Sharing a giant bed with your family should mean restful, comfortable nights for everyone. But in reality, it’s often a battle of tossing, turning, and stealing blankets that leaves you feeling more tired than refreshed.
When you’re constantly wrestling for covers, waking up to snoring, or freezing because your partner loves the room cold enough for penguins, a night of “restful” sleep can quickly turn into a nightmare. And before you know it, you’re trudging through the day like a sleep-deprived zombie, ready to snap at the smallest thing.
That’s why it’s so important to tackle these common sleep disruptors and create a space where everyone in the family can sleep soundly.
In this guide, we explore the most frequent issues that arise when sharing a bed. More importantly, we explain how you can fix them to get the deep, undisturbed sleep you deserve.
1. Hogging the Blankets
You wake up in the middle of the night, shivering, only to realize your partner (or one of the kids) has taken control of the blankets.
This scenario is familiar for most people as blanket hogging is a common sleep disruptor when co-sleeping. As a result, it leaves one or more sleepers without covers while others end up tangled in a mountain of fabric.
Luckily, fixing the blanket battle is easier than you think.
A simple solution is to give each sleeper their own blanket. That way, everyone can adjust their covers to their liking without disturbing anyone else. In addition, each person can choose the blanket they want to stay at the perfect temperature.
If you prefer a more unified look, you can use an oversized blanket designed specifically for large beds. For example, we offer the Muslin Blanket in two giant sizes: 135” x 125” and 170” x 125”. That way, everyone is guaranteed to stay under the covers.
Weighted blankets can also be helpful, as they’re heavier and less likely to shift during the night.
2. Different Temperature Preferences
We’re all different when it comes to temperature. Your partner may love it cool, while you prefer to feel like you’re in a tropical paradise.
Unfortunately, different preferences are a major disruptor in shared giant beds, especially when trying to find the perfect sleep temperature for everyone.
Whether you’re sweating or freezing, trying to sleep in a room that’s too hot or too cold can feel impossible.
The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for peace. Instead, you can use separate blankets for each person so that one can have a lighter cover while the other goes for a warmer option.
Another great solution is buying temperature-regulating sheets or mattress pads that balance the heat without making one person uncomfortable.
If that’s not enough, you can take it a step further with a bed fan or a smart thermostat. A bed fan can cool down one side of the bed, while a smart thermostat can adjust the bedroom’s temperature based on the time of night, keeping things cool when needed.
3. Tossing and Turning
Few things disrupt sleep more than a partner or child who tosses and turns all night. Every time they roll over or shift positions, it sends shockwaves through the mattress, waking you up just when you are about to hit that deep sleep.
Although a spacious family-size bed helps reduce some of the impact, constant movement can still disturb your sleep, leaving you groggy and frustrated in the morning.
The solution is to invest in a mattress with good motion isolation. A high-quality memory foam or hybrid mattress is designed to absorb movement, so when one person tosses and turns, the other side of the bed stays undisturbed.
The good news is that all our Alaskan King mattresses have excellent motion isolation, which helps you enjoy a more peaceful sleep.
If you already have a mattress but need extra help, adding a mattress topper can provide an additional layer of motion isolation.
Another tip is to encourage everyone to have a consistent wind-down routine before bed. Calming activities like stretching, deep breathing, or reading can help reduce restless energy and minimize tossing and turning once it’s time to sleep.
4. Snoring and Other Noises
Snoring and other nighttime noises, like sleep talking or even heavy breathing, can turn a peaceful night into a frustrating game of “How long until I give up and move to the couch?”
If you are a light sleeper, waking you up is easy, but returning to sleep in the middle of the night feels impossible. And you know what that means: a day of yawning and crankiness ahead.
The best way to solve this is to use earplugs or a white noise machine to drown out the sound. White noise can mask the disruptive noises and create a more consistent and calming background sound. And if the snoring gets loud enough to rival a chainsaw, earplugs are your best friend.
If snoring is the main culprit, changing sleep positions can help. Snoring is way worse when someone sleeps on their back, so encouraging side-sleeping can make a huge difference.
Using a wedge pillow or a body pillow can help keep a snorer on their side. In addition, anti-snoring devices like nasal strips or mouthpieces can reduce snoring by opening up airways.
If you’re dealing with more severe snoring issues, it may be worth consulting a doctor to rule out conditions like sleep apnea, which should be treated for both sleep quality and health reasons.
5. Unequal Mattress Support and Comfort Zones
Sometimes, your mattress can feel like it’s divided into two different worlds. One side is a cozy cloud, while the other feels like you’re sinking into quicksand or perched on a rock.
Unequal mattress support is a sneaky sleep disruptor, especially when one sleeper ends up in a “bad zone” and can’t find comfort no matter how much they shift around.
If your old mattress is unevenly worn out, it might be time to upgrade to a new model with better support and pressure relief. Look for hybrid options or those with zoned support, where the mattress is firmer in some areas (like the lower back) and softer in others (like the shoulders). This design ensures equal comfort for all sleepers.
Alternatively, you can try a mattress topper to even out dips and lumps or get a more consistent feel across the entire bed. Choose a topper that complements your mattress – memory foam, latex, or a cooling gel option to keep things comfortable and smooth.
6. Different Bedtime Schedules
Ah, the classic battle of different bedtime schedules. One person is ready to crash at 9 PM sharp, while the other thinks bedtime before midnight is for amateurs. Even if you’re sharing a family-size bed, this can be a real sleep killer.
Just as you’re about to drift into dreamland, your partner comes in, flipping on lights, shuffling around, and testing your nerves.
Before a big argument breaks out, let’s talk about possible solutions.
If you have a night owl in the mix, make sure they use a dimmable bedside lamp or a book light to avoid turning your room into a spotlight when they come to bed. You can also try an eye mask to keep yourself in blissful darkness.
The next thing is noise management. If your partner’s pre-bed routine sounds like a one-person marching band, earplugs are the best option. This way, the sound of late-night TV or podcast binging won’t leave you wide-eyed and staring at the ceiling.
7. Pets on the Bed
We love having our furry friends snuggle up on the bed. There’s nothing quite like falling asleep to the sound of soft purring or feeling the comforting warmth of your dog curled up at your feet.
But pets can sometimes disrupt your sleep so badly that you want to lock them outside the bedroom. Whether it’s your dog taking up half the bed or your cat deciding 3 AM is the perfect time for a zoomies session, it’s not all cute snores and endless cuddles.
The first thing to do is to get an oversize King mattress and have more space at the foot of your bed. Pick an Alaskan King size that’s at least 96” long so that there is enough space for them to sprawl out without disturbing you.
Place a pet blanket to set up a dedicated sleeping spot for them to give them a comfy space while still leaving enough room for you. This way, they can snuggle up without crowding you out.
And for those midnight zoomies? You might want to encourage a pre-bedtime play session or walk to burn off some of that extra energy. That way, when it’s time for bed, everyone is more relaxed and ready to sleep.
With these few adjustments, you can enjoy all the benefits of sleeping with your pets without the restless nights. After all, who could say no to those puppy dog eyes?
Sleep Better on an Alaskan King Bed
Co-sleeping comes with its share of challenges, from blanket hogging to restless tossing and turning. You can solve most of these issues by getting a family King bed and a premium-quality mattress. That way, you give everyone enough room to stretch out comfortably and rest without disturbances.
The Alaskan King is the biggest mattress out there. All of our models are designed to offer ample space and luxurious comfort, which is perfect for families, couples, and pet lovers.
With high-density materials and superior support, Alaskan King mattresses reduce motion transfer, so you won’t be disturbed by any late-night shifting or restless sleepers. Plus, the premium quality ensures long-lasting comfort and durability.
Explore our range of Alaskan King mattresses and give your family the comfort, space, and quality they deserve for the best night’s sleep.
Comments