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what’s with bedding sizes? - help choosing

5 years ago

I’m redecorating my bedroom. I’ve selected furniture, and found a mattress I like, queen size. I can select 12” or 15”, although I prefer the 15” for a more luxurious look.

The predominant duvet cover, which is labeled full/queen, is 88” long x 92” wide. A queen mattress is 80 long x 60 wide. Assuming you pull the mattress up all the way to the top of the bed, you have an 8” drop at the foot of the bed and 12” drop on either side. Even the standard mattress thickness of 9”, which seems dated now, you’d have mattress exposed at the foot of the bed. Turning the bedding so the length is the width works a bit better, but it’s only possible if there is no pattern that has a direction. With a 12” mattress thickness, you have even more of a problem at the foot, and no overhang on the sides past the mattress. A 15” mattress is exposed all around.

Then there is the option of oversized queen, but you still need an insert to fit in the duvet cover. The options are limited overall, but 98” w x 96” l will give 4” overhang on the sides, 1” at the end. I did find a duvet insert in an oversized queen, but strangely this was 96 w x 98 l, just opposite, although it doesn’t seem as significant which direction an insert goes.

However, there was bedding I really liked at Pottery Barn, who doesn’t offer the oversized queen. They’re sizes are the first ones I stated. But you need a duvet insert for the duvet cover, and the queen insert is 6” bigger than the cover both sides. I understand you want the insert a couple inches bigger, but 6” seems like it will bunch at the ends.

Another option is to get a king duvet for the queen bed, but those sizes at Pottery Barn are 92” long by 108” wide. Instead of 8” at the end as in the queen, I now have 12”, still not enough to cover a 15” mattress. On the sides, however, the duvet will hang down 9” past the mattress, which seems way too long.

I’m trying to avoid buying the bed option with the footboard because I have a small room, but that would solve the short end. Getting a king and tucking in the comforter would solve the long sides, but that sounds like something I’d quickly grow tired of having todo do every morning and untuck every night.

What do people do with these duvets/comforters made so short? Are duvets/comforters not supposed to reach the top of the bed? Will the king look too oversized? Should I stick with the 2” guideline for the insert, rather than 6”? Should I settle on a design I don’t love as much to get the oversized queen? I’d love to see picture of how you’ve handled this dilemma.

Comments (29)

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Sounds like your room size will drive your bed size. You don't want the bed to consume the room. I suggest you get a queen size inflatable bed to check for sizing and return it once you have decided on the size for the mattress first. I don't quite understand some of your measurements, but I usually get a king size duvet or comforter for a queen size bed. It looks better and is easier to make the bed look good. The better mattresses today are between 12-18" high. I have had them all. I prefer the lower bed these days just for ease of getting in and out of the bed. 12" is a good size depth. Getting sheets that fit that size can be challenging but it is possible. I have long wondered why the mattress and bedding folks don't get together and figure this out. Some mattress firms do offer sheets but I have tried them and I prefer better quality sheets. So, you will have to determine the mattress size first, then tackle the other items. It is a challenge for sure.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    A duvet cover is not a bed spread or a coverlet. . If you want an updated look to your bed, make it up that way . A duvet isn't even meant to cover the bed to the top under your sleep pillows. It's sized to cover you , or even to fold back. When filled with a down comforter? They "cover " less. With a fifteen inch mattress? An 88 inch queen width will fall a teeny bit short on the sides especially when it is filled .In Europe, it is common to size only to the width exactly of the bed, and fold at the foot. Here? We layer, and use a coverlet beneath : ) or if you must have perfect sides? Use a low profile box spring..........or simply relax. Especially the look of a "made bed" . Otherwise ? Buy a king and get a seamstrss, and know that to make a bed appear fluffy and inviting? Use a king fill in a QUEEN duvet cover, a queen fill in a twin, and buy OVERSIZED for a king duvet cover.

    None of these look like grandma made the bed........right?












    Even the most traditional????



  • 5 years ago

    Yes, this is the look I want. So overstuffing the duvet cover will help with fluffiness. I’ll plan for that then. All of these in the photos cover the sides of the mattress at least. And even though they are folded, it gives the impression they would reach the top of the bed unfolded.

  • 5 years ago

    @Flo Mangan Good point about the deeper mattress maybe overpowering the room. I’ll have to go back to the store and do a deeper comparison of the two.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    If a deep mattress? Use a low profile box springs, or selct one needing no box spring. Buty a bed with a LOW FOOT BOARD/REQUIRING NO BOX SPRING, . Use a king duvet on it! . You'll have all the drape you want! . The point is RELAX the look. You're obsessing.

    There are thousand, in as many styles. In a small room? Keep it AIRY below. .....no dust ruffle stuff. Drape /fold back as you like.

    They show it tucked to show YOU the foot board...THA'T's UP TO you.

    Enough variety exists to use a box spring...or not

    The bed "makes" the room




  • 5 years ago

    My concern about getting the king sized duvet is that it’s too long. I like some of the wood showing. I don’t want it hanging to the floor. The low profile box spring wouldn’t affect how the duvet fits over the mattress itself.

  • 5 years ago

    I have never heard of such problems! Get a queen for a queen bed and king for a king. Comforters are not considered the old bedspreads, so they don’t come down all the way on the sides, but they do go up to the top. You either fold them down or leave them up. Please don’t bother with buying an inflatable bed! Ralph Lauren at Macy’s has beautiful comforters and duvet covers. Serena and Lily as well, PB, ballard etx. This should not be hard

  • 5 years ago

    This is my set. Plenty of room all tbe way around

  • 5 years ago

    Marci- you aren’t alone.... I have the same frustration.

  • 5 years ago

    I have a Queen sized bed and I always buy King size comforters. They aren't too long at all, and the side rails of the bed are visible.

  • 5 years ago

    I prefer super queen or super king respectively for those size beds for a bit more drape. They aren’t that easily found and do limit your choices which is why I always do a white or cream for a duvet.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I would also add a bedskirt which are available in different drop heights.

    Or, search bedspreads. They're made to reach the floor.

    Yes, difficult sizing now, with higher mattress sizes.

  • 5 years ago

    @Kathy Furt What size bed and what size comforter do you have? That’s how I want mine to look. I don’t want it too long, but I do want the entire mattress covered.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    You are tring for a "perfection" seen in custom bnedding and with something as FLAT as a coverlet. Get a coverlet, and fold whatever duvet at the foot. Add a dust ruffle if you like.

    You want THIS?

    Queen everything on a queen bed.

    In general · More Info


    King everything on a king bed

    LAKEHOME · More Info


    Same thing

    Interior Design Work · More Info


    LAKE SIDE · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    Yes! this has driven my husband nuts (and therefore, ME nuts) for years with all the queen PB duvet covers we had on our queen bed. somehow we lucked out with a queen Marimekko comforter this time around and it's the size we've been needing for 13 years. good luck!

  • 5 years ago

    Marci, Cal King bed, with Cal king bedding. Have always matched them and never had a problem. We have a deep mattress too. Maybe you’re putting it on wrong?

  • 5 years ago

    Have never measured a thing or relied on “inches”.....

  • 5 years ago

    @Kathy Furt I’m going by measurements listed online for length and width. I think the measurements for Cal Kings are sized better than for Queen. They make queens to fit both full and queen, so the comforter ends up shorter in length based more on full sizes than what’s appropriate for queen.

  • 5 years ago

    I went to Pottery Barn to look at the beds made up, and they showed me the difference between full/queen and king, and on both 12” & 15” mattresses. First, I’m pretty sure a 12” would be the best size for me. The 15” mattress is too high. The comforter on the 12” was short at the end how they had it on the bed, but you couldn’t tell standing up because of how puffy it is. You have to pull it down, and although it would cover my shoulders, it won’t cover my head if I want to sleep under the covers. The king size was huge and touching the ground in the corners. I’m looking at other places that offer linen duvets. Some do custom sizing. I couldn’t find that pretty soft gray that PB has, but some get close. I don’t want a bed skirt, and that wouldn’t solve my problem. If I get a coverlet or quilt, that would be folded at the end of the bed, not the comforter.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    It won't "cover your head."..........................

    There's a point at which nobody can help and someone can't BE helped. Really, there is. and I think we're there.

  • 5 years ago

    Don’t be rude Jan. There’s been some useful comments on here, like yours about getting a seamstress, and a lot of other comments where people no doubt meant well but kinda missed the problem, like yours about buying a low profile box spring. It’s been like finding pearls in the sand so far. One thing I found on my internet searches is places that will make custom linens. I’m looking towards that option now.

  • 5 years ago

    I have queen bed with a 14" deep mattress and an 8" box spring. I use a king duvet. I pull the duvet down on the end far enough to cover the sheets and use pillows to cover the shortage at the top of the bed, 2 king and 2 standard.

    I covered my box spring with a fitted white sheet because the duvet doesn't cover the sides. I don't like a bed skirt and this gives a finished look.


    I have always had a thing about bed linens and I love duvet covers. I have several different duvets and coordinating sheet sets for each bedroom.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    You can only be so picky, for heavens sake. Yes a seamstress can REDUCE the width of a KING duvet cover. to exactly the desired. width. ..............and since when is that a snobby option, if you are wanting perfection in drops,......smother and bury your head and whatever else. Seriously.........

  • 5 years ago

    Jan, I don’t think you’re fully reading and comprehending my comments. I said that was a helpful suggestion. No one ever said anything about it being snobby. If you are here just to attack now, please leave. You have commented several times. Some comments were helpful, some were not. At this point, you’re just being rude. This should be a positive place with ideas. Don’t come to criticize.

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you Sherry. I talked to my designer today and am going with the 15” mattress so the box spring will be hidden. I’m going to have to make a king sized bedding work, or do custom. One comforter I like appears that I could turn it so the width (the long side) is the length, then tuck under the end of the bed. Then the sides won’t hang so far.

  • 5 years ago

    Marci there is of course a difference between king and Cal king. King is 78x80”, just got my parents to sets of sheets. Now when we bought our bed at Macy’s hotel collection cal king, I did go with only a 7” box spring as the mattress was so high. So on my bed you can see the box spring. I have a pottery barn headboard. So that does bug me but I really don’t want to get a dust ruffle! Hate those things. I keep thinking of putting a fitted sheet on the box spring. But when the bed is made the comforter covers both up. I think Ralph L is generously sized

  • 5 years ago

    Are Cal King only sold in California ?

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    California King mattresses are sold everywhere, Ditto sheets. Sometimes coverlets. Almost never duvet covers or fills. You use the regular king. Because the difference ( mattress ) is ( 78 x 80 king ) and 72 x 84 Cal King. Mass market sources don't bother making the distinction. Just as they do not, between queen and full size duvet/comforters.

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