When it comes to your bed, size really does matter. However plush or comfortable your mattress is, if it’s the wrong size, you still won’t get a good night’s sleep. A smart-gel, memory-foam pocket-spring hybrid is redundant if every turn has you bumping your partner or headbutting the bedside table. But before you spring for a king – make sure you have the floor space to accommodate it. Here’s a breakdown of the most common bed sizes and where, and for whom they are ideal.
When it comes to your bed, size really does matter. However plush or comfortable your mattress is, if it’s the wrong size, you still won’t get a good night’s sleep. A smart-gel, memory-foam pocket-spring hybrid is redundant if every turn has you bumping your partner or headbutting the bedside table. But before you spring for a king – make sure you have the floor space to accommodate it. Here’s a breakdown of the most common bed sizes and where, and for whom they are ideal.
Single/Twin
Twin beds and singles are the same thing, and are typically 92x188cm, or 36 x 74 inches. They’re ideal for small bedrooms, kids rooms and guest bedrooms. For kids, because they really don’t need anything bigger, the extra floor-space is great for play and learning to make a bed is easiest with a single.
Guest bedrooms are typically on the smaller side, so twin beds allow you to accommodate an extra person in the room and still offer a comfortable night’s sleep.
¾ Bed
A popular choice among young adults, a three-quarter bed, at 107 cm, instead of 92, is wider than a single. For teens who have outgrown their childhood bed – and spend an awful lot of time asleep, this is a great compromise.
Double
A double or full bed measures 137 x 188 cm. They can accommodate two people, but with very little wriggle room, which is why most couples opt for a queen. Some parents sleep young siblings in a double, though restless tots may disturb each other and will fast outgrow sharing. A double, like twin beds, can offer a comfortable night’s sleep over a short stay, but isn’t an ideal long-term solution for two adults. It is, however, great for singles who like their space or the occasional sleepover.
Extra Length
Extra length, or XL mattress dimensions apply to speciality single, ¾ or double beds – queens and kings are already longer. An extra length mattress is 15 cm longer than average, making it 203 cm. Most people don’t need the extra, but if you’re longer than your mattress, you won’t sleep well.
Queen
Wider and longer than a double, 153 x 203 cm, the queen is by far the most popular couples’ bed. A good guideline for a sharing bed is that two people can lie comfortably side by side, hands behind their heads, without touching elbows, which, for most people, the queen allows. Though not as spacious as a king, queen beds offer plenty of room and will fit into most master bedrooms.
King
The same length as a queen, a king is 30 cm wider. This makes it great for larger individuals who need a bit more width, and for couples who like their space, have a restless sleep partner or regular extras in the bed – by which I mean the kids. Because of its size though, you’ll need a relatively spacious master bedroom.
That’s pretty much it for the standard sizes, though for extremely tall individuals – think NBA stars – there’s still the California King, the longest mattress you’ll find, at 214 cm. At 183 cm wide, it is 10 cm narrower than the standard king, but is still the bed of your dreams.