What Is a King Size Bed?

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What Is a King Size Bed?

Finding the right king-size bed for you is essential for a good night’s sleep, but it can be a challenge if you don’t have all the information you need before buying.

How Big Is a King Size Bed?

A king-size mattress measures 80 inches long and 76 inches wide. These mattresses are considerably larger than others, giving each person plenty of room to get comfortable and sleep through the night.

If you sleep with a partner, a king-size mattress will give you both plenty of space throughout the night and will be a better option than other beds.

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What Room Size Will Fit a King Size Bed?

Before deciding on a specific mattress size, consider the size of your room. A typical master bedroom is large enough to accommodate a king-size bed, but what about other bedrooms or converted master bedrooms?

If your bedroom is a minimum of 10 feet by 12 feet, you will have enough space for a king-size bed. This will also leave room for nightstands to add functionality to your room. If your room is smaller than 10 feet by 12 feet, reconsider a king-size bed and go with a smaller bed to functionally occupy the space in the room.

Different Types of King Size Beds

There are different types of king-size beds: the most common three being a standard king, a Texas king, and a California king-size bed. These each has different dimensions, which you should consider when finding the best mattress for your space.

These mattress sizes are fairly similar and can confuse, so here’s a breakdown of their dimensions and specifications.

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Standard King

The standard king bed dimensions are 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, which is the size we’ve talked about so far. Of the three types of king beds, this is a wide option for couples who want extra sleeping space. It’s almost 10 inches wider than a typical queen mattress, making this the best mattress for couples who toss and turn throughout the night.

Standard king beds can come in different mattress types, depending on what the seller offers. They can come as a firm mattress, memory foam mattress, and even specialty mattresses such as Sleep Number.

If you’ve decided on purchasing a king bed but don’t have a ton of extra space in your bedroom, this would be your best mattress option. It will give you the sleeping space you need and allow you to have enough space in your room to get around and have additional furniture.

California King

California beds differ from the standard king bed because they’re quite a bit longer. The dimensions of a California king-size mattress are 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. These are great for taller individuals because there’s more room at the bottom.

Many couples love the California king bed size because it gives them plenty of sleeping space on each side, but it also has extra space at the bottom for a pet to cuddle up in the middle of the night. A California king mattress will probably be the best option if you are over six feet tall because you won’t have to worry about your feet hanging off the edge or having to share foot space with your pets.

The great thing about a California king bed is that they’re typically around the same price as a standard king bed. If you’re debating between these two mattress sizes, pick the bed size that fits your individual needs most. The standard king will be your best-sized mattress if you need space on the sides. If you need length more than you need width, the California king bed will be your best mattress size.

California King Beds We Like

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Texas King

While the standard king and the California king mattress are the most common king beds, Texas king beds are becoming more popular. The dimensions of this king mattress are 98 inches wide by 80 inches long. You’ll want this king mattress if you have children and pets that love to cuddle and pile into bed with you. The Texas king-size bed is much larger than other options and has become very popular with large families.

They’re fairly easy to find if you’re buying online. Most major mattress companies are now selling this size mattress. They do cost a bit more than other king-size beds, but if it fits the needs of your family, it’s worth the money.

Other King Size Beds

Outside of the three most popular mattress sizes listed above, super king beds and Alaskan king beds are also available.

A super king-size bed is challenging to find in the U.S., and it’s smaller than the standard king mattress. It’s 72 inches wide by 78 inches long and can be found mainly in the U.K.

Alaskan king beds are the largest size mattress that you can buy. They are 108 inches wide by 108 inches long (9 feet by 9 feet). This bed size is for people who like living large and have plenty of pets and kiddos to pile in throughout the night. The Alaskan king-size mattress can sleep four adults or two adults and several children. This bed size will need a large room that can accommodate these king-size bed dimensions.

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King Size Bed Frame

Now that you have established that your room is big enough to accommodate king-size bed dimensions, it’s time to think about all that comes with buying this size mattress. The first additional piece of furniture that you’ll want to consider is a bed frame that fits your new king mattress.

Bed frames need to be slightly larger than the mattress to ensure that it fits in the frame and still has enough room to get sheets and comforters on the bed. The average king-size bed frame is only an inch wider and longer than the mattress, which would put the frame at about 77 inches wide and 81 inches long for a standard king mattress.

Remember that your bed frame will need to accommodate your specific king mattress. If you have a California king mattress, you’ll need a bigger frame than a standard king mattress would need.

The one thing that will remain the same is the rule for buying a bigger frame than the mattress. If your sleeper is 80 inches long, for example, you’ll need to find a frame that is at least 81 inches long to fit your mattress size properly.

When you measure your room size, make sure you measure with the dimensions of the bed frame in mind because they’re bigger than the king mattress itself and need a bit more room. Most frames will only be a few inches bigger to accommodate the mattress size. Some frames, however, will be larger depending on the design, so make sure you measure twice before purchasing something that will not fit your space!

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King Bed Frames We Like

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King Size Bed Furniture

Most furniture stores, and even individual buyers, will have discounts when buying a complete bedroom set. Bedroom sets typically include the bed frame, dresser, and one or two nightstands. You’ll want to make sure your bedroom has enough space for these items because they’ll complete your room.

Buying furniture to match a king bed can be difficult because it needs to match the style and size of the king bed for the room to feel complete and cohesive.

When you have the space and the funds to buy a king-size furniture set, that will be your best bet. The furniture will match in size and style, and you won’t have to worry about finding specific furniture to match your king bed frame.

If you’re working with a small space, but you know a king bed will be the best sleeper for you, there are ways to arrange your room that will still feel spacious and inviting.

Buying furniture that is functional and serves many purposes is a great way to save space and allow for the bed size you want. King-size furniture doesn’t always have to mean packing the room full; it means providing the space and functionality necessary for your mattress size.

You’ll sleep better at night knowing that your room has a functional and comforting design. Arranging furniture that keeps your room open and inviting will draw your eyes to your bed, which will invite you in. You’ll sleep like a king or queen, knowing that your room has appropriate-sized furniture that accommodates your spacious sleeper.

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Bedroom Layouts for a King Size Bed

Purchasing your bedroom furniture is fun and exciting, but arranging your bedroom appropriately once you get the furniture home can be a difficult task. Having a king-size bed is great, but the bed itself takes up more bedroom space.

Designing your bedroom layout to work in both a practical and design sense is a challenge, but you can achieve this in most rooms.

When you’re arranging a room with a king-size bed, your primary focus should be to keep clear walking paths.

In a master bedroom, you’ll typically have enough space to fit your king-size bed comfortably on the main wall. It will be the wall you see when you walk through the door in most rooms. Try to center your king-size bed on that wall to balance your room and provide space on each side of the bed.

Once you’ve decided on your bed placement, then you can start arranging the rest of your bedroom furniture. Since you’ll center the king-size bed, it would be a good idea to have nightstands on both sides of the bed. A centered bed with nightstands will balance the room and provide a practical use for you and your significant other. If you have a narrow room, try finding narrow nightstands that won’t take up much space on the sides.

Now that you have your bed placement and nightstands, you can start looking at bigger pieces. If you have the space for it, try placing your dresser on the wall opposite your king-size bed. For example, if your bed is on the wall that you see when you walk through the door, you’ll want to put your dresser on the wall that your door is on. This anchors your space and makes your bed the room’s focal point instead of your dresser.

If that option doesn’t work for you, try placing the dresser on a sidewall. Keep it far enough away from the bed that you won’t run into things when you’re walking in the room. Remember that keeping clear paths is essential when you have a king-size bed, and it will help make your room feel larger and more spacious.

Now that you have the essential furniture pieces in place, look for unused space. If you have an awkward open area in the corner of your room, for example, try finding a small chair to make the space meaningful without overcrowding your room. A small reading nook or place to drink coffee in the morning would be a great addition to your room.

When you strategically place your furniture, you don’t have to sacrifice space and functionality just because of your king-size bed. It’s possible to have the mattress size you want and the bedroom layout you want. Don’t be afraid to try something new and test out a few different arrangements before committing to one. There are plenty of options, and when you find the one that works best for you, you’ll know!

What’s the Difference Between a King Bed and a Queen Bed?

Many people wonder if there’s a noticeable difference between a king-size and a queen bed when deciding on mattress size. The dimensions of a standard queen-size mattress are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. The queen-size bed will be the same length as the king-size bed, but it’s over 15 inches shorter in width. If you need plenty of sleep space to move around during the night, a queen bed may feel a bit cramped for you.

A queen-size bed would be great for a single sleeper or a young couple because it’s smaller in width than a king-size bed but considerably larger than a full or even a twin XL bed. Another great thing about a queen mattress is they’re typically less expensive than bigger options while still providing plenty of room to sleep.

If you’re sharing your queen size bed with a partner, you will both have enough room to sleep comfortably and will have plenty of room by your feet. The queen mattress may not allow you both to stretch out fully towards the sides, but it will have enough sleeping space on the sides without you having to worry about rolling off the bed.

King Size Bed and Queen Size Bed Buyer Comparison

There are pros and cons to both a king-size bed and a queen-size bed. They both provide a generous amount of sleep space but have distinct features that work best in certain situations.

The standard king-size bed is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, while the standard queen-size bed is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.

A king-size bed is better for larger bedrooms. The extra space is fantastic for sleeping but means you’ll need extra space in your bedroom. If you purchase a mattress that will need to fit into a small bedroom, the queen mattress will be a better option. If you have plenty of space in your bedroom in both width and length, then a king-size bed will be a great option.

If you have young children or pets that like to sleep with you, the king-size bed will be a better option for you. The extra width in the mattress will allow a small child or your pet to climb in bed with you without pushing you off the edge. If you don’t have pets or children and want to save a little money, the queen mattress will be an inexpensive option that will still provide you with plenty of sleep space.

If you’re looking for a mattress that will go in a spare bedroom meant for guests, the queen-size bed will be your best bet. It will provide your guests with plenty of sleep space and allow the room to feel spacious and inviting. It will also save you a little money, which is always a plus.

If you’re looking for a mattress for your master bedroom, it’s probably a good idea to spend the extra money and go for a king-size bed. It will give you plenty of room to grow, and you won’t have to upgrade mattresses down the road if your family grows, making it the better option for families.

bedroom with grey fabric bedframe and neutral bedsheets
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King Bed Frames We Like

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What’s the Difference Between a King Bed and a Twin XL Bed?

If you’re looking for the best size mattress for your kids, a twin XL mattress would be a great option. The dimensions of a twin XL bed are 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. It’s perfect for narrow rooms but still gives you plenty of legroom. If you have an adolescent child, that’s still growing, this size mattress is the way to go. It’s a single mattress that provides some room to grow, and it’s longer but not as wide as a full mattress.

It’s the same length as a king-size bed, which is great because your growing teen won’t have to worry about their feet hanging off the end of the twin-size mattress, but it’s narrow enough to fit in almost any room. They won’t need the extra width since they’re sleeping alone, making the twin mattress the best option for your teen.

However, if you’re sharing a mattress with someone, the twin XL would not be the best recommendation. It’s a single bed and would not work well with two adults or two teens. The king-size bed will be a much better option if you share the bed with someone else.

If you’re looking for mattress options that will accommodate two growing children in one room, using twin beds in bunk beds would be the perfect solution. It gives you the possibility of a double bed without you having to buy two separate beds. Using a twin XL mattress on the top and bottom bunk will allow your children to be in the same room, and both have room to grow in their single mattress.

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