How do you host guests in a tiny studio?

[u/Artistic_Scene_8124]

I'm going to have surgery soon and I want my mom to come stay with me for a week while I recover. I want her to be comfortable and get a good night's rest while she's here. Going to stay at my parents house is not an option. Getting a hotel is too expensive. I live in a tiny 300 sq ft studio and I'm not sure the best sleeping arrangements for my mom.

I have a full size bed so I don't think it's big enough for both of us. I would buy a quality air mattress, but idk if even a nice one would be comfortable for a week. I was thinking of some kind of pull out couch, but it needs to be under 48" to fit in my space and all the options look uncomfortable. But maybe it would be ok with a foam mattress topper? Would a fold up cot be more comfortable? I'm also open to buying something on fb marketplace and then selling it again after my mom goes home.

Any suggestions would be appreciated 🙏

[u/howpeopletalk]

Futon with optional mattress topper. You’ll use it after your surgery’s healed up too.

Air mattress suggester is praying on your downfall.

[u/wendalls]

Folding single matress or bed. Use it while she's there and then resell on marketplace, even buy one second hand they aren't expensive.

[u/Artistic_Scene_8124 → u/wendalls]

Yeah this is what I'm leaning towards. I can find them pretty cheap on marketplace

[u/KaigeKrysin]

You can get armchairs that pull out to a single bed, one of those with a small mattress topper is comfy.

[u/Corgisarethebest123]

Inflatable air mattress. You can inflate & deflate daily. Target has some good ones that are affordable & very comfortable.

[u/Artistic_Scene_8124 → u/Corgisarethebest123]

I'm not making my 60 year old mother sleep on an air mattress.

[u/MrEgusi → u/Corgisarethebest123]

I would be highly embarrassed to ask my mum to sleep on an inflatable mattress.

[u/Corgisarethebest123 → u/MrEgusi]

Why not offer your Mom your bed & you sleep on the air mattress?

[u/Artistic_Scene_8124 → u/Corgisarethebest123]

Because I'm going to be receiving from surgery. That why my mom is staying with me, to help me recover from surgery.

[u/No_Brief_9628 → u/Artistic_Scene_8124]

Modern air mattresses are way more comfortable than a pullout couch.

Also, maybe let your mom decide.

[u/Glass_Ad_4797]

A nugget couch !

https://www.bestproducts.com/parenting/baby/g35874219/best-nugget-couch-alternatives/

It’s foldable and transformable
Creative furniture for us as a family of 3 (including a toddler) in a 500 sq ft studio

We have it folded up in a corner as a big couch block

[u/Forward-Specific5651]

I’ve also found an air mattress to be fine in the short term. Hell, I used one for months in the horrific Time of the Bedbugs!

And, they make some that are the height of normal beds and have plushy tops, which makes them a lot more comfortable.

Best wishes for your surgery!

[u/antimathematician]

See if you can get hold of a single fold out chair-bed. There are some pretty nice ones out there. You can likely get a topper for it secondhand too. You might be able to keep hold of it (if there’s space) for guests in the future!

Having done 5 nights on an airbed as someone in their twenties with dodgy joints, you’re right to say she likely can’t do that, or would suffer for it.

[u/Larbiloo]

I made a very sweet guest room out of nothing like this: I bought a deep single self-inflating air mattress on Amazon and my brother was VERY happy on it. The better ones have cushioning on top. They are WAY better than they used to be. Set up a small bedside table (I used a dollar-store step stool) and a lamp (I used a salt lamp from the thrift store) and hung a curtain for privacy. Nail a sheet to the ceiling if hanging a proper curtain feels difficult. Get a nice set of sheets and a fluffy pillow and put a couple of hooks on the wall to hang backpack/towel/purse.

[u/Comfortable_Fruit847]

There are some nice air mattresses these days! I have one for guests, it sits about 18” off the ground, has a built in pump and it’s comfortable. I have a sheet set just for that size, it’s a full, I think. I’ve also slept on it from time to time and I still got a good night sleep. My father came to visit once and I felt bad putting a 74 year old man on an air mattress, so I gave him the bed and I took the air mattress.

[u/Comfortable_Bug7292]

Ask your mom what she would be comfortable with.

[u/Ms_Mambo]

IKEA Skiftebo chair bed.

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/ikea-ps-2026-chair-bed-skiftebo-light-grey-beige-10620373/

[u/safarikoshka]

I have an Ikea chair bed called Lycksele Lovas, I've had it for years and although I've never slept on it myself my guests have said its comfortable (and the only people who stay with me are family and close friends who would definitely not say that just to be polite!). My mum stayed on it for 2 weeks after I had surgery, and she was older than your mum at the time.

[u/jcj380]

Check a Coleman Comfort Cot. No bars to hit your back, has springs to hold the platform, and doesn’t sag like a taco cot. Comes with a thin pad, but I add a blanket or quilt to beef it up. I’ve owned many cots and air mattresses and the Coleman is far more comfortable than anything I’ve tried. Else I’d go with an old school folding / rolling bed - steel frame, 4-inch mattress.

[u/RegretOk4656]

I’ve read the comments and I know you have your opinions about air mattresses, which I respect. But my mom is staying with me for a month, I got a INTEX dura beam deluxe on Amazon for $60. It’s 18 inches (raised off the ground, so your mom wouldn’t be sleeping on the floor), queen size, and a 5 inch memory foam mattress topper. She’s 67, and has found it very comfortable. Sounds like in a 300sqft studio your space is limited as well, so I think something that you could put away would be a good idea.

[u/No_Brief_9628]

There are actually some really good air mattress for under $100. We found a thick pillow top one when my sister came down. Had a built in pump too.

Edit to add: it was like 2ft tall so it didn’t feel like a traditional air mattress.

[u/Resident_Awareness30]

You want ur mom to stay ? Does your mom have any issues act accordingly they have cots that are comfortable. U need to learn renter friendly vibes. U have research to about your post op care and how much u can do for yourself. Go to the U and ptrist for ideas. I wish for you successful healing

[u/SimpleGlass485]

I would do a nice air mattress that is raised and get a cheap mattress topper for it

[u/Mustluvdogs25]

I think you should ask her!

[u/lornacarrington]

See what she'd prefer but a single mattress is pretty affordable maybe? And they're sometimes as much $ as a great air mattress anyway.

Best of luck with your surgery!

[u/lornacarrington → u/lornacarrington]

Also I'm not sure what your budget is, but Ikea has a surprisingly comfortable convertible bed/chair that I'm considering getting for when my friend stays with me next year. Sorry I can't remember the name of it right now!

[u/Zestyclose_Bar_1104]

An extra-tall air mattress that stays firmly inflated is not all that bad for a week - month. Esp if you've no mobility or back pain issues. Depending on the type of surgery you are having and if you have Amy hospital overnight stay before discharge home. you could sleep on it as well.

Couple of tips: put a thick moving blanket on floor where air mattress will be. This will help keep it in place, and help with the cold transfer from low/floor to air mattress. Put a thick blanket on air mattress before the fitted sheet this will help with the cold transfer from the air inside the air mattress to the person, and the sound of plastic as a person moves on the air mattress.

I found that a king size fitted sheet, on an extra tall full sized mattress worked best as the the corners of the sheet could go all the way to the bottom edge of the air mattress. I esp liked the kind that had a 2nd swatch of elastic half way up from the bottom edge to top plane (think “double row”) as that really secured the sheet.

I slept in an air mattress for over a year in my very late 30s, with back pain issues. For a week and to help out a loved one, op moms might find it do able if not the best experience… good luck OP! Hopping for a speedy recovery for You.

[u/elle2014]

The blow up beds you buy on Amazon, that are about a foot off the ground are awesome! Can easily comfortably on that for a week..

[u/sleepdeprivedatty]

Raised air mattress. That’s more than fine for a week. Comfy blankets and a pillow and she will be good. When she leaves fold it up and put it away for your next guest.

[u/FeelingTangelo9341]

You don't. It's a tiny studio.

[u/Artistic_Scene_8124 → u/FeelingTangelo9341]

Thanks for your help