I have the TPS 15.5 g coils and they are too firm for my shoulders (side sleeper). I've tried lots of different layers and if I get it soft enough for my shoulders, it's inevitably too soft for my hips. I'm wondering if anyone has removed coils at the top third (shoulder area) to allow more coil spread in this area. If so, what was your experience?
So my wife told me it's time for a new bed. This meant moving to a king size so it's a fresh start. Went through the normal interrogation of what she likes and doesn't like and where the problems are. Went shopping trying to find a Goldilocks solution for our different sleep styles and ended up in the DIY rabbit hole. I've been known to over complicate projects like this, so stop me now if there are better solutions I should look at.
She has Ehlers-Danlos and sleeping seems to be increasingly problematic in the last several years. She'll often end up on the floor to sleep and she swears it's not just because I stink. She almost always sleeps on her front but will occasionally end up on her back. And as I said, she pretty often just sleeps on the floor next to the bed, which seems terrible to me and I want to try and fix that. She thinks she wants 'firm' and that anything like memory foam is the devil, but can't really tell me much beyond that.
Her: 5'9" 150lbs Wide hips and shoulders. EDS - alignment is important, her ribs bunch up if she's on her side, joints are obviously a problem area. She doesn't seem to complaint about pressure points, even after a night on the hard floor but she's always in pain so I'm not sure those issues would actually rise to complaints over everything else.
Me: 6'4" 200lbs Lean athletic build. I'm almost exclusively a side sleeper. I sometimes have trouble with pressure points in really firm beds, but I'm pretty tolerant of most designs. I have more issues with pillows but that's a topic I can manage alone.
Another possibly data point is that our current mattress is an original Leesa (2015 maybe?). Have no idea what's actually in it and it's basically dead now. When we first got it, I thought it was the greatest thing ever, and still think it works relatively well for me. I do notice that basically every hotel bed I'm on feels worse. She was okay with it at first, but now she says she thinks she sinks into it too much. That might just be it degrading because I definitely sink in more now too? But that's about the only other reference data I have and I'm not sure it's worth much.
I have a platform selected, so that's out of the way.
Lots of reading pointed me towards hybrid latex builds, though I suspect that maybe I've bought some marketing hype along the way too. Regardless, I like the concept of it and it seemed a reasonable place to start. So I was thinking I'd start with a split king TPS 15.5 for coils.
After that, I wanted some ability to mix and match and tweak, so I thought I'd just do 2" dunlop transition layer. Split this? Is firm too firm for her weight? Medium for me probably works?
Then comfort layer...sigh...I sort of wanted to try a talalay. Both sides medium? Some thought that her side should just be dunlop medium there.
I'm not sure weve ever actually been on a latex mattress. Maybe someone could suggest a commercial model we could seek out to try? But I have in my mind that just having a latex layer covered by a knit enclosure isn't going to be comfortable to me at all. And I'm concerned about the split build through all the layers being really weird in the middle, but maybe I'm over thinking that. Or maybe we put something on top of it, but honestly, we just don't seem to do very well with toppers and covers and things and almost always end up with just a fitted sheet over the knit bag on our current mattress.
Honestly, I think maybe just some ideas on where to start would be helpful. If anyone has some insight specifically on the EDS, I'd love to hear that. Part of me thinks the right mattress could really be a life improvement for her, even to the extent that maybe she's only belly sleeping because we don't have the right solution here yet.
I've had some shoulder issues over the year so I wanted to make a bed that I could roll on my side and have a gap for my shoulders to sink into, to relieve some pressure on them (I'm a side sleeper.)
I got a 3" ($300) medium-firmness latex foam topper on Amazon. Cut the topper at 17" to act as the pillow section. Then cut about 8-10" of the topper from the main portion to make the shoulder slot (the width of the scrap is visible in the last pic).
Used a stretchy sheet over the mattress and the main portion of the topper. The problem with this is that even with the stretchy fitted sheets, they were getting stretched pretty tight between the pillow portion and the main portion, creating more pressure on my shoulder than I wanted.
So I had the idea to get a 60" long body-pillow pillowcase ($20) and stick the pillow portion in it. This worked really well to create let the fitted sheet sink down against the mattress instead of tenting up. It creates a really well defined slot for my shoulder.
And the interesting/lucky/coincidental thing is that, without a regular pillow, my head sits exactly horizontal. There's a pic where I'm karate-chopping my hand between the middle of my eyebrows and tip of my nose to show the alignment of my head, and my hand is perfectly horizontal.
The mattress is a Dreamcloud Hybrid Mattress ($700 back in March 2025). Pretty good, soft while still being supportive. I like it but really wanted to try this shoulder-slot-topper. I did the shoulder slot a while back but with a memory foam topper and I think it was too squishy to support my lat and neck, so my shoulder ended up with too much pressure on it.
The latex seems to be a good bit more supportive. It almost feels too active while sleeping. I'm contemplating putting a 1" memory foam topper on top of it to deaden it a bit. But its a pretty minor issue.
PS. I know there used to be the Cuddle Mattress company, but their products were a bit out of my price range, and apparently they're out of business now.
Is there a recommended pad or something that is breathable and large to go between the mattress and a mattress cover so perimenopause heavy flows at night don't cause accidents to ruin the mattress? Tried old towels but they shift around too much. I have a new mattress topper but am hesitant to put it on until I can solve this issue. Any recommendations?
After going down the rabbit hole of DIY mattresses, I think I want to take the plunge to replace my 12 year old Beautyrest Recharge Shakespeare Luxury Firm mattress. It did the job for a long time, but now it's causing hip pain, shoulder pain and neck pain. The coils are worn out in the sleeping areas and it's like sleeping on a rock now. I replaced our pillows and bed frame recently, which mitigated the neck issues for both of us, but my hips are screaming.
Here are the specs for the mattress we have currently that is worn out:
· Mattress Type: Innerspring
· Coil Count: 800
· Mattress Height: 11.5"
· 1.25" AirFeel Foam
· 1.00" AirCool Foam
· 0.50" GelTouch
We have recently laid on some mattresses and think that something similar to the Helix Midnight Medium Core feels like the happy spot for us. Granted, it was in a store so it might be broken in more, but the firms were too firm and the plush too soft. The Luxe was good too, but the core felt better for some reason. We sleep like babies in hotels with hybrid mattresses and think that will work for us.
I want to go the DIY route so we can replace components more easily instead of buying an entire new mattress. I am also interested in latex for the heat factor and support. I don't love sinking into memory foam, I don't feel it offers enough spinal support. We have tried memory foam toppers in the past and they didn't work. That being said, I am intrigued at the possibility of a 1" comfort layer below latex to help with some of the contour support for hip and shoulder pressure points.
I have some proposed builds below, but one of the main questions I have is whether we should do a split set of coils for our heights/weights or just stick with a king coil setup.
We are a 40 pound difference, which isn't huge, but not sure if this will cause issues over time with a one piece coil. I also wonder if it split kings feel solid in the middle of the bed in a way that makes it hard to sleep close to each other. We do enjoy a snuggle as we fall asleep and then eventually make our way to our separate areas. I am also concerned about the coils because of some of the issues I have seen on this thread with the edges or quick degradation of coils. Additionally, I am not entirely sure if bolsa is the way or the 15.5g TPS coil.
We are:
5'8" 145 lbs, predominately side sleeper and very occasionally on the back, athletic build with hourglass figure and broad/sharp shoulders
6'3" 185 lbs, predominately side sleeper and occasionally on the back, slim build
The potential builds:
Option 1:
1” Lux HQ-R Polyfoam 1.8lb
8” Quantum Edge Elite Bolsa coil OR 8" 15.5g TPS Quad Coil
2” SOL medium
2” SOL soft
Option 2:
1” Lux HQ-R Polyfoam 1.8lb 8” Quantum Edge Elite Bolsa coil OR 8" 15.5g TPS Quad Coil
2” SOL medium
1” 4 lb memory foam
1” SOL soft
Option 3:
1” Lux HQ-R Polyfoam 1.8lb (could be ½” too probably?)
8” Quantum Edge Elite Bolsa coil OR 8" 15.5g TPS Quad Coil
3” quad mini
1” 4 lb memory foam
2” SOL soft
Thinking SleepLikeABear All-Natural Knit Cotton-Bamboo Fabric Zipper Cover, but open to suggestions on that.
Bed frame is this: https://www.lancastercountycrafted.com/product/japanese-joinery-bed-frame and has solid hardwood slats 3” apart with a lengthwise support rail underneath each sleeper
Any opinions and advice are welcome! Thanks!
I weigh 165-170lb, 90% back sleeper, 10% side
My stack top to bottom:
1" dunlop soft 20ILD
3" dunlop medium 30ILD with pressure zones
3" dunlop medium 30ILD
On top of floating laminate.
I fold it in half to store in a corner every morning.
Is there something horribly wrong here? I have been sleeping on this stack now for a little less than a month.
I initially got the first 3" medium to try directly on top of my laminate floor, thinking it'll be nice if it works for me. Felt a bit too hard, added a 1" soft on top. Gave it half a year then decided to add another 3" medium 30ILD to the bottom, maybe I should have gone a 2/3" firm 40ILD instead. And now I am thinking why I didn't get a bunch of 2" ones like every guide is saying to do. I did also consult with Gemini and it told me since my mediums are directly on top of laminate it shouldn't be overly soft and would be firmer than if it was on like a core of 6" firm 40ILD., which made sense to me.
When I am laying down I feel comfortable, but when I wake up my back never feels amazing. I also have a new fancy chair I ordered 6 weeks ago coming soon to help (Lifeform executive mid back), since I am also not happy with my current chair. So I am not sure exactly what is the problem causing me back aches. On top of buying a whole bunch of stuff I also started training hip flexors on leg days at the gym along with deep core tva muscle/abs/back training exercises (After having a session with a physiotherapist).
Should I keep everything the same for awhile longer and just keep up the exercises and wait for my new chair? Or is something flawed and I should look to change it. Or any ideas and suggestions all welcome.
Thanks for reading and helping a newbie diy mattresser.
🇨🇦 I am a disabled pensioner, F thin 58Kg side-sleeper with chronic pain trying to improve my mattress (Sealy Posturpedic 500 Hotel Sleep System in great condition).
It is a good mattress. But I have increasingly weak bones and muscle loss so I need something to compensate for that. It may just need a good “pillowtop“ that is not too thin and that provides more pressure-point relief for my hips and shoulders without pushback or bottoming out and provides some plushness and thermoregulation.
**UPDATE: After shop testing, I have ruled out Talalay and now narrowing it down to Dunlop with Serene**
I have become increasingly confused and overwhelmed by conflicting advice.
here is what I am considering to add to my existing mattress:
I think I might like my top layer to be natural latex plus a sheepskin overlay on top but I am not sure what depth or ILD softness for the latex.
I wonder if 2” soft talalay or Dunlop over 1-1.5” Serene foam would be the sweet spot for relief without bottoming out or is there a better configuration for my body?
please help! by the way, I am in Canada with limited budget so I cannot afford to invest in several things that do not help so your expert recommendations and experience are most appreciated. 🙏🏼
I’m looking for recommendations for a 4-inch memory foam mattress topper that has a true “sink in” or “melting into the bed” feeling.
I don’t want something that’s firm, bouncy, or feels like sleeping on top of a mattress. I’m looking for that slow-response memory foam that really contours to your body and gives you a deep, plush, body-hugging feel, almost like you’re sleeping in the bed rather than on it.
Cooling features would be a bonus. If you found a topper that truly gives you that cloud-like, enveloping feeling, I’d love to her your recommendation. Thanks and let me know if I can purchase it on Amazon.
Hi All,
My wife and I are fed up with commercial mattresses and just ordered the first piece to our DIY, a 2" medium SOL, to test as we have never tried latex.
300lb 5'8 hourglass. Lower back pain. Arm falls asleep.
210lb 6'1 broad shoulder slim hips. Neck, shoulder and rib pain.
Starter build suggested by TPS
8" coil 14.75g
Quadcoil
3" medium latex ( switched to 2" to allow for further customization)
I am quite confident we will not love just the latex (bounce and firm) as we both like to sink a little with more of a plush top.
Will 1" layers work with 300lbs? Considering gel memory foam under and over latex. Then a wool topper. Also a 1inch piece of firm foam under the 8" coils for airflow and splay (based on discussions on this sub) this will be on the floor for awhile until I can build a plywood base (also does plywood need to have holes drilled in it?)
I really dont care if the mattress is 4 foot tall I just want us to sleep well and not wind up divorced, fighting over who has to keep the house and who gets to sleep in a nice hotel bed somewhere.....
I would like to build it as a king because I hate the separation but will split comfort layers if we have to.
Appreciate any insight!
Hi, I'm trying to figure out what transition or comfort layers to put over a 6" HR Density base at 35 ILD. I am 120 pounds and mainly side sleep. I don't like memory foam, because it gets too hot and loses support when it gets warm. I also tried both soft/medium Dunlop and Talalay latex stacks and it pushes back unevenly, letting my lighter upper stay too high, hips sink too low, resulting in back pain. Something supportive that will let my upper sink evenly with my hips, and not be too hot. Also, if it is possible to get it somewhere with a good return policy, if it doesn't work out. I am wondering if there is a topper out there that can do this ?
I'm in the market for a new mattress, and am considering a latex one from Arizona Premium Mattress. But this subreddit gives me the impression that solid latex is not the way to go.
For those of you who tried solid latex builds and didn't like them, what was the problem? Was there not enough support (e.g., hips sank), or not enough plush (e.g., too many pressure points), or something else?
I built an all-latex mattress last spring as an upgrade to an old mattress, but it's never really been comfortable or fixed my back pain. My current build is three 3" dunlop layers (extra firm, medium, and soft), then I recently added a 1.5" eggcrate poly foam layer and a thick down alternative topper to try and relieve pressure (which hasn't worked). I'm about 5'5" and 220lbs, mostly a side sleeper. It feels like my mattress isn't soft enough or doesn't provide enough pressure relief for my hips and that's resulting in pain.
Since I don't seem to be able to get comfortable in my current setup I'm considering trying to modify my mattress into a hybrid using 8" Quantum edge coils. Would it work to just have that and the soft latex layer? Or do I need additional layers under and in between? My bed frame has slats with 3" gaps. Would swapping out two layers for the springs make it more pressure-relieving? I'm so tired of waking up with back pain and stiffness every day.
I'm open to other options or suggestions too!
I'm a little over a year into my build that I got from the TPS. I purchased the Split King kit and added a Talalay Latex topper from SleepEZ.
Setup:
Base Support
Me (M): 33, 5'9", ~210lbs, Side and Back sleeper now (prior to building mattress, I was a stomach sleeper all of my life)
Wife (F): 30, 5'6", ~160lbs, Side Sleeper
Context: I purchased the kit with the intention to include foam layers to make it a 15" bed. When I set the mattress up, it was so comfortable with just the coils and latex compared to the Serta slop (hindsight) that we came from, I decided not to add the foam.
Now fast forward a year later and we're dealing with coil lean and some shifted/bulging coils. I've since readjusted everything prior to this post but hindsight is that I obviously left too much slack in the mattress (15" cover with 13" layers) so I'm planning to tighten it up with a cover but now i'm thinking, what if i modify it a bit more. Is there more comfort to gain? Or should I leave well enough alone? I know comfort is pretty subjective but curious on opinions. Options below:
Option 1:
Keep Current Build and move down to a 13in cover. Looking at
Option 2:
Modify a bit
| Option 2A | Option 2B | Option 2C |
|---|---|---|
| 15" Cover | 15" Cover | 15" Cover |
| 2" Talalay Latex - Medium | 2" Talalay Latex - Medium | 2" Talalay Latex - Medium |
| 3" Quad Mini - 15.5g | 1" Dunlop - Medium | 1" Dunlop - Medium |
| 8" Quad Coil - 15.5g | 3" Quad Mini - 15.5 | 3" Quad Mini - 15.5g |
| 2" Lux-HQ Base | 8" Quad Coil - 15.5 | 1" HD36HQ Foam |
| 1" Lux-HQ Base | 8" Quad COil - 15.g |
Thanks for your feedback!
I find it weird that body text is “optional.” 🤷🏻 Guess if someone just has a pic??
ANYWAY! Hi all! I’m 2-3 weeks into my Build V2.0. Ive done three different layer combos thus far, I’ve amassed, probably too much, video content, decided my new promotion is keeping me from post processing… anything, bcs my main stakeholder group is somehow drowning me while I’m wearing a life vest, so I’m shifting direction to shorts and minimal editing AND… THE FOUNDATION/SLATS mean so much more than I think any of us really attribute credit to.
I’m 30lb lighter w V2.0 than I was w V1.0 so I presumed the same exact layers would feel firmer but that has not been the case.
I got shit slats w my pretty solid Wayfair Acacia hardwood bed so I totally redid those. I subbed, wtf “wood” they gave me w Doug Fir/Hemlock/Spruce (strongest softwood, harder and cheaper than poplar), I used 1x3s (really .75x2.5s), instead of the 2x.5” garbage. I also have just shy of 1.5” between slats now, minus the top and bottom where I used 1x8 common white board, due to the nature of the bed (video was shot), vs the 3.5-4” gap w the included slats. Then I covered it all in a 10oz untreated canvas bcs I didn’t want to sand the top of the boards. I feared even lying directly on the Wayfair shit, I walk all over the slats I made wo a single care in the world. I thought it would make the bed as firm as the foundation I modified for V1.0 but it did not!
Key difference, I’m not using a foundation, just slats spanning the width of a king w a metal support running down the center. V1.0 I modded GARBAGE Englander foundations but there were 2, which were Twin XLs. They were made w the same cheap pine you get at any big box hardware store and each had a wooden beam running down the center. That also meant the 2 foundations joined in the center, making a bigger “center beam.” Apparently that shit was solid bcs the same layers on that bed def felt way firmer. I say “cheap pine” but even that is better than the crap Wayfair sent. Writing all that, I should’ve expected having 2 narrow side supports and a big massive center support would’ve made for a firmer surface to put a mattress. It’s been a long year, ok?
None of this is “bad” but it’s definitely a thing to take into account if you’re building your own mattress or if you’ve already built one and you’re buying a new bed frame. For those of us who are helping others w their builds, we absolutely need to ask what people are putting their mattress ON. My old foundation system I thought it would be nuts… NUTS, to have just 1 layer of comfort foam on top of the TPS support coils. Now I see the validity of that being an option. I almost wish I got the 14.75g TPS but I’m finding combos that really work w the 15.5g.
That’s all for now. I have no final results and I did make much shorter, simpler videos today and I hope to get some of them up this week on the YTs.
Fingers crossed my proposed solution to the shit show at work gets accepted AND works, bcs then I’ll have it in me to edit mattress video content… vs slamming my laptop shut, cracking a bottle of scotch and drinking until I pass out! Jk… I’m not in my 20s anymore! Who am I kidding? In my 20s it would’ve been Touchdowns until I couldn’t feel my face. I’m exhausted guys… to my bones.
More updates soon…
Hi all! Long time lurker, first time builder and poster. Hoping to get some feedback from more experienced DIYers before pulling the trigger.
We're a big couple (I'm 6'0" 295lbs and my wife is 5'4" 190lbs) and both combination back and side sleepers. We occasionally take naps with our 15 month old (2'7" 25lbs :p). I'm also looking to get on top of my health soon with a goal weight of 220, so I want a mattress that will work for that whole journey. Here's the weird setup I'm working with from bottom to top. All foam and the cover is from foambymail.
Should end up around $950 out the door.
I know the 1" of HD36-HQ is definitely the weirdest part of the build. It's to stabilize the top layer just a bit and add a little more firmness. More importantly, our toddler should be able to sleep on top of it instead of sinking into the memory foam. The rest is fairly standard from what I can tell. Curious to hear the community's thoughts!
Hey all, I am a 140 lb 5'9" side sleeper. Currently I have Pocket Spring Store 8" QuadCoil 15.5 guage, with 2" Medium SOL, and 2" Soft SOL layers, inside of a SleepEZ mattress cover with 1" wool sewn into the organic cotton. My spinal alignment is great, but I still have a bit of a pressure point on my side hip. I wonder if I am bottoming out the top layer and feeling the medium foam pressure, but unsure. Which layer should I swap out? I have 2 options I was thinking about.
I was trying to avoid memory foam since it isn't all natural, I know it sleeps hot, and I don't like the feeling of being stuck in a hole. But if that's what it takes, and the latex on top combined with the wool helps to dissipate heat a bit, that's good. Are the ventilation holes actually effective? I don't want a hot mattress. Thanks for any thoughts!
Just wanted to share some thoughts on this since I’ve been seeing some advice suggesting 2” latex in place of 1” because 1” toppers are harder to find. (Which is not true, at least not anymore.) SleepOnLatex.com has 1” Dunlop toppers available in soft, medium, and firm.
I feel like when I was planning my DIY mattress, the advice around 1” toppers is that it will slightly change the feel, but not provide any support. Which is putting it too simply.
I’ve been experimenting with my layers and have found that a 1” medium was a sufficient transition layer between a 3” firm and 2” talalay super soft.
I also tried a 2” layer in the same placement, and it was too thick to maintain the amount of support I needed from the firm layer.
Edit: I am a lightweight back sleeper for context which is important to note, as a heavier sleeper or side sleeper would have different needs and experiences with this.
As latex builders know, it’s the system as a whole, not just the individual layers that make a sufficient mattress.
I think 1” soft layers would actually be a great way to add some plushness to the comfort layer if you’re lacking pressure relief, but can’t compromise your support.
I haven’t tried this, but it’s definitely worth considering!
In fact, I wonder, if it would be useful to order 1” layers adding up to what you need. That way you can really fine tune your build. Multiple 1” layers function differently than one 3” layer for example, it’s said they are able to distribute weight better from layer to layer.
When putting weight in one spot on a 1” it compresses to the next layer “sooner.” You get less of the drum-effect than you would with a 2” or 3”.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you have a 1” layer in your build?
I tested a mattress in store and loved it, but it was $4,000. Someone recommended a DIY build but I’m not sure how I could get a good replica. It seems laid out enough, just curious if anyone knows where I could get the supplies or if anything here should change?
I’m 5’3, about 130lbs. Mostly side sleeper, some back. Have 3 memory foam mattresses now that are destroying my hip/back, but almost fell asleep trying this on in store.
In store the sign reads:
Double sided
GOTS certified organic cotton zippered cover
GOTS certified Joma Wool pad
.8”75 kg/m3 density certified organic 100% botanicore dunlop latex quilt layer
1”75 kg/m3 density certified organic 100% botanicore dunlop latex comfort layer
6”85 kg/m3 kg/m3 density certified organic 100% botanicore dunlop latex core layer
Foundations available in 2”, 5”, 7” and 9
They have a graph on their product website: https://45thstreetbedding.com/products/mattresses/latex-mattresses/woodland-park-firm-latex-mattress/
Hello! We just got this new mattress (upgrade from an old queen one) because my partner is a super restless sleeper and I wanted more space. Now the problem is his tossing and turning, the motion transfer wakes me up :(
I think we can still return it, but I'd love to hear any advice on a less radical solution! The bedframe is solid and well built. I'm wondering if a topper would help, considering going for a split king with IKEA mattresses (we'll get store credit if we return) or maybe there's something else I can get for under $1000?
Thank you in advance!!
I’m hoping to be able to build a comfortable, supportive, medium firm mattress with some softness at the top for the next 10 years. I’ve never done this before and definitely need some help!
The build I am looking at is:
1 inch high density firm Polyfoam
8 inch Texas quad coil pack 14.75 gauge
2 inches Dunlap medium latex
2 inches Talalay Soft latex
1 inch synthetic soft foam (not sure what kind yet, but don’t like memory foam)
Premium stretch cotton top cover from pocketspringstore.com
I do have some concern that this may be too firm, as I’m a side sleeper with some nerve issues. I currently sleep on a Beautyrest Black medium, which I loved until it developed premature torso dips.
If you have done a similar build, I would love to hear from you. And if you have extensive experience building latex spring mattresses, please offer feedback on this possible build.