Hey, Stretch! The Unique Mattress Needs of Tall People

Jan 2, 2021

Anyone over six feet tall can tell you the frustration of choosing between a cramped sleeping position and having their feet hanging off the end of the bed. Typical mattress sizes are only 75 or 80” long. And since a 6’ tall person is 72” long, that gives them only 3 to 8” of extra length, which is pretty much nothing once you factor in pillows and blankets.

The only “extra long” mattresses you’ll find in typical stores are Twin XL’s and California kings. But a Twin XL isn’t actually an extra long mattress. It’s 80”, just like a typical queen or king. A California king is a good choice as far as beds for tall people go, because it gives an extra 4” of length (84” long in total). But California kings aren’t right for everyone; what if your bedroom is small?

Enter custom mattress manufacturers with oversized beds and full xlong mattresses. Once you get away from typical mattress retail, you’ll quickly realize that beds for tall people can actually be made in several varieties and custom sizes to meet the needs of taller people as well as their sleeping circumstances.

Discover the Alaskan King Bed

Traditional king-sized mattresses measure 80” in length, but the Alaskan king mattress is much bigger than a king bed, clocking in at 108 x 108” square. That’s 9 feet in length and width. Even the tallest person is able to stretch out in all directions on this bed, and partners will appreciate the opportunity to carve out their own space in the bed, too. Bed-sharing families find that this size accommodates children comfortably, as well. Alaskan king beds are extra long and extra wide, with plenty of space, as long as your bedroom can accommodate this giant custom mattress.

Texas King Beds Accommodate Extra Length, Too

Of all the oversized custom mattresses you can have made, the Texas king is a great alternative to the Alaskan king bed if bedroom space is at a premium. You need a huge room to accommodate an Alaskan king bed, but with a Texas king, you have roughly the width of a standard king, but 98” of length. That’s just over 8 feet long, so if you need an extra long bed in your room without the insane width of an Alaskan king mattress, this is a fine option.

The Wyoming King Bed Stands Comfortably In Between

The Wyoming King bed is the perfect compromise in the world of mattresses for tall individuals. They offer a spacious solution for taller individuals without excessive width, taking the Alaskan king’s shape while still beating standard options for length. The Wyoming king mattress is a square bed measuring 84 inches both in width and length, providing ample room for those who need extra legroom.

Unlike the wider oversized options, the Wyoming King strikes a harmonious balance. Its generous mattress dimensions ensure that taller sleepers can stretch out without their feet dangling off the edge. It also accommodates families who desire a bit more space without overwhelming their bedroom. In essence, the Wyoming King mattress is a happy medium in the world of oversized beds for tall people.

Custom Wyoming King beds are not too wide, not too narrow, and for everyone but the very tallest members of society, they’re just right. A solution for those seeking the perfect in-between extra long mattress solution for themselves and their family’s sleep needs.

What if You Don't Have Room for an Extra-Wide King Bed?

Don’t fret, the super-long Texas King isn’t your only option. There’s also a bed called the California Queen. It’s the same length as a common California King (84”), but only has the width of a standard queen size mattress. It’s bigger than your standard king size but more manageable if space is limited or you just don’t need the width.

If that’s not going to work for your space either, you need a completely custom mattress with unique dimensions that will fit your space and your body perfectly.

Every Traditional Size Actually Has a Short and Full XLong Version

The size of your bedroom might determine the perfect bed size, even if you’re not a particularly tall person yourself. Sometimes, an extra-long bed is better for the space than going up in width as well, especially if you’re just one person. Custom sized mattresses can be made in any combination desired, so you can have a comfortable, extra-long mattress made to match the width of the bed you put in your available space. Ordering a bespoke mattress, frame, and linens for an extra long bed gives you all the sleep privileges regular-sized people have.

When you’re considering ordering a bespoke full extra long mattress, you don’t have to have a size unique to you specifically. Custom manufacturers recognize terms such as an extra long twin or full xlong queen bed the same way they do the short queen for RVs.

Depending on the normal size of the mattress, the number of inches that may be added can vary. For example, a traditional extra long Queen bed will only be 4 inches longer than a standard Queen. You can treat this as a starting point for your planning or go straight to the tape measure. Custom mattress manufacturers will have no issue with either as long as it matches your needs.

Plus, custom mattresses can come in a whole variety of materials, each of which you can hand-pick. Rather than your choice being limited to just that California king in the store, you can pick up your custom mattress in memory foam, latex, or pocketed coils. Rach of these custom mattress materials can offer different benefits and fit different sleep styles.

Make Your Mattress Taller with a Custom Foam Mattress Topper

Many tall people find that a larger mattress is still missing something until they discover the joys of adding extra height. A custom foam mattress topper for an extra tall mattress adds the needed height for an ergonomic fit between the mattress and the floor. The desired height depends on your preference, the bed’s foundation, and the added frame height.

When they’re all added up just right, beds for tall people lose that kindergarten-chair feeling. Not to mention the discomfort of getting up and down if you need water or a bathroom break in the middle of the night. We’re all a little sore and creaky after 30.

(Custom Mattress Factory can make you an extra long mattress with an extra tall bed frame and matching bespoke bedding. All tailor-made to order, all in one go from one place. Just saying.)

Custom Bolster Pillows Can Help Deal with Lying Flat on Your Back

Speaking of creaky, sleeping flat out on the back or stomach can make existing knee and back pain worse, but sleep aids like knee pillows for side sleepers and bolsters for back sleepers are mostly inadequate for elevating longer legs. Frustrating stacks of multiple pillows are bulky and impractical, and slide around during the night. The right height of a bolster and the circumference of a knee pillow are important, and the best way to get the perfect fit is to order custom.

While standard mattresses aren’t built for tall people, a simple add-on like a bolster pillow can temporarily help you. It’s something to tide you through until you order that properly sized bed and custom mattress that accommodates your taller height.

Update Your Bedding So That It’s Long Enough as Well

As well as custom mattresses, bedding, and accessories play a crucial role in ensuring optimal comfort. While length is clearly the primary concern, addressing the unique needs of taller individuals goes beyond just the mattress. Custom-made linens and oversized bedding options designed for taller people can further enhance the sleep experience. Custom sheets can provide the necessary comfort and functionality, and also add a little bit of luxury with high-quality materials.

One key consideration for tall individuals is the availability of sheets, blankets, and duvets in their size. Standard bedding sizes often fall short in covering the length of an extra-large mattress and leave tall sleepers struggling to keep their feet and shoulders comfortably covered. Custom bedding recognizes this issue and comes in different sizes to match the length of larger mattresses. Only with custom-made sheets can tall people finally enjoy full coverage and warmth throughout the night (and with it a good night’s sleep).

Tall people problems might be somewhat unavoidable on planes and buses, but in the bedroom, they are all solvable. The right sleep foundations just require a little creativity, custom work, and attention to detail. After you’ve taken the measurements for your new bespoke bed, you can visit our online showroom to get started on your custom bed journey.