Most people spend around a third of their life in bed, so it is important to have a good bed which suits the buyer's needs. Choosing a king sized bed is often wise for many couples, as having more space makes a good night’s sleep more likely. Both the mattress and bed base come in lots of different options. This guide will help in making an educated choice, when buying a new king sized bed and mattress. In the UK, a king sized bed and mattress will usually be the following size: 78 inches (6 foot 6 inches) Note that different countries use the same term to mean different sizes. In particular, a King bed in North America or Australia will usually be 76 inches by 80 inches, which is the equivalent of the Super King bed size in the UK and Ireland. The equivalent of the UK King Size is usually called the Queen in North America. The key point is to check the dimensions in the product description, in case the seller is based in another country, or has a different interpretation of a King sized bed.
Consult the seller if unsure to check the measurements. It is important to choose a bed that is the right size for the people who will be using it. King sized beds have become increasingly popular, thanks to the increasing average height of people. For comfort, a bed should be at least 10 – 15 cm (4 – 6 inches) longer than the tallest person who sleeps on it. This means that a King sized bed should suit anyone up to 6 foot 2 in height. There are two main types of bed base to choose from for a king sized bed: divan and bedstead. Can be upholstered in the same material as the mattress to match Offers built in storage on most divans Mattress may lack ventilation as bed base is solid Limited choice of mattresses as have to buy to match divan Usually a frame with slatted base More traditional style, can be made in lots of different fabric and styles Easy to replace mattress separately and not worry about having to match the bed base Open base gives ventilation to the mattress – useful for allergy sufferers in particular No need to buy a separate headboard
Have to buy separate storage if want to utilise space underneath bed Will usually have to purchase mattress separately, look out for this when making costings Divan beds often come with drawers underneath, however, there are also now lift up storage beds, where the whole top of the bed lifts up to reveal a large storage space underneath. These are sometimes known as Ottoman storage. This can be an advantage over drawers, particularly when there is insufficient space in a bedroom to open drawers fully. Alternatively, some divan beds have sliding doors, meaning there does not have to be space around the bed. For bedsteads, there are different types of bed base: broadly slats, springs or platform top. Most basic <------------------------------> Most luxurious Platform or fixed top will be rarely found in king sized beds, as their width and also being aimed at a more luxury market, mean that they tend to be found only in slatted or sprung bases. Slats are often found in bed bases, e.g. something similar to slim planks stretched across the bed frame.
Slats will not raise the height of the mattress, as they should lie flat against the bed frame. If slats are too far apart, the bed itself may not be comfortable or as supportive as possible. If the slats are too near, then the bed could be too firm. In King Sized beds, as the bed is wide, there will usually be a support bar down the middle of the slats. This makes the bed more stable and reduces the possibility of the slats breaking. There are also different types of slats. Solid slat bedsteads will usually give firm support. Bowed slat bedsteads will be more bouncy and less firm. The bounce in bowed slats should mean that they offer most support where the most pressure is felt, which could offer a more comfortable experience overall. Beds with bowed slats are sometimes referred to as sprung slatted bases and are often made of beech. Springs will raise the height of the mattress as they are a few inches high. Sprung bedsteads give a bouncier feel to a bed. They work together with the springs in the mattress, which could help prolong the life of the mattress.
Sprung bed bases are hard wearing and offer a good level of comfort. Sometimes referred to as sprung edge bed bases, they are actually sprung across the whole top of the bed. Often thought of as more luxurious, sprung bed bases may well be more expensive than fixed slats, which tend to be offered on the cheaper beds. Pocket sprung bed bases are a step up on other sprung beds. The springs are contained in separate compartments, so the different sections work independently to support weight. There are an increasing number of king sized mattress types available: Springs made from a single looped wire Tend to be affordable Lots of choice Can sag over time Need replacing every 6-8 years More likely to be disturbed by partner as springs move together Single springs, fixed together by wire May be less comfortable then other options Springs sewn into separate fabric pockets More supportive than other sprung options Particularly good for people who sleep on their side Wide choice available, including different firmness levels
Difficult to compare different makes, in particular firmness is subjective Foam / latex (non sprung) No springs, instead made of latex or foam Hypo allergenic, resistant to dust mites and mould, anti-bacterial Durable Breathable and cool Made from a renewable resource Some people are allergic to latex itself New mattresses may have a ‘plastic’ smell More expensive Usually a standard foam base topped with temperature sensitive mouldable “memory foam” Moulds to your body shape Supports each person separately Hypo allergenic Many people find memory foam most comfortable Retain body heat so can be too warm for some people Heavy so hard to turn Some people don’t like the ‘sinking’ effect Usually more expensive than traditional mattresses Whichever type of mattress under consideration, investigate the thickness of the functional part, e.g. for a memory foam mattress, some may have only a few inches of memory foam with the rest made up of normal foam.
If this isn't clear, then contact the seller to check the depth of the component parts. The overall height of the mattress is also important. It will also affect which size sheets will fit the bed, as some very high mattresses will need special deep fitted sheets, which may not be widely available in all king sized bedding ranges. To browse king sized beds on eBay, from the homepage, click All Categories on the left hand side, then Home & Garden. From the Home & Garden page, select Furniture & Living, then Beds & Mattresses.. To show all king sized beds, then enter King size in Beds & Mattress category. If looking to buy a bed and mattress together, then select the category Beds with Mattresses. Within this category, it is then possible to narrow down the search to show only King sized beds and mattresses by selecting 5FT Kingsize.. Most bedsteads will be found under the Bed Frames & Divan Bases category, again filtered by selecting 5FT Kingsize. To display king sized mattresses, instead select Mattresses, then again click on 5FT Kingsize.