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.

Your bed is possibly 3/4 size, which is designed to accommodate a 48" wide mattress. Some of the second tier brands will still make a 48" set. Second tier does not mean second quality. Just means their name doesn't start with an S. If you want to use a full size mattress, what you need to do is find an old mom-and-pop furniture store that also sells mattresses. Call and ask if you can purchase a "modi plate" from them. This will allow you to bolt rails to the plate, and then bolt the plate to the headboard and the footboard. You may want to consider a steel rail since its narrower and will probably get covered by a dust ruffle or sheets anyways. Good Luck

I call it the Christmas tree issue. You never want to have it jut into a room on a side wall as you enter that room. You always want a far corner for that tree, right? When you put a tall and heavy piece, literally in your face as you enter, it reads even larger than it is. It is magnified the smaller the room . I completely understand it is storage. I have not suggested being rid of it. If it bothers you not? Fine! Just know that the very thing about which you asked in this thread? Is not at all the problem. The bed isn't the issue! I prune by season. I crate summer. I crate winter sweaters after a wash or dry cleaning. I don't have a huge walk in closet, and even if I did? I don't keep that which I am not currently wearing. Again......it is choice. But what you may have perceived as an issue in a small room? Isn't It is this......( NOT the xmas tree/quickie sketch) or this below - big tree. little bitty forest : )

I would leave it as it is and just cheat the symmetry a little bit by shifting it to the right, so you have an equal sliver of floor exposed on both sides. Looking at the photo again, I might even consider pulling it away from the wall and having the side tables sit on the floor. If you do this, you'll get a bit more rug at the foot of the bed. There isn't just one way to do this, even though some will try to tell you otherwise! I have a 12x16 rug under my king bed, with the 16' side parallel to headboard, but I built the bedroom to fit the rug, which I already owned! My side tables sit on the floor.