Bed Sizes in Australia

[Mara]

Here is a table of the official

Australian bed sizes

Single Bed 92cm x 187cm

King Single 106cm x 203cm

Double Bed 137cm x 187cm

Queen Bed 153cm x 203cm

King Bed 183cm x 203cm

Australian Duvet Cover Sizes

210cm x 140cm Single

210cm x 180cm Double

210cm x 210cm Queensize

210cm x 245cm Kingsize

45cm x 73cm Standard Pillowcase

65cm x 65cm Continental Pillowcase

As you will see from the above, they have moved the queensize up to the length of the king bed, but in SA the queensize is the length of the double bed.

I have seen it said often that linen is so expensive here, yes it is, if you insist on shopping at Myers and David Jones or the specialised linen shops. If you go to Target or Kmart, you will pick up linen sets from $50 up.

You need to look at the thread count, anything above 300 is good, the higher the count, the better the quality. Aldi have specials from time to time and they have been known to sell queensize 500 thread count for $60 a set. The variety is quite huge. On the sales I have bought duvet covers for as little as $10, they often have end of line, very beautiful, ones on sale.

Something else you definitely have to watch for is the depth of the fitted sheets. For instance our queensize mattress has a 35cm depth, but, most fitted sheets are only 27cm depth. So that is something you must check before you buy. Of course you get mattresses in different thicknesses, so it is up to you what you buy.

Here is some more info that may be useful to you and other. High-quality bed sheets may last you up to 15 years. Whether you require king size sheets, queen size sheets, double bed sheets or single bed sheets, look at the thread count and fabric when you buy.

Thread count, indicated commonly in the number of threads per square inch, determines the quality of a sheet. Generally, sheets that have higher thread counts (around 300 and above) have a durable, lustrous, and soft fabric that gets softer over time. They are also less prone to shrinkage than lower thread count sheets (ie. thread counts less than 120). Low thread count sheets, though less expensive, have a rougher feel and are more likely to wear through.

Select sheet fabric each fabric commonly used to make sheets has its own merits.

Combed cotton sheets :

Combed cotton sheets undergo a cleaning process to eliminate any impurities and short, less desirable fibres. The process results in a soft, smooth fabric.

Percale sheets:

Percale sheets offer a smooth, flat, and closely-woven fabric, finer than muslin and are usually found in sheets with a thread count of 180 to 220. Percale sheets can be found in 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/polyester blends.

Pima sheets and Supima sheets:

Pima sheets and Supima sheets, made from high-quality cotton, are soft and found in bed sheets in the 200 to 300 thread count range.

Egyptian cotton sheets:

Egyptian cotton sheets are highly durable, lustrous, and silky, and usually have a thread count above 200. Egyptian cotton is the most highly desired bedding fabric and is made of extra-long fibre staples grown along the Nile River.

Flannel or flanelette sheets:

Flannel or flanelette sheets, a wool textile, are very warm and insulating, and may be blended with either a synthetic fabric or cotton.

Muslin sheets:

Muslin sheets have a rough and tough feel and are at the low end of the cotton spectrum with a thread count between 128 and 140. They are commonly used in children's character-themed bedding.

Synthetic fabric sheets:

Although synthetic fibres like modal, lyocell and polyester have strength and durability, they aren't the most �breathable� fabrics. However they can resist wrinkles, and they wash and dry easily.

The extra-thick dye used for printed sheets can make fabrics feel a bit rough at first, however, they do tend to soften up after only a few washings. Take your sheets out of the dryer immediately to avoid wrinkling and ensure your sheets look as nice as possible.

When shopping for fitted sheets, consider the pocket depth and elasticity. To find pocket depth, measure from the highest point on the mattress, including the mattress protector and any additional bedding you may use under your sheets, to the bottom edge of the mattress. Fitted sheets should also have elastic all the way around the sheet. Sheets with elastic only at the head and foot are more likely to slip off the bed.Now that you have the sizes you can decide for yourself.

The biggest annual sales start in Australia on the 26th December!

[Stranded]

WOW Thanks Mara.

My Mom makes my linen currently, as Hubby and myself Very Tall. Appreciate the info Mom will be starting on the new measurements...

Stranded

[Mara]

You are welcome!

[MM Pta]

Thanks Mara

You have now quantified the "not the same sizes" and "longer than SA beds" phrases, and this would assist us in our choices of what to pack & buy before we depart (if visa is approved).

This "small" issue can become a huge discussion point and this posting is of great help.

I wanted to type "moerse baie dankie" but that would land me in trouble on the forum - so I'll conclude with "thanking you for your assistance".

Regards & enjoy Aus.

[Mara]

The 'moerse' is no problem, a thank you will also suffice, as it is nice to know that people appreciate the time it takes us to sometimes find the answers to the questions that they have!

[Luke & Janice]

Thanks Mara,

I had an idea that bed sizes were different in Aus. Thanks for the tips on linen. Are beds very much more expensive in Aus? We were thinking of buying a new one just before leaving S.A. Linen can be adjusted, but maybe better to buy there.

Jan

[Mara]

Hi Jan

I have heard it said that beds are more expensive here, I don't know, my knowlege of SA prices is about 15 years old! I have been out with new arrivals here that had to buy beds, and I would say that for a Queensize bed set, base and mattress you would pay about $1200, there are of course cheaper and a lot more expensive ones.

[Extatix]

Mara - thanks for all the info . . . maybe you can answer one more q?

We have been wanting to get a Kingsize bed for some time now. Are the bedrooms in Australia GENERALLY spacious enough to accommodate a kingsize bed plus pedestals both sides ? ( difficult to answer I'm sure, but would "older homes" have bigger rooms?)

THanks

Anita

[Mara]

Anita, I would say that your newer homes would probably have space for a kingsize bed rather than the old ones!

[SHIRLS]

Thanks Mara,that must have taken ages to research so have saved it for later perusal !

[Mara]

No thanks required Shirls, we aim to please!

[Bots]

Thanks a lot Mara. Greatly appreciated!

[Mara]

No problem Bots!

[Johnny & Rene]

Hi Mara,

I must admit that this is a huge help.

Thankyou for all the trouble of setting this up for the rest of us to understand what we are getting ourselves into regarding beds and bedding.

Very much appreciated

Rene

[Mara]

No problem guys. I see you are from Nelspruit, my favourite cousins live there, Frans & Rika Bekker, he is a Sanlam representative!