Can You Sleep On Mattress Right Away? What To Expect With a New Bed

If you’ve just unboxed a new bed, it’s natural to wonder: Can you sleep on mattress right away, or should you wait hours (or even days) before using it? This guide walks through what really happens after unboxing, what’s safe, and how to get the most comfortable first night.

Do You Need To Wait Before Sleeping On a New Mattress?

In many cases, you can sleep on a mattress right away, especially if it arrived fully expanded (not compressed in a box).

For mattresses that come compressed and rolled, most manufacturers recommend waiting a few hours so the bed can expand and reach close to its intended shape and firmness.

However:

The mattress will usually be safe to lie on right away.
It may not feel exactly as intended until it has fully expanded.
Some people prefer to wait longer so initial odors can dissipate.

Why Do Some Mattresses Need Time To Expand?

How compression affects first-night comfort

Many modern mattresses are vacuum-sealed and boxed for shipping. When opened, they slowly reinflate as air returns to the foam and other materials.

During this period:

The mattress may feel firmer or flatter than expected.
Corners or edges can look slightly misshapen at first.
Over several hours, it generally becomes thicker and more supportive.

While asking “Can you sleep on mattress right away?” is understandable, the real question is: Will it feel like it’s supposed to? For some mattresses, that’s not fully true until expansion is mostly complete.

Is It Safe To Sleep On a Mattress Before It’s Fully Expanded?

Comfort vs. safety

From a general consumer standpoint, most boxed mattresses are considered safe to lie on immediately after unboxing. Here are a few practical points:

Weight can actually help: Your body weight may help the mattress finish expanding.
The main downside is comfort: You might not get the best feel, especially on the first night, if it hasn’t finished rising.
Check the instructions: If the manufacturer gives a specific time frame, it’s wise to follow it for best performance.

If you’re particularly sensitive to smells or materials, you may want to:

Let the mattress air out in a well-ventilated room.
Wait several hours before putting on bedding and lying down for the night.

What About the “New Mattress Smell”?

Off-gassing and odors

Many new mattresses, especially those with foam, have a noticeable “new mattress smell” right after unboxing. This is often called off-gassing.

While the intensity varies, it commonly:

Fades over hours to a few days
Lessens faster with open windows and airflow
May be more noticeable in small or closed rooms

If you’re wondering, “Can you sleep on mattress right away even if it smells?” the answer is often yes, but:

Some sleepers prefer to let it air out before spending a full night on it.
If you’re sensitive to smells, give it extra ventilation time.

How Long Should You Ideally Wait?

Here’s a general comfort-focused guide for how long to wait after unboxing:

⏱ Suggested Waiting Times (Approximate)

2–4 hours: Mattress is usually expanded enough to sleep on in a basic, usable state.
24–48 hours: Many mattresses reach near full height and feel, with odors much weaker.
Up to a few days: Some models continue to soften slightly and “settle in.”

These are typical ranges, not strict rules. Always prioritize the manufacturer’s specific instructions if they recommend a particular waiting period.

Does Sleeping On It Immediately Damage the Mattress?

Under normal use, simply lying or sleeping on a new mattress right away does not usually damage it. The materials are designed to support body weight.

Potential issues are more about comfort and expectations:

The bed may feel firmer or thinner on night one.
You might not experience the full contouring or support until it’s fully expanded.
In rare cases, heavy use before full expansion might slightly delay the final shape.

If you’re concerned, you can:

Use the mattress for short naps the first day.
Gradually increase use as it expands and feels more comfortable.

✔️ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points consumers should understand about “Can You Sleep On Mattress Right Away”:

Yes, often you can: Many mattresses are safe to lie on right after unboxing, especially if the brand does not warn against it.
Comfort improves with time: Expect the feel and height to improve over the first 24–48 hours as it finishes expanding.
Odor is common: A new mattress smell is normal and usually fades with ventilation and time.
Follow the instructions: Manufacturer guidance about waiting times and setup is the best reference for your specific mattress.
No instant “perfect” feel: Even when you can sleep on it right away, the first night may not reflect the long-term comfort of the mattress.

When deciding “Can you sleep on mattress right away?”, consider three simple checks: Is it fully unwrapped and laid flat, is it starting to expand evenly, and are you comfortable with any initial odor? If so, you can usually enjoy your first night while the mattress continues to settle and improve over the next few days.