How to Get Used to Sharing a Bed With Someone Else

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Last Updated: September 23, 2025 References

Sharing a bed with someone else can be difficult to get used, especially if you've been accustomed to sleeping by yourself for most or all of your life. While there are negative points to sharing a bed, such as no longer having the freedom to move around as you like or needing to deal with snoring, some find that doing so can provide an increased sense of security and comfort. If you and your partner have recently moved in together and are sharing a bed, how can you get used to this new sleeping arrangement? This article will help you to adapt to it.

Steps

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1
Consider the size of the bed. Waking up in the middle of the night because you or your partner unintentionally struck each other is not a great feeling. If the two of you find that your current mattress doesn't provide the space you need to sleep comfortably, it might be time to purchase a larger one, such as a queen or king size.
- If buying a new or larger mattress isn't an option at this time or if restless legs are still an issue, try placing a line of pillows in the middle of the bed as a sort of wall between you, if there's enough space for it.
2
Use pillows to make your side of the bed more comfortable. While you'll likely find yourself sleeping in a different bed than before, that doesn't mean you have to use different pillows as well. If your old pillow was really comfortable and you still have it with you, why not keep using it?
- Sharing a bed with someone else is already a big change to your sleeping environment, there's no need to change it even more, and thus make it harder to get used to, by getting rid of what helps you to sleep comfortably.
- Body pillows can also help with getting comfortable.^{[1]
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  Research source} Although they can be expensive, if you're not used to sleeping with a body pillow and would like some extra cushioning for your arms and legs, consider getting one. Alternatively, you can use well-placed regular pillows to achieve similar support.^{[2]
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3
Determine whether you can share the blankets or not. Sharing a bed might also mean sharing the blankets, which could lead to issues if someone tries to wrap themselves up in it, especially during cold nights.
- If you find yourself waking up at night feeling cold because your spouse has gotten more than their share of the comforter, or vice versa, it might a good idea to instead get separate sheets and comforters for each of you.
- Alternatively, you could try purchasing a comforter that is a size larger than the mattress, giving more coverage for both sleepers.
4
Handle differences in sleep cycles. Are you more of an early riser whereas your significant other is a night owl or something to that effect? The differences in your sleep and wake schedules can make it difficult for either of you to get the good rest you need.
- If your sleep cycles do differ, it's recommended to try making compromises to make both cycles match up, if possible.^{[3]
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- Items such as eye masks and ear plugs can help with mitigating light or noise disruptions as one sleeper gets into and out of bed at different times.
- If you do get into or out of bed at a time much different from your partner, try to do so as quietly as possible, so as not to disturb them. After all, you would like them to do the same for you, wouldn't you?
- Additionally, if you require an alarm to wake up early before your partner, you might choose a vibrating alarm over a usual noise-emitting one, so as not to disturb them as much.^{[4]
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5
Deal with snoring. Unfortunately, the issue of snoring is very likely going to arise when sharing a bed. Perhaps you snore or maybe it's your partner. Maybe both of you do. Whatever the case, it's important to deal with the issue rather than trying to ignore it. No one likes another person's snoring disrupting their rest!
- To block out or dampen the noise, you might choose to use earplugs or use some other solution, such as a white noise generator.
- If your partner's snoring is keeping you up at night, be sure to let them know. Offer to help them to find a solution, such as changing their sleeping position.
- Snoring can be indicative of sleep apnea.^{[5]
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  Trustworthy Source
  
  Mayo Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source} If either of you snore and report other symptoms of sleep apnea, it's a good idea to get tested. Getting treated can result in restful sleep for both sleepers.
6
Communicate with your partner. Communication is key to a good relationship.^{[6]
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Research source} Whatever issues arise, be sure to let your other half know and be willing to listen to whatever concerns they might have. Ultimately, the goal is for both of you to be comfortable and have a restful night's sleep.
- If your significant other isn't a morning person, or if it's a hectic time of the day, it might be best to talk about your sleep later in the day when both of you are relaxed.
- Regularly communicate, including about one another's sleep. Have there been any new problems that have arisen since the last time you talked about it?
7
Don't share a bed if it's preventing good rest. If you've tried to get used to sharing a bed but found that due to persistent snoring, a lack of space or other problems you or your partner just can't get a good sleep, the solution might be to just not share a bed. This isn't indicative of a failure in your relationship. It simply means that both of you can't sleep well in a shared bed.
- Depending on the reason, the two of you might decide to sleep in two separate beds in the same room. This provides some feeling of security, like sleeping together, but with the space and freedom of movement of sleeping alone.
- If snoring or a difference in bedtimes is the issue or if the bedroom is too small for two mattresses, you might consider sleeping in two different rooms instead.