California King Beds are one of the largest beds available. They are 72” x 84”, making them four inches longer and four inches narrower than a standard King. California king beds are an ultra-luxurious bed. They’re ideal for tall sleepers and comfortably fit two people with room to spare. Make a bold statement by choosing a California King.
At 72” x 84”, California king-sized beds are slightly narrower and longer than a regular king-sized bed. They are ideal for couples, those who want to spread out with sumptuous space, or for piling on pets and little ones for extra cozy family time. They also are perfect for restless sleepers who tend to toss and turn throughout the night, or those who love to accentuate their bed with pillows.
Given the dimensions of a California king-size bed, this option should be reserved for rooms with an abundance of space to ensure you’ll be able to fit other furniture around it.
Is a California King bed a little too large for your room? Consider other bed dimensions:
Most California king beds are made of one mattress, however there are other variations, such as an adjustable bed or a pair of xl twin mattresses pushed together. Whatever your style, here are a few of the most common mattress types you will see when building out the bed of your dreams.
Foam Mattress
With materials such as memory foam or latex, a foam mattress is known for adapting to your body, offering relief and comfort.
Innerspring Mattress
Known for their bounce and firm support, an innerspring mattress has a coil support system to provide a structural core.
Hybrid Mattress
Blending the support of an innerspring mattress, with the comfort of foam, a hybrid mattress brings you the best of both worlds.
What Room Size is Needed for a California King?
There are several factors to consider when selecting the size of your bed — including room size, sleeping style, and body size. Start by measuring how much space you have in your bedroom.
Once you know the dimensions of the bedroom, factor in additional space that may be needed for accompanying furniture, like nightstands, lamps, or bedroom storage. Here are a few placement tips:
- Place your bed in the middle of a wall, and a pair of nightstands to either side
- Keep at least the to six inches of space around the bed to allow for bedding
- Try to allow for one to two feet of space from the edge of the nightstand to the wall
In general, a 12’ x 12’ room is the minimum size needed for a California-king bed, but this will differ based on additional furniture, doorway placement, and walkways. You do not want your bed to obstruct walkways or swinging doors, and you need enough space to pull out the drawers of your dresser without hitting your bed frame.
What Bed Frames Work Best with California King?
The best type of bed frame for you depends primarily on the bedroom size, your preferred style, and your budget. Here are the top four choices that are often paired with a California king bed:
Traditional / Frame-Only
The simplest bed frame available, this style consists of sturdy metal that’s designed to support your box spring and mattress without additional components (and offers storage space below the bed). With a minimal appearance and easy movability, it’s a great choice to start out with.
Designed to be solid and lie directly on the floor, platform bed frames eliminate the need for a box spring, while still providing the minimal, sleek appearance associated with frame-only styles.
Add an air of grandeur to bedrooms with this dramatic style. Four-poster beds feature a tall post at each bed corner, often connected at the top by a rail. You can also drape fabric over and around the posts to create a luxurious feel.
Curved headboards and footboards give this frame its sleigh-inspired shape, making it a great option for more spacious bedrooms. Typically made from solid wood, they tend to be on the heavier side, something to keep in mind if you will need to move your bed frequently.
Large area rugs are ideal for spacious bedrooms. These larger-sized rugs accommodate multiple pieces of furniture such as a bed, nightstands, and an accent bench or chest to rest at the foot of the bed.
There are multiple ways to add in a rug to your space, from tucking the rug against the wall to frame the entire bed, putting the rug two-thirds of the way up for foot-of-the-bed furniture, or tucking it just under the bottom third of the bed to extend farther into the room.
What Size Rug Looks Best with a California King Bed?
When adding a rug into a bedroom space, you have a few options. Center the rug under the bed with center the rug and ensure all front legs of furniture are situated on it.
The minimum rug size for California king beds. Best for fitting under the bed as well as under nightstands and an accent bench.
10 x 14
Great for larger rooms. Best for having spare room on all sides.
12 x 15
Great for California king beds or large rooms. Best for fitting under the bed frame, nightstands, and an accent bench as well as giving ample room to all sides.
Get the Right Bedding
California king beds need the right-sized bedding to ensure it stays fitted and you stay comfortable all night long. While some king-sized bed fittings can also fit on a California king, you want to make sure all sides of your bed are properly covered. Here are some sizing tips:
A classic pillow would be too small for your king-sized or California king-sized bed. Instead, opt for a king pillow, which measures 20” x 36”, making it 10 inches longer than the average pillow This helps fill up and balance the bed while always giving you a place to rest your head during the night.
Whether you want a large space to sleep solo or need the extra space, we’re here to help you craft your perfect bedroom. Search our curated collection of California king sized beds to find your perfect fit.