In order to get a good night’s sleep, you have to find the right bed for your needs. But how do you do so? How do you make that Goldilocks decision about the perfect bed size for you? The first step is awareness of what is available.
Standard Bed Sizes
When it comes to the perfect bed size, you have options. There are a few sizes that we do not elaborate on here—non-standard bed sizes like Olympic queens and Texas, Wyoming, and Alaska kings—and if the beds on this list don’t meet your needs, you may consider them. Here we focus on the most traditional bed sizes.
Cribs
Crib sizes vary pretty broadly, but it is common for standard crib mattresses to measure 28 by 52 inches. Mini cribs fall within the 24 by 38 inches range. Crib styles also offer a lot of variety.
Twin
A twin mattress is the standard model. The dimensions are 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, offering 2,850 square inches of surface area. If you want a bed that is very affordable with lots of options for sheets and bed frames, a twin may be the perfect bed size for you. Twins are ideal for children who will eventually outgrow the mattress or for otherwise short single sleepers.
Twin XL
Twin XLs are often the perfect bed size for teenagers or single adult sleepers taller than six feet. At 38″ x 80″ and 3,040 square inches, twin XL beds are the same length as queen and king mattresses but less wide. Many people find that this bed size provides ample legroom, even when sharing the bed with a pet. Because of its twin width, it is not an ideal size for couples. It can also be difficult to find sheets and other accessories of both the right length and width.
Full
Full mattresses measure 4,050 square inches, 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. Without quite reaching the dimensions of a queen, full beds can still be pretty spacious for adults shorter than six feet tall. Many households opt for full sized beds in guest bedrooms, but before buying one consider all the angles. Full beds can be more affordable, though when they are nearly the price of a queen, the significantly reduced space may not be worth it.
Queen
Queen beds are the first on this list that are geared towards sleeping couples. They are also good for single sleepers who like a lot of space. They measure 60 by 80 inches, offering 4,800 square inches of surface area. This means they are not the same width as two twin beds, though a queen is roughly five inches longer.
Queens are the most common bed size. This means that sheets, comforters, bed skirts, and other accessories are widely available. A queen may be the perfect bed for you if you don’t plan to share your bed with children as well as a significant other. Queens are also easier to move than much wider kings.
King
At 76″ x 80″ and 6,080 square inches of surface area, king mattresses offer the same width as two twins pushed together in addition to an extra five inches in length. Kings are the perfect bed for couples who prefer a lot of space, perhaps because they move around during sleep or because they share the bed with a child.
Kings are the largest overall mattress size. This makes them difficult to move and means that they tend to dominate any room. They are also more expensive than smaller mattresses, but you get the space you pay for. Kings are a very standard bed size, so finding accessories is not difficult.
California King
The last on our list is the California king. Measuring 72″ x 84″ with a surface area of 6,048 square inches, the California king is not as wide as its stateless counterpart, but it is longer. This makes this mattress size good for tall couples or those who let their pet sleep at the foot of the bed. California kings are the most expensive mattress size. They are difficult to move, and finding linens that fit can be a challenge.
How to Choose the Perfect Bed Size for You
Before you can know the perfect bed size for you, there are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Who is sleeping in the bed?
- How tall are the sleepers?
- Do you roll around much in your sleep?
- Do you sleep fully extended or curled up?
- How big is the room?
- Do you move often or will otherwise need to move the mattress a lot?
- Is the bed for a child who will grow more quickly?
- What is your budget?
Furniture experts are a great resource when it comes to answering these kinds of questions. Our team members at Sugar House Furniture can help you find the perfect bed size for you and walk with you as you explore our array of custom mission furniture.
