| Mattresses are not all sized along perfect standards. | | | | bottom edge of the mattress. |
| European and United States bed manufacturers use | | | | Sheets and duvets are available in differing lengths to |
| different size guidelines for each size of mattress, | | | | accommodate the taller mattresses of today. Many of |
| such as king, queen, full, twin. Mattress depth varies | | | | these specially sized items will be labeled as fitting |
| even more than size. Traditional top mattress are | | | | pillow top beds. That is a fine start, but there is a large |
| often not as tall as Euro top mattresses, and pillow | | | | range in depth even among pillow tops. Look for sheet |
| tops often out size all the others. The general range of | | | | sets that feature "deep pockets" to help fit taller |
| mattress depths runs from around 9 inches deep to 18 | | | | cushions. Also, read the fine print on the package |
| inches deep. This can make it difficult to find bedding | | | | labels for information on the depth that the sheets are |
| that fits appropriately. | | | | able to fit. Many manufacturers now print this |
| The first thing to do is measure the depth, or height, of | | | | information so it is readily available to consumers. |
| the mattress by itself. Usually, box springs are covered | | | | The makers of duvets and quilts often size these |
| with bed skirts-- decorative fabric "skirts" that go onto | | | | covers differently from sheets. Bedding blankets |
| the box spring so as to both protect and hide it. Bed | | | | generally come in sizes twin, full/queen, and king |
| skirts are also often used to hide the underneath of | | | | mattress. If the blanket is to cover a thicker bed, check |
| the bed so that it may be used for storage. Because | | | | the sizing carefully lest the cover is too short to cover |
| the box spring is likely hidden with a bed skirt (also | | | | fully. Full/Queen is a combination size that often is a bit |
| called dust ruffles), the bedding needs only to fully | | | | large on a full size mattress but a bit small on queen |
| cover the mattress. | | | | sizes. This means that full/queen sizing is often too |
| Once the depth is measured, consider how much | | | | small for queen pillow tops. |
| bedding is wanted. Some people enjoy oversized | | | | Because mattresses are getting taller, many bedding |
| duvets, while others prefer a more traditional fit. Keep | | | | manufacturers have begun to offer oversized sizes. It |
| in mind that too much extra bedding- that is sheets | | | | is important to get the proper fit in order to maximize |
| that are too big and duvets that are too long- can | | | | sleeping comfort and minimize disturbance. Of course, |
| often make it difficult to move during sleep. If there is | | | | if the proper size cannot be found in stores or online, |
| uncertainly, stick with a length and size that will lay | | | | there are lots of ways to make the proper size cover |
| across the top of the bed and fall down just over | | | | at home. |