most comfortable bed setup for sitting up

September 24, 2022 3:16 PM

I want the most comfortable reading/watching TV in bed setup possible, by any means. what is yours?

I am considering a new mattress + bedframe purchase soon and realized I spent at least about an hour a day sitting up in bed reading or watching TV so I should optimize not just for sleeping. I am open to any way of making this happen; fancy headboards, bolster cushions, even something goofy like a Sleep Number. give me all your ideas

posted by slow graffiti to Home & Garden (7 answers total)

An adjustable bed frame is cheaper than you think and way better than a wedge pillow. If you are already replacing the frame, get one that adjusts! It’s *marvelous*. I went for the cheapest one from a real mattress store and have been happy. No need to bother with the fancy pre-sets or vibration for your purposes.
posted by Bottlecap at 3:22 PM on September 24, 2022 [5 favorites]

I sit and read in bed a lot. I'm not sure what works for me would work for you but these are the things that help. Not sure if you're looking for more than just bed/pillow/frame purchases

- A few really big pillows that I prop up behind me (example). You can get these for cheap and then put a nice case on them.
- really good lighting. I have a light on the wall that is high enough so I don't hit it but not so high it lights up the entire room. I also, in a previous bed arrangement had twinkle lights strung up over the headboard which is nice if you just need a little bit of lighting, plus it's cozy
- a lap desk in case you want to be doing something on your laptop
- a really solid nightstand that has different places for, say, your mug of coffee and things that you can't spill your mug of coffee on (phone, book)
- charging cords that are attached to your nightstand (or attached somewhere) so they are always handy for your devices
- heated mattress pad or heated throw if you are somewhere that gets cold. Alternately, a really nice fan which can move air around without blowing right on you if you're somewhere where it gets warm
- portable speakers of some kind. Depending how far away your TV is, sometimes it might be nice to have the sound closer to you
posted by jessamyn at 3:41 PM on September 24, 2022 [4 favorites]

If you can afford it, look at a wall-hugger adjustable frame. We have a non-wall hugger frame (from Sleep Number, would not recommend), and when the head is elevated I feel very squished - my head is about 12 inches away from the headboard, nightstand, lights, etc. and my feet are pushed way down toward the footboard.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 4:17 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding adjustable bed frame. I upgraded my bed situation when the pandemic started just in case I got sick. I am really glad I did. I got the mattress & the mattress folding device from Saatva. I'm really happy with both of them. My favorite part is the device that folds the mattress into the shape you want (flat, sitting up, etc) sits on the floor inside my existing bed frame. I just had to unscrew the middle beam. Also Saatva sent installation guys who set everything up & that was also awesome. (They wore masks, I kept the windows open & waited on the balcony for them to finish.) The mattress also vibrates & the remote control is very cool.

My next planned upgrade is this overbed table on wheels which is right now sitting in its box waiting for me to put it together.
posted by bleep at 4:25 PM on September 24, 2022 [1 favorite]

For similar reasons I just bought this velvet daybed frame that fits a full-size mattress. I am obsessed.
posted by showbiz_liz at 4:30 PM on September 24, 2022 [3 favorites]

I have an adjustable electric bed that lets you put both the head of the bed and the foot of the bed up using a remote control.

I also have an overbed table that goes over my whole bed, which I cannot recommend highly enough. I love that I can put my laptop in the dead centre of the table for watching films, I don't have to be twisting my neck or my back like I would with a smaller overbed table. Also, it has two drawers!

I got the cheapest model of the overbed table, but I'm linking to all the models as they are going to discontinue the cheapest model soon.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 3:11 AM on September 25, 2022

A couple of years ago , I bought a twin XL mattress and adjustable frame from Nolah, and have never looked back. The mattress is really nice (not too hot, and I’m a warm sleeper), and the frame is perfect.
posted by dbmcd at 10:59 AM on September 25, 2022