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If you don’t want to get rid of your old Full (aka Double) bed frame after switching to a Queen-sized mattress and now feel stuck, don’t despair right away! There are some bed frames that just can’t take a larger mattress, but if you’re lucky, yours might be the one that can (with or without any modifications). The real question is – should you be doing it and is it a long-term solution? Let’s look at all the intricacies and find out if a queen mattress can fit on a full bed frame!
Can a Queen Mattress Fit on a Full Bed Frame?
If you ignore some notable factors, then yes, a Queen mattress can fit on a Full bed frame.
A Queen mattress is six inches wider and five inches longer than a Full bed frame, which isn’t too much. You should place the frame strategically so that you compensate for the difference in dimensions and get the least mattress overhang.
How to place the mattress
If you put the mattress so that the frame lies at the very center, then you’ll get only a couple of inches of overhang on each side of the mattress. Unless you need strong edge support, you can enjoy your time on the bed and sleep comfortably.
You could also place the bed frame so that the head side of the frame matches the head side of the mattress – for example, line them both up against a wall, or if you have a headboard – push the mattress all the way up to the headboard. This will leave all 5 inches of the mattress hanging at the foot side, but it doesn’t have to be a problem if you don’t use that edge. If you always get in and out of your bed on the left or right side, you won’t even notice it.
Finally, the worst way to organize your bed is to shove the frame into a corner and then push the mattress onto it. This way, the only two sides that you’ll be using for getting in and out will be hanging by a lot! The Queen size mattress is a total of six inches wider! That’s too much, the edge will be unusable – unless you like the idea of fulfilling your ominous dreams of falling into a void.
Jokes aside, the best setup is definitely the first one because it leaves the least surface area of the mattress hanging, and the part that does hang isn’t too big. Even if you need to keep your bed in a corner or against a wall, you can still place the frame so that it doesn’t touch the walls – leave about 2-3 inches of space for the mattress.
Full bed frames that allow Queen size mattresses
When we talk about frame types, your particular frame must allow room for a larger mattress, such as a platform frame. Otherwise, a Queen mattress just won’t fit.
If you have a footboard, it will be in the way, and if you have boards sticking up on all sides, they will also be in the way, but making the problem bigger. This means the mattress will have elevated sides and a sunk-in middle part. An uneven sleeping surface like that can guarantee you back pain and headaches. Also keep in mind that split queen mattresses require a special type of frame, so definitely don’t use them on a normal full frame.
And for those who have a box spring – worry not! A box spring provides an even surface that lifts your mattress from a bed frame, so it matters less whether or not the frame boundaries and mattress itself are the same size.
Finally, there are ways to convert your Full bed frame into one where you can fit a Queen mattress properly; find more on that below.
Downsides of Using a Full Frame for a Queen-Size Mattress
A Queen-size mattress on a Full bed frame might not be as much of a great idea as it seems. It could be a good short-term solution, but here are some strong arguments against it.
- Sitting on unsupported edges – while getting in and out of bed – can ruin them well before the mattress is supposed to reach the end of its lifespan. This is especially true if your setup is such that you left a lot of overhang on the side you use often.
- Any mattress used improperly, such as on an unmatching/non-recommended bed base can void the warranty. You need to follow the manufacturer’s bed frame size rules.
And if you put a Queen size mattress on a Full bed frame that has a footboard or sideboards:
- the mattress is likely to start sagging sooner
- you’ll get back pain from bad spinal alignment
- you’ll likely need to replace the mattress well before its time
All in all, think about your options. It surely won’t hurt if you place a Queen mattress on a Full bed frame for a short time period, such as when you’re still looking for solutions.
For example, if you need to store a mattress somewhere for a while, it’s incomparably better to place it on a smaller bed frame than to store it in an upright position! The latter will definitely damage the mattress!
Size Difference Between Queen and Full
The size difference between a Queen and a Full bed isn’t huge, but it’s just enough to make one bed a good choice for singles, and the other for couples.
- Full – 54″ x 75″
- Queen – 60″ x 80″
Taller people should go for a Full XL or a Queen bed, because those two are 80″ long.
As for couples, a Queen mattress is definitely a better choice because it gives both enough space to sprawl.
But, although more comfortable for only one person, a Full bed can also be fitting for a couple if both of them are slim and don’t need much space/prefer to cuddle. Full beds are also useful in smaller rooms when you need to save on space.
Can You Turn a Full-Sized Bed Frame into a Queen?
Some bed frames can be converted with the help of a conversion kit. These kits can be purchased online and they make sense mostly when you have a bed frame whose look you want to keep. Maybe you want to keep the beautiful headboard or preserve the antique style of the bed frame. These are some valid reasons to convert a Full-size bed frame into a Queen bed frame.
These kits have hooks on the sides to hold the mattress in its place and give a bit of support to the overhanging sides. Some installation skills and voila! A Queen frame ready to be used!
But even with these kits, you need to bear some things in mind.
- The edge of the Queen mattress will still be hanging a little bit in between the hooks.
- Converter kits cost about $150, while a cheaper platform frame in Queen size is under $100. See which works for you better – a converter kit that doesn’t really let your mattress fit properly, or a cheaper platform bed that does allow your standard Queen mattress to fit perfectly well.
FAQs
Yes, you can use a Full headboard with a Queen mattress size, although the mattress is 6″ wider. And it might even look really good, depending on the style of the headboard. All you need is a set of adapter brackets and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can mount the headboard to the wall.
Yes, and you’ll need some adapter brackets for that. There will be some extra space on the sides, but that can only make the bed look “richer”. A lot of fancy hotels use oversized headboards to make the bed look more inviting.
It’s not the same, but very close. They’re both 54″ wide, with Full XL being 80″ long, while the standard Full mattress is 75″ long. So, they are both wide enough for a single person or a slim couple, with the Full XL frame being more suitable for tall people.
Yes, Olympic queen mattresses require a bed frame that can fit the mattress width of 66 inches. You could use a converter kit to make a Queen frame accept the extra 3″ on each side, or you can just skip the kit and let your mattress hang on each side of the bed frame.
Conclusion
A Queen size mattress fits the Full bed frame, but only if the frame design allows it. Platform beds are the best for this, and you can play around with the position of the mattress so as to get the least overhang. See our list of best mattresses for a platform bed for more info.
If you don’t want to give up on your old frame, you might go for a converter kit and ensure a bit of support that its hooks offer. Otherwise, bear in mind that a new Queen-size bed frame (platform type) might be cheaper than this kit. There are some downsides to using a Queen-size mattress on a Full bed frame, such as losing the warranty, damaging the mattress, or even ending up with back pain. Ideally, a smaller bed frame size should only be used as a temporary solution before you get a proper frame.
Next step: Read our Elm Sleep mattress review. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of putting a queen mattress on a full frame, it’s time to just buy a full-sized mattress. Elm Sleep makes on of the best full mattresses in the world. Try it out and see the difference that having a mattress that fits your frame makes.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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