Twin Bed Dimensions

Interested in learning more about Twin Bed Dimensions? Help is here!

Why is it important to understand twin bed dimensions? Room layout! Why is room layout important? You’ll be sure to make 1.) good buying decisions and 2.) the most of your space. When planning a bedroom makeover, you need to be aware of twin bed dimensions. You also need to be mindful of the size and features of your space so you can furnish it properly. (And back in the day you thought you’d never use Math when you grew up.)

So ask yourself this: What exactly are the dimensions of twin beds? What is the difference between twin bed dimensions and twin extra-long (aka XL) bed dimensions? And what does 3/3 mean when identifying twin bed dimensions?

Twin bed dimensions are standard in the U.S.: 39” wide by 75” long. This is helpful to know so, in addition to helping you accurately plan your room layout, you can confidently purchase coordinates and companions labeled twin size and know they will fit. (Caveat: Consider mattress depth when purchasing sheets, this can vary greatly.) Since a 75” twin mattress length is often too short for many people, most mattress manufacturers offer twin XL mattresses which adds an additional 5” to the length of the bed resulting in twin XL dimensions being 39” wide by 80” long. Thus their extra-long status. Twin XL beds are especially popular in dormitories. Twin beds in general, are ideal for kids and teens, singles in senior communities and those with small spaces.

The mattress industry identifies bed sizes by their width. A twin size mattress is 3/3 meaning that it is 3’+3” in width. A full-size mattress is referred to as 4/6 and it is 4’+6” for 54 total inches wide. A queen mattress is 60” wide and so identified as 5/0, a king mattress is 78” wide identified by 6/6 and a California king is 72” wide noted by 6/0.

How to Dress a Twin Bed

Whatever type of bed you choose you, of course, want to put your personal stamp on it. This is done through the bedcoverings.

• Bedcovers: Whether you choose to put a comforter, quilt, duvet, coverlet or bedspread on top of your bed consider carefully. Patterns can be fun but if too large or too busy can be overwhelming. The current trend is to treat your bed covering as a backdrop to show off your…

• Pillows: Twin Bed dimensions look properly proportioned with one single standard sham but throw pillows can be added to spice up the look of the room adding texture, color, style and interest to the space. This is where you can really jazz things up. If you have a headboard with a design in or on it, however, be careful not to cover it completely with pillows.

• Bedskirts: To use a bedskirt or not is an age-old question. The clean look is popular today however if you go this route you want to be sure your foundation is covered in something attractive (a coordinating fitted sheet may do the trick.) On the flip side bed skirts are still common and can fit in with current trends. Consider your bed skirt options such as pleated, ruffled or shirred. You don’t need to match the bed skirt to your bed covering, they just need to coordinate so have fun mixin’ it up’! The Bag of Bedding concept is out. Fly your own flag and create your own ensemble. Mix ‘n match styles and colors that you love and the end result will be a room you love. For more bedding ideas check out our Pinterest board: Bedding Dis-Ensembled.

What about Bedroom Walls and Floors?

Since twin bed dimensions are so perfect for small spaces you may think you have to paint the walls a very light color to make it appear larger (because that’s what “they” say). Choosing a shade of creamy white from the two million creamy white options will not magically make your room larger. Paint it a color you love and embrace its coziness. Paint is one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to add a splash of color and personality to a space.

Regardless of floor covering in the room consider an Area Rug to boost interest in the space. A rug can be placed perpendicularly under a bed, or, if you dare, place it at a wonky angle to the bed-we bet you’ll love it. If you have extra space in the center of the room try a round rug to tie everything together.

Twin Size Mattress Options

Twin and Twin XL mattresses come in every type and just about every style that Queen and King mattresses do. Types of mattresses include Innerspring, Memory Foam and Hybrids. Many styles from Sealy, Serta, Stearns & Foster and Tempur-Pedic offer options in Twin and Twin XL sizes. Visit one of our Kansas City area stores and we’ll help you understand the benefits of each and together we’ll find the perfect mattress set for you.

While twin beds, also called single beds for obvious reasons, are not as heavy as the larger mattresses they still require proper support. A quality box spring, also referred to as a foundation, is important for the mattress to perform as it should. All twin mattresses can be used with either a hi-profile foundation or a low-profile foundation. A hi-profile foundation is standard at 9” high. A low-profile foundation is only 5” high. A low-profile foundation is a good choice for those shorter in stature or seniors who may require their bed to be closer to the ground. Also some headboards are better suited to a low-profile foundation. Your Crowley Furniture Sales Associate will help you determine which foundation is right for you.

Another must-have bedding accessory is a Mattress Protector. Mattress Protectors are an inexpensive way to protect your investment. As with most things, the world of technology has touched this product as well. Many Mattress Protectors provide temperature regulating and heat deflection assistance with flexible layers that respond to your motion. Many also boost air circulation to keep you cool while an invisible waterproof barrier repels liquids. Check out our Ver-Tex Mattress Protector by BedGear. Be sure you do not use a fluffy mattress pad or topper, this may interrupt the performance of your mattress, especially a foam mattress which will not be able to successfully respond to your body temperature and engage its climate control properties.

What about Beds, as in Headboards and Footboards?

Today, Twin Beds are available in many different designs made of a variety of materials including wood, metal, and upholstery. To find the one that is right for you, you need to take into consideration your room shape and size, your personal style and preferences and your budget. The most economical way to add interest to your bed is with a headboard only. The headboard is attached to a discreet metal frame which is sold separately. This will give your bed a more finished appeal without taking up extra space. If you want to kick it up a notch, consider a complete bed that has a headboard, footboard and side rails to connect the two. These beds often feature low-profile footboards (which help to make your room appear less cluttered) and storage footboards (a great solution for small spaces). While storage beds are slightly higher in cost than beds with a standard footboard, you’ll save a bit on the mattress set since you only use a mattress with storage beds and do not need a foundation. Keep in mind your twin bed dimensions will increase when you add any sort of headboard, footboard or side rails. How much depends on the design.

While using these twin bed dimensions to plan your room, you also need to plan for your Nightstand dimensions. It’s important to stay in proportion to the bed. For example, if your headboard is taller and visually weighty it can handle a bulkier nightstand. If you have a light and airy headboard you’ll need a smaller scaled nightstand. This holds true for the other pieces in the room as well. If you’re one who prefers all of your bedroom pieces to match, browse through our Twin Bedroom Sets to view coordinating pieces within a collection such as dressers, mirrors and chests.

Never Forget the Finishing Touches

Did you know the Crowley Furniture stores in Liberty, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit all offer lamps, accessories and area rugs? These items are key to having a truly finished and personalized space. So you can complete the look of your room in our one-stop shop!

Circling back to the beginning of our discussion of why you need to understand twin bed dimensions, we now come to room layout and bed placement. While lining everything up against the walls may allow you the greatest empty space in the center of the room, this strategy may not be the best layout for you or the room. As a general rule, the best bedroom layout allows the bed to “greet” you when you walk in the room, meaning you will walk in and the headboard is facing directly at you. This may be best accomplished by putting the bed with only its head against the wall and extending the foot towards the center of the room. If you have extra space consider angling the bed out into the room from a corner.

And all that is why you need to familiarize yourself with twin bed dimensions as well as all dimensions of your space and the items you plan to put in it. You’ll find your bedroom furnishing experience fun and rewarding if you remember the old saying: Measure Twice, Buy Once!