When buying a first shared room bed, it is generally assumed that a double is simply a queen and a tad reduced in size. In reality, the discrepancy is greater than first thought and directly has bearing on how much room everyone has to themselves during sleep. For Perth couples and for buyers upgrading the family or guest bedroom in the home, knowledge of the actual figures (not just the categorised sizes) is what can make the difference between a double mattress that is actually comfortable to share and a double that turns into a nightly 'fun' negotiation over the doona.

This will show the actual measurements, when doubling still does anything, what a queen really does and how to choose queen or king when doubling does not.

The Actual Size Difference

A standard double mattress is 137cmx188cm. A queen is 153cmx203cm, 16cm wider and 15cm longer. In a double split between two people that gives each person only about 68cm width, whereas in a queen each person gets about 76cm.

That is a large difference.

It is about the width difference between a single bed and a regular adult sleeping surface. And everyone who has ever shared a double and been squeezed to death by their partner will agree that those extra centimeters of width are what would have been perfect.

When a Double Still Makes Sense

Doubles aren't out of date. They are still a sensible option for a smaller apartment, a rental where furniture needs to be more adaptable or a spare room that sometimes has two people in it, but also works as a study or single room. The narrower width also makes it easier to maneuver through doorways and upstairs in older houses with narrower entries in Perth. However, for a main bedroom that will be used nightly by two adults, the narrower width soon becomes more of a real annoyance than an adjustment to accept.

What a Queen Actually Solves

Beyond the extra width, a queen's additional length matters for taller sleepers who find their feet hanging off a double. It is also the most common size stocked across brands and price points, which generally means more Buy Queen Mattresses in Perth options to compare at a given budget than the double category offers. For couples upgrading specifically because a double feels cramped, a queen is usually the smallest genuine improvement. Going straight to a king is a bigger jump in both size and price than most people need.

How Room Size Should Factor Into the Decision

It can be helpful to actually measure a room before settling on a size, rather than assume a queen will go in - after all, it's the most popular size! Generally, a queen fits quite easily into most standard size bedrooms around 3m x 3m or larger where there's room to walk around the bed as well as place bedside tables. In smaller rooms the queen will squeeze in, but it will feel far tighter than a double bed in the same room. It's always worth checking to ensure that there's actually some space to walk around the bed, rather than buying a mattress that will fit in but be impossible to get to!

Choosing Between Queen and King

• Queen (153 x 203cm): the most popular size for two people in most of Perth's bedrooms, not too large and not too small.
• King (183 x 203cm): 30cm wider than queen. Works well if you toss and turn, or if you regularly have children or animals joining you in the bed.
• Begin by measuring the bedroom. For instance, a king requires significantly more floor space to allow space for additional furniture surrounding it comfortably.
• Consider door and hallway access too, particularly in older homes where a larger mattress can be a tighter fit to deliver.
  
  

Delivery and Setup Considerations

Queen mattresses are generally easier to deliver and set up than larger sizes, since standard doorways, hallways, and stairwells across most Perth homes are built to comfortably accommodate them. This is one of the less discussed practical advantages of the queen size compared with king or super king options, particularly in older homes or apartment buildings where access can be genuinely restrictive. It is still worth confirming delivery access in advance for upstairs bedrooms or homes with tight internal staircases, but queen sized deliveries rarely present the same access challenges that larger mattresses sometimes do.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Bed Size

The most frequently made mistake is assuming only the mattress footprint has to fit and not accounting for the walking space around it, which can give a technically correct fit that feels cramped once all the other furniture is reincorporated into the room. Another common mistake is upgrading the mattress size without verifying if the existing bed frame and base are rated for the new size, as a queen mattress on a double frame is significantly less stable long-term, which can be dangerous. It also pays to check your hallways, stairwells and doorways will fit the new dimensions before buying, particularly in Perth's older homes where doorways were built narrower than now.

What Type of Mattress Suits a Queen Bed Best

A queen is the most widely stocked size so it provides the widest variety of construction choices, pocket spring, memory foam, latex and hybrid. Couples where each partner prefers a different firmness usually find a hybrid or pocket spring queen mattress works best as individually wrapped springs prevent pressure and movement transfer as efficiently as a single foam block, so movements tend not to disturb each other. When both partners want roughly the same feel, a bare foam or latex construction can be just as comfortable without being too expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a queen mattress really big enough for two adults?

Yes, for 99% of couples. For a 153cm width, you are getting only 76cm per person, which is plenty for most people sleeping together unless either or both of you are highly restless in the night.

What's the real difference between queen and king?

He's 30cm broader than a queen, but the same length. That's the dimension you should be focusing on most; that and the one most applicable when you sleep with children and/or animals..

Can a queen mattress fit in a small bedroom?

Yes in all rooms 3m x 3m and larger. Smaller rooms can work also but furniture placement has to be very carefully planned and even then the rooms will be tight.

How long does a queen mattress typically last?

Depending on the materials used in a queen mattress and the amount of use it gets a queen can last 7-10 years. Using precautions such as a mattress protector, and regularly rotating it can make a queen last even longer!

Is a queen mattress good for a guest room?

Yes, queen mattresses are found relatively often in guest bedrooms (since they accommodate one or two people and will generally fit in a spare bedroom).

Conclusion

This difference between a double and a queen is all too easy to overlook until it is physically measured out. Sixteen centimeters of extra space per mattress equates to around eight centimeters of additional personal space per individual-an amount which, in a shared bed, can make a startling difference to the relative sensation of sleeping arrangements. Queen size is generally the answer for the majority of couples who have been sleeping on doubles, without going to the trouble of overshooting to super king territory.

Perth couples weighing up sizes in person can visit Bedworld's Bedroom Furniture Store Osborne Park, Perth where queen, double, and king mattresses are set up side by side for a direct size comparison before buying.