Finding the Right Sized Bed for You

We've all seen it, that bed that is so big that only a tiny pathway is possible around its edges. Or perhaps the room is so large that a small bed seems out of scale. Or maybe you're struggling with a bed size that feels all wrong. Whatever your situation there are two main considerations when deciding which size mattress to choose. How much bed fits you? And how much bed fits your room?

First, consider your sleeping patterns. Do you wake up in the same position you went to sleep in or do you toss and turn all night? Are you especially tall? If so then maybe you should consider an extra long bed or a longer and wider bed. How about your mate? What are their main considerations?

Mattresses come in four main categories. There are twin, full/double, queen and king sizes. Most linens available will be in these sizes as well and other variations or customizations can make shopping for linens quite challenging. A twin mattress will give you 39 inches of sleeping width. Two people sharing a full/double sized bed will have the least amount of sleeping width at only 27 inches, since the double bed is only 17 inches wider than the twin. However, one individual on a full sized bed has a very comfortable 54 inches of width. Add another six inches and you'll have a Queen sized mattress giving two individuals each 30 inches width of sleeping space. Finally a King size bed is equal to the sleeping width of a twin bed for two people. Some mates sleep touching or cuddled together while others don't want anyone near them as they rest. Which sleeping width seems to be the best fit for your situation?

A twin mattress is 75 inches long, so a person who is 6' 3" or taller is likely to feel a little uncomfortable. The full bed is also 75 inches long although one individual can sleep diagonally on a bed and gain a more comfortable sleeping space. Extra-long twin, Queen and King mattresses are all 80 inches long, though sleeping at an angle on the Queen or King will help a taller person feel more comfortable. A California King sized mattress is a whooping 84 inches long and the longest standard size mattress available. So which sleeping width seems to be the best fit for your unique situation?

Most of us would likely choose a king size bed for ourselves and a mate, however, it is good to take into consideration the size of one's bedroom before making a final choice on bed size. First, a very small room will require a smaller bed. One needs at least 18 - 24 inches between the side of the bed and a wall. And in a bedroom where one will also dress, there should be enough room between the bed and any other furniture in the room to comfortably dress, workout or any other activity you choose. This would usually mean a minimum of about 5 feet between the bed and the far wall. So for example in a bedroom that is 12' feet wide, a 60 inch wide double bed that is 24 inches from one side of the room will leave about five feet of dressing space between the bed and the far wall. Now, as long as that space isn't cluttered with other furniture, this should be a comfortable sized bed for the space. A twin bed in a room that is 12' wide will leave even more room for dressing, and possibly a desk or workout space. However, a King sized bed would fill up so much of the room that it could risk making the fit so tight that reduces the possible uses for the rest of the room. The trend in home building seems to be toward larger master bedrooms, so if your bedroom is especially large, you'll want a larger bed to fit the scale of the room. Know the size of your room and give some thought to the other uses for the room before you make a mattress purchase.

Finally, sometimes the home you live in makes the decision of what size bed you should choose on your behalf. For example, a master bedroom that is up a flight of stairs and around a tricky corner may be a very difficult trip for a King sized mattress but a Queen might fit just fine. A complicated basement doorway and stairs might only accommodate a twin sized mattress. Be sure to measure the tightest places that a mattress will have to pass through before you head off to the mattress store. No matter what size you choose, the mattress store will have lots of other choices for you to make. But once you know the size that is right for you, then you are ready for a trip to the mattress store. Your salesperson will present you with a long list of other choices as well, firm or soft, mattress thickness, brand names and construction styles and the product warranty are additional decisions that you will make when purchasing a mattress.

And finally, I'll leave you with the basic measurements of most common mattress sizes, but when purchasing linens for your bed, be sure to measure before you purchase. A twin sized bed is 39" wide x 75" long. And extra-long twin is 39" wide x 80". The full/double sized mattress will be 54 x 75 inches. The Queen will be 60 x 80 inches and the King sized bed will be 76 x 80. And finally, the California King comes in at a whooping 72 x 84 inches. May you find the right bed for you and may your rest be sweet.