Which mattress size is best for couples?
Sharing a bed with your partner shouldn’t feel like a nightly wrestling match for space. But if you’re like me and love to sleep in the foetal position, you might end up with a partner complaining your knees are in their back…..
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, getting the right size is crucial for you both to enjoy a good night’s sleep. Wondering how to find the right one? My mattress-buying guide will help you make an informed decision. I’ll discuss the essential considerations in finding the best bed that suits you and your partner’s needs.
Factors that affect the size you need
When choosing the right mattress size, there are a few different things you need to consider.
First, think about how you sleep. Are you cuddlers or do you prefer your own space? Do you have different needs for comfort and support? Overall, your choice should accommodate your:
- Bedroom space
- Sleeping habits
- Physical requirements
- Lifestyle preferences.
Always start by ensuring that you’re buying a high quality mattress. It’s a worthwhile investment in your health, wellbeing, and relationship. After all, better sleep leads to improved mood, increased energy, and more quality time together!
That said, consider taking up the offer of a free trial before committing to a purchase. Doing so gives you ample time to assess whether the mattress ticks all the boxes. Also, consider the warranty period. A longer coverage often means product reliability as it reflects the manufacturers’ confidence in their product’s performance and longevity.
King vs. superking
A king mattress (also known as a comfortable queen mattress in Australia and the US) is often the go-to choice for couples for a good reason. This mattress size offers a great balance between space and practicality. Most come in 150cm x 200cm, which means each person can have 75cm of personal space. This leaves enough room for most couples to sleep comfortably without feeling cramped.
If you’re seeking a bigger sleeping space, you might want to consider a superking mattress. With its generous 180cm width, anyone moving around a lot while sleeping can get ample space. A superking bed can also be a good choice if you’re occasionally sharing a room with children or pets.
Evaluating your bedroom size
Your mattress should be proportional to the size of your bedroom. In the UK, the average bedroom size is 13.4 square metres. Experts suggest that your bed should occupy not more than a third of your bedroom space for proper spacing.
Besides the mattress, you must consider your bedframe and whether you can open your cabinets and drawers freely. There should be enough room for you to walk around the edges of your bed without worrying about bumping into your wardrobe cabinet, bedside table, and additional furniture pieces.
Matching mattress types with your needs
When it comes to mattress type, it pays to understand how each option works. Here’s a quick rundown:
Memory foam
Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular because of their excellent ergonomic support and pressure relief properties. The memory foam adapts to your body shape and helps minimise movement transfer. As such, you’re less likely to disturb each other even when you’re tossing and turning during the night.
Pocket springs
Pocket-sprung mattresses offer another excellent choice. Unlike traditional spring mattresses, each spring is encased in its own fabric pocket and can handle varying tensions. Modern pocket spring mattresses excel at distributing weight evenly and are ideal for partners with significant weight differences.
Latex
Latex mattresses are likewise worth considering for their ventilation. Some can naturally resist dust mites and allergens—perfect for individuals with sensitivity issues. Ortho mattresses deserve a special mention if one of you is seeking optimal back support. They tend to be on the firmer side, so avoid this if you prefer your bed to be soft and bouncy.
Hybrid
Some bedmakers combine the best of both worlds by featuring layers of memory foam atop the pocket springs. Adding a soft top layer combines responsive support with contouring capabilities. Couples get additional comfort without sacrificing the essential support for proper spinal alignment.
The goal is to find the best option that provides the best sleeping experience for you and your partner. Manufacturers recognise this and are open to customising their products to cater to your unique needs.
Considering firmness levels
Finding the right mattress firmness is crucial in giving you a restful sleep. When evaluating, you must consider individual sleeping positions, chronic pain or medical conditions, and body shapes or weights.
But how can you find the sweet spot if you have different preferences? Look for manufacturers who offer split-firmness options, where tension levels differ on each side. It’s a great solution if one of you prefers a softer surface while the other needs firmer support.
Additionally, some mattresses have adjustable firmness levels that you can manually control using an app or automatically through sensors. These advanced options allow you to adjust the tension according to individual sleeping positions.
Accommodating your future needs
Apart from mulling over the factors above, take time to consider potential lifestyle changes when choosing your mattress size. For example, working from home might require you to use the bed as a temporary workspace. You’ll need extra space for laptops, documents and a comfortable sitting position without disturbing your partner.
When planning to have children, a larger mattress size accommodates midnight feeds and morning cuddles. Moreover, changes in health conditions, such as back problems, arthritis, or sleep apnea, require ample space to move comfortably or to put medical devices.
The bottom line
Choosing the right mattress as a couple is about finding the sweet spot between size, comfort, and practicality. Avoid buyer’s remorse by accommodating both your needs for space, pressure relief, and support. With careful consideration and research, you’ll find the perfect mattress that suits both you and your partner, ensuring years of blissful nights ahead.
