It’s not you, it’s your mattress – how your bed can ruin your sex life

Your bed isn’t just for sleeping – it’s where you rest, recover, and, ahem, ‘connect’. But what if your mattress is secretly ruining the mood?

A good mattress can support more than your spine, it can support your sex life, too. The wrong mattress can leave you tossing, turning, or even squeaking through the night for all the wrong reasons.

To help you get the comfort and confidence back between the sheets, our CEO, Steve Adams, has shared how your mattress might be affecting your love life – and what to look for in a new one.

How a bad mattress can kill the mood

Steve says that a bad mattress can be the ultimate mood killer and can affect everything from your comfort to your confidence.

Here’s how:

• Poor sleep equals poor mood. If your mattress doesn’t suit your body type or sleeping position, you’ll sleep worse – and that can make you irritable and drained, which is far from the recipe for romance.
• Too soft or too firm? A sagging mattress can make certain positions awkward (or tiring), while an overly firm one can cause discomfort or pain.
• No bounce, no rhythm. A mattress with no spring or responsiveness makes movement more difficult.
• Weak edge support. If you’ve ever nearly rolled off mid-action, you’ll know how important this is.
• Creaking and noise. Older or cheaper spring mattresses can groan and squeak, which can be distracting, embarrassing – or give you away if you’re trying to keep quiet.
• Allergies and hygiene. Dust mites, trapped sweat, and allergens can trigger irritation or sneezing – far from not sexy.

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time for a mattress upgrade.

What to look for in a mattress that supports your sex life

1. Firmness and support

Mattress firmness affects both your sleep quality and your intimacy. A firmer mattress offers stability and balance, but choosing one that’s too firm can add pressure. A softer mattress can still work well – just make sure it spreads your weight evenly.

The key is to find the right balance for your body weight and sleep style. If your mattress keeps you well-supported through the night, it’ll likely perform well for other activities, too.

2. Responsiveness and bounce

A little bounce goes a long way. The best mattresses for sex have a touch of spring to make movement feel more natural.

• Sprung mattresses – like pocket-sprung or open coil – offer the most bounce and consistent support.
• Foam mattresses – like memory foam or gel – give better pressure relief and cushioning but can feel denser.
• Fibre and hybrid options help with temperature regulation, stopping you from overheating mid-session.

3. Size matters

The size of your bed can make a huge difference.

A king or superking mattress gives couples more room to move freely. More space means more comfort – and more options for spontaneity. If you’re sleeping in a double and constantly bumping elbows, upgrading to a larger size could transform both your sleep and your sex life.

While a new mattress isn’t magic so won’t add inches, it can definitely maximise what you’ve got. A supportive, well-made mattress improves positioning and movement, helping you feel more confident and comfortable.

So, if your sex life has been feeling a little flat lately, your mattress might be to blame. Investing in one that’s supportive, quiet, and built for movement could be the upgrade your bedroom (and fantasies) have been waiting for.

Want to improve your sleep and your sex life?

It’s always best to start with the basics: a clean, supportive mattress that suits your body type and your needs. Whether you prefer something firm and springy or soft and responsive, the right bed can make all the difference – day and night.

If you’re looking to upgrade your mattress, check out our Advice Hub.