
- Tailored to fit unique bed shapes and sizes
- Customisable materials and firmness levels
- Can be designed to suit specific sleeping needs or preferences
Cons:
- Expensive
- Longer lead time for manufacturing
- Limited options for adjusting or modifying once made
Futon mattress
A futon mattress is a versatile option that can be used as both a bed and a seating area. They are typically made of cotton, foam, or a combination of materials and can be folded or rolled for storage when not in use. Like what you’d see on a small sofa bed in someone’s pre-pandemic home office.
Pros:
- Dual-purpose as a bed and seating area
- Easy to fold or roll for storage
- Affordable and (relatively) lightweight
Cons:
- May not provide the same level of support and comfort as other mattress types
- Can wear out more quickly
- Limited insulation properties
Tri-fold mattress
These mattresses are made from foam or memory foam and can be folded into three sections for easy storage. They are lightweight, portable, and can be used as a bed or seating area.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to store when not in use
- Can double as a seating area
Cons:
- May not provide the same level of support as other mattress types
- Limited size options
- Can wear out more quickly
Air mattress
Air mattresses can be inflated or deflated as needed, offering flexibility in terms of storage and comfort. Everyone has one in a cupboard, bought from Argos in a rush that one time.
Pros:
- Adjustable firmness for personalised comfort
- Lightweight and easy to store when deflated
- Can be a cost-effective option for occasional use
Cons:
- Prone to leaks or punctures
- May not provide consistent support over time
- Can be noisy and may shift during sleep
- Requires a pump for inflation, which might need a power source
Mattress toppers
Mattress toppers are additional layers of padding that can be placed on top of an existing mattress or sleeping surface to enhance comfort and support. They’re usually made out of memory foam.
Pros:
- Can improve the comfort of an existing mattress or sleeping surface
- Available in various materials and thicknesses to suit individual needs
- Can be easily removed and stored when not needed
- Generally more affordable than a full mattress
Cons:
- May not provide the same level of support as a dedicated mattress
- Limited durability compared to a full mattress
- Can shift or slide during sleep if not secured properly
How to cut your memory foam mattress
Memory foam mattresses are an excellent option for a campervan conversion for all of the reasons above. Cheap/ comfortable/ customisable/ good with movement etc. So we’ve picked memory foam mattresses for our how to guide. This is what we used, so can instruct from a side of experience.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cut a memory foam mattress for your campervan conversion:
Step 1: Gather the necessary tools
- Measuring tape
- Rigid ruler or straight edge
- Sharpie marker
- Serrated bread knife or electric carving knife
Step 2: Remove the fabric cover or any extra outer layers encasing the foam.
Step 3: Measure the bed frame inside your campervan build. Using the measuring tape and marker, trace the desired size onto the mattress. Remember to measure twice and cut once to ensure accuracy.
Step 4: Place a rigid ruler or straight edge (we used the edge of some timbre) along the marked line to guide your cut.
Step 5: Carefully cut the mattress using a serrated bread knife or electric knife. Hold the knife at a 90-degree angle to maintain straight edges. An electric knife will typically result in a cleaner cut, while a serrated bread knife will also work but may leave a slightly choppier edge. Cut slowly and steadily.
Pro-tip: Choose a knife with a long blade, as this will make cutting through the mattress easier.
Step 6: If your blade doesn’t cut all the way through the mattress, flip it over after the first cut. Re-measure and mark the cutting line on the backside, and cut again.
A few notes on campervan bedding
- Choose the right sheets, blankets, and pillows to complement your mattress type and personal preferences. This makes a difference.
- Opt for moisture-wicking, breathable materials like cotton, bamboo, or linen to help regulate temperature and prevent overheating when in bed.
- Select bedding with appropriate insulation for the climate you’ll be travelling in, such as lightweight options for warmer climates or thicker, insulating materials for colder temperatures. Low tog = warmer weather
- Consider investing in a quality pillow that provides the right support for your neck and head to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
What we did
We’ve read Matthew Walker’s book on Sleep (if you haven’t it’s worth picking up; the man’s smart.) and one of our priorities was that we have a lengthways bed that meant we wouldn’t be bunched up in bed. Of course, with this much prioritising on sleep, it was important to us that we bought a super comfy mattress.
The design we came up with was to create a longways platform for our mattress that sits above the garage at the back (⅔’s) and on top part of our kitchen worktop/ bathroom in a box (⅓)
In the day time, we have the ⅔’s of a mattress above the garage that creates a bit of a daybed. At night time, we put the bottom ⅓ of the mattress on top of the bathroom/ on the kitchen worktop, and pop the bed sheet around it to create a full length bed.
Because of this multifunctional set up, we would need to be cutting width way at around 2/3s of the way down.
That meant we had to look for a mattress that would hold up after being sliced. Initially we had wanted an Emma mattress, or a Simba one, or one of those new school brands of mattresses. Turns out they are all sprung (micro springs/ pocket springs), and they would fall apart at the cut unless we found a way to stitch the open side back together.
The pocket spring sized spanner in the works left us with a 100% memory foam only option. We ended up getting one from Amazon which had good reviews and was only around £100.
Our next job was to cut the lower third of the mattress. This part of our mattress would be moved during the day to create a backrest to our ‘day bed’ and would be used as part of our kitchen worktop and reveal our bathroom in a box. If it sounds a bit confusing, best check out our layout.
The cutting was easily done using a bread knife. It was our second attempt at it after cutting up a thinner foam mattress for our sofa cushions.
You can see how we did that at the guide on cushions here.
Removing the lower part of the mattress out of the mattress cover it came in meant it was ‘naked’. To protect it, we used the same material as our cushion covers (the one we remove in the daytime) to cover it. We also use this as a cushion in the day time and the covers help it blend in to the rest of the soft furnishings.
We sleep great at night.
A couple of things we know now that we didn’t before we started our van trips:
- It would be worth looking into a breathable mattress that wicks away sweat at night. I’m not sure to what extent this exists, but when it was the heatwave we literally woke up in our own sweat.
- A higher quality mattress that doesn’t sag would be a worthy investment. If you have a fixed bed layout and you will be spending time on your bed during the day and the night, this becomes even more important.
- Don’t forget, like a mattress at home, you need to turn your mattress over every so often.
- Ventilation is key and if you missed in our ‘building a bed’ section, you will need to cut holes of some kind in your platform, to allow a bit of airflow through.
- Consider a mattress topper if you have something like a futon or an airbed. This is going to be really good for ‘putting away’ your bed, but still having something super comfy. One couple we met on the road slept on nothing but a mattress topper (albeit quite a thick one) that they rolled out every evening.