You have just walked into a mattress store and all that you see is a vast ocean of mattresses. You thought that you could just walk in and pick out your mattress and leave, but the salesperson has started bombarding you with a million questions about what size mattress you are looking for.
Well, help is here! We are going to talk about all those confusing terms that are used to describe the size of a mattress. Terms like Twin, Full, Queen, and King are easy enough to understand, but what about terms like XL, California King, Olympic, or Grand. Now we are entering the unknown.
Let us start out with the simplest mattress size, the twin (single). This mattress is best suited for one average sized person as the dimensions are 39 inches x 75 inches. For a taller person, they should consider an extra-long mattress (XL) that is five inches longer.
The next mattress in line is the full (double) mattress. This mattress can be used by a single person or a couple that is smaller. The dimensions are 54 inches x 75 inches. Again, an extra-long mattress is available which is five inches longer for those persons that are taller.
A mattress that will give couples more room is the Queen sized mattress. The measurements for a regular queen mattress are 60 inches x 80 inches. If a couple desires just a bit more width, they can choose an Olympic (expanded) model that is six inches wider. For the taller person, a California Queen sized mattress is what will be needed as the length increases to 84 inches.
The next mattress size is the King size. With measurements of 76 inches x 80 inches this mattress offers couples the most room. If you want just a little less width but a little more length to the mattress, choose a California King, with measurements of 72 inches x 84 inches.
The largest mattress available is the Grand King which measures 80 inches x 98 inches.
The easiest way to determine what size mattress you need to be looking for is to consider the following:
• How many people will be sleeping on the mattress?
• What is the height and weight of the largest person sleeping on the mattress?
• How big is the bedroom where the mattress will be placed?
• What other furnishings are going to be in the room with the mattress?
• If the mattress is for a child, consider the fact that they are going to grow taller. If it is possible, purchase the next mattress size or even an extra-long mattress so that you do not have to make another purchase down the road.
By being informed before you begin your search, you are less likely to be taken in by a sales pitch. Most salespersons are paid on a commission basis so of course they are going to try to sell you the biggest mattress possible and up sell you. By knowing what you require in a mattress, you can politely ask the salesperson to point you in the direction of the mattress you are looking for.