Whether you’re looking to buy a new bed for yourself, a loved one, or just curious about the size of the bed, it can be a little confusing when you come across names and terms you’ve never heard before during your search. So, what is a double bed?
A “double” bed is a mattress size that falls in between twin and queen. It is a moderately sized bed, giving the impression of being both spacious for a single adult and somewhat claustrophobic for a couple.
We’re here to clarify the terminology used in the mattress industry. Continue reading to find out more.
Double Bed Dimensions
The dimensions of a full/double bed are: 54 inches X 75 inches.
The width of a double bed is 54 inches, or 4 feet 6 inches. This makes it roomy for one person but somewhat claustrophobic for two.
The length of a double bed is 75 inches, or 6 feet 3 inches. Those under 6′ prime have plenty of legroom, but anyone over 6′ prime may find it uncomfortable.
Pros and Cons of a Full Size Mattress-
A full size mattress has both advantages and disadvantages due to its small size.
Pros-
- Affordable and less expensive
- Accessories are readily available
- Not too heavy and can be carried around easily
- Ideal for kids bedroom
Cons-
- Too small for couples who want personal sleeping space
- Can’t accommodate pets and kids
- Uncomfortable for tall sleepers
Who Should Buy a Double Bed?
The term “double” can make it seem like this mattress size is suitable for two people. In contrast, most couples do not experience this.
Only 15 inches wider than a twin, a double is only 54 inches wide. You can begin to understand why a double would feel crowded for two sleepers when you contrast this width with that of a queen (60 inches) or a king (76 inches).
Who then does a double bed serve? For the most part, we recommend doubles for single adults who want more space than a twin. The double can feel quite roomy for a single person and, in a pinch, can also fit a partner.
This size is also a good choice for children and teens, as it can accommodate growing children for a long time. A full can easily fit your child until they are ready to buy their own bed, whereas a twin might feel constricting for a growing teen.
A queen is more expensive than a twin, but a double/full is a good compromise. It is reasonably priced, works well in small spaces, and feels much bigger than a twin.
Average Price for a Double Bed
Depending on the type of mattress you’re looking for and how it’s constructed, a full size (or double) bed can cost anywhere from $200 to $2,000 or more.
If you’re looking for a budget double bed, we’d recommend checking out the Allswell Hybrid, Nest Flip and Brooklyn Bowery. For a full size, these beds are priced between $250 and $400.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, a few options to check out would be Purple, Casper, Leesa and Layla. For the bed-in-a-box market, these mattresses are more likely to fall into the average price range. You should budget between $700 and 850 for a double size.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a more premium or luxurious full size bed, a few that come to mind include Helix Luxe, GhostBed Luxe and WinkBed. These beds are priced between $1,200 and $1,500.
Full Vs Double Mattress
You might be pondering the question, why are there two different names for mattresses that are 54″ by 75″?
After all, there’s no other difference when it comes to a full vs double bed.
Both names refer to how big this mattress is in comparison to a twin bed. Here’s a quick history of how one mattress size got two names:
- Soon after the Civil War, manufacturers of mattresses started standardizing their sizes. In the late 19th century, people were limited to only two standard bed sizes: “single bed” (what we now call twin mattress) and “double bed.”
- While the name “double” suggests that this mattress is twice as large as a twin bed, it’s just 16″ wider than a 38″ by 75″ twin size mattress.
- “Full” or “double” mattresses are thus named because they can sleep two people rather than one.
The double or full bed size was the standard for couples up until the 1950s. Manufacturers started extending the standard king size mattress and queen bed dimensions at that time to accommodate a population that was growing taller.
Full sized beds are only 6’4″ long, which means that taller people may find them uncomfortable. For a longer mattress, you may want to get a queen, king bed size, California king bed, or super king size, all of which can accommodate someone who is up to 6 feet 7 inches.
Double Bed Vs Queen Bed
As you might guess, a queen size bed does not count as a double bed. Yes, a queen-size mattress can accommodate two people, but a double bed refers to a mattress that can accommodate two people just barely. In most situations, we believe two people can comfortably fit on a queen-sized mattress. To put the size in perspective, a queen bed is 6″ wider than a double bed, which is a noticeable amount of space when you’re laying down with someone else.
Queen Mattress – 60 x 80″
Double Bed – 54 x 75″
On occasion, you may see a hotel or resort claim to have a “large double bed,” but it’s pretty rare. In that situation, they are referring to a queen size bed.
Double Bed Vs Trundle Bed
For the sake of this post, we aren’t going to give you a huge description of a trundle bed, but it’s basically a single mattress with another single pull-out mattress underneath it. In theory, two people could fit on a trundle bed if the other mattress was pulled out.
Still, it’s not considered a double bed. It would be similar to sharing a dorm room bed if two people attempted to fit on one of the single mattresses. There are various kinds of trundle beds that one can buy, and they themselves are a subcategory of beds.
FAQs
Is a Full Bed the Same as a Double Bed?
Full and double are simply two different names for the same bed size. As the two names are both still fairly popular, mattress companies often use them interchangeably. The two most common mattress sizes up until the 1940s were twin and double.
Is a Double Bed the Same as a 2 Bed?
Double or Full beds are 15 inches wider than twin beds at 54 inches wide and 75 inches long, but if two share the bed, each has only 27 inches of personal space—much less than a twin! Until the 1960s, double beds (also known as full beds) were the most typical for two people to sleep in.
Summary: What is a Double Bed?
Given that it has the same size dimensions as a double bed, a full-size mattress also provides the same amount of space. A full bed mattress can be a cozy and good product if your room is 10 by 12 feet. With this size, you have an additional 2 to 3 feet of space that can be used for other things.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Don’t forget to share the post. Thank you for reading.
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