From ever-yawning newborns to early-rising retirees, the need for sleep is universal. According to the sleep experts at SleepFoundation.org, most adults should be snoozing for at least seven hours each night while kids and teens require upwards of 10 hours to maintain their health and mood. Besides practicing good sleep hygiene like limiting caffeine and heavy meals and putting down phones two hours before bedtime, the next step to quality Z’s is choosing the right mattress to catch them on. Factors to consider when trying out mattresses are comfort, quality, and of course, size. Here’s the low down on each mattress size and who it’s best for to narrow down the top picks.
Twin
The go-to size for kids and tweens, twin beds (sometimes referred to as “single” beds) comfortably fit growing kiddos but with a modest footprint, leaving space for other growing-up necessities like piles of dirty laundry and half-finished Lego creations.
What Size is a Twin Mattress?
They’re 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. That’s just about three feet by six feet.
Who Are They Best For?
Twin mattresses are ideal for youngsters who can still sprawl just fine in a compact space. They’re also great for teens and even adults who aren’t inching past six feet on the growth chart. Anyone taller than that might find themselves counting more sheep since the limited size leaves less room to stretch, especially for side sleepers who end up diagonal by sunrise.
Where to Use Them
In traditional bunk and loft beds, daybeds, and single-bed frames. The narrow width makes twin-sized beds easy to squeeze into tight spaces like smaller guest rooms and cabins.
How to Style It
Give dimension to twin beds by mixing textures, patterns, and shapes. Toss a round chenille sham over satin pillowcases and top with a folded quilt at the foot of the bed to provide greater visual depth than a lone bedspread and pillow would for the petite size.
Why Choose a Twin:
● They’re a great transition from the crib. While toddler mattresses may seem like the obvious next step after graduating from a crib, they’re actually the same size as a crib mattress, just softer. Twin-sized beds leave much more room to grow.while giving lots of cushion.
● Better fit for a smaller space. Twin beds are a safe bet when composing a bedroom out of a compact space like a sunroom or walk-in closet conversion.
Don’t leave those beds bare! No matter the size of the bed, a mattress protector is an absolute must for keeping dust and sweat at bay. They’re easy to put on - most just go right under the fitted sheet - and are equally easy to pull off and throw in the wash with the rest of the bedding on washday.
Twin XL
Five inches longer than a standard twin, twin XL is the default dorm-room bed size since it provides more length for young adults who have already hit their full-grown height by the time classes start for that first fall semester.
What Size is a Twin XL Mattress?
38 inches wide and 80 inches long, exceeding the six-foot length of a standard twin.
Who Are They Best For?
Tall teens and young adults as well as any adult single sleeper who doesn’t need a ton of room to toss and turn through the night.
Where to Use Them
Besides dorm rooms, twin XLs are a great alternative to standard twins in guest rooms and vacation homes that need to sleep many in a limited space. The extra length provides adequate leg room for everyone while the still-narrow width keeps even the coziest bedrooms streamlined and manageable.
How to Style It
Give these modest beds a sophisticated glam up by choosing a frame with a tufted upholstered headboard or fully embrace the minimalist look by opting for a sleek metal platform frame and layering it with linen sheets and quilts to give it a grownup feel in even the most scaled-down of rooms.
Why Choose a Twin XL:
● Like a standard twin mattress, twin XLs fit into tight spaces. Unlike a standard twin, XLs can accommodate most adults, making them the right choice for single sleepers who need to make the most of their square footage.
● Higher quality for less money. It’s no secret that the bigger the mattress, the higher the price tag. With the compact size of a twin XL there’s more room in the budget to spend on better materials instead of more inches.
Do most beds really need a mattress pad? Probably not. While they can provide extra cushion, new mattresses shouldn’t need additional padding - they should be comfy from the get-go! Testing mattresses in person rather than relying on online reviews can help narrow down the most comfortable option and avoid the need for extra padding (or worse yet, finding out the bed is too soft after it’s already unpacked).
Full
The next size up from twin and twin XL is the full-sized mattress. These are often found in economy hotel rooms, and, like a regular twin mattress, are shorter than every other mattress size out there. That means that for tall folks, a full mattress might provide plenty of room to spread out, but a good stretch could mean toes hanging off the foot of the bed.
What Size is a Full Mattress?
Full, also sometimes referred to as “double” or “standard” mattresses (yep, they’re all the same) are 54 inches wide and 75 inches long.
Who Are They Best For?
While they’ve long been considered the standard bed size for couples, full beds are best for single sleepers under 6 feet tall who want a roomier night’s sleep than they’d get with a twin. They’re a great alternative to twin beds for kids since they provide more room to lounge but don’t take up as much square footage as queen- and king-sized beds do.
Where to Use Them
In kids’ rooms and guest rooms. They can even be used in full-sized loft and bunk beds for older children and teens who share a room but need separate space to chill.
How to Style It
When using full beds in guest rooms, steer clear of overdoing it with the shams and decorative pillows which look nice but create extra clutter come bedtime. Instead, stack each side with two standard pillows then top with one decorative pillow in the center that can be thrown on a nearby chair when it’s time to turn the lights out.
Why Choose a Full:
● As a compact solution to a cramped master bedroom. For couples who are under 6 feet tall, a full bed could be the perfect fit for a tiny bedroom whereas a queen- or king-sized bed could leave things feeling jammed and overwhelmed.
● As an alternative to a twin bed for kid’s rooms. This size gives kiddos a more spacious spot to call it a night and leaves lots of margin on either side for seventy stuffies to keep them company until morning.
Consider boxsprings a thing of the past. Unless the mattress manufacturer specifically states that the product requires a boxspring, most modern mattresses just don’t need them! Plus, many bed frame styles (like platforms) are designed to look and perform well without them.
Queen
The royal moniker was given as a marketing ploy back in the swinging sixties. It was meant to entice consumers into investing in what was then considered a luxurious bed size. Clever strategy aside, it’s hard to imagine that anyone would need to be sold on 4,800 square inches of dreamy comfort. Today, the majority of mattresses sold are queen size.
What Size is a Queen Mattress?
Queen mattresses are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Who Are They Best For?
Couples. The size gives plenty of leeway to toss and turn in peace or cuddle up close.
Where to Use Them
In master bedrooms.
How to Style It
When choosing bedding for a queen bed, consider layering two twin-sized sheets and blankets (one for each sleeper) beneath the queen-sized bedspread. These separate blankets make for a better night’s sleep for those whose partner is a stealth blanket snatcher when the AC is blasting full force.
Why Choose a Queen:
● Because queen-sized beds can’t be outgrown. At five feet wide and over six feet long, a queen is a great investment because it’ll always be a great fit for a single sleeper or a couple.
● There’s no shortage of opportunity to stretch on a queen mattress, yet it’s not as cumbersome to move or make space for as a king would be.
When considering a new mattress ask about adjustable bed bases. They’re available for all bed sizes and, just like the name implies, they can elevate or lower a mattress to any incline to achieve a more comfortable position. Besides the comfort factor, they can also relieve the symptoms of common sleep conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia. They’re also great for acid reflux sufferers who resort to propping themselves up straight with pillows every night.
King
Over a foot wider than a queen, king mattresses are the roomiest of the standard mattress sizes.
What Size is a King Mattress?
76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Who Are They Best For?
While most couples do just fine in a queen bed, those who bedshare with their tots or a canine companion will find that the bigger the mattress, the better. But these beds aren’t just for couples. If space allows for it, a king bed accommodates single sleepers who slumber in every variety of sleep poses, including The Starfish.
Where to Use Them
In large master bedrooms.
How to Style It
To keep a king-sized bed from eclipsing the entire room, center it on the longest wall and anchor it with a nightstand on either side. Be sure to avoid busy, patterned bedspreads.
Why Choose a King:
● To make room for pets. For anyone who welcomes their cats or dogs into bed at night, a king bed means there’s still enough room for human sleepers to carve out a cozy spot while their fuzzy companions have a snorefest.
● They’re ideal for bedsharing. If kids are hopping in bed more often than not, a bigger bed can mean a sweeter night's sleep for everyone.
Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Needs
Besides size, here’s a few other things to consider when working with a mattress rep to find the right bed:
● The size of the room you’ll be using it in. Make sure to measure wall-to-wall both lengthwise and widthwise to determine the max size the room will accommodate.
● Any health conditions brought on by or exacerbated by sleep. Sleep apnea, insomnia, poor circulation, back alignment issues and acid reflux can all be affected by the quality or type of mattress.
● If the mattress will be used in a frame or on the floor. A great rep will be able to suggest which brands and styles work best for each placement.
● Ask for a support and pressure relief mapping. We offer in-store comfort mapping to pinpoint pressure points, then we give our recommendations for the best mattress types based on the results. This way, you can take comfort in knowing that the bed you choose doesn’t just feel nice - it’s being nice to your body too.
What is the difference between a King and a California King?
A king mattress is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long while a California king mattress is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. That means that the California king is slimmer yet slightly longer than a standard king-size mattress.
What is a Family Bed and How Big is It?
Though they’re not exactly mainstream, family beds have carved out their own niche thanks to a rise in bedsharing practices among families with young children. At 12 (yes, twelve!) feet wide and about seven feet long, these gigantic mattresses are as big as some master bedrooms! While they’re certainly impressive, and no doubt convenient for those middle-of-the-night wakeups, they’re hard to find bedding for and can be quite tricky to move and clean around.
From comfort to dreamy bedroom style, we’re here to help you get your best night’s sleep! Shop our mattress selection online or head into our gallery to meet with one of our design experts.