Your bed: it’s the place where you rest every night so that you can be in tip-top shape for the day to follow. Sleep is one of the most important aspects of your health and your life. It’s vital that your sleeping situation is comfortable and quality and that it helps you get the rest you need. 

One of the most critical aspects of your sleeping situation is how big your bed is. There are so many sizes to choose from, but many of us can’t decide between a queen size and a full-size bed. 

So today, we here at eLuxury will help you make that decision. After we walk through the differences between the two sizes and the pros and cons of each, you’ll be able to make the decision that best fits you and your needs.

Let’s jump in. 

How Often Should You Replace Your Mattress?

New mattresses often go overlooked in the average person’s life. Many people don’t think about their mattresses often, and as a result, you might be sleeping on a mattress that is old, dirty, and no longer functions the way it’s supposed to. 

On average, you should replace your mattress every seven to 10 years. By this time, your mattress will lose its structural integrity and won’t support your body the way it’s meant to. On top of that, your mattress will likely be full of stains, dirt, and dead skin by this point. 

Some ways to tell if it’s time to replace the mattress are if you wake up feeling sore every day, if it has an indentation, if your allergies have gotten worse, or if you are starting to feel your partner move around more than you used to. 

If you want to maximize the lifespan of your mattress, try flipping it every six to 12 months to ensure that it wears evenly and you don’t create any indents unnecessarily. 

Full vs. Queen: What Are the Two Sizes?

The first thing we need to establish is what the differences are between these bed sizes. So let’s take a second to go through all of the details on how these two beds are different. 

Queen Size Mattress

The queen-size bed has the larger surface area between these two options. There are a few sizes above the queen, such as the king-size bed, the California king, and even the Alaskan king. 

The queen bed dimensions are nice and even. It’s 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. It’s a reasonably big bed that can fit between one and two sleepers. Queen beds are the most popular mattress size on the market.

Full-Size Mattress

A full bed, also called a double bed, is slightly smaller than a queen-size mattress. The only mattresses smaller than a full are the twin bed and the twin XL. This bed gives you a little extra space compared to the twin. The full bed mattress dimensions are 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. 

Full mattresses are great for single adults, especially if that person likes to take a sprawled-out sleeping position at night. 

The Differences Between the Two 

So obviously, when you compare the two mattresses, the queen is the bigger size, both in length and width. The queen is better for taller individuals who need more legroom, as it has an extra length of about five inches. 

The queen is also better for multiple sleepers. Although a full is bigger than a twin, it’s still only meant for a single sleeper. Two people would be rather uncomfortable in this bed, but they would have plenty of room in a queen. 

Are There Any Differences in Material?

In short, no, there are no differences in material. Both mattresses can be made with any material and can be set up in a variety of different ways. 

Both mattresses come in memory foam, traditional beds with innerspring, and anything in between. The only difference is that if you want a split mattress, where each size can be adjusted to different settings, you’ll have to get a queen mattress size. Full beds cannot be split mattresses, as they’re only meant for one person. 

What To Consider When Making Your Choice

When you’re selecting your next new mattress, there are several things you’ll want to consider. Let’s walk through some of the big ones so you can make the choice that best fits your life and needs. 

How Many Sleepers?

The first thing you’ll need to consider is how many people are going to be sleeping in your bed. Each of these beds is suited for a different number, so you don’t want to make the wrong choice. 

If you’re a solo sleeper, you can select either mattress size. It’s a matter of preference as to how much room you’d like to have. But if two people are going to be sleeping in your bed, you’re going to want to go with the queen size. 

A full mattress will leave two sleepers feeling cramped and uncomfortable night after night. This lack of personal space could prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. 

If you occasionally have more than two sleepers, you might want to consider upgrading to a king-size mattress. For example, if you have small children who sometimes sleep with you because of a nightmare, or if you have a pet who sleeps in your bed, a standard queen might not have enough space. 

How Tall Are You?

Your height also plays a big factor in which mattress you should select for your new bed. A full is only 75 inches long, whereas a queen is 80 inches long. That extra five inches can mean the difference between your toes being on or off the bed. 

If you’re really tall and you still think a queen might not be enough for you, you can move past standard mattress sizes and look at the California king bed. It has a similar number of square inches to a standard king but is a bit taller and narrower.

But because a California king is narrower than a standard king, there still might not be enough room for that third sleeper if need be. So make sure you consider all your needs before making your selection. 

How Big Is Your Room?

When considering the best mattress for you, you need to think beyond your nightly sleep and also look at the other functions that your bedroom serves. Your bedroom setup still needs to be able to function in other ways. 

It’s where you get dressed for the day. Maybe it’s also a place of solitude with a reading nook. Maybe you have a workspace or desk in your room. Or maybe you like to leave an open floor so that you have room to work out. 

On the flip side, you could have a small room that doesn’t leave space for much else other than sleeping. So you need to consider your room size and the other functions the sleeping space needs to serve. 

If you’re a solo sleeper with a smaller room, then you might want to go with the full-size bed placed in the corner to maximize the open space in the smaller bedroom. But if you have a master bedroom whose size allows for it, and you can still have all the other things you need, feel free to jump up to a queen bed. 

Do You Want a Split Bed?

A split bed is a mattress where each side can be uniquely adjusted to fit the needs of two different sleepers. This can be very useful for couples who like to sleep in various positions or for people with back pains and other conditions. 

Only larger mattresses can accomplish this, so if this is something you want, you’ll need to opt for the queen bed. 

Availability of Sleeping Accessories

Finally, you’ll need to take into consideration any sleeping accessories that are unique to you when choosing your bed size. Before you pick, you need to make sure that you can find sleeping accessories that fit your new mattress size. This includes bed sheets, bed frames, duvets, mattress toppers, and more.

Because queen beds are the most popular size, you might have an easier time finding the accessories you want for a queen bed. If you have a highly specialized accessory, this might be the better option. 

However, full-size beds are still incredibly common, so you can likely find everything you’ll need for a full mattress as well. 

Your Perfect Mattress

Now you know everything you need to know about the differences between full beds and queen beds. Go and choose your new mattress with confidence and find the one that suits you and your unique needs. 

Sources:

King vs. Queen Mattress: What’s the Difference? | Healthy Americans

Mattress Size & Bed Dimension Comparisons (Width x Length) | Start Sleeping

When Should You Replace Your Mattress? | Start Sleeping