If you are trying to choose between a queen size mattress or a full size mattress we would like to share a  few interesting facts that may help you determine which size might work best for your needs.

So does size matter?

Of course it does. First lets compare the queen size mattress to the full size mattress.
Queen measures 60 inches wide x 80 inches long
Full measures 54 inches wide x 75 inches long

The obvious difference of 5 extra inches in the length should not be easily shrugged off. For most average height sleepers it is the difference between your feet hanging off the bed or not hanging off the bed.

The extra 6 inches in width that comes with a queen size bed is a must have for any adult couple that sleeps together. Personally I love my king size bed, but if you don’t have room for a king then go for the queen you will never regret it. Over the years in the showroom working sales I have a routine of telling people that space is part of comfort and online there is no variance from that routine.

Should I choose a queen-size mattress over a full?

If you consider that the average crib mattresses usually measures 28″ x 52″ you’ll want to take notice that a full size bed in fact has less space to sleep in than a baby’s crib bed. I love my wife and enjoy sharing our bed but no thanks.  At least with a queen size I would have a fighting chance to get comfortable.

Stepping away from the obvious my wife Kathy pointed something out to me many people may not realize. The truth is that one of the biggest problems in full size mattresses can be  a limited selection in sheets, comforters and other linens. She brings up a very good point because queen size beds are the most popular mattress size in the world for adults. It stands to reason, this is where people will find the best selection of bedding for mattresses because mfg. will market to the masses.

Finally since we were just talking about selection I have to ask you a question. Have you been out shopping and tried to find a full size bed lately? I have been to some of the biggest furniture markets in the world and I can tell you this I couldn’t find many due to the large amount of furniture importing taking place. Headboards that are sold today are typically sold in a combination queen and full size taking up less cargo space in shipping containers. Combination headboards will attach to both size mattresses. They look great however if you are limited on space the headboard is 60 inches wide making it tough to fit into bedrooms that can only accommodate a 54 inch wide full.  

When it comes to full size headboards and footboards, forget about it, they’re even more rare these days. Queen sizes now commonly utilize full size conversion steel rails allowing the use of a full sized mattress sets for those who do not want to purchase new mattresses. The same problem still exists as mentioned before if the bedroom will not fit a 60 wide headboard and in this case footboard.

So why buy a full size mattress?

Great space savers.
Great for teenagers.
Cheaper than queens.
Bedding cost less for full size.

Is a California King and a Regular King the same thing?

What many people refer to as a regular or standard king is called an Eastern King by the mattress industry and measures at 76” wide by 80” long. It is the size found in most furniture & mattress stores on display and in stock. The California king also referred to as the western king is 72” wide and 84” long. This is a special size that is normally not stocked by stores. In the past and still today the Cal. King is more commonly used for hard side waterbeds.

Do they make a special mattress to fit inside a waterbed?

Frequently people ask for foam or spring mattresses to drop into a hard side waterbed. The industry name for such a bed is a waterbed insert. This is a mattress undersized 2” in both length and width so you can get your hands between the mattress and frame to make the bed. The finished mattress measures only 70” X 82” a tad smaller than the traditional California King mattress and a great solution for people that own waterbeds.

A common problem when buying a California king mattress and box spring is that there are very few headboards available in the California king size width. When buying a headboard or a headboard and footboard nearly all are only available in Eastern King and then have a second attachment on them for Cal. Kings because of the small 4 inch difference leaving two inches of extra headboard on each side of the Cal. King mattress making it a one King size fits all bed. This is a method that has been used on combination Queen / Full headboards for years. If you place the mattress set on a metal frame make sure it can be adjusted to fit a California king 72 inch mattress width.

In those situations where people decide to transition from their wood frame waterbed but keep their California king insert they will then need to find a box spring to put underneath it. Be aware that if you go out and buy a California king box spring it will be 72” X 84” and your insert may only be 70” X 82”. You may need to order a custom size boxspring to fit your waterbed insert mattress.

Will my old sheets work on my new bed?

California king and eastern king sheets will not interchange. You may get by with flat sheets, but the fitted sheet definitely will not work. I should point out there are differences between California king sheets for a spring mattress and those made for a waterbed. California kings conventional sheets usually have a flat top sheet and the bottom sheet is fitted like a shower cap making it hard to get on a hard side waterbed. Waterbed sheets on the other hand usually have 4 corner pockets and some top sheets are sewn to the foot of the bottom sheet. We have found separated sheets to be more popular with the top sheet having pockets only on the foot end only and the bottom having a standard pocket in each of the four corners. We call this a 6-pocket sheet set.

Organic Mattresses may be a better choice than organic food.

Recently I read a headline on yahoo’s homepage and later found it on the BBC which said that researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases released the results of their study claiming organic food has no health or nutritional benefit over ordinary food. The article went on to say that the same results were found  in 162 other studies over 50 year span.  I don’t know about most people but personally I will keep planting my organic garden and eating my organic food where I know there is virtually no chemicals introduced. It gives me the satisfaction of knowing where my food comes from. A little know fact is that many organic foods are not only grown locally but also consumed locally which is great for local economies and means smaller carbon footprints.

Although one of the most popular choices today organic and healthy foods are just one aspect of healthy living. Only in recent years has it been brought to our attention that our homes are one of the most toxic environments we are exposed to.  Even less know is that the mattresses we cuddle up to for an average 8 hours and the bedding we wrap ourselves into may pose the most risk from long term exposure.

So what’s in that mattress anyway?

The majority of  mattresses built today consist of spun polyester fiber, chemically laden cotton, or processed wool. As many a known 60 chemicals can gas off and be inhaled from a mattress. Dangerous PBDE’s or Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and phthalate plasticizers, are common in mattresses and can be inhaled causing numerous illnesses and diseases. Non-organic cotton often touted as safe is loaded with dangerous herbicides and pesticides and to make things worse mattresses today are  chemically treated with even more chemicals in the form of fire retardant chemicals to meet Federal Fire Code 1633, required as of July 2007 and mandated by the CPSC Consumer Product Safety Commission. Interestingly organic mattresses, which are naturally fire resistant and pass the federal burn requirements, have no chemically laden fire retardants.

Today natural latex rubber mattresses often use organic cotton and compressed wool in order to comply with the federal standards. Certified organic cotton and certified organic wool are also nearly free of  dangerous chemicals and natural latex is one of the most chemical free mattress products built today. This is especially true when compared to conventional mattresses made of synthetic materials like polyurethane foam. Unfortunately many people think that if a bed or bedding was bad for us, the government would not allow us to sleep in it but that is just not the case. Lets face it have you ever seen a report that said formaldehyde or or phthalates often found in mattresses were good for you?

Can an organic mattress make a difference?

Don’t take our word for the next time you buy a mattress or bed linens do you homework and consider alternatives like organic mattresses and bedding. You may find a significant improvement in your health.  People have often praised these products telling of  fewer migraine headaches, cleared up rashes, and improved breathing due too less asthma symptoms.
We all spend 1/3 of your life in our bed so don’t take it lightly. Give it as much consideration or more as the organic foods you choose.