How to Choose the Right Mattress Size: A Guide to Better Sleep
Why Mattress Size Matters for Sleep Quality
It can be normal for many of us to shift sleeping positions a few times throughout the night. If your bed is too small, you might unconsciously restrict movement, which can lead to stiffness, poor circulation, and lighter sleep.
More space = more freedom to roll, stretch, and settle into your best sleeping position, without elbowing the person next to you.
How to Choose a Mattress Size: Key Considerations
To begin, let’s outline all the key considerations you’ll need to make when deciding between different mattress sizes.
Measure your Bedroom First
Before falling for the biggest bed in the showroom, grab a tape measure. A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 75 cm of clearance around the sides and end of your bed so you can move freely and access storage.
Queen mattresses are a popular Aussie choice because they balance stretch-out space with a compact footprint. But if you’re eyeing off a king and don’t want your bedroom feeling cramped, clever furniture swaps - like slimline bedside tables or a bed base with built-in storage - can make it work.
Match Mattress Length to your Height
In Australia, standard single mattresses and double mattresses are 1880mm long, while long singles, queens, kings, and super kings give you 2030 mm in length.
If you’re over six foot, opt for at least a long single (for solo sleepers) or queen and above (for couples) to keep your feet from hanging over the edge.
Make sure to think sideways as well as lengthwise. If you sleep in the starfish position, you’ll want extra width to get the shoulder and hip support you need.
Consider your Sleep Habits
Are you a side sleeper who does the midnight mattress tango? Do you share your bed with a partner, a pet… or a small army of kids? Maybe you’re co-sleeping for now and dreaming of reclaiming your side of the bed someday soon. However you sleep, your habits play a big role in picking the right mattress size.
If you and your partner spend the night dodging each other’s elbows, upgrading to a king or super king could be the game-changer your sleep has been begging for. On the other hand, if you fly solo and love feeling snug, a double mattress might be your perfect fit.
Think Long-Term
A quality mattress can last between 7-10 years when properly looked after. So when choosing the right mattress size, it’s essential to ask yourself if you can sleep comfortably on a mattress this size for the next decade or so.
If you’re preparing for your family to grow or you’re planning to start sharing a bed with your partner in the years to come, then it may be worthwhile sizing up ahead of time.
Mattress Sizing For Couples: How to Know if You’ve Found “The One”?
Very few couples have identical sleep habits. Different body types, positions, and schedules can mean one size or feel doesn’t suit both.
While many couples enjoy snuggling up in bed, you still need your own space to ensure you can both get a good night’s sleep. When you’re sharing a bed, the right size matters. Too small and you’ll spend the night dodging elbows and knees. Too big and you might sacrifice valuable bedroom space. For couples, the goal is to find that sweet spot, you want enough width to move freely without disturbing each other, and enough length to stretch out without feet dangling over the edge.
Start by thinking about your combined sleep habits:
Do you both move around a lot at night? Wider is better - think king or super king.
Do you share with pets or kids? That extra width becomes even more valuable.
Are you content to sleep close? A queen might be the perfect fit.
Once you’ve narrowed the size, you still need to match the comfort. That’s where MySide mattresses come in, with each side customised to your comfort level. Backed by our bedMATCH diagnostic system, we can measure, analyse, and recommend the perfect combination of size and feel to keep both of you sleeping soundly.
What Mattress Size is the Right Fit for Me?
The right mattress size can transform your comfort, improve your sleep quality, and even your mood during the day.
Whether you’re upgrading for more room, accommodating a partner, or future-proofing your bedroom, our Forty Winks Sleep Champions are here to help you make the right choice.
