Bunk Bed Mattress Sizes – A Quick
You’ve bought or are thinking of buying a bunk bed. And now you want to invest in a couple of high-quality bunk bed mattresses. But, you’ve realized that you need more information. Why? Because bunk beds come with an added concern for safety.
Getting the incorrect mattress size could lead to:
A mattress that pops over the rails
A loose-fitting mattress that leaves gaps between the guardrails and the bedding
Twin, Twin XL, and Full are typical bunk bed mattress sizes. The mattress for the top bunk should be approximately 6 inches thick whereas the bottom bunk can utilize any thickness. Most bunk beds use a twin mattress on the top bunk and a twin mattress on the bottom bunk as well. There are varieties of bunk beds that utilize full or queen mattresses on the bottom bunk.
In this post, we will look at the different bunk bed mattress sizes so you can buy the right fit for your bunk bed.
Background Information - What is a bunk bed?
A bunk bed is a bed system where one frame is fixed on top of another. For access to the upper bunk, these beds come with ladders or built-in stairs. The main aim of a bunk bed is to free up floor space.
You may need a bunk bed if:
you have fewer rooms than people in your home
Your rooms are too small to fit two beds horizontally
You want to maximize the number of people that can sleep in a room
Bunk beds are a great choice for kids who share the same room. Children find them exciting... be ready to deal with the arguments over who gets the top or bottom bunk!
Apart from that, stacked beds are great beds for your guest room. Before buying bunk beds, carefully consider whether you are buying for children or adults because the weight limits of bunk beds vary greatly. Bunk beds also come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and make. For a guest bedroom, try to match your bunk bed to your room’s style and decor.
Related topics:
How to make a bunk bed ladder more comfortable
How to make bunk beds sturdier
Accessories for making bunk beds more comfortable
What is a shorty bunk bed?
Does the thought of your kid sleeping on a bed that’s elevated off the ground fill you with dread? Do you worry about the risk of falling?
Well, if you need a bunk bed but are anxious about safety, you can try a shorty bunk bed.
Shorty bunk beds are a shorter version of regular bunk beds. They reduce the safety risk because they are closer to the ground and are more compact. These beds are great for younger children. And if a child accidentally falls, there will be less chance of major injury. Shorty bunk beds, like regular bunk beds, usually use twin or full mattress sizes.
Apart from that, a shorty bunk bed is easier to set up. And if you build one, you’ll use up less material.
You can also fit a shorty in a room that has less vertical space. This will ensure the top bed is not too close to the ceiling, which might be the case if you set up a regular bunk bed.
That being said, note that shorty bunk beds don’t eliminate the risk of a child falling. They only reduce safety concerns. Your kids should still be careful. Also, some shorty bed designs are small and your children will outgrow them. You might find this article on increasing the height of a loft/bunk bed interesting.
Related articles:
How much do bunk beds cost (including shorty bunk beds)?
How are bunk bed mattress sizes different compared to other beds?
Truth is, modern bunk beds vary in size and shape. For example, some bunk beds feature a full bed on the bottom and a twin on the top. Other bunk beds have a futon at the bottom and a standard bed at the top. See our list of bunk bed sizes.
Most bunk beds accommodate twin size or twin XL mattresses. But there are varieties with a double or a queen bed frame at the bottom bunk. So double-check the bed size before you buy a mattress.
Always choose a mattress that fits snugly within the bed frame to maximize bunk bed safety for your children.
The size of the mattress you choose depends on the size of the bed frames. Measuring the top and bottom bunks will give you the dimensions you’ll consider as you select a mattress.
Give special consideration to the thickness of the mattress you purchase for the top bunk. A mattress that is too thick will peek up over the guardrails. The person using the top bunk will sleep higher on the bed, and this will increase the risk of falling off. Aim for a mattress that is between 4 to 6 inches. The mattress for the bottom bunk can be thicker - 8 in to 10 inches.
Don’t shy from buying a thinner mattress for the upper bunk. With a little research, you’ll find a variety of thin but comfortable mattresses.
To make your work easier, we have provided a comprehensive bunk bed mattress size chart.
MATTRESS SIZE CHART
TWIN SIZE MATTRESS
38" Wide X 75" Long
A twin size bed has the width of 38 inches wide from side to side and is 75" long from head to toe. A Twin Size mattress is the perfect mattress size for children’s rooms and guest rooms. A Twin Size mattress is 5" shorter than a queen or a king size mattress but still the same length as a full or double.
TWIN XL MATTRESS
38" Wide X 80" Long
A Twin Xl mattress has the same length as a king or a queen size bed which is 80" long but the width of 38" the same size as twin size mattress. A Twin XL mattress is generally found in dorm rooms. When you put two Twin XL's together you make a King size mattress.
FULL / DOUBLE MATTRESS
54" Wide X 75" Long
Full Size beds measure 54 inches wide from side to side and 75 inches from head to toe. A Full size mattress is a great size mattress for teenage kids who has sleep overs because it will comfortably fit two teen kids and limit the room space taken. A Full Size mattress will comfortably sleep one large adult or 2 smaller adults.
QUEEN SIZE MATTRESS
60" Wide X 80" Long
A Queen Size mattress is 60 inches from side to side and 80 inches long from head to toe. A Queen Size mattress is one step up from a full or double and comfortably fits 2 adults. A Queen Size mattress is great for adults who are taller, but do not have the room size to accommodate a king which is 16" wider than a Queen.
KING SIZE MATTRESS
76" Wide X 80" Long
A King Size mattress measures 76 inches from side to side, and 80 inches from head to toe. King Size mattresses are 16" wider than a Queen Size mattress and are great for couples who often need more space. A King Size mattress will use & need (2) Foundations or Box Springs due to the center support needed for a king size bed. When Purchasing a king size mattress on our site be sure to purchase 2 foundations for a king size mattress.
SPLIT KING MATTRESS
(2) 38 Wide X 80" Long Mattresses
A Split King Size mattress measures the same size as a typical king size mattress however it is split in two by purchasing (2) Twin Xl mattresses and foundations. When couples want to utilize an adjustable base with separate head and foot features couples will purchase a Split King Mattress.
Sheets: You will need to purchase (2) Twin Xl Sheets
Middle: You will have a split down the middle of the bed
Cost: Typically a tad bit more expensive
Copulation is a bit harder due to the separation
CALIFORNIA KING MATTRESS
72" Wide X 84" Long
Most People think that a California King is Wider than the average king size mattress however that is incorrect. A California King is 4" less wide but 4" longer than an average king size mattress. Typically people who are taller than 6 Foot go with a California King due to the length being longer.
The bed and mattress size guide
Dimensions
When the time comes to updating your bedroom, choosing the right bed and mattress size is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. To ensure you get it right, we’ve put together a handy guide on how to choose the right size. As bed and mattress sizes can differ between countries, we’ve included UK bed sizes and European bed sizes too. It’s also important to check the size of bed frames before buying as these will vary depending on the type of bed. For standard dimensions, here are the most accurate UK bed and mattress sizes:
Standard UK bed and mattress sizes
You’ll need to ensure the length and width of your new mattress matches your bed frame. The size you choose will also need to match your room and how many people it’s catering for. To help with this, check out our handy guide to UK bed and mattress sizes below:
Mattress size vs bed frame size
When buying a new bed, you’ll want to ensure it fits in your room comfortably, so you’ll need to know which types of beds and bed frames tend to have larger dimensions.
Your mattress size should always correspond with the bed size you buy. For example, if you have a double bed frame, you should get a double mattress. While a double mattress measures 190cm x 135cm, it’s impossible to give an exact double bed size. This is because each style will vary, and some designs have headboards and footboards, adding to the overall size of the bed. Kids’ beds have a recommended mattress size to fit the bed frame, whether that be toddler, single or Euro single.
Bed frame size according to style
The dimensions of your bed will differ depending on which style of bed frame you choose:
Divan beds without a headboard will have the same dimensions as your mattress as it will sit flush on top of the divan base.
Wooden bed frames are usually a few centimetres bigger than your mattress around each side.
Upholstered bed frame dimensions differ hugely depending on whether they have a sleigh shape, the amount of detail and the fabric.
Always check the dimensions of the bed before purchasing to ensure it fits in the room with enough space to move around the sides.
What size is a Euro single bed and mattress?
A standard European single bed, often known as a twin bed, is 90cm wide and 200cm long. (3ft wide and 6ft 6ins long). This means twin beds and mattresses are a little longer than their UK counterparts but the same width.
As a UK-based retailer, we don’t stock Euro beds or mattresses. However, you can shop our range of similar sized single beds and single mattresses.
We stock just a small range of Euro single mattresses for kids.
What size is a Euro small double bed and mattress?
A European small double bed and mattress is 120cm wide and 200cm long. (4ft wide by 6ft 6ins long). Like their UK equivalent, they’re ideal for couples who have small bedrooms, teenagers, and if you want more sleeping space than a single bed offers.
What size is a Euro double bed and mattress?
A European double bed and mattress is 140cm wide and 200cm long. This is equal to 4 feet 7 inches wide and 6 feet 6 inches long. They’re the most common EU bed size, offering plenty of sleeping space without taking up too much room.
If you’re looking for a brand‐new bed and mattress, consider UK double instead. Shop our double beds and double mattresses which are just 10cm shorter than their EU counterpart.
What size is a Euro king size bed and mattress?
A European king size is bed 160cm wide and 200cm long. (4ft 7ins wide and 6ft 6ins long). This makes Euro king size, a little wider than its UK equivalent. If you’ve got the room, they offer a luxurious amount of space in which to sleep – ideal for couples who need extra room to sleep.
While we don’t sell EU king size beds and mattresses, we do sell a close equivalent. If you’ve not yet made up your mind, you should consider our king size beds and king size mattresses instead.
What size is a Euro super king size bed?
A Euro super king bed is 180cm long and 200cm wide (6ft wide and 6ft 6ins long). This makes them the same size as UK super kings which provide the largest sleep space available of all beds. This makes them perfect for couples who need maximum space and comfort.
Shop our super king beds and super king mattresses. These are the same size as EU super kings.