It won’t be a straightforward task to fit a queen mattress on a full frame. Fortunately, you can do it.
The most common bed size in the United States is the queen. That is why stores are likely to recommend a queen-size mattress to you in case you find yourself shopping but don’t know the size of your bed at home. What happens if you end up with your mattress if you arrive at home and realize that the bed frame is full size and you have a queen mattress?
Can You Fit a Queen Mattress on a Full Frame?
Yes, you can fit a queen mattress on a full frame. A queen-size mattress is 6” wider and 5” longer than a full bed. This means the mattress is larger than the full frame. Do not expect to enjoy the size of the queen mattress if you force it onto the frame.
If you try to force the mattress into the bed, it will not fit as it is significantly bigger than the bed frame.
However, that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do about it. Technically, you can place a queen size mattress on a full bed frame. A few actions can help you fit larger mattresses on a smaller bed frame.
Let’s explain this in detail…
Full bed is 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. The queen size bed is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.
Based on these sizes, can a queen mattress fit on a full bed?
Let’s put all these in perspective. How big is the 5-inch difference? A common object that you can easily use to gauge these measurements is the iPhone 7, which is 5” tall.
A queen mattress is 6 inches wider than a full bed frame. It is also 5 inches longer than a full bed. These are really huge extensions.
It will be impossible for you to force a queen mattress onto a full-size bed frame.
RELATED: Does a Queen Bed Fit in a Cargo Van?
Should You Try to Use a Queen Mattress on a Full Bed Frame?
You shouldn’t. If you try to fix a queen mattress in a full frame, you will end up with huge extensions on either side of the bed. Without a box spring, your mattress will literally not fit in the full bed frame.
When Does a Queen Mattress Fit in a Full Bed?
The only time a queen mattress will fit on a full bed frame is when you trim the mattress. Yes, it is easy to cut a foam mattress and it will still serve you the same way.
If you don’t want to cut the mattress, there are other options have:
- Exchange the queen mattress for a full mattress. Find a friend or family willing to make this swap.
- Sell the queen size and buy a full-size mattress.
- Upgrade to a queen-size bed and sell the full-size frame.
- Find a good carpenter who can do a bed extension to increase both the length and width of your current full bed.
Why Fitting a Queen Mattress on Full Frame Isn’t Good
You can forcefully fit a queen-size mattress onto a full or double-size bed frame, at least in technical understanding. There is a catch.
- Be informed, however, that the mattress is significantly larger than the frame itself. Due to this, you shouldn’t anticipate getting the most out of your mattress space.
- Aside from that, you shouldn’t expect the same levels of comfort and support as you would get from a properly fitted mattress and bed frame. As a result, you should expect to have sleeping difficulties as well as back discomfort.
But, Should You Go Through With It?
Based on my experience having to force a larger mattress on a small frame in the past, it is not recommended to use a large mattress on a bed frame that is significantly smaller. It is almost impossible to justify putting a large mattress on a small bed frame due to the overwhelming number of problems associated with this idea.
In the event that you have purchased a mattress that is too large for your bed frame, there are two options available to you:
- Check if the seller has a return policy. Ask for a smaller size mattress (full or double size mattress) when you return the mattress.
- Alternatively, you can purchase a queen size bed frame to accommodate your queen size mattress. I’d mentioned this earlier.
The same reasoning applies if you decide to purchase a smaller bed frame. You have the option of returning the bed frame and getting a larger one, or you can simply purchase a smaller mattress.
The Problems of Using an Inappropriate Size Mattress and Bed Frame
As previously stated, when the mattress and bed frame are not similar in size, it can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleeping experience.
As a result of the discomfort caused by the sleeping surface, you will have sleeping difficulties.
- If you already suffer from musculoskeletal problems, you may experience severe back pain and neck pain because of this practice.
- Two people may not be able to sleep on the queen mattress as recommended because of the hanging sides. This is underutilization of the mattress.
Here are some other problems:
If you put a queen size mattress on a smaller bed frame, you can’t expect two people to be able to sleep comfortably on it; there won’t be enough room because the majority of the mattress is hanging in the air without any support.
If you do not get enough restful sleep, you can expect to have difficulties with daily concentration and mood, and you may even experience health problems in the long run.
Is it possible to modify a small bed frame to carry a larger mattress?
Yes, it is technically possible to make your full bed frame a little bit larger and more suitable for a queen size mattress if you have the appropriate tools and materials. Hiring an expert to do this is highly recommended.
In most cases, you’ll require some modi-plates or small metal plates with holes and modification slots, for example. You will place them at the ends of the bed frame in order to create more space for the mattress to stretch out and breathe.
With these plates, you can increase the length and width of the mattress by up to 6 inches while also preventing the mattress from sagging over the edge.
You can also request that the manufacturer of your bed frame make similar modifications to your bed frame.
Can we claim this is a viable option? In the short term, yes, it most certainly is. Despite this, you shouldn’t expect the same level of support and comfort from an adjusted bed frame as you would from a standard-fitting bed frame in the first place.
It’s also likely that the plates will still fail to provide adequate support and may even break under the weight of the body.