Tufted Headboard

Now that we have our sliding barn door in, we need a separate headboard to allow the door to open and close without moving the pillows out of the way.

I roughly followed this DIY tufted headboard guide.  Warning: sarcastic rant follows. Isn't it amazing that she made that tufted headboard for only $44?  Step one of making a DIY tufted headboard on the cheap -- start with any old headboard you have laying around.  Check your privilege, DIY lady.  Some of us don't have a cache of free headboards in our basement.  New career idea: start dating someone who works at a sawmill, take up woodworking, and make a mint selling furniture on Etsy built from beautiful pilfered live-edge hardwood.  OK, rant over.

My actual cost for this was around $200 in materials.  I custom built the headboard out of pine 2x2's and 1/4" plywood.  The street side had to curve very slightly to match the Airstream wall.  I used a compass to transfer the curve on to the headboard and then cut the curve with a jigsaw.

Fabric from the local craft store is 2 yards of charcoal linen, bought on sale.  I couldn't find actual egg crate mattress toppers anywhere.  The craft store had egg crate foam, but it wasn't cheap.  I ended up buying a cheap queen sized foam mattress cover from Walmart for $12, which was just enough to cover the front of the headboard three times, and put batting over the whole thing to smooth it out.

I didn't have as thick of foam or use as much excess fabric as the lady whose guide I was following, so I got a much smoother look.  Took some creative folding to avoid raw edges peeking out the sides. 

Tuft and Needle Mattress Review

Leanne and I were looking for a full size foam mattress for the Airstream.  A friend recommended Tuft and Needle, so we thought we'd give them a shot.  Tuft and Needle has a bunch of reviews saying the mattress is too firm, but that's a pretty subjective thing.  Different people will like different mattresses.  Besides, they have a 100 night guarantee, so we'd be able to try it out for a while and return it if we weren't happy.

We bought our mattress on May 22nd for $500, plus $30 tax, free shipping.  Super cheap for a mattress.  It shipped on the 23rd and arrived on the 25th.  Super fast turnaround time.

The mattress is 3" of soft foam sitting on top of 7" of firm foam.  Out of the box, it feels cushy like any other foam mattress.  Sleeping on it was the real test.

I'm a side-sleeper, and I woke up several times throughout the first night with dead arms.  I'm no mattress expert, but it seems to me that the top layer is too soft and the bottom layer is too firm.  I sink straight through the top layer, and the firm bottom layer cuts off blood circulation to my extremities. 

Leanne, I should note, thought the mattress was just fine.

We kept using it hoping either it would "break in," or my body would get used to it.  Didn't happen.  I would have to force myself to fall asleep laying on my back, and would wake up multiple times every night when I've rolled over in my sleep and strangled one arm or the other.  Even my hips would get sore from sleeping on my side.

On June 6th, I received an email from Tuft and Needle asking, "how likely are you to recommend Tuft and Needle to a friend?"  The only content in the message was a 1 (not likely) to 10 (very likely) scale.  I clicked on 1, and explained that the mattress was uncomfortable.

On June 7th, I received this email:

Hi Daniel,

Thanks a bunch for reaching out! We're really glad to be hearing your feedback. I'm so sorry that the mattress has been feeling too firm for your needs, and we are happy to help you return. 

The mattress does "break in" after about two weeks of use, during which time the foam becomes a lot less stiff as your body gets used to it, so we'd recommend trying it out for those two weeks to see if it helps. Thank you for continuing to give it a chance!

As a solution to firmness, mattress pads are recommended for extra padding and comfort, but keep in mind that they tend to generate heat while sleeping. 

If you would like to consider a topper to soften the mattress, I went ahead and refunded your order $75.00 off your total purchase price so that you can try one and see if it helps. Feel free to check out the receipt for that here. You'll see the credit return to your purchasing card in 3-5 business days!

Here are some we recommend: 

[link] Pinzon Basics Overfilled Microplush Mattress Topper
[link] Extra Plush Fitted Mattress Topper

If the topper doesn't help with the discomfort you're experiencing and you'd still like to return your mattress, we'd be happy to help you with that per our 100 night sleep trial. Keep in mind that for your return, we'll only be able to refund you the remainder of your purchase price $455.00.

Also, please hang on to your topper purchase information just in case you need to return that through Amazon as well. And remember that Amazon's return policy is 30 days from the day you receive your topper. :)

If you'd prefer to simply return your mattress, we would love to help with that as well. To return, we help you donate your mattress to a local charity or non-profit, and then, once you have a donation receipt, just email us a photo of it. Once we have that photo, we’d process your refund in full!

Please let us know how you would like to move forward- we're here for you!

Warmest,

Kendall Davis

I bought the more expensive of the two recommended mattress toppers, but it didn't help.  It added some fluff on the top, but didn't fix my problem with my arms falling asleep.

We decided to go ahead and return the mattress.  The "return" process requires you to find a local charity that would accept mattresses (there aren't many).  Then you have to haul it over there yourself.  It's nice that we were able to donate to a local charity who could match it up with someone who needs it (hopefully not a side-sleeper).  But as far as "returns" go, it was a hassle, and would have been worse if we didn't have a pickup truck.

On July 17th, I send a copy of my donation receipt. I received the following email on July 18th:

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for donating your Tuft & Needle Mattress to the Wider Circle center! Sorry it did not work out for you but I am glad it went to a good cause. The receipt image you've provided is perfect.

I just processed your refund in full and it will return to the account in 3-5 business days. Sometimes banks do hold up the refund process, so if you do not see it back in your account within 5-7 business days then please contact your financial institution.

You're all set! Let us know if you have any other questions or comments. 

Best,

Freddy L

So, our search for a mattress continues.  Overall, Tuft & Needle has great customer service.  They were proactive about making sure we were happy, and did what they said they would.  I'd love to encourage you to buy from them, but I didn't like the actual product.  If you're not a side sleeper, or if you share body-types with Leanne, Tuft & Needle might be worth a shot.

Follow our quest to find a better mattress here.