The Air Mattress: Not Just for Blowhards

You can make a big difference between a good night's sleep vs. feeling tired in the morning by buying the right mattress. Remember air mattresses--which have been available for a long while? They bring up such unpleasant recollections - including the occasion when, as a college student jumping between apartments rentals, I spent an entire semester sleeping on one. That was the old days. Nowadays blow up beds are superior in both construction and comfort.

No longer must you settle for a twin size inflatable mattress--now they are available in queen and king as well as twin. A twin blow up mattress, though capable of fitting an adult (think camping) is perhaps, in terms of comfort, better suited to a child. For adults, the most comfort and turning & tossing room, a queen or even king-size blow up bed is the best choice. Also, by buying a raised air mattress, you won't feel as if you are sleeping on the floor.

With older air mattresses, you had a choice of making yourself dizzy by blowing it up yourself or by using a bicycle pump. Air mattresses intended specifically for camping are still inflated by manual means. However, a blow up bed intended for indoor use comes with an electric pump--much easier. And, of course, you don't have to inflate the mattress all the way if you prefer a softer sleeping surface.

Outdoor type mattresses are constructed completely of a waterproof PVC or vinyl material (this is true of the less expensive indoor airbeds as well). The better air mattresses are available with pillow-tops of varying thicknesses and paddings for greater sleeping comfort.  And, they all come with repair kits.

Simmons Extraordinaire Pillow-Top Air Bed

Most standard sheets will fit air mattresses, although with a less padded one or one that is not raised up higher from the floor, you will have to tuck your sheets and blankets under the mattress if you want to keep them in place.

An inflatable mattress is a great, inexpensive alternative as a guest bed, especially if you infrequently have guests that stay overnight. They are perfect for children's sleep-overs. In addition, if you are on a budget, you can find other pieces of inflatable furniture, such as couches and chairs.