There are multiple bed sizes available in South Africa, including single, 3/4, double, queen, and king. Then there are the different heights to look at, and above all that, there are also the standard or extra length mattresses to choose from.
It is no wonder that so many people struggle to decide which product to purchase with all the different options available. The normal length for our mattresses is 188 cm and the extra is 200 cm. Now, how do you decide what size, type, or length is right for you? Do you go only on the price or space available in your home? Read on to find the answers or inspect our size guides visible in any of our product descriptions.
Take these steps into account when shopping for mattress sizes:
- Leave enough space to move around freely in the room.
- Consider the length of the intended user/s.
- Keep the weight of all users in mind when selecting a size.
- Measure all doors and hallways on route to the rooms.
- Compare price differences if both options seem viable.
How to Determine the Required Walk Space Around the Bed
The appropriate bed size is closely related to the room dimensions. Our standard single units are 91 cm wide, and as mentioned, all sizes are 188 cm long. A single bed should have at least 213 cm in width by 304 cm in length available in the room. This leaves roughly 60 cm on each side or 120 cm on one, as well as just over 110 cm at the bottom of the bed.
If you are looking at extra length mattresses, you should have a room with a length of at least 316 cm to make up for the added 12 cm of the mattress. For a 3/4, the width of the room should, at minimum, total 228 cm as the bed is 107 cm wide.
When you get to double, queen, and king, leave slightly more floor space at the bottom, as you are likely to have two people in the room at certain times. For these, it is best to keep 150 cm open at the bottom, in case two people might have to slide past each other, but a minimum of 124 cm should work to keep it from being cramped. This means 338 cm is the ideal length or at least 312 cm. The extra length mattresses will require a bit more space. For these, 350 cm is ideal, or 324 cm will just make the cut.
Width requirements for each of the larger mattresses:
- A double-bed room width should total 258 cm at entry level, but preferably 288 cm if you want folks to have a comfortable amount of space on either side of the furniture.
- For a queen, you want 273 cm in width at minimum, with the ideal being 303 cm.
- With the king-sized bed being 183 cm by 188 cm in size, you want a room width of at least 304 cm or 334 cm for luxury.
When you take measurements for the walking space needed in each room, it might be wise to consider the width of the individual’s shoulders as well as their stomach-to-back size. Children will require less room to walk around their beds than adults or larger individuals.
Also consider the other furniture pieces that must fit in the room, and leave enough space for those along with the walking area. If you plan on adding bedside tables, you can use them, plus the width of your desired bed, to determine the area requirements. Remember that these are mostly for creating comfortable sleeping quarters. You might want to take into account other activities to take place, such as getting dressed or morning yoga. Add tape to your floor for measuring out the required spaces, starting with your sleeping spot, as the bed is the star of a bedroom.
You can still move other activities to separate rooms, like getting dressed in your walk-in closet or doing your exercises on the veranda. However, a bedroom is the only place to sleep peacefully during the day or at night, and that is why a quality bed with enough space for your entire body is essential.
Where Will You Place the Mattress and Who Will Use the Bed?
To ultimately decide between standard and extra length mattresses, consider where you want to place the beds. Is it the master bedroom, guestroom, teenager’s room, or kids’ section?
For your main bedroom, it is easy. Measure your height. If you have a partner, it goes without saying that you will need their height measurement as well. For the guests, it is always better to go with a longer mattress, as the users of the room will vary. All individuals are different in size, and some might still be growing.
Kids can get growth spurts or only grow a few centimetres a year. Consider whether you would want to upgrade them to a 3/4 when they outgrow their normal single units or if you want them to use their beds for a longer period. Teenagers are more likely to be their full length already, so you can easily select standard or extra length depending on their current stature.
Where to place the beds is an important question, as you want to make sure whatever beds you buy can fit through any passages or entrances towards the room. The standard or extra length should not make a difference here, as it is mostly about the width and height of the mattresses that count for manoeuvrability. However, the extra length can make a slight difference if you have to turn the furniture in a tight spot to get it through a door.
Again, with the weight of a person, you do not have to worry about the standard or extra-length options. Rather focus on the brand of bed. Certain mattresses have more springs, coils, fabric, and padding to support extra weight, and others less. You can also look at the width of units when considering mass, as a wider bed has a larger surface area to distribute the weight of a person. However, it can differ between different brands for king-sized beds, queen-sized beds, and so on.
Take our Hybrid Premium Double Mattresses compared with our Orthopaedic Premium Double Mattresses. The first brand type can support 140 kg on either side and the latter only 100 kg on each side. The extra length in both cases does not add or subtract from the load capacity at all – meaning weight should not be a factor in your decision for standard or extra length.
Luxury Over Price
If you compare the price difference between our standard and extra length mattresses, you will find there is not a huge change. Thus, there is no need to make the small amount added for a longer bed the deciding factor for your choice. Getting a mattress that is the correct size will make up for any additional costs. You do not want feet hanging over the edge just because you want to pay less.
The extra length mattresses have benefits for shorter people as well. If you do not like to rest your head right at the top of the bed, it can be beneficial to have more space below, so you can slide down and still have enough space. It also comes in handy for those who like placing ample throw cushions and continentals along with regular pillows on the bed.
If you want to go budget without compromising on quality, see our ComfoSleep selection of beds. These are available in standard or extra length. If you do not want to spend a fortune replacing furniture over the years, select quality furniture that can last for years. All our mattresses come with guarantees and warranties that can match or beat that of competitor stores. We stand by our product, and so should you.
Extra or Standard – Your Question Answered
As you can see, you need to consider many factors in your decision on which mattresses to buy. Every household has their own needs and so, choices can differ. However, you can summarise what you have to do to come to a conclusion in two simple steps.
The first is to write down the sizing details of each family member. Next, plan your layout and access route for each room. After that, if still unsure which products to purchase, you can always send us a message, and one of our representatives will assist you.
Buy a mattress like you buy a home. Pick one that can stand the test of time, is comfortable, and meets your personal needs and preferences.
