When you are looking for a new bed in Canada, you might be considering getting a double bed. But how big is a double bed exactly? Is it big enough for two people to sleep comfortably? How does it compare with other bed sizes in Canada?
In this article, we cover details of double beds, including dimensions and the recommended room size for a double bed. We also compare double beds to other sizes you might like to consider if you are looking for a bed for two people. In addition, you will find some tips on choosing the right mattress for you.
What is a Double Bed in Canada?
A double bed in Canada refers to a bed that can be paired with a mattress that is 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. That is 137 cm wide and 190.5 cm long, but mattresses are generally measured using imperial measures in Canada. The recommended minimum room size for a double bed is 10 feet by 11.5 feet (3 metres by 3.5 metres).
People often ask if there is a size difference between double and full beds and the answer is there is not. Full and double beds have the same dimensions in Canada. So if you see a bed advertised as full-size, you know it takes the same size mattress as a bed advertised as double.
Why Are the Terms Full and Double Both Used for the Same Size Bed?
If you are wondering why two words are used for the same size beds, you are not the only one. It is a very common question. The standardisation of mattress sizes first began shortly after the American Civil War. At the time, there were just two mattress sizes: single (now more commonly called twin) and double.
The word double was used to show that the bed was meant for two sleepers rather than a single sleeper. Even though the word double suggests that double beds are twice as big as single beds, this is not the case. A double mattress is only 16 inches wider than a twin mattress. The term full bed is likely to have originated from the concept that a full-size mattress provides enough space for two people to sleep comfortably.
The double/ full bed was the standard size used by couples until the mid-20th century. The options for couples were limited until the 1950s when mattress manufacturers began to make queen and king-size beds to accommodate taller people and give sleepers more space width-wise.
Is a Double Bed Right for You?
When you are deciding on a new bed and are considering a double bed as a possible choice, you need to consider the pros and cons. While they can accommodate two people, after all, they were used by couples until the 1950s, will a double bed be big enough for your needs?
Pros of Double Beds
They Are Great for Smaller Bedrooms
If you have a small bedroom or live in a studio apartment, a double bed can be a great space-saving solution. Because it is both narrower and shorter than either queen or king-size beds, it will leave you with more space to move around in smaller spaces. A double bed can make a smaller room appear bigger while a queen or king can make it look crowded and make it awkward to move around.
Great Choice for One Person
If you are the only person sleeping in the bed, a double is an excellent choice as it gives you much more room than a twin bed. Consider getting a double bed for yourself especially if you often toss and turn in the night as it will make moving around in the night easier.
The Price
Because the beds are smaller, this is reflected in the price so double beds are a good option for anyone on a tighter budget. You will not only save on the price of the bed frame but also the price of the mattress so it is a double save.
Easy to Pair with Vintage Headboards and Frames
Because double beds used to be the standard for couples until the mid-20th century you can easily pair a double mattress with a vintage bed. If you like the idea of a vintage or antique bed, you can match double mattresses with, for example, Victorian and art déco bed frames and headboards.
Cons of Double Beds
They Are Shorter
If you are a taller person, especially if you are over six feet tall, you may find a double bed too short for you. To sleep comfortably, you should be able to lie down on your back with your whole body straight without your feet hanging off the bottom of the bed. So for taller people, queen- and king-size beds will work better.
Less Space to Move Around
If you are sharing the bed with your partner, you might find a double bed too narrow to sleep comfortably. This is especially likely if you, your partner, or both of you are combination sleepers, meaning you change your sleeping positions several times during the night. You might find yourselves elbowing each other as you switch positions.
They May Feel Hotter
A double bed for two sleepers may get hotter than a bigger bed during the night. As you sleep closer together, you will feel the other person’s body heat more. A bigger bed will allow you to spread out more and help you keep cooler during sleep. If you often sleep hot, it is worth considering a bigger bed.
You May Feel the Other Person’s Movements More
When you share a double bed with your partner, you are more likely to feel their movements during the night than you would be in a bigger bed. This is especially likely if you have an innerspring mattress that has more bounce than a foam mattress.
If you are easily disturbed by the other person moving about in bed, then consider more space and a mattress that has good motion isolation, such as a memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattress.
How Big Are Queen and King-Size Beds?
If you are thinking that a double bed may be too small for you, consider going bigger. The next size up in Canada is the queen size, which is the most common bed size in Canada. A queen-size mattress measures 60 x 80 inches, which is 152.5 cm x 203 cm, giving you more legroom and width.
A king-size mattress in Canada is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. In centimetres, the mattress measures 198 cm x 203 cm. A king-size mattress is a great option if you have children who often get into bed with you and your partner.
Unusual Mattress Sizes in Canada
When you look for a new mattress in Canada, you might also come across some not-so-common mattress sizes: the half queen, queen RV, super king, and California king. It is useful to know what these mean to ensure you make the right choice.
A half-queen is exactly what it sounds like. It is half the width of a standard queen-size mattress but the same length. This is a great option if you have different mattress requirements from your partner. For example, if you need a soft mattress and your partner a medium-firm mattress. You can get two half-queens to accommodate both of your needs and put them together in a queen-size bed frame with a queen-size mattress topper to cover the gap.
A queen RV mattress has been designed for use in recreational vehicles. A queen-size RV mattress is the same width as a regular queen but shorter to fit better inside an RV.
The size of super king mattresses in Canada varies slightly between mattress manufacturers but the general measurements are 72 inches x 78 inches. Despite the name, it is smaller than a regular king-size mattress. Then there is also the California king-size mattress, which is the same width as super king but longer than both other king sizes at 84 inches. A great option for very tall Canadians.
Choosing the Right Bed for You
While size is one of the most important factors when you are choosing a new bed or a mattress, you also need to consider other factors such as the size and location of your bedroom, type of mattress, and your budget.
Bedroom Size
When you are measuring what size bed your space can accommodate, remember to factor in all the other furniture you want to have in the room. This may include bedside tables, chairs, wardrobes, and dressing tables, for example. Ensure you have enough space to get in and out of bed easily and to walk around the room without bumping into your bed or other furniture.
Bedroom Location
You also need to consider where your bedroom is and how easy it will be to get a large mattress or bed frame into the room. This is especially important if you need to get into a lift with your furniture or carry it up several flights of stairs. You might like to consider a bed in a box, which is a mattress that comes in a box, and a home-assembly bed frame if you need to get the furniture up several floors.
Type of Mattress
There are four main types of mattresses, which are innerspring, foam, latex, and hybrid. Innerspring mattresses have been around the longest. They offer a lot of bounce and you are likely to feel your partner’s every move with mattresses that use Bonnell or continuous coils. Mattresses with individually pocketed coils are better for motion isolation and also offer more target support to prevent pressure points.
Foam mattresses come in different types, including polyfoam, memory foam, and latex. They are all better at isolating motion than most innerspring mattresses. Some people find polyfoam and memory foam mattresses hot because they do not circulate air as well as innerspring mattresses. Latex mattresses, especially organic ones, are cooler than other foam mattresses, or you can invest in a cooling mattress.
Hybrid mattresses contain the best qualities of foam and innerspring mattresses. They have a coil core, usually pocketed coils, with a foam top, which is usually made with memory foam. These are great for people who want some bounce but also a bed that contours the body.
Your Budget
The prices of beds and mattresses vary from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The bigger the bed, the more you will have to spend. You will also need to spend more on memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses than on most innerspring mattresses.
You will find mattresses suited for every budget in Canada, whether you want to spend as little as possible or want to go for luxury. While it is probably best to avoid the cheapest options, because they are likely to be less comfortable and not last as long, there are many great cheap mattresses available on the market, if you are on a tighter budget.
Conclusion
Double beds, which are also called full beds, are made for couples and for decades were the normal choice for two sleepers. However, many couples nowadays prefer bigger sizes, such as queen or king-size beds, which give each sleeper more space.
Double beds are great for smaller bedrooms or studio apartments. They are also popular with single sleepers who prefer something bigger than a twin-size bed. When choosing a new mattress, consider both the size of the bed and the size of the room together with your sleeping needs to get the best size for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Double beds are made with two sleepers in mind. They are bigger than twin beds but not as wide or long as queen or king-size beds. While there is room for two people, many couples prefer to go bigger than a double bed.
A double bed is about six inches narrower than a queen-size bed and about 5 inches shorter. However, the size differences may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
Double beds are well-suited for single sleepers who would like a bit more space or couples who are happy to share a smaller bed. Double beds are also suitable for people who have smaller bedrooms or live in studio apartments.
