Do you want to fill gap between mattress and bed frame? Getting the necks caught into the crack between the bed frame and the mattress is not just an annoyance but dangerous. If you have this problem with the children’s beds, it is even more concern.
It can cause fatal incidents if the head or neck gets caught between the mattress and the bed. Therefore, getting the arms or head pinched by the bed is not a funny matter at all.
Filling the gap between mattress and bed frame is an easy fix that I will guide you in this article.
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Reasons to fill gap between mattress and bed frame
The main reason to fill gap between mattress and bed frame or headboard is the size mismatch. The dimension of the bed frame is different for beds of different sizes such as twin, twin XL, double, queen, and king.
If the size of the mattress is not the same as that of the frame, then there will be a gap between the headboard and the mattress. You need a queen-size mattress for a queen-size bed.
A slippery mattress can also be the reason for the empty space at the head side of the bed. If the mattress is not perfectly stable, it can change its position and cause a downward shift. Thus it creates a gap.
If the bed frame and headboard are not set perfectly, they may exceed the standard size dimension. Thus, even if you choose the right mattress, it will create a gap.
Fill gap between mattress and bed frame: Important?
There are a few reasons why you might take action to fill gap between mattress and bed. Firstly, the pillow, cellphone, and other stuff fall into the gap.
Finding the fallen small pieces of objects is an inconvenience and annoyance. Sometimes you may experience losing small objects and discover them under the bed after a long time.
That’s not the end of the story. You need to fill gap between mattress and bed frame because it can be dangerous and life-threatening. If you have small children, they can get caught in the gap and suffer serious injury.
It may cause injury for the adults as well. In addition, the patients in the hospital who are already suffering from illness may become even more weakened by getting entrapped by the gap between the bed and the mattress.
As the solution to fixing the gap is not that difficult, you should take action today to fill the gap in your bed, if there is any.
In the next section, I will describe different easy tricks to solve the problem.
Fill gap between mattress and bed frame: Temporary solution
If the gap is not that big to impose serious injury, then you may think of a temporary solution. For example, suppose you are traveling or slipping on a temporary bed and find a small gap. In that case, you may also seek a temporary solution.
We will be sharing two quick and temporary solutions for how to fill the gap between your mattress and bed frame. The first temporary solution would be to place extra pillows in the gap. The second option is to turn the bed frame around. However, temporary solutions will have issues, so we urge you to use our permanent solutions if you want to have better sleep for a longer period of time.
Place pillows on the gap
It will not solve the problem for good but can be a good option if you do not want to give too much effort to solve the problem. All you need to do is to place pillows inside the gap.
The pillows should be large enough to bridge the empty space. On the other hand, they should not be too small to fall into the gap. You may use old pillows that you are not using for a long time.
People use old unused foams or purchase new ones to fill the gap.
If you are purchasing something to bridge the gap, measure the width of the gap first and then buy the material according to the width. The material you are using should have a bit more width than that of the gap to fill it tightly.
Rotate the bed
It is another temporary approach to solve the problem. It will not fix the root cause but will keep you away from the problem. What problems does the gap cause for us? Our head and neck get entrapped in it, and the valuables fall into it.
What if we turn the bed 180 degrees? The gap is on the other side, and the problem is away from us. Initially, it may look a little weird, but you will get used to it over time.
Although there is a chance that the feet get entrapped in the gap, it is still way better than the head getting caught in it.
Fill Gap Between Mattress And Bed Frame: Permanent Solution
If you live in your own place, then a permanent solution is the best option. It will require a little extra effort but will solve the problem from the root.
Here are some permanent solutions on how to fill gap between mattress and bed frame:
Make some adjustments
Sometimes a little adjustment can solve the problem. First, you may look for any obstruction hindering the mattress from fitting in place. Next, you may remove the mattress from the bed, reposition it, and check whether there is still a gap.
Sometimes the box spring may cause the problem. Adjust it if necessary. Finally, if none of these work, try adjusting the bed frame. You may unscrew the fame, push it against the headboard, and set it again.
We need to do any further hard work if these simple adjustments work. This problem might be solved if you built your own memory foam mattress foundation.
Change the mattress
I have mentioned earlier that if the bed and the mattress do not match, then it is obvious that there will be a gap between the mattress and the frame or the headboard because of the wrong size.
If the gap is too much, then it is good to change to a new mattress and find a new one that has the same size as the bed frame.
For example, the full-size bed frame of a twin XL bed is around 42 X 84 inches. Therefore, it requires a twin XL mattress with a dimension of around 38 X 80 inches. However, the dimension of a twin-size mattress is 38 X 74 inches, with a length of around 10 inches shorter than twin XL.
If you wrongfully try to fit this twin mattress in a twin XL bed, there will be a big gap between frame and mattress. In this case, changing the clean memory foam mattress and finding a new one with the appropriate size and dimension is the best solution.
Remove the headboard
If you do not want to change the mattress, you may remove the headboard completely to kill the gap. It needs a little skill of unscrewing to do the job by yourself. Adding a folding screen can be a good alternative to the headboard.
You may also make your own headboard that perfectly fits with your mattress. You can make a custom-made headboard with inexpensive materials such as jute, plywood, pegboard, pocket hole jig, wood screws, and so on.
Prevent mattress movement
A moving mattress can also be the reason for the gap between the mattress and the bed frame. If that’s the case, you need to stop the movement of the mattress.
Place a yoga mat or a clean rubber welcome mat under the mattress to stabilize it. You may also use self-adhesive rubber strips or velcro strips.
Try placing them at each corner of the mattress and a few in the middle. You may alternatively get some non-slip mattress pads in the market.
Place them between the foundation or box spring and the mattress to stop it from moving.
Use gap filler
We use gap fillers as padding inside the empty space in the form of upholstered foam. Gap fillers can be of different kinds. For example, wedges are a commonly used mattress gap filler.
An added advantage of using wedges is that they come with pockets and holders for keeping small items such as remote controls and glasses.
Wedges usually look pyramidal and are made of foams.
Mattress extenders are another kind of popular gap filler. They are rectangular and usually made of foams. You have to simply place the extenders between the empty space of the mattress and the bed frame.
The solution is as simple as that. Mattress extenders can be two, four, or six inches in width. You need to select the right one based on the width of the gap.
You may also need multiple extenders to cover up the entire distance.
Foams can also be used as gap fillers. If you do not find a large foam that fits in the gap, use two equal size foams, one at the right half and the other at the left half of the gap.
Foams are not supposed to use for this purpose. Therefore, I would recommend finding wedges and mattress extenders first.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
How to fill gap between mattress and headboard?
This is a rather common issue so the best way to fill gap between mattress and bed frame headboard is to use gap filler.
Why doesn’t my mattress fit my bed frame?
One of the most common reasons for having to fill the gap between the mattress and the bed frame is that you purchased the wrong-sized mattress. Ensure that your mattress and bed frame have the same dimensions for the best fit.
What can I use other than gap filler for my bed frame?
To fill gap between mattress and bed frame most use a gap filler but there are other choices. For example, you can use yoga mats, rubber welcome mats, or rug pads.
What is a pillowstop and is it worth buying?
A mattress with a pillowstop has an extra layer sewn on top of the mattress to make it plusher. While not necessary you can buy one for more comfort. It can also help to fill gap between mattress and bed frame.
Conclusion
The gap between mattress and bed frame is a hidden danger. You should not be lazy to take action and solve it as the fix is not that difficult.
However, not all the solutions listed above may be appropriate for everyone. Therefore, try to find out the cause of the problem first and then apply the method based on it. The same issues might arise when you want to know which mattress will fit your truck bed.
Changing the mattress will be the last resort if nothing works for you.
