Should You Get a Full or Twin-Size Bed?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding what size bed is ideal for you. For example, are you a mobile sleeper? Will you be sharing the bed with any other people or pets? How wide are you and the person you will share the bed with? And so forth. We'll be going over these considerations and more in this article.

Are You A Mobile Sleeper?

This question means, "Do you move a lot when you sleep?" If the answer is yes, you might want to consider a full-size bed, as you might find yourself falling off of a twin-size. An easy way to tell if you are a mobile sleeper is to set something on the edge of your bed before you go to sleep. When you wake up, is it still there? If it isn't, you may be a mobile sleeper and may benefit from a larger mattress. Mobile sleepers have a tendency to accommodate their mobility to the surface area they are given, so just because you are not particularly mobile on a twin-size mattress doesn’t mean you won’t be more so on a full-size mattress. For this reason, we generally recommend trying out both sizes of mattresses before deciding which you would like to purchase.

Will You Be Sharing The Bed?

A critical question about whether a full-size or twin-size bed is ideal for you is, "How many people will be sleeping on the bed?" Do you have occasional guests or a partner with whom you will be sharing the bed? What about pets that want to sleep next to you? It might seem silly now, but being on a twin-size bed when your two dogs decide that thunder is scary and they'd rather sleep with you is quite an unpleasant experience. Once you've established whether you will be sharing the bed with anyone else, you can decide on a twin or a full-size mattress. Naturally, if you want more space, you'll gravitate towards the full, but it is vital to know the actual size difference the beds entail.

The Dimensions

A standard-size twin bed is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. Standard-size full mattresses are 54 inches by 75 inches long. This is a significant difference for any number of people, but the difference really depends on the size of the individuals in question more than anything else. An easy way to grasp this is to simply take some masking tape and measure out a rectangle of the dimensions of a standard twin-size and full-size mattress on your floor. That will help you conceptualize the sizes involved and can help you make a more prudent decision with regard to mattress choice.

How Wide Are The Sleepers?

A twin-size bed divided by two people is approximately 19 inches in width per person. A full-size mattress is 27 inches in width per person. This is a fairly significant difference, so a twin-size mattress may not be enough for two people depending on the size of the two individuals in the bed and whether either of them is a mobile sleeper. Even two relatively slim people can be too much for a twin-size mattress if you are both mobile sleepers. It depends on various parameters, including the size of the people in the bed. If the bed is just for you, then naturally, either can be a good fit, but you still want to get what will be optimally comfortable for you.

How Much Space Do You Have?

Another common consideration is how much space you have in your bedroom. If you don't have room for a full-size mattress, then there is not much point in buying one. Measure out your bedroom's dimensions with measuring tape, and keep in mind the standard dimensions for twin-size and full-size mattresses listed above. Do you have room for either size bed? If so, excellent. If not, then you should probably buy the size that your bedroom will accommodate. If you have room for both, many people err on the side of size and just get the bigger mattress to be safe.

Try Out Both

If possible, trying out sleeping on both a full-size and twin-size mattress to see how you like it can be a great idea. That way, you can notice any differences in the quality and quantity of your sleep before you buy a mattress. You may find that one suits you better than the other. If you sleep equally well on both-size mattresses and you have room for both, then you could go one of two ways. You could buy whichever mattress size is cheaper (typically, it will be twin-size), or you could just hedge your bet by going with the larger option, just in case something about your sleeping situation changes, so you'll have extra space.

Consider Adding a Mattress Topper

Sometimes the difference in sleep quality between a twin and full-size mattress isn't in the overall size but in the softness of the mattress itself. A larger mattress can often seem softer because of its greater lateral surface area. If this is the issue, buying a larger mattress is not really necessary. You can add a mattress topper to your existing bed in order to make it softer and more comfortable, and that can be the end of your mattress woes. A smaller bed with a mattress topper can provide significantly more comfort than a larger mattress without one, so try this out before settling on mattress size.