Can’t decide between the king and the queen size bed?

You’re pretty sure you want a king, but you just keep thinking how ginormous a king size bed really is. Should you second guess yourself and begin thinking about settling for a queen? What if you’re wrong and the queen is too small. So what should you do and what’s the difference anyway?

Well if size matters then we suggest forgetting the idea of queen and consider an eastern king or a California King with its seven-foot length, which is a definite must have if you’re tall. However there are a couple drawbacks to the Cal. King; it is very hard to find sheets, comforters, and head boards / foot boards for.

On the other hand finding bedding for an Eastern king is not a problem and can be found in nearly every store that sells sheets and comforters. Quite frankly over the last 20 years we’re selling a lot more king size beds, this may be due to the increased size of today’s bedrooms. Something else that makes the eastern king appealing is the additional 16” of width, which comfortably accommodates two sleepers, cats, dogs, and yes the kids more comfortably.

The queen size mattress is indeed smaller measuring only 60” wide by 80” long and is still by far the most common size bed sold today. During the 1960’s the queen and king size beds came into use and American couples never chose the double or full size as their master bedroom mattress again.

The King and Queen Mattress Pros and Cons

Queen costs an average of $150.00 –  $300.00 less than king

King offers 38” of sleeping space for each sleeper, which is the same as a twin but better for adults because they are 5 inches longer. Also the additional space allows both sleepers to sprawl out and relax.

Sheets, comforters, and mattress pads cost slightly less for queen

Linen / Bedding election is slightly better for queen size

The queen is the best selling size because it often fits the best in the bedroom

Sleep is the rejuvenating phase for the body which helps us heal, re-energize, and process new information be at the top of our game for a new day. We encourage you to give thought to the advantages of a king if you have the space. We don’t think you would ever regret choosing a larger more comfortable size.

2 twins make a king size bed?

You might be surprised to learn that these are nothing more than 2 twins beds pushed together. Industry pros might call it a really short king. Much confusion surrounds what this make shift bed size really is. What ever you call it there are some interesting facts about this mattress conundrum.

The industry standard mattress size for an Eastern King size bed 76 x 80 and underneath it we do not use the mattress industry standard twin size 38 x 75 boxspring. Putting an 80 inch king mattress on two regular 75 inch twin boxsprings is in fact 5 inches shorter than the king mattress leaving the 80 inch mattress hanging off the ends of  twin boxspring by 5 inches leaving the mattress unsupported.

Do two twin extra longs make a king?

The mattress industry in fact uses 2 Twin E.L. (Extra Long) boxsprings which each measures 38 x 80 under a 76 x 80 king mattress. What makes this whole thing confusing is when you place 2 twin mattresses side by side they are the exact same width as a standard king size bed. Many people insist pushing two twins together are the same as a king, however when you visit your local department stores like Kohl’s, JC Penny’s and Bed Bath and Beyond and purchase king size sheets, you will find that the fitted sheet does not fit, leaving the king fitted sheet fitting with 5 inches of slack.

I have often read that 2 twin box springs will fit underneath a California King, which measures 72 x 84. This is not true. The mattress and box spring industry specifically makes a 36 x 84 boxspring for the Cal. King bed which uses 2 that fit perfectly under this extra long mattress. Sheets also are available in Cal. King size.

So what happens if I push my two twin mattresses together?

For those who would like to push to twins together and make a “short king” this is America go for it, however to my knowledge there is no bedding ensembles made to fit this. So here is my solution. You will need to improvise by purchasing two fitted twin sheets, one king flat sheet, and 2 king pillow cases separately. You are now ready to stop sleeping like Lucy and Ricky and push your beds together. Sleep tight!

If you are trying to choose between a queen size mattress or a full size mattress we would like to share a  few interesting facts that may help you determine which size might work best for your needs.

So does size matter?

Of course it does. First lets compare the queen size mattress to the full size mattress.
Queen measures 60 inches wide x 80 inches long
Full measures 54 inches wide x 75 inches long

The obvious difference of 5 extra inches in the length should not be easily shrugged off. For most average height sleepers it is the difference between your feet hanging off the bed or not hanging off the bed.

The extra 6 inches in width that comes with a queen size bed is a must have for any adult couple that sleeps together. Personally I love my king size bed, but if you don’t have room for a king then go for the queen you will never regret it. Over the years in the showroom working sales I have a routine of telling people that space is part of comfort and online there is no variance from that routine.

Should I choose a queen-size mattress over a full?

If you consider that the average crib mattresses usually measures 28″ x 52″ you’ll want to take notice that a full size bed in fact has less space to sleep in than a baby’s crib bed. I love my wife and enjoy sharing our bed but no thanks.  At least with a queen size I would have a fighting chance to get comfortable.

Stepping away from the obvious my wife Kathy pointed something out to me many people may not realize. The truth is that one of the biggest problems in full size mattresses can be  a limited selection in sheets, comforters and other linens. She brings up a very good point because queen size beds are the most popular mattress size in the world for adults. It stands to reason, this is where people will find the best selection of bedding for mattresses because mfg. will market to the masses.

Finally since we were just talking about selection I have to ask you a question. Have you been out shopping and tried to find a full size bed lately? I have been to some of the biggest furniture markets in the world and I can tell you this I couldn’t find many due to the large amount of furniture importing taking place. Headboards that are sold today are typically sold in a combination queen and full size taking up less cargo space in shipping containers. Combination headboards will attach to both size mattresses. They look great however if you are limited on space the headboard is 60 inches wide making it tough to fit into bedrooms that can only accommodate a 54 inch wide full.  

When it comes to full size headboards and footboards, forget about it, they’re even more rare these days. Queen sizes now commonly utilize full size conversion steel rails allowing the use of a full sized mattress sets for those who do not want to purchase new mattresses. The same problem still exists as mentioned before if the bedroom will not fit a 60 wide headboard and in this case footboard.

So why buy a full size mattress?

Great space savers.
Great for teenagers.
Cheaper than queens.
Bedding cost less for full size.

Is a California King and a Regular King the same thing?

What many people refer to as a regular or standard king is called an Eastern King by the mattress industry and measures at 76” wide by 80” long. It is the size found in most furniture & mattress stores on display and in stock. The California king also referred to as the western king is 72” wide and 84” long. This is a special size that is normally not stocked by stores. In the past and still today the Cal. King is more commonly used for hard side waterbeds.

Do they make a special mattress to fit inside a waterbed?

Frequently people ask for foam or spring mattresses to drop into a hard side waterbed. The industry name for such a bed is a waterbed insert. This is a mattress undersized 2” in both length and width so you can get your hands between the mattress and frame to make the bed. The finished mattress measures only 70” X 82” a tad smaller than the traditional California King mattress and a great solution for people that own waterbeds.

A common problem when buying a California king mattress and box spring is that there are very few headboards available in the California king size width. When buying a headboard or a headboard and footboard nearly all are only available in Eastern King and then have a second attachment on them for Cal. Kings because of the small 4 inch difference leaving two inches of extra headboard on each side of the Cal. King mattress making it a one King size fits all bed. This is a method that has been used on combination Queen / Full headboards for years. If you place the mattress set on a metal frame make sure it can be adjusted to fit a California king 72 inch mattress width.

In those situations where people decide to transition from their wood frame waterbed but keep their California king insert they will then need to find a box spring to put underneath it. Be aware that if you go out and buy a California king box spring it will be 72” X 84” and your insert may only be 70” X 82”. You may need to order a custom size boxspring to fit your waterbed insert mattress.

Will my old sheets work on my new bed?

California king and eastern king sheets will not interchange. You may get by with flat sheets, but the fitted sheet definitely will not work. I should point out there are differences between California king sheets for a spring mattress and those made for a waterbed. California kings conventional sheets usually have a flat top sheet and the bottom sheet is fitted like a shower cap making it hard to get on a hard side waterbed. Waterbed sheets on the other hand usually have 4 corner pockets and some top sheets are sewn to the foot of the bottom sheet. We have found separated sheets to be more popular with the top sheet having pockets only on the foot end only and the bottom having a standard pocket in each of the four corners. We call this a 6-pocket sheet set.

Commonly asked and even more commonly confused are the Full size mattress and the double size mattress. Both have been around for years but are the full and double size mattress the exact same size, or is one bigger than the other? You might be surprised to learn that the Full and Double mattresses are exactly the same size. Both measure 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. Not too confuse you anymore but sometimes these two mattress sizes are referred to by yes one more name, a standard size.

Today it is rare to see adult couples purchasing these for their master bedroom sets. Instead most households that have full or double size mattresses in them can be located in the kids’ room or the spare bedroom. What ever you want to call it a full, double, or standard size this mattress is still one of the most popular of the four standard mattress sizes sold in the United States and is made by virtually every mattress manufacturer.

The full size mattress and boxsprings and are made by great companies like Simmons, Symbol, and Campbell. All mattresses have varying measurements of thickness, which often range from 5 inches to nearly 20 inches thick. Firmness levels are as varied as the colors of the rainbow and can be purchased in the firmest hardest designs you could ever imagine or the cushiest most cradling pillow tops ever dreamed up.

Find a full size mattress by contacting a bedroom store or calling Toll Free 1-888-STL-BEDS