Twin Vs. Full: Choosing a Mattress for Your Child

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It cannot be stressed enough how vital a good night’s rest is to one’s health. Sleep is especially important for children, as those precious hours promote their development. To ensure your child is getting proper sleep, you’ll need to invest in the right mattress.

A good mattress is absolutely essential for getting a good night’s sleep. And when it comes to children, twin-size and full-size mattresses are the most popular picks.

Still, even with this tidbit, you may be unsure as to which of these two sizes will suit your child. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so you’ll need to carefully consider which size is best.

Luckily for you, we’re here to offer you some guidance in that decision. Like you, we want to make sure you invest in the right mattress. In this article, we will cover some of the most important similarities and differences between twin-size and full-size mattresses.

We will outline all that you need to consider to make an informed decision for your child when purchasing a new mattress.

Choosing a Mattress for Your Child

Twin Mattress

Everyone remembers sleeping on a Twin mattress as a kid. These mattresses are perfect for smaller, tighter spaces and smaller individuals, like children.

With that being said, they are utilized by adults when space is limited, such as in dorms, on boats, or generally smaller houses.

We are going to break down everything about twin mattresses so that, hopefully, you can work out whether or not that is a good size for your child!

Dimensions and Size

A twin mattress is the smallest size available. A twin mattress size comes in at 75 inches long and 39 inches wide.

There is also the extra-long, or XL, version of the twin size. The XL twin has an extra five inches which makes it as long as king and queen-size beds.

Ideal Age Range

Due to their compact size, twin beds are especially ideal for children. A twin mattress is usually the next step for a child who recently has grown out of their crib.

This mattress size can suit them well into their teenage years especially if they have a smaller frame.

Pros and Cons

Twin mattresses come with a number of advantages. One of its major advantages is how versatile it is. This size is ideal for children, teenagers, college/university students, and those in need of a small bed for a small room.

Twin-size beds are quite affordable, typically ranging between $300 and $600, so you don’t have to worry about pouring in a whole bunch of money. Twin mattresses are easy to move and travel with, making them more of a flexible option than other, bigger bed sizes.

One of the downsides to a twin mattress is that it doesn’t necessarily cater to most adults. Few adults want a twin-size bed for their main, personal bed.

A twin bed is meant for one person, so it’s impractical and uncomfortable for those who want to share their bed with a partner. Even for single adults, twin-size mattresses can be too small and lacking in enough room to stretch.

With that being said, if you are chopping for your child, a twin mattress would be a perfect choice, unless your child has a future in the NBA!

Full Mattress

Full-size mattresses are one of the least purchased sizes on the market, up there with California Kings. These often forgot-about mattresses solve the same issues as a twin in terms of length but do offer benefits in other places, such as width.

Below we will dive into some of the finer details of Full Mattresses so that you can hopefully make an educated decision for your little one!

Dimensions and Sizes

Interestingly enough, full-size mattress dimensions are 75 inches long, much like a twin-size mattress. The primary difference between the two is their widths, the full being the larger mattress.

A full-size mattress is 54 inches wide, which is a whole 15 inches wider than a twin. This width might be more desirable if your child is a little older and could benefit from a more side-to-side room on his mattress.

Ideal Age Range

Like twin mattresses, a full-size mattress can work for children and younger teenagers, especially if they have the space in their rooms to fit a bigger mattress.

In fact, a full-size mattress is what your teenager may transition to after a twin bed. These mattresses are also wide enough to accommodate young adults.

Pros and Cons

One of the biggest advantages of a full-size bed is its longevity. A full-size bed can “grow” with an individual. Given its extra width, it’s more than enough space for most adults even after their teenage years.

A full-size can even comfortably fit some couples. A full-size can easily fit into most bedrooms, studio apartments, and even some dorm rooms. It features an affordable price especially compared to queen and king-size mattresses.

However, one of the cons is that compared to a twin mattress, a full size is heavier and larger. This size is more difficult to maneuver around. Additionally, a  full size may be too small for most couples and even taller individuals.

Factors to Consider

Child’s Age and Growth

When deciding between a twin-size and full-size mattress, be sure to consider your child’s age and growth. As we’ve mentioned, a twin size is typically bought for a younger child.

You can think of a twin as their first “big boy or girl bed”. It’s possible that a twin size can last them well into their teenage years. However, when your child is in the midst of going through growth spurts and puberty, you may want to consider purchasing a larger mattress such as a full size.

If your child has enough space in their room, buying a full-size mattress from the get-go is also a plausible option. In this way, your child can grow into their mattress rather than out of it as they would with a twin mattress.

Sleep Availability in the Bedroom

A huge advantage that both twin-size and full-size mattresses share is that they have a more compact form especially compared to other mattresses. This means that these mattresses are more likely to fit into smaller rooms such as children’s rooms and college dorm rooms.

And even if your child has a larger room, you can still invest in a twin or full bed to maximize the amount of space in the bedroom for the rest of your child’s belongings.

When it comes to deciding between the two sizes, you should take into account the size of each mattress and the amount of space in your child’s bedroom. The easiest way to do this is to measure the space in the bedroom and from there, decide if a twin or a full-size mattress would be a better fit.

Long-Term Usability and Potential for Future Needs

You’ll be happy to learn that twin and full-size mattresses should last anywhere from seven to eleven years. This means your child’s mattress could potentially last most of their adolescence.

However, mattresses used by children can have a shorter lifespan. This is mostly because of how accident-prone children can be.

From wetting the bed, to spilling things, to even jumping on the bed, a child can wear their mattress down faster than anticipated.

Budget Considerations

Twin and full-size mattresses are relatively cheaper options, especially compared to larger mattresses. You can definitely stay on a budget with these two affordable sizes. You’ll find that twin- and full-size mattresses are often similarly priced. Twin beds are slightly cheaper because they are smaller.

Of course, the cost variations depend more so on the material differences between these two beds. However, one noticeable difference between the two bed sizes is that full-size sheets often cost twice as much as twin-size sheets.

Both Are Great Options

In this article, we’ve shared with you plenty of information regarding twin- and full-size mattresses. From their dimensions to their ideal age range to their pros and cons, we’ve given you all the key details you’ll need to consider when deciding which size is best for your child.

While there is plenty to consider, it’s important to have all this in mind to make an informed decision.

As we’ve touched upon, getting deep, restful sleep is vital in the healthy development of your child. The majority of a child’s physical growth occurs while they are sleeping. Restful sleep also stimulates a healthy immune system, cognitive function, memory, and learning, etc.

All this to say, choosing a mattress for your child is no light decision. Fortunately, both twin- and full-size mattresses are great options for your child. You can’t go wrong with either option.

Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.