King Vs California king Bed
Welcome to this post if you want to learn what is the difference between king and California king bed you are in right place.Read the whole post before buying king or California king mattress. You also get the information on different types of king mattresses and their uses.
What is a king sized bed?
The most common type of king sized bed is called a regular king. This type of bed is also called a standard, classic or Eastern king mattress. The classic king sized bed is 76 inches by 80 inches or six foot three inches times six foot six inches. You can also say it is 193 cm x 203 cm.
The standard king was designed to accommodate the growing American public. In the early 1900s, less than four percent of men were over six feet tall. That number hit twenty percent in 1960. This meant there was literally a growing market for longer mattresses. That’s why the standard king mattress was introduced. (Before this, almost everyone slept in full sized beds or ones we’d today call queen sized.)
What is the difference between king and California king?
The California king mattress is 72 inches by 84 inches or six feet by seven feet. That makes it four inches narrower and four inches longer than a standard king mattress. In metric measurements, it is 183 cm x 213 cm. The California king is also called the Western king because it was popularized by Hollywood on the West coast. And they tended to be taller and wanted a longer mattress to accommodate them and look better at an angled shot.
Do mattresses have different heights?
The answer is no. There is no standard height for a California King or standard king mattress. Most king mattresses have a height or depth of nine to sixteen inches. That depends on the mattress brand, model and padding. That’s why a standard king mattress or even a twin mattress could be thicker than a California king.
Why is the California king mattress different?
The California king mattress was designed for mansions that were wider. This gave people more room to spread out. And that was associated with luxury. That also happened to popularize the mattresses, as they were show in movies and copied by the public.
The mattress manufacturers make up for that greater width by cutting several inches off the length of the mattress. That gives the two sizes of king mattresses the same surface area and similar manufacturing costs.
There really isn’t much difference in terms of manufacturing costs, but the California king bed and its accessories are often more expensive because they’re rarer. For example, they can charge more for box springs, comforters and bed frames because there is a lower supply. And you may only be able to find those items at the mattress store that sold you the California king mattress or an online retailer. That’s why sometimes the difference between king and California king beds is price.
Why do people buy California king beds today?
The standard king mattress give you extra space for children or pets that like to pile into bed. And it accommodates larger, heavier people. California king mattresses remain the better choice for thinner, taller people. Another factor is familiarity.
If you grew up on the East Coast, you might get a traditional king bed because that’s what you’re familiar with. And if you grew up in California, you might get a California king because that’s what you know best or what fits the furniture you already have.
Which type of king bed should I get?
If you sleep on your stomach or back, it doesn’t matter unless you’re so tall that a California King is needed for your feet not to extend off the bed. If you sleep on your side, a standard king bed is the better choice as long as height / length is not an issue. We do need to say that you should buy the bed that fits the tallest or widest partner. You have to ensure that there is enough space for everyone in the bed or it isn’t a good fit.
If you have narrow halls or stairwells, you may need a California king bed because the king is harder to maneuver in those tight spaces. And those four inches in width could determine whether or not you get it through the door frame without bending it. On the other hand, roll up mattresses of all types regardless of size are easier to manage in these situations.
Another factor to consider is your furniture. We’ve already addressed concerns regarding the bed frame and box springs. We will say that the headboard should be as wide if not wider than the bed. If you had a very wide headboard, you might not need to make changes despite getting a wider bed.
Another question is how much space you have between the edge of the bed and furniture like dressers and night stands. Plus you need to ask yourself how much space you have around the bed. You should give yourself at least two feet of space around the bed on all sides. The four inch difference in width won’t make a big difference in terms of maneuverability around the bed.
However, it may make a difference when your current bed is already bumping up against your dressers, window and other obstacles. California kings are sometimes a slightly better choice in long narrow rooms, too, simply for aesthetic reasons.
Click here to know about different types of mattresses.
Can I put a California king mattress in my existing bed frame?
The first step is to check the dimensions of your current mattress and frame. If the current mattress fits the frame, getting the same mattress ensures that it fits the frame, no matter what size it is.
What happens if you put a California king mattress in a standard king bed frame. There will be space on the sides for the mattress, though this may not be a problem for you. The problem is the last four inches of the mattress. If your bed frame is low and lets the California king extend past the end, then you don’t have a problem.
If the mattress will fold up against the bed frame or headboard, then it obviously isn’t going to be a match. The solution is getting a new bed frame or removing the frame and letting the new mattress sit on the box springs. That’s assuming you can’t extend the bed frame. A side benefit of the California king mattress’ dimensions is that it is easier to build a frame for.
Does the type of king mattress affect the sheets I buy?
The answer is yes if you’re buying fitted sheets. Fitted sheets are designed for either a California king or classic king mattress. However, the flat top sheet or duvet can be used on either type of mattress. This means you may not have to change sheets if you change mattresses.
In summary, you’ll need California king sheets if you’re buying a king sized bed. This is one of the downsides of the California king bed – there are fewer accessories like sheets and pillows made for it.
How does the California king bed compare to the California queen bed?
A regular queen bed is 60 inches by 80 inches. A California queen is 84 inches long and 60 inches wide. In this regard, the California queen like the California king is four inches longer than the standard mattress.
Compounding the confusion is the Olympic queen bed. The Olympic queen mattress is 80 inches long and 66 inches wide. It has the length of the standard queen but an even greater width than the California Queen.
How does an RV king mattress compare to other king mattresses?
RV mattresses will either be 72 inches by 75 inches or 72 inches by 80 inches. Eighty inches is the same length of an Eastern king mattress, but the classic king mattress in your bedroom is four inches wider than the RV bed. The 72 inch by 75 inch RV king mattress is much larger than the queen size but is too small for most bedframes. For comparison, an RV queen mattress is typically 60 inches by 80 inches or six inches narrower than an Olympic queen mattress.
The more common queen mattress size in RVs is 60 inches by 75 inches. There are 60 inch by 74 inch short queen mattresses, too. That doesn’t matter, since it will fit in a bed frame from a standard short queen bed. In every case, it means that most RV mattresses, king or queen, are smaller than the standard mattress.
How does a king sized bed compare to twin beds?
The standard twin mattress is 39 inches by 75 inches. A twin XL mattress or extra long twin mattress is 39 inches by 80 inches. That means a twin XL mattress is as long as the King mattress, whereas a twin mattress is shorter. Two twin mattresses, whether twin or twin XL, would be wider than a king mattress.
We’d say the king is better for couples, though, since it is wider than the California king and doesn’t raise the possibility of a gap you might slide or fall into. Imagine how bad it is to fall out of bed, and then raise the risk that your beds slide apart and you fall between them.
Yet with both types of king mattresses, the effective sleeping area for each person on it is similar to that of a twin sized bed.
Concluton:
I hope you enjoyed this post and now you are very much understand what is the difference between and california king bed.You can buy king mattress as per your need.