Is an Adjustable Bed the Right Choice for Me?

Have you ever propped yourself up with pillows to read in bed, only to spend the next ten minutes adjusting them to get comfortable? Or woken up with a stiff neck because your pillow situation wasn't quite right? If so, you’re not alone. You've probably wondered whether an adjustable bed might solve these problems. But what exactly are these beds, and how do you know if one is right for you?

Let's talk through what adjustable bases actually do and help you figure out whether investing in one makes sense for your sleep situation.

What Is an Adjustable Base?

An adjustable base replaces your traditional bed frame and box spring. Instead of a flat, stationary surface, it gives you the ability to raise and lower both the head and foot sections of your bed using a wireless remote. Think of it as bringing the hospital bed experience home, but with much more style and comfort. When in the flat position they actually look like a traditional mattress and box spring setup.

When paired with the right mattress, an adjustable base lets you customize your sleep position throughout the night or while you're relaxing in bed during the day.

Who Benefits Most from Adjustable Bases?

While anyone can enjoy the convenience of an adjustable base, they're particularly helpful for people who:

Experience acid reflux or GERD. Elevating your upper body can help prevent stomach acid from traveling back up your esophagus while you sleep.

Deal with snoring. The anti-snore position slightly raises your head, which can help keep airways open and reduce snoring intensity.

Have circulation issues or swelling in the legs. Elevating your feet can improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

Enjoy reading or watching TV in bed. Let's be honest: we all do this. An adjustable base means you can find a comfortable position without wrestling with a pile of pillows.

Looking for relief from back pain. The zero gravity position distributes your weight more evenly, which can reduce pressure on your spine. That’s no guarantee that you’ll receive relief, but it gives you options to find a more comfortable position.

Our Two Options: Style and Style Plus

At The Original Mattress Factory, we offer two adjustable base models. These aren't gimmicky gadgets – they're serious sleep systems built with quality components and designed to last.

The Style Adjustable Base

Our Style base covers all the essentials. You get independent head and foot articulation, meaning you can adjust each section separately to find your perfect position. It comes with three pre-set positions: flat (for traditional sleeping), anti-snore (slightly elevated head), and zero gravity (a slightly inclined position that evenly distributes your weight). You can also program one custom position that works specifically for you.

The lift system operates quietly with an impressive 850-pound weight capacity. The backlit wireless remote includes a flashlight feature, which is surprisingly handy when you need to get up in the middle of the night. The legs are adjustable from 8 to 13 inches in half-inch increments, so you can get the bed height that works best for you. There is also under base lighting that you can turn on to illuminate around the perimeter of the base.

The Style Plus Adjustable Base

If you want all the features of the Style base plus a few upgrades, the Style Plus might be worth considering. It includes everything from the Style model, but adds a wall hugger feature. This clever design keeps your nightstand within reach even when you elevate the head of your bed. Without this feature, raising the head section pushes you up and away from your nightstand, making it harder to reach your phone, book, or glass of water.

The Style Plus also includes dual pulsating massage motors with a wave feature, along with Bluetooth connectivity. While massage might sound like a luxury feature, many people find it helps them relax before sleep or provides relief after a long day.

Size Options and Compatibility

Both the Style and Style Plus are available in twin XL, full XL, and queen sizes. If you want a split king configuration (where each person can adjust their side independently), you simply order two twin XL bases.

Our adjustable bases feature "zero clearance" design, which means you can place them directly on a platform bed without installing the legs. This gives you flexibility in how you set up your bedroom and works well if you already have a platform bed frame you'd like to continue using.

Here's something important that not every mattress retailer will tell you upfront: not all mattresses work well with adjustable bases. Some mattresses are too firm to flex properly when you raise the head or foot sections. Others are too thick and create resistance that strains the motor system. That's why it's crucial to pair your adjustable base with a compatible mattress.

When you visit our stores, we can guide you toward mattresses specifically designed to work with adjustable systems. These mattresses have the right combination of flexibility and support to bend smoothly with the base while still providing the comfort and durability you expect. Trying to force an incompatible mattress onto an adjustable base can lead to poor performance, discomfort, and potentially damage to both the mattress and the base.

Why Extra Long Sizes?

You might notice we only offer adjustable bases in extra long sizes: twin XL, full XL, and queen. There's a practical reason for this.

When you raise the head section of an adjustable base, it naturally pushes your body forward on the mattress. With a standard-length twin or full mattress, this forward movement would leave your feet hanging off the end or cramped against the footboard. The extra five inches of length in XL sizes gives you the room you need to comfortably use the adjustable features without feeling like you're being pushed down the bed.

Twin XL and full XL mattresses are the same 80-inch length as queen and king sizes, so you get that same comfortable sleeping space. It's one of those design considerations that might not be obvious at first, but makes a real difference in how well the adjustable base works for you.

Making the Decision

So, is an adjustable bed right for you? Consider these questions:

Do you currently prop yourself up with pillows regularly? An adjustable base might replace that nightly pillow-stacking ritual.

Do you have specific health concerns that elevation could address? If you deal with acid reflux, circulation issues, or certain types of back pain, an adjustable base could provide relief.

Is your bedroom also your relaxation space? If you read, work, or watch TV in bed, having easy position adjustment makes a real difference in comfort.

Are you recovering from surgery or dealing with mobility issues? Adjustable bases make it easier to get in and out of bed and find comfortable positions during recovery.

An Insight You'll Only Hear from OMF

Here's something we believe in being upfront about: adjustable bases aren't for everyone. If you sleep on your stomach most of the night, you probably won't use the adjustment features much. If you're perfectly comfortable in a traditional flat bed and rarely read or watch TV before sleep, a standard frame might be all you need.

But if you find yourself constantly adjusting your sleeping position, struggling with specific health issues that elevation could help, or simply want more flexibility in how you use your bed, an adjustable base can genuinely improve your sleep quality and daily comfort.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're curious about how an adjustable base might work for you, the best way to find out is to try one. Visit one of our stores where you can test both the Style and Style Plus models with different mattresses to see what combination feels right. Our team can walk you through the features, help you understand which mattress options work best with adjustable bases, and answer any questions you have.

You can find a store near you on our find a store section of the website. We're here to help you make an informed decision based on your actual sleep needs, not to push you toward features you won't use.

Written by: Chris Gardner, OMF Marketing