Best Mattress for Apartments in Australia

For most Australian apartments, a Queen mattress is the best all-round choice for couples, while a Double or King Single can be better for solo sleepers in smaller rooms. The best apartment mattress should also be easy to move, suit your sleeping style, work with your bed frame and leave enough usable space around the bed.

Why Choosing a Mattress for an Apartment Is Different

An apartment mattress has to work within a more restricted environment than a mattress in a large house. The challenge is not simply finding a mattress that fits the bedroom; it is finding one that fits the entire living arrangement.

A bedroom may also need to accommodate a wardrobe, bedside tables, drawers, a desk or additional storage. You may also have narrower hallways, lifts, stairwells or tight doorways to consider before the mattress even reaches the bedroom.

This makes mattress size, mattress delivery, manoeuvrability and bedroom layout particularly important for apartment living. A larger mattress can provide more sleeping space, but it can also reduce usable floor area and make the room harder to move around.

Australian mattress sizes also differ from those used in some overseas markets. A standard Queen is approximately 153 × 203 cm, while a King is approximately 183 × 203 cm. That 30 cm difference in width can have a noticeable effect in a compact bedroom.

The goal, therefore, is not simply to buy the largest mattress you can fit. It is to choose the largest practical mattress that still allows the apartment bedroom to function comfortably.

What Makes a Mattress Good for Apartment Living?

The best mattress for an apartment is not defined by one material or firmness level. Instead, look for a combination of practical and sleep-related features.

1. The right mattress size

Size is usually the first consideration because the mattress has the largest fixed footprint in the bedroom.

For many apartment dwellers:

• King Single suits solo sleepers who need extra length but have limited width.
• Double suits solo adults who want more sleeping space without using as much floor area as a Queen.
• Queen is usually the best balance for couples.
• King makes sense when the bedroom is large enough to accommodate the additional width.

Onebed's Australian mattress size guide lists approximately 107 × 203 cm for King Single, 138 × 188 cm for Double, 153 × 203 cm for Queen and 183 × 203 cm for King.

2. A mattress that is manageable to move

Apartment living can make mattress handling more complicated.

Before buying, consider the route from the building entrance to the bedroom:

1. Building entrance
2. Lobby
3. Lift or staircase
4. Apartment hallway
5. Bedroom doorway
6. Final position beside the bed frame

A mattress that is comfortable once installed can still be impractical if it is difficult to manoeuvre through the building.

This is one reason mattress-in-a-box products can be attractive for apartment dwellers. Compression and packaging can make a mattress easier to transport through some apartment entrances, lifts and hallways than a full-size mattress.

However, the packaged dimensions still matter. Always check the retailer's delivery information before ordering, particularly if your building has narrow lifts, restricted access or specific delivery requirements.

CHOICE notes that mattress-in-a-box brands commonly offer home trial periods, which can also reduce some of the uncertainty associated with buying a mattress online rather than testing it in a showroom.

Best Mattress Size for an Apartment

There is no single mattress size that works for every apartment. The best option depends on how many people sleep in the bed, how much space the bedroom provides and what else the room needs to accommodate.

Best for solo sleepers: Double

A Double mattress is approximately 138 × 188 cm in Australia.

It can be a practical choice for a solo adult who wants substantially more sleeping width than a Single without moving to a Queen.

A Double works particularly well when:

• You sleep alone
• The bedroom is compact
• You need space for a desk or wardrobe
• The room doubles as an office or guest room
• You want to preserve more floor space

The main limitation is its 188 cm length. Taller adults may prefer a King Single, Queen or King because those sizes provide approximately 203 cm of length.

Best for couples: Queen

For many Australian apartments, Queen is the most practical mattress size for two adults.

At approximately 153 × 203 cm, a Queen gives a couple substantially more sleeping width than a Double while using 30 cm less width than a King.

A Queen is particularly suitable when:

• Two adults share the bed
• The bedroom is medium-sized
• You want more sleeping space than a Double
• You still need room for bedside furniture
• You want a 203 cm mattress length without moving to King

This makes Queen a strong default recommendation for apartment couples, but the room layout should still be measured before purchase.

Best for narrow bedrooms: King Single

A King Single is approximately 107 × 203 cm.

It can be useful when the bedroom is narrow but the sleeper needs additional length. It is wider and longer than a standard Single without requiring the floor area of a Double or Queen.

King Single can suit:

• Solo adults
• Teenagers
• Taller sleepers
• Guest rooms
• Narrow bedrooms
• Multi-purpose rooms

Sealy also identifies King Single as a useful space-saving option for apartments, particularly when extra width and length are needed without moving to a Double or Queen.

Best for larger apartment bedrooms: King

A King mattress is approximately 183 × 203 cm.

The additional 30 cm of width compared with a Queen can make a meaningful difference for couples who value personal sleeping space. It can also be useful when children or pets regularly share the bed.

However, King should not be the automatic choice simply because it offers more sleeping area.

A King is appropriate when the bedroom can still accommodate:

• Comfortable walking paths
• Wardrobe and drawer access
• Bedside tables
• Bedroom doors
• Windows and curtains
• Cleaning access
• Other furniture

Sealy recommends approximately 75–90 cm of clearance around a bed where possible, while also noting that bed frames and bases can be larger than the mattress itself.

How Much Space Should You Leave Around an Apartment Bed?

Do not measure only the mattress.

You also need to account for the bed frame or base, which can add several centimetres to the overall footprint.

For comfortable movement, a useful planning range is approximately 75–90 cm of clearance around accessible sides of the bed, although the amount you actually need depends on doors, wardrobes, furniture and the room layout. Sealy recommends 75–90 cm on all sides for comfortable movement and access.

In a small apartment, you may not achieve this clearance on every side. That does not automatically make the mattress unsuitable.

Instead, check the critical movement areas:

• Can you enter and leave the bed easily?
• Can wardrobe doors open?
• Can drawers be pulled out?
• Can the bedroom door open fully?
• Can you walk around the bed without turning sideways?
• Can you clean underneath or around the bed?
• Can you change the sheets without struggling?

A mattress can fit physically while still creating a poor room layout.

Mattress Type: What Is Best for an Apartment?

The best mattress type depends more on your sleeping preferences than the fact that you live in an apartment. However, some constructions can offer practical advantages.

Memory foam mattresses

Memory foam can be a good choice if you prefer:

• Contouring comfort
• Pressure relief
• Lower bounce
• Strong motion isolation
• A more enveloping feel

Motion isolation can be particularly useful for apartment couples who share a bedroom and have different sleep schedules.

However, foam mattresses vary significantly in construction, density and temperature performance. A mattress should not be judged solely by the label "memory foam".

Hybrid mattresses

Hybrid mattresses combine a spring support system with foam or other comfort materials.

They can suit apartment sleepers who want:

• More responsive movement
• Easier position changes
• A balance between cushioning and support
• More traditional spring responsiveness
• A combination of pressure relief and bounce

For example, Onebed Max uses five-zoned pocket springs with Auralux™ foam, cooling gel-infused memory foam and an Auralux™ Grid. It also provides Medium and Medium-Firm comfort settings by flipping its layers.

Adjustable-firmness mattresses

Adjustable firmness can be particularly useful when apartment living involves two sleepers with different preferences.

Instead of choosing one permanent feel, a mattress with reversible or adjustable comfort layers allows you to change the feel according to the configuration supported by the mattress.

Onebed Original, for example, uses cooling gel-infused memory foam, Auralux™ foam and five-zone support, with adjustable firmness through its layer configuration.

This can be useful for couples who have different preferences, although adjustable firmness does not automatically mean each side of a standard mattress can be independently customised.

What Mattress Firmness Is Best for an Apartment?

Your apartment does not determine the correct firmness. Your sleeping position and personal comfort preferences matter more.

As a general starting point:

Side sleepers

Side sleepers often benefit from enough cushioning around the shoulders and hips to reduce pressure, while still receiving adequate support underneath the body.

Back sleepers

Back sleepers often prefer a more balanced feel that supports the body without allowing excessive sinking through the middle.

Combination sleepers

If you move between your side and back during the night, a responsive mattress with a balanced firmness can make changing position easier.

Couples

For couples, motion isolation and the ability to accommodate different firmness preferences can matter as much as the basic firmness rating.

The important point is that "firm" does not automatically mean "more supportive", and "soft" does not automatically mean "less supportive". Mattress construction, support layers and body position all affect how a mattress feels.

Is a Mattress-in-a-Box Better for Apartment Living?

For some apartment dwellers, yes.

The biggest advantage is practical rather than purely about sleep comfort.

A compressed mattress can be easier to transport through:

• Apartment lifts
• Narrow hallways
• Staircases
• Doorways
• Tight corners

It can also reduce the need to coordinate a large-item delivery into the bedroom.

But a mattress-in-a-box is not automatically better simply because you live in an apartment.

Before ordering, check:

• Box dimensions
• Box weight
• Delivery method
• Building access requirements
• Whether someone needs to be present
• Expansion instructions
• Recommended setup location
• Trial and return conditions

CHOICE's current mattress buying guidance notes that mattress-in-a-box products can offer extended home trials, helping shoppers evaluate a mattress in their own bedroom rather than relying on a short showroom test.

What About Mattress Thickness in an Apartment?

Mattress thickness is often overlooked when planning a small bedroom.

A thicker mattress can increase the overall height of the bed, particularly when combined with a tall bed frame.

That affects:

• Getting in and out of bed
• Bedroom proportions
• Bedside-table height
• Sheet pocket depth
• Moving and handling
• Visual space within a smaller room

Thickness should therefore be treated separately from mattress quality.

A 12-inch mattress is not automatically better than a 10-inch mattress simply because it is thicker. What matters is how the internal layers are constructed and whether the mattress provides the comfort and support you need.

For apartment shoppers, the best thickness is usually the one that provides the required support and comfort without creating unnecessary height or handling problems.

How to Choose the Best Mattress for an Apartment: A Practical Checklist

Before ordering, work through these questions.

1. Who will sleep on it?

One person, two adults, children or pets?

The number of sleepers is often the biggest factor affecting mattress size.

2. What is the bedroom's usable floor area?

Measure the room, but also mark:

• Wardrobes
• Drawers
• Doors
• Windows
• Desk areas
• Bedside tables

3. What mattress size fits the layout?

Do not measure only the mattress. Include the bed frame or base.

4. Can the mattress reach the bedroom?

Check the building entrance, lift, stairs, hallway and bedroom door.

5. What type of mattress suits your sleeping style?

Consider foam, hybrid and other constructions based on how you sleep rather than choosing based on the label alone.

6. Do you and your partner have different preferences?

If yes, adjustable firmness or other customisation options may be worth considering.

7. Is the mattress easy to trial or return?

Online mattress shopping removes the showroom test, so a meaningful home trial can be valuable.

8. Will the complete bed be too high?

Consider mattress thickness and bed-frame height together.

Best Mattress Setup for Different Apartment Scenarios

Small studio apartment

If the sleeping area is part of the main living space, prioritise floor efficiency.

A Single, King Single or Double may be more practical for a solo sleeper depending on available space.

A Queen can work if the sleeping area is large enough and the bed is the primary use of the space.

One-bedroom apartment

For a solo sleeper, a Double or Queen can both work.

For a couple, Queen is usually the strongest starting point, while King depends on the bedroom's usable floor area.

Apartment with a home office

A Double or Queen may be preferable depending on room size.

The key consideration is whether the bed leaves enough space for a desk and chair to function without blocking wardrobes or walking paths.

Apartment for a couple

Queen is generally the most balanced option.

If both sleepers strongly value personal space and the bedroom is large enough, King becomes more attractive.

Apartment with frequent moves

Prioritise manageable delivery and handling.

A mattress-in-a-box may be worth considering because the packaged product can be easier to manoeuvre than a full-size mattress, but always check the actual packaged dimensions and weight.

Best Mattress for Apartments in Australia: Final Verdict

For most Australian apartments, Queen is the best all-round mattress size for couples, while Double is a strong option for solo sleepers who want to preserve floor space. King Single is particularly useful when a narrow room needs extra sleeping length, while King is best reserved for apartments with enough bedroom space to maintain comfortable movement.

The mattress type should then be selected around your sleep needs.

Choose memory foam if you prioritise contouring comfort and motion isolation. Consider a hybrid if you want a more responsive feel combined with foam cushioning. An adjustable-firmness mattress can be particularly useful for couples whose comfort preferences differ.

Most importantly, do not choose an apartment mattress based on mattress dimensions alone. Measure the complete bedroom layout, account for the bed frame, check the delivery route and consider how the room needs to function after the bed is installed.

The best apartment mattress is not the largest mattress that fits. It is the mattress that gives you enough sleeping space while allowing the rest of your home to remain practical.

FAQs

What is the best mattress size for an apartment?

For most apartment couples, a Queen is the best balance between sleeping space and floor space. Solo sleepers may prefer a Double or King Single when the bedroom is smaller.

Is a King mattress too big for an apartment?

Not necessarily. A King can work well in a larger apartment bedroom, but the room must still have enough space for walking, furniture and door or wardrobe access.

Is a Double mattress good for apartment living?

Yes. A Double can be a practical choice for a solo adult who wants more sleeping space than a Single without using as much floor area as a Queen.

Are mattress-in-a-box mattresses good for apartments?

They can be particularly convenient where lift, hallway or doorway access is difficult. However, check the packaged dimensions, weight and delivery requirements before ordering.

What type of mattress is best for a small apartment bedroom?

There is no single best construction. Choose based on your sleeping style and comfort needs, then select a size and setup that preserves enough usable room around the bed.

How much space should I leave around an apartment bed?

A useful planning range is around 75–90 cm of clearance where possible, but the practical requirement depends on doors, wardrobes, furniture and the shape of the room.