How to Make a Mattress Softer: Toppers and Easy Fixes
Waking up with sore shoulders and hips, or feeling like you're sleeping on a board? A mattress that's too firm can be just as disruptive as one that's too soft. The good news: you can often soften a bed you already own without buying a new one. Here are the fixes that genuinely work, in the order we'd try them, plus how to tell when softening isn't enough.
First, Make Sure Firmness Is Really the Problem
Before you change anything, rule out the easy culprits. A brand-new mattress often feels stiff for the first few weeks while the foams and comfort layers relax. If yours is new, give it time to break in before deciding it's too firm. It's also worth checking your foundation: a rigid slatted base or an old, sagging box spring can make the whole bed feel harder and less forgiving than the mattress itself. If firmness is genuinely the issue, work through the fixes below.
1. Add a Mattress Topper (the Most Effective Fix)
A quality topper is the single most reliable way to soften a firm mattress. It adds a dedicated comfort layer on top of the existing surface, cushioning your shoulders and hips while the mattress underneath still provides support. For softening, look at these materials:
Memory foam contours closely and relieves pressure, making it ideal if you're a side sleeper feeling pressure points. Latex softens the surface while staying more responsive and cooler than memory foam. Down or down-alternative (featherbed) toppers add a plush, cloud-like feel, though they offer less pressure relief than foam. Aim for a topper two to four inches thick for a noticeable change; two inches softens gently, while three to four inches makes a firm bed feel markedly plusher.
Browse our mattress toppers to compare thicknesses and materials. If you want specific recommendations, we rounded up the options in our guide to the best mattress toppers to make a bed softer.
2. Check and Upgrade Your Foundation
Your mattress can only feel as good as what's under it. Slats spaced too far apart create firm ridges and can void some warranties; slats that are too rigid transmit hardness straight through. Adding a bunkie board or switching to a foundation with closer slat spacing can subtly soften the feel and improve support at the same time. If you're on an adjustable base, a slight incline can also relieve pressure without changing the mattress.
3. Break It In Faster
New foam relaxes with use. You can speed things along by sleeping on it every night, walking across it (gently, on hands and knees) for a few minutes, or simply giving it two to four weeks of consistent use. Warmth helps foam soften, so a warmer bedroom, which is easy to come by in Los Angeles, will make a memory foam layer feel more pliable than a cold one.
4. Use Warmth to Your Advantage
Memory foam is temperature-sensitive: it firms up when cold and softens when warm. If your room runs cool, a mattress pad, a heated pad on low, or even just warmer bedding can help the top layer relax and hug your body more. This won't transform a very firm innerspring, but it makes a real difference on foam and hybrid beds.
5. Add a Plush Mattress Pad
If you want just a touch more give without committing to a thick topper, a quilted or pillow-top-style mattress pad adds a thin layer of softness and a cozier surface feel. It's the lightest-touch option and pairs well with the other fixes.
When Softening Isn't Enough
Fixes have limits. If your mattress is sagging, has visible body impressions, is more than seven to ten years old, or leaves you waking up in pain no matter what you add on top, the core has likely worn out. At that point a topper is just a bandage. It may be time to choose a mattress that's the right feel from the start. Our soft mattresses for pressure relief are built to cushion shoulders and hips without sacrificing support, and if you're unsure how soft to go, our guide on how to choose mattress firmness walks you through it. And if you ever go the opposite direction, here's how to make a mattress firmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you actually make a firm mattress softer?
Yes. The most effective method is adding a two-to-four-inch mattress topper, but improving your foundation, letting a new mattress break in, and keeping the room warm all help soften the feel too.
What thickness of topper should I get to soften my bed?
For a gentle change, a two-inch topper is enough. To make a firm mattress feel noticeably plush, choose a three-to-four-inch memory foam or latex topper.
Which topper material is best for softening a mattress?
Memory foam gives the most pressure relief and body-hugging softness. Latex softens the surface while sleeping cooler and more responsive, and down or down-alternative adds a plush, airy feel with less support.
Why does my new mattress feel so hard?
New comfort layers are compressed from packaging and firm up in cool temperatures. Most mattresses relax over two to four weeks of regular use, so give a new one time before adding anything.
Will a topper fix a sagging mattress?
No. A topper masks a sag temporarily but can't restore support to a worn-out core. If your mattress sags or has body impressions, it's time to replace it rather than soften it.
Not Sure What Firmness You Need?
If you've tried the fixes and still aren't comfortable, the problem may be the mattress itself. Take our quick sleep quiz to find your ideal firmness, or visit one of our five Los Angeles showrooms to feel the difference in person, with same-day delivery available across the city.
