Full Mattress

Full sized mattresses have long been the standard for couples sleeping together or for single sleepers who'd like a little more room. Also referred to as a double bed, the full sized bed provides enough room for two people to sleep comfortably. The average double mattress is large enough for a good night's sleep for two people, without being as large, heavy and cumbersome as a queen size or king size mattress. A full mattress is also a little less expensive to buy than these larger mattresses. It also takes up less room making it a good choice for smaller bedrooms or apartments. Let's take a look at some of the basic facts you ought to know before you decide to buy a full mattress.

Full size mattresses do vary in size, depending on the country where they are made. In North America, a full sized mattress is fifty-four inches wide by seventy-five inches long. This is fifteen inches wider than a twin mattress and six inches narrower than a queen. A full sized XL mattress is eighty inches long, as long as king or queen. Mattress manufacturers in the UK use the same sizing, but call the shorter mattress a small double, and the longer mattress simply a double. In continental Europe, a full mattress is one hundred forty by two hundred centimeters, or a little more than fifty-five by seventy-eight inches. In much of Asia, the standard size for a full mattress is forty-eight inches by seventy-eight inches. So depending on where you purchase, the size of the full or double mattress may vary.

Full mattresses are traditionally about eight inches thick, but pillow tops and other luxury features have increased their height over the years. This means that if you buy a new mattress, your old sheets may not fit. Special extra-deep sheets have been made to fit these taller mattresses and are readily available wherever you can by bedding. Just be sure to check the labels and remember to measure your current full size mattress before you shop for new sheets, as this can make the experience a lot less painful, and prevent the need to return them in the future.

Full sized mattresses have long been the standard for couples. We have seen this change in recent years as more and more couples are going to queen sized and even king sized mattress. Many people are switching from full mattresses to queen or king size options as these larger mattresses can make it easier to sleep together at night. Some of this has been blamed on US citizens' increasing obesity levels, but other factors, like the aging of a large segment of the population, may also affect ease of sleep. Queen and king mattresses can be very difficult to move and transport, however, and may not fit gracefully in the bedrooms of some older homes. That means that double beds are sometimes the better choice. A full sized mattress is also often a good choice for a growing child. The twin bed he/she has slept in since those adorable toddler days may not be the best choice as he/she closes in on those teen years. Often a growth spurt will make the twin bed seem tiny and uncomfortable. Some parents opt for the full sized bed and then make Junior give up his bed for visiting relatives providing a temporary guest bed. Consider if the full size mattress would be a good fit for your family.

If you're in the market for a new bed, don't immediately rule out the full size mattress. While this size has recently been eclipsed by larger, more luxurious beds, this does not mean a full sized bed won't provide a good night's sleep. Take a little time and check out a few of these medium sized mattresses and see if one of them will be right for the way you sleep and what you want to spend.