Getting yourself a new mattress can be an exciting new purchase. But with all those different sizes available, the sheets, throw pillows and varying ranges of comfort depending on the brand, there’s a lot to take in before buying yourself such an important household item. Depending on who you’re moving in with, the size you desire, and how you want to lay out your new bedroom, buying a mattress is going to take some serious research.
With that research comes mattress sizes and we’re here to lay out the different beds you can grab, why a particular size might be better for your lifestyle, and which one will fit best for you and your tastes!
Twin Mattress
- 39 x 75 inches
- Perfect for singles, children, and those with smaller bedrooms or living spaces
- Smallest bed available
Getting yourself a twin bed is ideal if you’re looking to save money and space. Twin beds are the smallest available standard beds in stores, which also makes them the most affordable. They’re particularly great for anyone who’s living alone or in a smaller space, such as a studio apartment, a dorm room, or a junior one-bedroom place. Given their compact size, they’re your best bet to add accents to a smaller bedroom without needing to sacrifice any precious space. Another good thing about this particular size is that it’s more popular than some of the larger ones, which means finding the perfect bedding will be a breeze.
Full Mattress
- 54 x 75 inches
- Perfect for single sleepers who want something a bit larger than a twin
- A great choice for guest bedrooms
A full mattress, often referred to as a double, is a terrific choice if you’re looking for the perfect compromise between a queen and a twin bed. It’s the “just right” size, if you will. It will give you a significant upgrade from a twin without taking up as much room as a queen, and still remains reasonably priced. However, it’s important to note that even though it’s much bigger than a twin, a full mattress not ideal for couples or those of us who enjoy letting our pups sleep on the bed.
Queen Mattress
- 60 x 80 inches
- The perfect choice for couples or those who share their bed with pets
- Can still fit in smaller bedrooms
A queen mattress has become so popular that it seems to be taking over bedrooms, and with good reason. This choice is great for couples, those who like sharing their beds with their pets, or even just singles who need more room when they sleep. (Not to mention, who doesn’t want to have a queen all to themselves?) Queen beds are a bit more on the expensive side, but sometimes they’re the way to go if you want a larger bed without having one that will take up the majority of the bedroom.
King Mattress
- 76 x 80 inches
- The perfect option for couples or those who share a bed with children
- Offers a significant amount of space and is great for larger bedrooms
The king size mattress is the one we all dream about at night. It’s the luxurious option for those with larger bedrooms or a little more money to blow. Technically speaking, you can even use a king size bed as a single because a) we’re not here to tell you how to live your life and b) if you have the cash at your disposal then why not go big or go home? King mattresses are perfect for stretching out and having ample room to snooze. They’re also a great choice for couples with smaller children who are prone to having nightmares and crawling into their parents’ bed in the middle of the night.
California King Mattress
- 72 x 84 inches
- The longest mattress available for purchase
- A great option for those looking for a luxuriously sized bed or for tall sleepers
If you’re looking for the longest mattress on the market, then you’ve found it. While it might not offer as much width as the traditional king mattress does, but it offers a few more inches in length, making it perfect for taller sleepers. This is also the best option for couples looking for a bigger bed to not only offer more space but to give their bedroom a little something extra.
Comparing Mattress Sizes
Now that you know some of the basics for mattresses, we can go into some further detail about the main differences between ones that are just a size apart. It’s always good to know which mattress size would be the best for you and your household if you’re stuck between two different sizes!
Twin Mattress Vs. Full Mattress
This one can be a bit tricky, mainly because both twin and full mattresses are built for singles and shouldn’t really be used for couples. So, if you’re looking to save a little money or you’re in a smaller space, you should still consider moving up on the list to a larger bed to properly accommodate you and your partner.
However, if you’re someone who isn’t quite sure which size would be best for you to sleep in alone, then it really all boils down to: a) how you sleep, and b) if you have any pets. A twin is a terrific choice for you if you don’t take up too much room or toss and turn in your sleep, don’t have any pets, and need something a little more compact to fit comfortably in a smaller space. If you’re someone who tends to like a little more room to breathe in bed (ex. if you’re a diagonal sleeper or if you’re constantly tossing and turning around) and you have a smaller cat or dog that you don’t mind sharing the bed with, you should consider a full.
A full/double bed is a perfect option for someone wanting a little more leg room because they’re also moderately priced for a mattress that nearly doubles in size from its twin predecessor. The only thing you’ll need to worry about if you’re going to grab a double is whether or not you’re willing to sacrifice more space for a better sleep.
Full Mattress Vs. Queen Mattress
Even though there isn’t a ton of added space on a queen bed, those few extra inches really can actually make a world of difference.
If you’re moving in with someone, have bigger pets, or are someone who just enjoys having a nice bed all to themselves, then a queen bed is definitely the way to go. It’s longer and wider than a full mattress, so you’ll have tons of room to roll around in your sleep, share the bed with your pooch, or make the most of a moderately sized bedroom. A queen bed is also an ideal choice for those sharing the bed with their partners, because those five added inches will give you and that additional person just enough room to sleep comfortably. If you try to squeeze yourself and another person on a full mattress, you might not have enough room and run into some difficulties trying to sleep comfortably. Plus, an added bonus to the queen size bed is that it fits beautifully in a master bedroom.
The only thing you really need to take into consideration with a queen or even a full is that they’re not exactly built for the tallest of people. So, if you’re someone who’s towering at six feet in height or taller, you should consider getting something a little longer so you’ll be able to rest easy.
Though, if you’re a single who’s still deciding between a full and a queen, then you should really base it off of how much space you have in your room, how much you’d like to spend, and whether you really need a queen or you’re just pining over a bigger bed for the sake of a bigger bed. A double is comfortable, offers more than enough room, and will save you a lot of money!
Queen Mattress Vs. King Mattress
Ah, the great debate between the king and the queen bed is something that most couples often go through. Do you want more space to move around in your sleep? Can you justify spending the money on a king-size bed? Will your new master bedroom allow for such a large piece of furniture?
These are the questions that keep you tossing and turning, but the decision doesn’t need to be that tough! As stated, a king size bed is a wonderful choice for those who have children, larger pets, or a bigger space that permits a bigger bed. Think of it this way: a king size mattress is going to offer you and your partner about a twin size bed’s worth of space apiece. If you also previously had a queen size bed and thought it wasn’t exactly working for you and your partner, or even just you on your own, then splurging on a king might not be the worst idea.
A queen size bed, on the other hand, is just as good for couples. Don’t get me wrong, a queen is significantly smaller than a king, but that doesn’t mean you and your partner will never be able to get a good night’s sleep on a smaller mattress. If your bedroom is a bit smaller, if you don’t have it in the budget, or if you know in your heart of hearts that a queen will do the job just fine, stick with your gut. Also, remember that a queen mattress is a popular size so you’ll have a wide variety of bedding to choose from without needing to go on a serious hunt for anything!
King Mattress Vs. California King Mattress
Oh boy… well, we’ve reached the largest beds on the market! The decision between these two bad boys really all boils down to cost, the size of your bedroom, the height of your partner, and how luxuriously you like to live your life.
A lot of people may see a California king as being a wee bit too big for a bedroom, and given that a king bed is actually wider option, it might come off like a frivolous purchase. It’s important to keep in mind that some people may thrive off a mattress this size, though, because it sacrifices a few inches in width for a longer length, making it a perfect selection for taller people. Those who top the charts at six feet or higher need a good night’s sleep like the rest of us and a California king is the longest bed size available on the market. Go with your partner to a furniture or bedding store and see the options they have. If at the end of the day your partner is more comfortable on the California king and if your budget and living arrangements can fit it in, then you should look into purchasing one!
Though, if you and your partner aren’t super tall, then a king bed would certainly meet your needs. As we already covered, a king size bed is a huge upgrade from a queen. With an additional 16 inches in width, a king size is more than accommodating for you and your special someone. A king is also a larger bed that will fit well in more spacious master bedrooms.
Choosing the kind of bed you want is no easy task, but knowing a little bit more about the available sizes is sure to help. It all comes down the main factors of money, bedroom space, how you like to sleep, who you’re sharing the bed with, and your personal tastes. It’s important to choose the mattress that’s right for you and your needs as you’re going to be spending an approximate third of your life on a bed!
While some of the more popular mattresses come with more bedding options or a cheaper price tag, there’s no shame or harm at looking into the larger models to see how it’ll fit in your bedroom and whether it’s the best fit for your lifestyle. Our beds are the places we go for comfort and to take a load off, so make sure the one you’re grabbing is going to meet all that you require!
