How To Set Up Lull Mattress: Step‑by‑Step FAQ Guide
If you’re wondering how to set up Lull mattress after it arrives in a box, you’re not alone. Many sleepers want to know how long it takes to expand, whether a box spring is needed, and what to expect on the first night. This FAQ-style guide walks through the process from unboxing to your first sleep, in clear, practical steps.
What Do I Need Before Setting Up My Lull Mattress?
Before you begin, prepare your space so the setup goes smoothly.
You’ll typically need:
- A suitable bed frame or base
- Scissors (not a knife, to avoid cutting the fabric)
- Enough floor space for unboxing
- One extra person to help lift and position the mattress
A flat, supportive base is important. Many foam-style mattresses are designed to work on platform beds, slatted frames with close-set slats, or adjustable bases. Very widely spaced slats or sagging foundations can affect comfort and durability.
How To Set Up Lull Mattress: Unboxing and Expansion
Step 1: Bring the Box to the Bedroom
The mattress is usually compressed and rolled in a box. Move the box to the room where you plan to use it before opening. This avoids having to move a fully expanded mattress through tight hallways.
Step 2: Open the Box Carefully
Stand the box upright or lay it flat on the bed frame or floor. Open the top flaps and slide the rolled mattress out.
- Avoid sharp blades touching the fabric
- Keep pets and small children away while unboxing
Step 3: Remove the Plastic Wrap
Place the rolled mattress on the bed frame or foundation in the correct orientation (head vs. foot). Gently cut the outer plastic wrap and unroll the mattress.
You’ll usually find a second, tighter layer of plastic around the compressed mattress. Cut this layer carefully along the seams, then pull the plastic away. As soon as the seal is broken, the mattress will begin to expand and draw in air.
Step 4: Let the Mattress Expand
After the plastic is removed, the mattress will start to take shape within minutes. Many foam mattresses:
- Look close to full height within a few hours
- Continue to settle and fine‑tune their feel over the next 24–48 hours
You can often place bedding on once the mattress appears fully expanded and lies flat, but some sleepers prefer to wait several hours to allow more expansion and off‑gassing.
Do I Need a Box Spring for My Lull Mattress?
Most foam-style mattresses do not require a traditional box spring, as long as the surface underneath is stable and supportive.
Common base options include:
- Platform frame: Solid or closely spaced slats
- Adjustable base: As long as it fits the mattress size and supports the weight
- Slatted frame: Slats that are typically close together with good center support
If using a box spring, ensure it’s in good condition without sagging or broken beams. A worn foundation can make the mattress feel less supportive, even if the mattress itself is new.
How Long Should I Wait Before Sleeping On It?
Many people want to know how to set up Lull mattress for same-night use and whether it’s okay to lie down right away.
Common experience with compressed foam mattresses:
- You can usually rest on it the same day it’s opened
- The feel may slightly change over the first day or two as it fully expands
- Corners and edges sometimes take a little longer to rise completely
If you want the most consistent feel from edge to edge, allowing at least a few hours of expansion before heavy use is often helpful.
Is It Normal for the Mattress to Smell at First?
A new foam mattress can have a temporary “new product” or “factory” odor after unboxing. This is often referred to as off‑gassing and is common with compressed mattresses.
To help the smell fade more quickly:
- Open windows or run a fan for better airflow
- Leave sheets and covers off for the first few hours
- Avoid covering the entire mattress with heavy blankets immediately
The scent typically becomes less noticeable with fresh air and time.
How Do I Know If the Mattress Is Set Up Correctly?
Here are a few quick checks once you’ve finished:
- The mattress lies flat with no deep creases or folds
- Corners are filling out, even if they’re still finishing expansion
- The cover is smooth and not twisted
- The base feels stable, with no wobbling or sagging when you sit or move
If one area seems slower to expand, giving it more time in a well‑ventilated room often helps.
Can I Move the Mattress After It Has Expanded?
After expansion, the mattress will be much heavier and less compact than when it arrived in the box. If you need to reposition it:
- Get help from another adult
- Lift rather than drag when possible, to protect both the mattress and bed frame
- Avoid bending the mattress sharply
Occasional gentle bending to get around a doorway is common, but repeated folding or extreme angles can be hard on internal materials.
✅ Quick Mattress Takeaways
Key points consumers should understand about How To Set Up Lull Mattress
- Unbox the mattress in the bedroom, on or near the bed frame.
- Use scissors carefully to remove plastic without cutting the fabric.
- A flat, supportive base (platform, sturdy slats, or similar) is important.
- The mattress usually becomes usable within hours, but may continue to expand for up to a couple of days.
- A mild new-mattress smell is common and typically fades with ventilation.
- Check that the mattress lies evenly and securely on the frame before regular use.
- Moving the fully expanded mattress is easier and safer with two people and gentle lifting.
With a bit of preparation and patience, setting up a Lull mattress from a box is generally straightforward and quick, allowing you to focus on arranging your bedding and adjusting to the feel of a new sleep surface.

