Day beds, window seats and guest platforms often use non standard dimensions. A cushion may need to work as seating during the day and a sleeping surface at night, while a guest bed may fit into an alcove or built in frame.
A custom foam mattress can be made to the finished rectangular dimensions and selected depth. The design should reflect how often it will be slept on, how it is supported and whether it must also work as a seat.
Plan for the main use
If the foam will be slept on regularly, prioritise a supportive mattress construction. If it is mainly a seat, consider the finished seat height and how the cushion will behave during the day. Accurate platform measurements, the right thickness and a suitable cover are essential.
Define the main use
Start by deciding whether the foam will be used mainly as:
- an everyday mattress
- an occasional guest bed
- a day bed used for both sitting and sleeping
- a window seat with occasional sleeping use
- a folding or storage platform mattress
The main use affects firmness and depth. A soft seat may bottom out when sat on, while an extremely firm guest pad may be uncomfortable for sleeping.
Measure the platform
Measure the usable internal width and length. Check the dimension at several points because built in joinery may not be perfectly square.
Allow for:
- walls and skirting boards
- hinges or lift up storage
- side rails
- back cushions
- removable panels
- access for lifting the mattress
A mattress fitted tightly between walls can be difficult to remove. A small practical allowance may be needed, but do not guess. Measure and decide deliberately.
Choose the thickness
The custom builder accepts whole inch thicknesses from 1 to 10.
For a window seat, a thinner pad may be appropriate when headroom and seat height are limited. For a regular guest bed, a deeper construction usually gives more room for a supportive base and comfort layer.
Consider the total height from floor to sleeping surface, especially under windows and shelves.
One layer for simple pads
A one layer construction is available at every custom thickness and is the only option below 4 inches.
It suits:
- simple bench pads
- occasional sleeping mats
- window seats
- replacement foam for an existing cover
- projects where one grade provides the required feel
Choose the grade carefully because one layer performs both the support and comfort roles.
Two layers for support and comfort
From 4 inches, a two layer mattress can separate the deeper support base from the upper comfort layer.
This is useful for day beds and guest beds where a firm enough base is needed for sitting, while the top should feel more comfortable for sleeping.
The base normally remains thicker than the upper layer, apart from the permitted 4 inch 2 plus 2 balanced construction.
Three layers for deeper guest mattresses
Three layers are available at 8 to 10 inches. A middle layer can create a transition between the base and top.
Use three layers only when each one has a clear purpose. A day bed does not become better simply because the builder allows more materials.
Foam choices for dual purpose use
For a day bed used as seating, faster recovery foams can be practical because they regain shape quickly after someone stands up.
Options include:
- High foam for a firmer support base
- Reflex Firm for resilient support
- Reflex Medium for a responsive comfort layer
- Memory foam for slower contouring on sleeping surfaces
A thick memory foam top may feel comfortable for sleeping but can create a slower, more enveloping seat. Balance the two uses.
Check the base and ventilation
Built in platforms should be level, clean and stable. A solid board supports foam evenly but may reduce airflow.
Consider ventilation openings or suitable slats where the design allows. Inspect the area for condensation, especially against cold external walls or in storage benches.
Do not place foam over damp timber or seal moisture beneath a cover.
Cover or no cover
A made to measure cover creates a finished mattress and is suitable when the product will be used directly as a bed.
No cover may suit:
- foam going into an existing fitted cover
- a project where an upholsterer will finish the seat
- a temporary or internal foam component
A custom cover takes 2 to 3 working days to make and dispatch. No cover custom foam normally follows the standard one working day dispatch process.
Back cushions and seat cushions are separate
A window seat base and back cushion often need different foam.
The base carries body weight and usually needs a supportive seating grade. The back cushion can use a softer foam or fibre wrap depending on the design.
The custom mattress builder prices a rectangular sleeping mattress, not a complete upholstered seating set. Use the foam sheets range for separate cushion components.
Plan removable sections
A long day bed may be easier to move and access as two sections, but a split creates a join in the sleeping surface.
Consider:
- how the sections will be held together
- whether the join sits under the body
- how covers will be made
- access to storage below
- whether one large mattress can reach the room
Contact All Foam before ordering if the project needs shaped or hinged sections.
Bedding for non standard sizes
Custom sheets may be required. Record the finished width, length and depth after the cover is included.
For occasional guest use, a flat sheet can be easier than sourcing a fitted sheet for an unusual size.
Use the live builder carefully
The custom mattress builder updates the diagram and price as the size and layers change.
Before ordering, confirm the finished dimensions, thickness, layer split, foam grades and cover choice. The basket description should match the intended build exactly.
Check seat height and headroom
For a day bed or window seat, add the mattress thickness to the platform height. A deep mattress can make the seat too high, reduce space beneath a window or interfere with a shelf.
Test the proposed finished height with boxes or folded blankets before ordering. This gives a better sense of posture and clearance than looking at the foam depth alone.
Match the build to frequency of use
An occasional guest pad does not have the same duty cycle as an everyday bed. Frequent use places more importance on support depth, recovery and the condition of the base.
Do not choose too little thickness for an everyday mattress simply because the space is described as a day bed. Equally, a rarely used window seat may not need the most complex three layer construction.
Plan storage and movement
Lift up storage platforms need enough clearance for hinges and handles. A deep mattress can add weight and make the lid difficult to raise.
Consider whether one person needs to move the mattress, how it will be rotated and where it will be stored if the room changes use. Split sections can improve handling but create a join, so discuss that requirement before ordering.
Test the planned firmness before ordering
Where possible, compare known foam samples or an existing mattress with a similar construction. Sitting briefly on a loose foam sheet does not reproduce the finished mattress because the base, cover and full depth all affect the feel.
Use the builder descriptions as a guide and contact All Foam when the space has unusual support or must suit a wide range of guests.
Building the right mattress for the space
A good day bed or guest mattress begins with the main use. Measure the platform, choose a thickness that fits the space and select a support construction that can handle sitting as well as sleeping where required.
Use one layer for simple pads, two layers to separate support and comfort, and three layers only for deeper builds with a clear transition purpose. Keep the base level and ventilated, and select a made to measure cover when a finished sleeping surface is needed.