How To Pick the Perfect Spare Room Mattress

How Do You Pick the Perfect Spare Room Mattress

If you’ve ever stayed away from home and woken up with a bad back or a crooked neck, then you’ll know how important it is to choose the right mattress for your spare room. I can assure you that you do not need to spend a fortune to receive “Thanks for having me!”, over the alternative “I’ll just book a hotel next time.”

So, whether you’re furnishing your spare room for occasional visitors, preparing for an influx of relatives, or hoping to become the super host among your friends, let’s look into the important factors of choosing a mattress that will keep your guests comfortable, happy, and coming back for more (but not too often, right?).

1. Know Your Guests

If you're after a mattress for your spare room who only your in-laws are going to sleep on, then the options are much simpler, what suits your particular guest the most. I know you didn't need me to tell you that! For most of us the mattress needs to suit as many different guests as possible.

For versatile guest lists, opt for a mattress that strikes a balance between comfort and support. A medium or medium-firm mattress is a safe bet. Medium—firm is enough for back sleepers, but still soft enough for side sleepers. It’s the “goldilocks” of mattresses: just right for almost everyone.

If you expect couples, consider a mattress with minimal motion transfer (so one person isn’t jostled awake every time the other moves). Pocket springs are the ideal choice for this. If kids are likely to visit, durability and value matter most! A foam mattress is an extremely popular choice and with good reason.

2. Budget Without Being a Scrooge

Yes, the spare room is not your master suite, and no one expects a luxury mattress with bells and whistles. However, buying the cheapest mattress you can find might leave your guests tossing, turning, and waking up with pains. Trust me I've experienced that last one far too many times!

Spare room mattresses don’t need to break the bank, but aim for quality within your budget, prioritise value for money. Look for mattresses with good reviews and warranties—especially from established brands.

3. Consider Space and Size

Spare rooms often double as offices, storage spaces, or that weird room where all the random items go. So, think carefully about the size of your mattress:

Single: Necessary for smaller rooms or if you only host one guest at a time (especially children). Bonus: more floor space for their luggage and furniture to store your junk!

Double: Perfect for singles who want more wiggle room or couples to be comfortable. Small doubles are 6 inches narrower than standard doubles, which is great for smaller spare rooms but you would be surprised how much sleeping space is lost for couples, so I would recommend 4' small doubles for single people to gain extra space when possible.

King: If space allows, a king mattress would be amazing. It’s bringing luxury and all the space you could want for your night away from home! Not possible in most cases so do not be disheartened.


Pro tip: If your spare room is small but you want flexibility, consider a sofa bed or a daybed with a pull-out trundle. Just make sure it’s paired with a good quality shallow mattress for extra comfort.

4. Prioritize Comfort and Support

Your spare room mattress should cater to a variety of sleep styles. Here are some mattress types to consider:

Memory Foam: Great for contouring to the body and relieving pressure points. Perfect for guests who suffer with back pain or older achy joints. Consider for older visitors.

Traditional springs: Classic and durable, ideal for those who prefer a bouncy, traditional feel. Often a great value for money option for a mattress that isn't used regularly!

Pocket springs: Springs that are individually wrapped in their own fabric pocket, which move independently for minimal disturbance from a sleeping partner and body contouring. It's what the springs are paired with that really provides the benefits of a mattress but you certainly have the most options available (price wise and mattress features) when looking for pocket springs.

Hybrid: Combines two popular components—foam for contouring and springs for support. Soaring in popularity and available In a vast array of price points but a good memory foam or gel mattress with 1000 pocket springs can provide durability, comfort and quality without breaking the bank.

Latex: An eco-friendly option but can be on the pricier side, offering durability and excellent support without sinking. Latex is unbelievably good at relieving pressure points and contouring and as a natural product with antibacterial and antifungal properties, can be great for you health.


No matter the type, a medium or perhaps more a medium-firm mattress is usually the safest choice for accommodating a variety of sleepers.


5. Consider temperature

Is your guest room a cold spot? Do you always have the heating on? Do you only have guests in summer? So many scenarios to consider but it will help you narrow down your search.

A mattress with cooling properties, like gel-infused foam, can help regulate temperature and keep guests comfortable. Pair this with breathable bedding to avoid any complaints about a “sweaty” night.

For a colder room or older guests who might want to stay warm then consider traditional memory foam to keep the heat in or natural wool which is still highly breathable, meaning it's good for circulating airflow and not overheating, especially In summer!

6. Protect Your Mattress (Because Accidents Happen)

The unfortunate: spills, stains, and other, uh, “mishaps.” Investing in a high-quality waterproof mattress protector is a must. It’s like insurance for your bed and ensures your mattress stays fresh and clean for years to come.

Guests will never know it’s there, but you’ll sleep better (in your own room) knowing your mattress is safe from red wine disasters and overenthusiastic toddlers.

7. Test It Out Yourself

Here’s a fun excuse to nap guilt-free: spend a night in your spare room! Have an argument with you partner and this will make it far easier to try it out (please do not actually row with your partner to test the spare room mattress).

Testing the mattress yourself allows you to know how it feels, if there isn't anything quite right so you know what to look for when you upgrade. Added bonus, you might notice little details—like a squeaky bed frame or lumpy pillows—that need fixing before guests arrive.

8. Keep It Versatile

One day you might host a road-tripping cousin; the next, the returning prodigal son coming to visit. The key to spare room success is versatility. Choose a mattress and setup that can cater to a wide variety of guests without leaning too heavily into one, often back to basics like a classic style mattress suits most.

Final Thoughts

Picking the perfect spare room mattress ultimately comes down to price, comfort and versatility. It's up to you to factor in any circumstances like temperature or guest type.
And remember: while your mattress matters, you cannot please everyone, the best you can do will be appreciated regardless.