skip to main content

Home Decorating

what size king bed do I buy

10 years ago

We have just moved into a home with a really nice sized master bedroom and we need to buy a new bedroom set. We would like to get a king size bed, but I am not sure if we should go with a standard king or a California king. The room is 14 feet by 18 feet long. The room has a pair of french doors flanked by two long windows on the 18 foot wall looking out to the garden.
The fourteen foot wall that I want to place the bed on also has two long windows.
Since the room is so long and I am putting the bed on the short wall, I thought that the longer, but slightly narrower king size bed would look nice between the two windows.
The space between the windows with trim is almost 81 inches. The windows with trim are almost 33 inches each.
The California king headboard is 76 in by 88 in long (mattress 72 in by 84 in)
The standard king headboard is 80 in 84 in (mattress 76 in by 80 in)
The nightstands are about 24 inches wide.
By my calculations, if I center the nightstand under the window, the nightstand will be about 9 inches from the California king mattress or 7 inches form the standard king mattress.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Does 9 inches from the mattress (7 in from the headboard and rails) on the California king bed seem like too much space?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

chispa
10 years ago
I like my space and we aren't tall, so I would never give up the extra width in a regular/eastern king size bed.
gsciencechick
10 years ago
I would only go with California king if you need the extra length if you are tall. Great space!
Related Discussions
HELP! King Bed Headboard (do I need the footboard)?
Q
Comments (3)
I forgot to add ONE HUGE DETAIL!!! The mattress height from the top of the mattress to the floor is 29" with a steel frame that is 8" from the floor. Boxspring is 9", mattress is 12." So the bottom of the bottom of the mattress sits 8" from the floor. Most complete beds with a head and footboard are 10+" from the bottom of the boxspring. I would be adding at least two additionalinches to the bed height! That is my DILEMMA! This is what happens when I peruse the forum prior to having my morning coffee!!! Sorry I inadvertently left out this big detail. That is the reason I do not think I can use a foot-board. I don't want a step stool (or ladder -haha) to get into the bed! I know the style of bed I want, but the challenges lies in trying to find that bed with a frame that is less than 10" from the floor.
...See More
How do you make up a king sized bed?
Q
Comments (30)
I'm also a two king pillows with cases and two king pillows with shams user. Everything is white cotton or white matelasse, with a solid yellow quilt folded across the bottom. Our walls are yellow and the bed is against the wall. We have no headboard or footboard. Kitty cat sleeps on the yellow quilt every night. I also relate to your disappointment! I literally cried when my bed was delivered and set up, and called my sister on the phone I was so beside myself! I thought it looked so big and awkward and awful. I concluded I'd made one big honkin' mistake, and couldn't imagine *how* I could make such a thing actually look attractive. A little over six years later now, and I regard our king-sized bed as one of the best purchases we've ever made! Within a few months of living with it and adjusting my eye to it, I loved it, both in terms of how it looked in the room and how it functioned as a wonderful, dreamy place to sleep! I hope you find yourself with a transformed perspective too, Sonicmom.
...See More
HELP! King Bed Headboard (do I need the footboard)?
Q
Comments (9)
I forgot to add ONE HUGE DETAIL!!! The mattress height from the top of the mattress to the floor is 29" with a steel frame that is 8" from the floor. Boxspring is 9", mattress is 12." So the bottom of the bottom of the mattress sits 8" from the floor. Most complete beds with a head and footboard are 10+" from the bottom of the boxspring. I would be adding at least two additionalinches to the bed height! That is my DILEMMA! This is what happens when I peruse the forum prior to having my morning coffee!!! Sorry I inadvertently left out this big detail. That is the reason I do not think I can use a foot-board. I don't want a step stool (or ladder -haha) to get into the bed! I know the style of bed I want, but the challenges lies in trying to find that bed with a frame that is less than 10" from the floor.
...See More
Do I have room for a king size bed?
Q
Comments (14)
The entrance to the room is actually opposite this wall where we have a tv mounted and oddly enough a second door that serves direct to what was once used as a nursery. We will likely close that door up but not thrilled by the idea of having my bed on the same wall as the entrance to the room for some reason, Feng Shui of sorts
...See More
LuAnn_in_PA
10 years ago
We ARE tall, and we prefer the regular king with its extra width.
lyfia
10 years ago
I think part of it depends on where you live too. If you live in California - it will be easier to purchase sheets etc. without having to shop around more for a California King. If you live elsewhere then a King will be much easier.

We have a California King and I like it, but would go for the extra width if you could. We got the California King because I hate having my head right up against the headboard and if I don't do that on a Regular King then my feet will hang over the end when stretched out.
Fun2BHere
10 years ago
The problem I have with my California King is that the only item widely available in that size are fitted sheets. All other bedding seems to only come in standard King. That's okay for top sheets, but I really don't like it for blankets and duvet covers.
annzgw
10 years ago
I'm 5'8" and I love having the extra length of a Calif. King bed, plus, I've never had a problem finding sheets.
I don't thing you'll have problems using either mattress since I just measured my side table and it sits 10" from the mattress and 4-5" from the headboard.
Karenseb
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all for your input. It's been very helpful.

I was mostly concerned with the nightstand being too far from the bed. 9 inches seemed like a lot, but thank you annz for checking the distance between your mattress, headboard and the nightstand.
lyfia
10 years ago
Karenseb why would the night stand be si far away? You should put them next to the bed in either case. Dont bother with lining them up with any windows or anything but the bed.

Related Stories

Fit for a King (or Queen): French Beds

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Add a stylish, royal touch to your bedroom with one of these elegant places to rest your head

FURNITURE Smart Shopper: How to Buy a Mattress

Confusing options, hair-raising prices, haggling ... Our guide can keep you from losing sleep over mattress shopping

BEDROOMS 8 Master Bedrooms Where Casual Is King

By Danyelle Mathews

The antidote to overblown fussiness, these casual master bedrooms show that good design lets you live in comfort and with ease

FURNITURE What to Know Before You Buy a Sectional

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Learn about sizes, arm setups, seat types and more to get the right sectional for your space

DECORATING GUIDES A Beginner's Mini Guide to Buying Antiques

By Laura Gaskill

Experience the thrill of the hunt without ignorance ruining the spoils, with this guide to antiquing for novice buyers

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

STORAGE 2012 Cabinet Trends: Storage for Every Room

By Jamie Gold, CKD, CAPS, MCCWC

From iPods to king-sized beds, cabinetry evolves to stow (and charge) it all

It's Cold. We're Cranky. Buy Some Flowers!

By Becky Harris

15 Colorful Reminders That Spring Will Come Again

KITCHEN DESIGN A Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances

By Christine Tusher

An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more

FEEL-GOOD HOME Simple Pleasures: 10 Ideas for a Buy-Less Month

By Laura Gaskill

Save money without feeling pinched by taking advantage of free resources and your own ingenuity

Sponsored

More Discussions

Dilemma with layout

12

What to fill this awkward corner with?

19

Mantle Mirror Ideas

6

Converting Nursery to a Big Boy Room

11

SW sea salt help

4