Queen vs King Mattress in Australia: Is the Extra 30 cm Really Worth It?

Queen vs king mattress, which one should you choose? It sounds pretty straightforward. One’s bigger, one’s smaller, and surely the bigger one must be better?

Well, not always.

That extra bit of mattress might feel like a luxury when you’re stretching out at the end of a long day. But in a smaller Perth bedroom, those same centimetres could be the difference between a lovely, spacious room and having to shuffle sideways past the bed every morning.

And let’s face it, nobody wants to spend good money on a beautiful new bed only to discover they can barely open the wardrobe.

So, is a King mattress actually worth it?

The Short Answer: Is the Extra 30 cm Worth It?

If you and your partner enjoy stretching out, tend to move around during the night, or regularly find yourselves fighting for space, that extra width could be lovely. But if your bedroom is already a little snug, a Queen may give you a much nicer balance between sleeping comfort and everyday living.

The trick is knowing where those extra 30 centimetres will make the biggest difference: on your mattress or in your bedroom.

Queen vs King Mattress: Australian Size Comparison

Let’s start with the actual measurements, because mattress names can be more confusing than they need to be.

To compare Australian mattress sizes properly, start with the actual measurements. The queen mattress dimensions and king mattress dimensions below use the sizes listed by Simply The Best Bedding:

That’s a meaningful increase, especially when two adults are sharing the bed.

Is a King Bed Longer Than a Queen?

No. In the standard Australian sizes above, both mattresses are 203 cm long.

If you’re tall and your feet are already reaching the end of your Queen, upgrading to a King won’t solve that particular problem.

It’s an easy assumption to make. After all, a King sounds as though it ought to be bigger in every direction.

But if you need additional length rather than width, you’ll need to look more closely at mattress dimensions and any available non-standard options.

For another look at how length and width differ across bed sizes, see our Long Single vs King Single mattress comparison.

Australian mattress sizing is fairly consistent, but check the actual dimensions before ordering. Independent consumer organisation CHOICE lists standard Australian mattress measurements of 153 × 203 cm for Queen and 183 × 203 cm for King.

That’s why checking the actual product measurements is always smarter than relying on the size name alone.

What Does an Extra 30 cm Actually Feel Like?

Thirty centimetres doesn’t sound like an enormous amount.

It’s roughly the length of an ordinary school ruler.

But spread across the width of a bed, it can change how much room you’ve got to move around.

Picture a couple sharing a Queen mattress.

Each person has approximately 76.5 cm of width, assuming they share the space equally.

Move up to a King, and that becomes 91.5 cm each.

That’s almost the width of a standard Australian Single mattress for each person.

Now, nobody sleeps in a perfectly straight line all night. One person might curl up, the other might stretch out, and someone inevitably seems to end up with more than their fair share of the doona.

That extra 15 cm each can make changing positions feel less cramped.

In a queen vs king mattress comparison, that personal space is often what matters most, not the prestige of the larger size.

When a King Mattress Makes Sense

A King is worth considering if:

There’s also something lovely about having a little more room to yourself, even when you’re sharing.

You don’t necessarily need a larger mattress to sleep comfortably, but having that breathing space can make the bed feel more relaxed.

A King mattress with unsuitable firmness or poor construction won’t automatically feel better than a properly supportive Queen. Mattress quality, comfort layers and support still matter.

If you are weighing up comfort as well as size, our five tips for choosing the right mattress explain what to check beyond the label.

Will a King Mattress Fit in Your Perth Bedroom?

This is where I’d encourage anyone mattress shopping to put the tape measure to work before getting too excited about a King.

A mattress might technically fit inside your bedroom and still leave the room feeling awkward.

You might have enough space for the bed itself, but what about the bedside tables? The wardrobe? That chest of drawers you open every morning?

And if you’re replacing a Queen with a King, remember that you’re finding another 30 cm from somewhere.

A Practical Bedroom-Space Comparison

Let’s look at three example bedroom widths.

The calculations below assume the mattress is centred against a wall, with equal space on either side. They use mattress dimensions only, not the larger footprint of some bed frames.

These are illustrative measurements before allowing for bed-frame overhangs, bedside furniture, skirting or other obstructions.

Now imagine a bedroom that’s 3 metres wide.

With a Queen mattress, you’ve got about 73.5 cm on either side.

Change to a King, and that drops to 58.5 cm.

This is the real queen vs king mattress trade-off in a compact bedroom: more sleeping width, but less space to move around the furniture.

That might still work for your room, but it’s a noticeably tighter passage. Add a wider upholstered frame or a bedside table, and the usable space becomes smaller again.

In a room that’s 3.6 metres wide, the King leaves roughly 88.5 cm on each side, before accounting for furniture. That’s a much more generous starting point.

There’s no magic bedroom measurement that suits every household. A bed positioned against one wall, a built-in wardrobe or a different furniture arrangement can change everything.

For more on planning the whole space, our guide to designing your bedroom around the mattress explores how bed size, furniture and practical room layout work together.

The Sleep Health Foundation also recommends a sleeping environment that is quiet, dark and comfortable. Your bed should fit into a bedroom that works for your daily routine.

Try This Simple Test Before You Buy

Here’s a handy little exercise that takes about ten minutes and can save a fair bit of second-guessing.

Grab a tape measure and some painter’s tape or masking tape.

Step 1: Mark Out a Queen Mattress

Start by marking the queen mattress dimensions on your bedroom floor:

Position it where your new bed would sit.

Stand back and look at the space around it.

Step 2: Add the Extra King Width

Next, mark the king mattress dimensions by extending the outline to 183 cm wide.

If the bed stays centred, that’s another 15 cm on each side.

Now the difference isn’t just a number on a website. You can actually see where the extra space will go.

Step 3: Use Your Bedroom Normally

Don’t just admire the outline from the doorway.

Walk around it.

Open the wardrobe.

Pull out the drawers.

Check where your bedside tables would sit.

Think about whether you’ll have enough room to change the sheets without constantly bumping into furniture.

And if you’ve got a dresser or a chair in the room, make sure those still have a sensible place to live.

Step 4: Check the Complete Bed Frame

This part is easy to miss.

A mattress measuring 183 cm wide doesn’t necessarily mean the complete bed frame is only 183 cm wide.

Some upholstered beds, timber frames and decorative bedheads extend beyond the mattress.

So once you’ve decided which mattress size you prefer, check the external dimensions of the actual bed frame.

That final measurement is what really matters for your floor plan.

If you are replacing an existing base, our new bed base checklist explains the compatibility and support checks worth making before your new mattress arrives.

Queen or King Bed for Couples: Which Is Better?

For couples, the decision often comes down to two things: how much space you like while sleeping and how much space you can comfortably give to the bed.

A Queen can be perfectly comfortable for two people, particularly if neither tends to spread out too much.

It’s also a practical choice for bedrooms where you want enough room for storage, furniture or simply a bit of open floor.

A King gives each person that extra width, which can be especially appealing when someone is a restless sleeper.

But it’s worth separating two different issues.

If you’re waking because your partner is physically taking up your space, a King may be a useful upgrade.

If you’re waking because every movement seems to travel through the mattress, the construction may be part of the problem.

Some pocket-spring and foam constructions are designed to reduce motion transfer, although performance depends on the particular mattress.

So before assuming a bigger mattress is the answer, think about what’s actually disturbing your sleep.

You may need more room, better motion isolation, or a combination of both.

The independent CHOICE mattress buying guide also recommends taking time to test a mattress in person rather than judging it from a quick sit.

That’s where comparing the feel and construction of different mattresses in Perth can be helpful.

What About Queen and King Mattresses for One Person?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with buying a King when you sleep alone.

If you’ve got the space and enjoy stretching out, go for it.

But don’t overlook how generous a Queen already is for one person.

At 153 cm wide, a Queen offers plenty of personal sleeping room for many solo sleepers without taking over the entire bedroom.

That might be particularly useful if your room also needs a desk, a dressing table, extra storage or a comfortable chair.

A King can feel wonderfully spacious, but if it leaves everything else squeezed against the walls, you might find yourself wondering whether the additional width was worth it.

Does a King Mattress Cost Much More Than a Queen?

Generally, buying a King can mean spending more, although the difference depends on the brand, model, materials and current offers.

And it’s not only the mattress price worth comparing.

There’s the whole bed setup to think about.

Remember the Other Costs

When upgrading from Queen to King, you may also need to change:

If you’re keeping your existing Queen bed frame, a King mattress won’t simply fit onto it.

Likewise, your Queen fitted sheets and protector won’t be the right size for a King.

Flat sheets and doonas can offer more flexibility, but you’ll still want to check how they sit and drape over the larger bed.

For fitted protection, remember to match the cover to your chosen mattress size. Our mattress protector guide for Perth explains what to look for in fit, breathability and coverage.

Sometimes that little bit of extra width is absolutely worth the expense.

Other times, you’d get more enjoyment from investing in a better-quality Queen mattress and keeping the bedroom spacious.

Whichever option you buy, your rights under Australian Consumer Law remain relevant. The ACCC explains the automatic consumer guarantees that apply in addition to any voluntary warranty.

Don’t Forget About Delivery and Access

This matters more than people sometimes realise, particularly when furnishing upstairs bedrooms, apartments or homes with narrow access.

A King mattress is wider than a Queen, and getting a large mattress around corners, along hallways or up stairs can be tricky.

Before ordering, it’s worth checking the access route, not just the bedroom dimensions.

Measure doorways, stairwells and any tight turns the delivery team will need to navigate.

Also ask whether your chosen bed base is delivered as one piece or multiple sections.

For example, Simply The Best Bedding’s standard timber bed base lists its King version as a two-piece configuration, which can make handling the base more practical.

That doesn’t automatically make the King mattress itself easier to manoeuvre, though. The mattress and base have different delivery considerations.

If you’re unsure whether a particular model can be delivered into your room, confirm access requirements before purchasing.

Is Queen or King Better for a Guest Bedroom?

For many guest bedrooms, a Queen is a sensible starting point.

It’s roomy enough for two adults while leaving more space for luggage, bedside tables and other furniture.

A King can be a lovely addition to a generous guest suite, particularly if you’re creating a more luxurious accommodation experience.

But you don’t need to fill every inch of the room with mattress to make guests feel comfortable.

A bedroom that’s easy to move around in, with somewhere to put a suitcase and space to open the wardrobe, can feel much more welcoming than a larger bed squeezed into a tight room.

If you’re furnishing a holiday rental or short-stay property, our guide to guest-bedroom mattresses for Perth Airbnb hosts looks at size alongside durability and practical guest needs.

Queen vs King Mattress: Which Should You Choose?

Still sitting on the fence?

Here’s a simple way to narrow it down.

A King is worth considering when the extra sleeping width solves a real problem and the room can comfortably accommodate it.

A Queen is a fantastic option when you want generous sleeping space without giving up too much of the bedroom.

And whichever size you choose, the mattress still needs to feel right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Bigger Is a King Mattress Than a Queen in Australia?

Among standard Australian mattress sizes, a King is approximately 30 cm wider than a Queen, while both are generally 203 cm long. Using Simply The Best Bedding’s dimensions, that gives the King around 20% more sleeping surface area.

Is a King Mattress Worth It for Two People?

It can be, especially if both people prefer extra room or frequently feel crowded in a Queen. However, a Queen may still provide plenty of space for many couples. Your sleeping habits, bedroom size and budget should guide the decision.

Can a King Mattress Fit in a 3 × 3 Metre Bedroom?

The mattress itself can fit within those dimensions, but the complete setup may be tight. With a 183 cm-wide King mattress centred in a 3-metre-wide room, approximately 58.5 cm remains on either side before allowing for the bed frame or other furniture. You’ll also need to consider access at the foot of the bed.

Is a Queen Mattress Too Small for Two Adults?

Not necessarily. A Queen provides approximately 76.5 cm of width per person when shared equally. Whether that’s comfortable depends on individual size, sleeping habits and personal preferences.

Are Australian King and American King Mattresses the Same Size?

No. A standard Australian King is approximately 183 × 203 cm, while a US King is typically around 193 × 203 cm. If you’re buying imported bed frames or bedding, always check the measurements instead of assuming that matching size names mean matching dimensions.

Can I Use My Queen Bed Base for a King Mattress?

No, not as a normal matching setup. A standard Queen base is narrower than a King mattress. Choose a suitable King base or frame and check the product’s support requirements.

Should I Buy a King Mattress Just Because I Have a Large Bedroom?

Only if you actually want the additional sleeping width. A large bedroom doesn’t automatically need a King, and a well-chosen Queen can look beautiful while leaving extra space for furniture and movement.

The Bottom Line: Bigger Isn’t Always Better

When you’re choosing between a Queen and King mattress, it’s tempting to think of the King as the upgrade and the Queen as the compromise.

But that’s not really how it works.

They’re two sizes designed to suit different spaces and preferences.

A King gives you more room to stretch out, share the bed and move without feeling quite so close to the edge.

A Queen gives you generous sleeping space while leaving an extra 30 cm available in the bedroom.

And those 30 centimetres can be surprisingly valuable when you’re opening drawers, getting dressed or simply moving around the room.

So get the tape measure out, think about how you sleep, and consider the whole room before making your decision.

Sometimes a King is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

And sometimes a lovely Queen is all the room you need.

The best queen vs king mattress choice is the one that gives you enough personal sleeping room without making your bedroom less practical.