Buying a Mattress for a Melbourne Apartment: Size, Access and Storage

A mattress for a Melbourne apartment has to pass two tests: it must fit the bedroom, and it must reach the bedroom.

A bed that looks perfectly proportioned on a floor plan may be difficult to move through the building entrance, around a hallway corner or into a lift. A mattress that reaches the room easily may still leave too little space for wardrobe doors, bedside tables or normal movement.

The most practical choice is not automatically the smallest mattress or the largest one the room can physically hold. It is the size and complete bed setup that work with your sleeping needs, apartment layout, access route, storage requirements and budget.

Use the Two-Fit Rule Before Choosing

Before comparing mattress comfort, check two separate types of fit.

Fit 1: Will the bed work inside the bedroom?

Measure the room, but do not stop at the wall-to-wall dimensions. Note the position of doors, wardrobes, power points, windows, heating or cooling outlets and any furniture that must remain.

Fit 2: Can the mattress and bed reach the bedroom?

Walk the full delivery route from the building entrance to the final bed position. Check doors, corridors, turns, stairs and lifts. The narrowest or most awkward point can determine what is practical.

Passing both tests before ordering reduces the risk of choosing a bed that fits on paper but not in everyday use.

Start With the Mattress Size, Not the Bedroom Photograph

Apartment listings and wide-angle property photographs can make bedrooms appear more spacious than they feel once furniture is installed. Use actual measurements rather than judging the room visually.

Standard Australian mattress dimensions provide a starting point:

Mattress size	Approximate dimensions	Apartment use to consider
King Single	107 cm × 203 cm	A solo adult, taller teenager, compact guest room or multipurpose room
Double	138 cm × 188 cm	A solo sleeper wanting extra width, or an occasional guest room where floor space is limited
Queen	153 cm × 203 cm	A couple or solo sleeper wanting more space while retaining reasonable room flexibility
King	183 cm × 203 cm	A couple prioritising personal sleeping space in a bedroom that can accommodate the extra width

These are mattress measurements, not complete bed measurements. Small variations can occur, and the external dimensions of a bed frame may be considerably larger. Check the exact product before ordering.

The full Best Beds Bed Size Guide covers the broader range of Australian mattress dimensions.

Which Mattress Size Works Best in an Apartment?

There is no single apartment mattress size that suits every floor plan. The following starting points can help narrow the decision.

King Single: More Length Without a Couple’s-Bed Footprint

A King Single can work well for one adult, a growing teenager or a guest room that also functions as an office. It offers the same approximate length as a Queen or King while using substantially less width.

This can leave space for a desk, shelving, drawers or a clearer walking route through the room.

Double: Compact, but Check the Length

A Double offers more width than a Single or King Single, but it is generally shorter than a Queen or King. It may suit one sleeper wanting more room or a compact guest bedroom.

Couples considering a Double should assess both sleeping space and length carefully rather than choosing it only because it occupies less floor area.

Queen: Often the Practical Middle Ground

A Queen can balance room efficiency with sleeping space for two people. It is approximately 30 cm narrower than a King while having the same general length.

That difference can preserve useful floor space beside the bed, improve wardrobe access or make room for proper bedside tables. Browse the current Best Beds mattress range after confirming which size suits the room.

King: Extra Width Must Solve a Real Need

A King may be worth considering when two sleepers feel crowded, move frequently or want clearer personal space. The bedroom and delivery route must both accommodate the additional width.

A King that leaves blocked drawers, cramped walkways or unusable bedside furniture may make the apartment less practical, even though the sleeping surface is larger.

Measure the Complete Bed, Not Just the Mattress

One of the most common planning mistakes is marking the mattress dimensions on the floor and assuming the complete bed will occupy the same area.

An upholstered frame may add width through its side rails and length through its headboard or foot section. A simple bed base may remain closer to the mattress footprint, but its exact dimensions still need to be checked.

Before choosing, record:

• the mattress width and length;
• the external dimensions of the exact bed base or frame;
• the height of the mattress and foundation together;
• the space required to open wardrobes and drawers;
• the route used to get in and out of bed;
• any space needed for frame assembly.

If you prefer a straightforward foundation, compare the current bed-base options alongside the mattress rather than treating the two purchases separately.

Map the Delivery Route Before Ordering

Stand at the building entrance and follow the route the mattress and foundation will need to take.

Check:

• the width and height of the main entrance;
• security doors and internal fire doors;
• sharp corridor or lobby turns;
• the internal dimensions of the available lift;
• stair width, landings and ceiling height;
• the apartment entrance and hallway;
• the final turn into the bedroom.

Measure fixed obstacles rather than assuming a flexible mattress can simply be bent around them. Bed bases, headboards and frame components may be more rigid than the mattress itself.

Large or awkward items should be handled by people with appropriate equipment and experience. Do not rely on forcing a mattress or frame through an access point that is too small.

Check the Building’s Moving and Delivery Rules

Apartment buildings can have rules covering the use of common areas. Before arranging delivery, check with the building manager, owners corporation or property manager.

Questions to ask include:

• Does a service lift need to be reserved?
• Are deliveries limited to particular hours?
• Is protective padding required inside the lift?
• Is there an approved loading area?
• Are there rules about leaving packaging or furniture in common areas?
• Does the delivery team need specific access instructions?

Provide the confirmed information when arranging delivery. “There is a lift” is not enough if the lift is too small, unavailable at the delivery time or subject to building rules.

Can a Storage Bed Make the Apartment Work Better?

In an apartment, the space beneath the mattress can be valuable. A gas lift bed frame allows a large section of that area to be used for storage without requiring side clearance for drawers.

This can be useful for:

• spare bedding and seasonal quilts;
• luggage;
• less frequently used clothing;
• items that would otherwise require another cabinet or chest of drawers.

Storage capacity is only part of the decision. Check the frame’s external dimensions, mattress compatibility, assembly requirements and how easily the storage area can be accessed in the room.

Best Beds currently offers selected gas lift bed frames in Queen and King sizes. Review the specifications of the exact frame rather than assuming that all storage beds have the same dimensions or operating requirements.

Think About What the Bedroom Must Do During the Day

Apartment bedrooms often serve more than one purpose. A second bedroom may also be a home office, dressing room, exercise area or occasional guest room.

A smaller mattress may create a more useful room if it allows a desk chair to move properly or keeps storage accessible. In a main bedroom used mainly for sleeping, a larger mattress may deserve more of the available floor space.

Ask what needs to happen in the room when nobody is in bed. That answer can be more useful than choosing the largest mattress that fits between the walls.

Budget for the Complete Setup

The size decision affects more than the mattress. Consider the bed base or frame, mattress protector, sheets, quilt and future replacement bedding.

A larger size generally requires a larger overall budget and takes up more physical space. A smaller size may leave greater flexibility for the mattress construction or bed frame you prefer.

Set the complete bedroom budget first, then decide how much should go towards mattress size, comfort and storage.

Consider Your Next Apartment as Well

Apartment residents may move more frequently than someone planning a long-term bedroom in the same house. A bed that suits the current room may be harder to place in a smaller future property.

A Queen can often offer more flexibility between different main bedrooms. A King may be the right long-term choice when additional sleeping width is important and future room size is unlikely to be a concern.

There is no need to choose only for a hypothetical future move, but it is worth including future flexibility in the decision.

Apartment Mattress Checklist

Before ordering, confirm:

• the bedroom has been measured accurately;
• the external frame or base dimensions have been checked;
• wardrobes, doors and drawers can still open;
• there is a practical walking route around the bed;
• the mattress and foundation can pass through the building;
• lift or delivery arrangements have been confirmed;
• the selected size suits the number of sleepers;
• the complete setup fits the available budget;
• storage needs have been considered;
• the bed will still make sense if the room has another function.

Compare Apartment-Friendly Options at Best Beds in Epping

Best Beds is a mattress and bedroom furniture retailer in Epping, Melbourne. Customers can compare selected mattresses, bed bases and gas lift bed frames while considering the room measurements and access conditions of their apartment.

Bring your bedroom measurements, photographs and any lift or hallway dimensions that may affect the choice. Visit the Best Beds Contact page for the current Epping location, directions and opening information.

For current Melbourne delivery coverage and service conditions, refer to the Delivery and Shipping page.

Conclusion

The best mattress for a Melbourne apartment is the one that fits twice: through the building and into a bedroom that remains practical after the bed is installed.

Measure the complete bed footprint, inspect the full access route and decide how much space the bedroom needs for furniture, storage and daily movement. Once those limits are clear, you can compare mattress comfort without wondering whether the final setup will work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best mattress size for a Melbourne apartment?

There is no single best size. A King Single may suit one adult or a multipurpose room, while a Queen often balances couple space with room flexibility. A King can work where both the bedroom and access route have sufficient space.

Is a Queen mattress suitable for an apartment couple?

A Queen is a common option for two adults and is approximately 30 cm narrower than a King. Whether it works depends on the couple’s preferred sleeping space and the bedroom layout.

Should I choose a Double instead of a Queen to save space?

A Double uses less floor space, but it is generally both narrower and shorter than a Queen. Check whether the reduced sleeping area and length suit the people who will use it.

Do I need to measure the apartment lift?

If the bed must travel in a lift, obtain its internal measurements and check whether the building requires it to be reserved. Also measure the doors and turns leading to and from the lift.

Is a gas lift bed useful in a small apartment?

It can provide concealed under-bed storage without requiring side clearance for drawers. The exact frame dimensions, room fit, mattress compatibility and access requirements still need to be checked.