It’s a common belief that one of life’s greatest gifts is sleep. You can rejuvenate and revitalize your body and mind after a good night’s sleep. However, it’s not always as easy as lying down and shutting your eyes to get a good night’s sleep. Perhaps you’ve even experienced dreading bedtime because your bed isn’t comfortable enough for you to relax on.
Have you ever struggled to get your whole body onto the bed only to have your legs awkwardly dangle over the edge? Or maybe you and your spouse quarrel every night over who can stretch out and sleep peacefully. A king-sized bed may be the perfect solution if you’re unhappy with your present bed or want to start over to get better sleep.
As its name suggests, a king size bed is designed to give you plenty of room to spread out and unwind. This bed’s roomy proportions allow it to comfortably fit you and your partner, enabling you to get the best sleep possible.
History of King Size Beds
What is a king size bed, and how did it become the gold standard? Come with me as we dig into the past!
Most people in America were sleeping on twin or full beds in the late 1940s. Sales staff in the mattress business ingeniously promoted doubling the amount of bedding required by linking two twin beds side by side to increase sales. However, the idea of creating a bigger mattress didn’t take form until around 1945.
Enter the bed measurements for queen and king sizes. Americans didn’t start to embrace the concept of a larger mattress until the 1950s. The fact that Americans were becoming larger and needed more room to spread out comfortably was one factor contributing to the problem. Furthermore, people wanted roomy new houses and high-quality furnishings after the Second World War, which opened the door for bigger beds.
Furthermore, clever marketing strategies persuaded buyers to choose something more than simply a double bed mattress. The National Association of Bedding Manufacturers introduced a memorable slogan in 1961, “Buy bigger, sleep better,” which contrasted cribs and full-sized beds. Furthermore, what do you know? The king-size bed became an enormous success as a result of the brilliant marketing gimmick.
“Studies show that bigger beds provide couples with a better night’s sleep than ordinary ones. In a study, 15% of respondents said they would buy a bigger bed before checking it out, while more than 50% said they would buy a larger one after using one.”
What is a King Size Bed?
These are the largest beds currently available on the market. The Standard King and California King are the two varieties of king-size beds available in the US. The dimensions of king size bed are shorter than the California king. Two twin mattresses side by side take up the same room as a regular king-size mattress. It’s ideal for anybody who likes having plenty of space to sleep in, including couples. A conventional king bed’s dimensions are typically 76 inches broad by 80 inches long.
What are the Dimensions of a King Size Bed?
King-sized beds are frequently associated with luxury for good reason—they are much larger than regular beds. Let’s familiarize ourselves with the precise king size bed dimensions before we compare bed sizes.
You’ll encounter two primary types of king-sized beds, each with distinct measurements:
Standard King Size Bed
With its generous dimensions, a standard king-sized bed provides plenty of room to spread out and enjoy a restful night’s sleep. With its 76-inch width, it can comfortably fit two persons. A typical king-sized bed is around 80 inches long, which provides enough legroom for most people.
California King Size Bed
A California king size bed can be a better match for you if you want additional length or are taller than average. It is around 72 inches wide, a little smaller than a typical king bed, but its 84 inches of length more than makes up for it.
Here is a table comparing the dimensions of different kinds of beds so you can better understand the variations in sizes:
| Type of Bed | Bed Width x Length (Inches) |
| California King | 72″ X 84″ |
| King | 76″ X 80″ |
| Olympic Queen | 66″ X 80″ |
| Queen | 60″ X 80″ |
| Double | 48”x78” |
| Full-Sized | 54″ X 75″ |
| Twin | 38″ X 75″ |
| Small Single | 30″ X 75″ |
| Crib | 27.25″ X 51″ |
But that’s not all. King size beds run larger than these. Let’s look at additional types of King Beds available in the market.
“A sleeper twists and tosses 60–70 times on average throughout the night. Investing in a bigger bed might help reduce disturbances caused by frequent movement, which may cause you and your spouse to wake up throughout the night.”
Types of King Beds
Many people aren’t too familiar with all the different bed sizes, especially when it comes to kings. Although standard kings and California kings are the most well-known, there are a few others, such as Texas, Alaskan, and Wyoming king beds.
Choosing the ideal king bed mostly relies on your goals. While some are shorter but much broader, others are longer but somewhat narrower. You can determine the size differences between these kings by comparing them, enabling you to choose a bed that complements your bedroom and your body type.
Regular King Bed
The standard king bed is the most popular kind of all the available king bed types. Regular king beds are 76 inches broad, which is much bigger than queen mattresses. However, their lengths are the same, at 80 inches. It’s smart to upgrade to a king mattress if you and your spouse are having trouble finding room on your queen mattress. You can combine two twin beds to make a king-sized arrangement. Consider the following when deciding whether to choose a standard king size mattress:
| Dimension: 76 inches wide x 80 inches long Regular King Size bed dimensions in feet: 6 x 6.5 ft. Pros: King-sized beds provide an additional 16 inches of breadth, substantially increasing over queen-sized beds. Regular king beds are so widely accessible that almost all of them come in this size. This implies that a large assortment of accessories, such as sheets, duvets, and comforters, are available to choose from. Cons: Regular kings used to be broader than queens, but that is no longer the case. A standard king won’t fix the problem if your feet dangle over the edge of your queen bed. Furthermore, it might be difficult to fit king beds into compact spaces. |
California King Bed
Upgrading to a king mattress is an excellent choice if you notice that a queen mattress is long enough for you but needs extra breadth. A California king, however, could be the answer for you if you’re taller and your feet always seem to dangle over the edge of a queen or standard king bed.
| Dimension: 72 inches wide x 84 inches long California King Size bed dimensions in feet: 6 x 7 ft. Pros: California king mattresses are much wider (12 inches) and longer (4 inches) than queen beds. Even though they’re not as broad as standard kings, they’re still a decent option if you need more length. Cons: Because California kings are narrower than standard kings, they may not be appropriate for everyone. They may also be more challenging to locate and fit into your bedroom than other mattress sizes, so keep that in mind. |
Texas King Beds
The expression “Everything’s bigger in Texas” may be familiar to you. That applies to their king-sized beds, too. The second-largest enormous bed available is the Texas king mattress. With its enormous 98 inches in length and 80 inches in width, it is large enough for almost everyone.
| Dimensions: 80 inches wide x 98 inches long Texas King Size bed dimensions in feet: 6 x 8.16 ft. Pros: Compared to a California king, a Texas king is 18 inches longer, offering plenty of room to spread out. It also suits most people’s heights and easily seats two adults thanks to its additional 4 inches of breadth. Cons: Taking up more than 8 feet of space, the 98-inch length might be difficult to accommodate into many bedrooms. |
Wyoming King Bed
Wyoming king mattresses may be the answer if you want the extra length of a California king but wish they were wider. A Wyoming king is 84 inches long and 84 inches broad. Therefore, it is the same length as a California king, plus one foot.
| Dimensions: 84 inches wide x 84 inches long Wyoming King Size bed dimensions in feet: 7 x 7 ft. Pros: Compared to regular kings or California kings, Wyoming kings are a pleasant boost. A Wyoming king should provide you an additional foot of room if you find the California king to be too narrow. Cons: Because Wyoming kings are long and broad, you need to make sure your bedroom is spacious enough. Texas kings are longer than other kings but somewhat slimmer, so they could fit more easily in certain beds. |
Alaskan King Bed
Nothing matches an Alaskan king in terms of the biggest and most lavish mattresses available. With a width and length of 108 inches, these mattresses are enormous and can easily accommodate many people for comfortable sleeping arrangements. They are incredibly well-liked by households with many kids who share a bed or let their pets sleep with them at night.
| Dimensions: 108 inches wide x 108 inches long Alaskan King Size bed dimensions in feet: 9 x 9 ft. Pros: The biggest kind of king bed available, Alaskan kings provide you with more room than you’ll probably ever need for a comfortable night’s sleep. An Alaskan king guarantees sufficient space for children or dogs that prefer to share a bed. Cons: You’ll need to clear space in your bedroom of nine feet in each direction in order to fit an Alaskan king. Furthermore, Alaskan kings may be hard to acquire and are far more costly. |
“You will have less room than a baby crib if you and your spouse share a double bed mattress, just around 2 feet and 3 inches between you.”
Factors to Consider When Picking a King Size Bed Mattress
It’s crucial to consider a few things when buying a king size bed to ensure that it will be ideal for your bedroom.
Room Size
Ensuring your bedroom has sufficient space to fit a bigger bed, such as a king-size mattress, is essential. Larger areas, like the master bedroom, are perfect for these beds. Remember that the size of your mattress will increase by a few inches due to your bed frame.
Experts advise a minimum room size of 12 by 12 feet for a suitable fit. You should leave around 30 inches of room surrounding the bed for maximum mobility. Make sure the mattress fits through the door frame, and consider any other furniture that may take up space in the room. Having a brand-new mattress that won’t fit through the door is the last thing you want!
Personal Sleep Preferences
Due to their individual body types, many couples prefer distinct ways to sleep. A king bed has the added benefit of being able to incorporate two mattresses into one. If you tend to sleep on your side, you may choose a mattress that supports that position, while your spouse can pick one that alleviates back discomfort.
Compared to king size bed mattress dimensions, twin mattresses are much more budget-friendly and quite adaptable, so you can make them fit your every whim no matter which side you want to sleep on.
Compatibility with Bed Frames
Given how standard king size beds are, there are many options available. Nevertheless, make sure that the bed frame fits the dimensions of your mattress. The typical 76 by 80-bed frame should generally be somewhat broader than your mattress.
Remember that sizes may vary throughout manufacturers, so it’s a good idea to confirm that both fit together properly by double-checking their measurements.
Co-sleeping
Although there is undoubtedly a pleasure in having a king bed for yourself, a king size bed is ideal for those who don’t sleep alone. However, a lot of us sleep in the same bed as a spouse, kid, or even a pet. To ensure that your Labrador or children don’t disrupt your sleeping habits, a king bed provides plenty of room.
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