Beds for tall people

Trying to get to sleep at night is a challenge when you’re a tall person. The bed is too small, and your feet stick out at the end, leaving you to feel the chill each night. Soreness, cramps, back pain, and, because of the bed’s shortness, an inability to stretch while you’re in bed are other problems a tall person can face.

You might get more breaks in other areas of your life, but people won’t envy you regarding your nighttime struggles. However, we don’t want you to struggle, so we’ve produced this short guide to finding the right bed and sleeping when you’re not so vertically challenged.

Choosing the right height

An average bed height, including the frame and the mattress, is around 24 inches from the floor unless you choose an ottoman bed or divan bed, which will be closer to 30 inches. You should be able to sit on your bed with your feet flat on the floor and your legs at a 90-degree angle. If your knees are above your hips, the bed is too low.

Springing out of a bed that’s too high can damage your joints, whereas a bed that’s too low will lead to back pain. If you can’t find a bed that’s the right height, try buying a thicker mattress. Look for a compromise if you have to share the bed with a shorter partner.

Getting the right bed length

To prevent your feet from sticking out of the end of the bed, you’ll need the longest bed possible. The bed should be longer than your body (unless you want to sleep with your head pressed right up against the headboard). A kingsize or super kingsize bed 6 feet 5 inches long would be the best option. You may have to speak to a specialist bed manufacturer if you’re exceptionally tall.

Note that when considering the dimensions of your bed, you should think about the bed’s width too. You want the space to enjoy the support your larger frame needs. Again, a kingsize or super kingsize bed would be appropriate.

Thinking about your mattress and weight

Pocket springs are the way to go because each spring copes individually with the weight the person applies to it while they sleep, rather than with the other springs in the mattress as a whole and placing more stress on the mattress. Look for a mattress with a spring count of two thousand or higher, depending on how much support you need. Two-sided mattresses are a good option, although some people like to use Miracoil memory mattresses or other memory foam mattresses because of their cushioning.

When choosing a mattress, consider the base of your bed. The base must be able to cope with the weight of your mattress. Although you must consider your budget, you must also be aware of any extra reinforcements your bed frame needs. A divan bed, for instance, will require a reinforcement of the top of the base.

Getting to sleep

Since the size of the person vs. the bed size is the issue, traditional recommendations such as meditation, avoiding heavy meals close to bedtime, etc., might not help too much. Here are some tips for sleeping if you’re too big for the bed:

Sleeping diagonally

If a kingsize bed is out of your price range, sleeping diagonally with your legs spread apart slightly seems to be the way to go. To stop your feet from sticking out too far, you’ll have to sleep with your head close to the top of the bed, unfortunately. Bed size might not be a problem if you’re in a hotel, where beds are reasonably large anyway. 

Consider sleeping without a pillow.

Sleeping without a pillow can help you rest naturally without aches. This is better than sleeping with a pillow that’s too soft and doesn’t support your head, which can strain your neck and pressure your respiratory system. You’ll also feel more rested in the morning.

Some people suggest using a more oversized pillow to prevent back pain if you’re tall. This could be dangerous because it can put the head and spine out of line. If you’re unsure which size pillow to choose, speak to a sleep specialist, who can advise you on the correct size.

Using a more oversized duvet or blanket

This solution is lateral thinking and commonsense simultaneously, but somehow we don’t think of it. Your feet may stick out of bed, but they don’t have to get cold. Although not ideal, a more oversized duvet can help preserve warmth on cold winter nights. It may also prove handy if you have to share the bed with a partner (or you could buy separate sheets if either of you is hogging the duvet).

Tall people of the world: there’s no need to dread nighttime, wondering how you’ll get comfortable and get a decent sleep before the alarm clock goes off again. The tips above can help you make a much-desired return to the Land of Nod when you wish to make it. Time to enjoy a good night’s sleep again.

Related pages

• Too Tall For Comfort? – Roundup Of Our Extra Large Beds For Tall People