# Those who share a king-sized bed: how and why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 16, 2026, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314 "2026-04-16T15:25:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/41 "2026-04-16T22:45:24Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > On checking: my (British) king size bed is actually equivalent to a US queen sized… Well, you all had a Queen rather than a King for 70 years… ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/42 "2026-04-16T22:58:57Z")
My wife and I have had a Queen for most of our time together (pre and post marriage). We had actually been planning on getting a King in the last year or so, but are instead currently looking at a sleep number option and are waffling. Why the King now? Well one, we have two cats that really want to sleep with us (one cat to each human based on _their_ preferences) but who don’t want the _other_ cat too close to them or their preferred hoo-man. Second, is the huge difference in temperature preferences. I prefer it cool to cold, so my side has a bedside fan, which can over-chill the wife, who has an electric blanket on _her_ side of the bed and a bedside humidifier. Once I’m up to temp, I emit a ton of heat which is greatly appreciated by her in the winter, but in the summer… not so much. So a large combination of reasons to be strongly in favor of a King right now. But the lack of easy cuddling is a concern when the cats choose to sleep elsewhere (much more common in summer temps!). ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/43 "2026-04-16T23:13:56Z")
When I was growing up, my parents had a double bed because that’s all that would fit in the largest bedroom. When I was about 20 they (in their mid-40s) moved to a more modern house, and inaugurated a queen-size bed. 20 years later they moved again, had a bigger room so got a king-sized bed. My mother was a very light sleeper, so I imagine having more space allowed her to sleep better (but I never asked them if that was the case). I’ve slept regularly with other people only for short periods in my life, both in a queen-size bed. One period ended after a few months because the relationship ended, and the other, with my husband, ended after a few months because I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and was snoring and tossing and turning like a demented steam engine. After I got a CPAP I was (and am) still a very restless sleeper, and difficult to share a bed with. We haven’t tried with a king-size bed, we are too settled in our ways to change. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/44 "2026-04-16T23:43:29Z")
Back when I was married someone at work was selling their mom’s very old king bed for $50 and I went for it. Sounds pretty disgusting I know but whatever, it was great. Both of our kids were born at home on it. My current partner and I are on a queen, but I have a contraption on my side that keeps me from falling off, which I did a few times. That thing is pretty sweet, I can nestle into it and I’m snug. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/45 "2026-04-17T00:01:22Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > My wife and I have had a Queen for most of our time together (pre and post marriage) It took me a minute to realize you weren’t sharing a bed with your ex-wife. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/46 "2026-04-17T00:08:21Z")
I’m on a King. I appreciate that it’s long enough for me, but I spent a big chunk of my life curled up, or with my feet hanging over the end, and I can live with beds like that. My wife though, doesn’t like sharing a bed with me. And did like sharing a bed with her children. So she would not be happy, and would not have been happy, with anything smaller. But beyond that, she got King Singles and King Doubles for her children. I don’t understand that at all, but it is what it is. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/47 "2026-04-17T00:11:58Z")
One word: kids Specifically young kids (0-7 years old). We typically have 1-2 kids come down to our room during the night. It’s actually fairly typical for me to end up being pushed out of our king bed and have to sleep cross-wise at the bottom of the bed ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/48 "2026-04-17T00:20:42Z")
We haven’t yet, I think, mentioned Standard King versus California King. Queen: 60"x80" Standard King: 76"x80" California King: 72"x84" I have a California King and have for decades (not the same bed for the whole time) ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/49 "2026-04-17T00:22:19Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > So tell us why you prefer your king bed. Tossing, turning, hotness. There are times we want to be touching, and there at times we want a little space between us. We have had absolutely no trouble bridging the gap when we so desire. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/50 "2026-04-17T00:33:50Z")
Yeah, that’s on me for questionable phrasing. I’m amazed she’s put up with me for 31 years total, including 29 years living together, 26 of them married. All credit to her. And/or my utility as a nearly-leak proof hot water bottle for Colorado Winters! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/51 "2026-04-17T00:40:04Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > It’s roomier, and that’s better for both sleep and for intimacy. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > On a recent trip with a female friend, at one point the best hotel option was one with a king bed versus 2 queen or double beds. It was nice not worrying about inadvertently elbowing each other or winding up in each other’s space. I mean, I like her, but not like THAT, LOL. This. I’m barely comfortable sleeping in a queen with someone I’m not adverse to being intimate with. And with a king you still have the option of being closer. And I would not mind sleeping in the same bed as someone who is not my partner if the situation demanded it _and_ it was a King. At least as long as they didn’t toss and turn, it would at least be preferable to sleeping on the floor. With a queen, I’d choose the floor. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/52 "2026-04-17T01:46:21Z")
Was it just the bed, or did it include the mattress? ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/53 "2026-04-17T01:48:18Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > So tell us why you prefer your king bed. Or why you agree with me. When I was married I needed my own bed in my own room! I cannot sleep comfortably in the same bed with someone else despite the size. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/54 "2026-04-17T01:48:45Z")
I don’t think we’ve ever had anything smaller than a king size bed. We both like our space, and over the years we have shared it with anywhere from two to seven cats (currently three, all three of which have Strong Opinions about where they want to sleep). Never had any trouble with it. Sometimes when we’re in a hotel they’ll put us in a queen which is fine, but I don’t think either of us would be happy in anything smaller. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/55 "2026-04-17T01:54:21Z")
My first preference in hotel beds is two queens one for each of us. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/56 "2026-04-17T05:40:06Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Sleep in the middle. Who cares how much room there is to the edge The elder and larger of my cats has an amazing talent for working his way to the center of the bed and forcing the humans to the edges, even with a queen-size bed. My bedroom will not accommodate a larger bed if we wish to have any floor space. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/57 "2026-04-17T05:50:46Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Sleep in the middle. Who cares how much room there is to the edge Yeah. If anything, I want to stay away from the edge. Having more room means I can do that and cuddle (or other activities) or spread out and not be so warm. I just have so many more positional options the more space I have. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/58 "2026-04-17T12:05:40Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > Never had any trouble with it. Sometimes when we’re in a hotel they’ll put us in a queen which is fine, but I don’t think either of us would be happy in anything smaller. As far as I can tell, most every hotel has either a single king bed or two queen beds; nothing smaller. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/59 "2026-04-17T12:13:01Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Was it just the bed, or did it include the mattress? Mattress, box spring, and one of those minimal metal frames on casters. The mattress was unusually heavy. I’ve since learned that mattresses gain weight over time from the accumulation of dead skin and the dead creatures that feed on it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314/60 "2026-04-17T12:26:54Z")
Yup. We have two 60 lb Border Collies. Sometimes they join us. A queen bed does work without the dogs, be we still prefer the king bed. I’m 6’3" 220lbs. I take up quite a bit of space. I’m also a restless sleeper. I move around a lot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-share-a-king-sized-bed-how-and-why/1029314.md?page=4)