I have to say, I’m impressed and amazed by the couples who can sleep together in a bed smaller than a queen on a regular basis. We started out on a queen bed, now have a king, and sometimes it still feels too small. Neither of us is particularly large. We just spread out, roll around in our sleep and need space (ok, maybe that’s just me). We’ve used smaller beds a few times when traveling, but in those cases we generally just opt to sleep separately (e.g. if we get stuck with a hotel room with two small beds instead of one big one).
I answered “always, king” on the poll, but it’s not really always. Every once in a while, one of us will sleep in the guest room. Mostly if we’re sick and expecting to be up coughing all night or something. Rare.
My husband and I have it great. We share a bed. When we go to bed, I like to fall asleep right away with the TV on as white noise. My husband can’t sleep with the TV on. How is that great? He likes to stay up for an hour or so reading. We used to put Conan on and I’d fall asleep during Conan and when it was done, he’d turn off the TV and fall asleep. Now that Conan isn’t on, we’ve found other shows, but it’s a good deal.
We always sleep together in a queen. I’m a spooner - Chickie’s idea sleep partner, practically - and she is, well, not. I also read, and I don’t like squinting with a book light, so I don’t come to bed until she’s asleep so I can turn on the table lamp.
Our routine is basically the same every time:
11:00-11:30 Wife goes to bed. I go with her and “tuck her in” - ie., we cuddle for a minute or two and I kiss her goodnight. I then go watch TV, play video games, surf the Dope, etc.
12:45-2:00 I come to bed. Turn on lamp. Read for 15-45 minutes. Longer if the book is new to me.
2ish- I go to sleep.