Mattress Size: How to Choose the Right Mattress Size for your Bedroom

If you live in a studio apartment or square foot challenged condo, a queen size mattress purchase probably wouldn’t be the best decision for your small space. You don’t want your mattress to overwhelm your bedroom area or restrict walking access to other areas of your room. When trying to figure out what size mattress to get, also factor in the other furniture or décor pieces that will occupy your space. As a rule of thumb, use the following sizing guide that shows you how many square inches and square feet a particular mattress will take up in your home to help you establish the minimum room size needed for any sized bed.

• Twin: 2,925 square inches/20.3 square feet
• Twin XL: 3,120 square inches/21.7 square feet
• Full (Double): 4,050 square inches/28.1 square feet
• Queen: 4,800 square inches/33.3 square feet
• King: 6,080 square inches/42.2 square feet
• California King: 6,048 square inches/42 square feet

For example, if you have a 7-foot-long by 9-foot-wide bedroom, your room area is 63 square feet. And by incorporating a twin size mattress (20.3 square feet) into your space, you’ll be left with approximately 43 square feet of available elbowroom.

2) The Number of People Sleeping on the Bed

Typically, twin, twin XL, and full (double) size mattresses are intended for a single person and are a top choice for solo sleepers, especially a child or teen. But if you’re a couple looking for the best sleeping experience, a queen size bed is often the best bet. Designed to comfortably sleep two adults, queen size mattresses are in fact the most popular and bestselling mattress size. However, there are other options available to couples who don’t want to get elbowed in the middle of the night. King and California king size mattresses are ideal for duos whose adorable pets and children love to climb into bed with them when it’s time to hit the hay or for partners who need extra space to stretch out and find the coziest sleeping position.

3) Your Body Size and Height

Another thing to take into account when selecting your ideal mattress size is your body shape. For tall sleepers, some mattress sizes will not fit the bill. That’s because if you’re 6 foot 2 or taller, a standard 75-inch length twin or full (double) size mattress may awkwardly leave your feet dangling off the bed. In this case, an 80-inch length twin XL, queen, or king size mattress is a dependable alternative that can accommodate someone up to 6 foot 7 in height. And for those with a wider build who want ample breathing space to move around from side to side, mattress width measurements will need to be considered to provide enough wiggle room. In this situation, full (double), queen, and king size mattresses are solid contenders for the comfort throne. For more information, take a glance at the below mattress size comparison chart, courtesy of Signature Sleep, to assist you in the buying process.

The reality is that price has a great deal of influence when choosing between mattress sizes. The bigger the mattress, the higher the cost and every person must budget the amount that they’re willing to spend. But with such a wide array of reasonably priced mattress options in the marketplace, there’s no reason why you can’t find the mattress size best suited to your needs and your wallet.

5) Location, Location, Location

The truth of the matter is that not every mattress can easily be set up in the room of your choice. In some cases, even physically transporting a larger mattress is out of the question. For people who live in multi-floor walk-up apartments with narrow staircases or older homes with small bedroom doors and tight hallways, lugging up a queen size mattress may sound like a complete and utter nightmare. Fortunately, there are ways to bypass these limitations. Newer mattress models cleverly come rolled and compressed in an easy-to-handle box and can be shipped straight to your door. Just move the modest package to your preferred spot, unbox, and let the mattress expand to size without breaking a sweat.

A bed-in-a-box checks off all the right boxes (pardon the pun) and makes accessibility a non-issue. One such quality mattress pick that can conveniently be propped up onto your bed frame or box spring in mere minutes is the affordable Memoir 12 Inch Memory Foam Mattress from Signature Sleep. Made with a combination of a memory foam top layer and a high-density foam base, this mattress conforms to your body’s natural shape while providing balanced support and relieving achy pressure points. Plus, its motion isolating and even weight distribution properties will keep you blissfully unaware of your partner’s nighttime movements for uninterrupted sleep. Available in twin, full, queen, and king sizing, let the Memoir change your sleeping habits for the better.

In the below quick guide, a comprehensive review of standard mattress dimensions and the benefits and drawbacks of each choice are provided.

Mattress dimensions: 39” x 75”

Best suited for: solo sleepers, children, teens

Minimum room size required: 7 x 9 feet (63 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits small space rooms, can be used on bunk beds, loft beds, or daybeds, smallest size sold, lowest priced, two combined twin mattresses can fit a split king base, suitable for a studio apartment

Cons: Doesn’t provide much flexibility in movement, can’t accommodate taller individuals (6’2” and above)

Mattress dimensions: 39” x 80”

Best suited for: solo sleepers, teens

Minimum room size required: 8 x 10 feet (80 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits small space rooms (at least 7 ft. wide), perfect for college dorms, lower priced, accommodates taller individuals (up to 6’7”), two combined twin XL mattresses can fit a split king base, suitable for a studio apartment

Cons: Doesn’t provide much flexibility in movement, limited assortment of twin XL bed frames available

Mattress dimensions: 54” x 75”

Best suited for: solo sleepers, teens, young adults, couples who enjoy snuggling

Minimum room size required: 10 x 11 feet (110 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits medium sized rooms, ideal for guests, can be used on bunk beds, loft beds, or daybeds, moderately priced, suitable for a smaller sized apartment or condo setting

Cons: Doesn’t provide much flexibility in movement for couples, can’t accommodate taller individuals (6’2” and above)

Mattress dimensions: 60” x 80”

Best suited for: couples, solo sleepers who enjoy stretching out

Minimum room size required: 10 x 10 feet (100 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits medium sized rooms, master bedroom staple, provides enough space for couples or individuals to comfortably move around in bed, accommodates taller individuals (up to 6’7”), most popular bed size sold, moderately priced

Cons: May not be suitable for a smaller sized apartment or condo setting

Mattress dimensions: 76” x 80”

Best suited for: couples who share the bed with their children or pets

Minimum room size required: 12 x 12 feet (144 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits a spacious master bedroom, offers plenty of breathing room, accommodates taller individuals (up to 6’7”)

Cons: Higher cost, not suitable for an average sized apartment or condo setting

Mattress dimensions: 72” x 84”

Best suited for: couples who share the bed with their children or large pets and desire a generous amount of space

Minimum room size required: 12 x 12 feet (144 sq. ft.)

Pros: Fits a spacious master bedroom, offers plenty of breathing room, accommodates very tall individuals, longest mattress size sold

Cons: Highest priced, not suitable for an average sized apartment or condo setting, limited assortment of California king bed frames available