Choosing the Right Size Mattress

Is your bed large enough?  That double-sized bed for you and your spouse that was perfect when you were first married may be just a little too cozy these days.  When choosing a mattress size, you not only need to consider the size of the room, but the size of the people sleeping in the bed, and you and your spouse may not be as slim and trim as you once were.

Twin Beds

Twin beds measure 38 inches by 75 inches and were always the bed of choice in children’s rooms.  These days even children are outgrowing the tiny twins, as parents are finding a full size to be better for them to sit on while reading to the child or for having friends overnight.

Twin beds do slip right in to tiny guest rooms when necessary, but your guest may not be thanking you in the morning if they’re over 5-1/2 feet tall! 

Full Beds

Full beds measure 53 inches by 75 inches and are best for single sleepers under 5-1/2 feet tall.   That leaves each partner only 27 inches of personal space, or about the width of a crib. Both twin and full sizes are approximately 75 inches long, which may be too short for some adults, especially men.

Full sized beds are best for guest rooms, teen rooms and children’s rooms.

Queen Beds

Measuring 60 by 80 inches, queen mattresses are the most popular size in mattresses.  Fitting into smaller master bedrooms, they are also a great choice for guest rooms as well.  But with just 30 inches of personal space for couples, each person is still getting less room than they would sleeping alone in a twin bed!

Make sure stairways and hallways can handle moving a queen box spring into the room, as it is the most difficult piece of a bed to move, as king box springs are two pieces and mattresses offer more flexibility.

King Beds

Measuring 76 by 80 inches, king beds are the best choice for couples looking for maximum personal space.  They are especially popular for couples who have pets and children that share the bed on occasion.  A king bed is the same size as two extra long twin beds pushed together, which is good choice for flexibility in guest rooms.  While king beds are the roomiest, remember that king sized bedding is also the most expensive.

There is also a size known as a California king which is 72 by 84 inches.  Make sure when choosing bedding that you are choosing the correct size for your bed. 

When choosing a bed for any bedroom, of course consider the size of the room, but more importantly, consider the size of the people sleeping in the room.