Can You Put a Full Size Mattress on a Queen Frame

Full-sized mattresses are space-saving and comfortable as a bed size option. Whether your queen bed was too much, or perhaps just a bit too old, some people will look to maximize space in a smaller bedroom by downsizing to a full size. However, before you commit to a new mattress, you need to ensure that it will fit your bed frame. If it doesn’t, you could be looking at some awkward sleeping.

Perhaps you have a beautiful queen-sized bed frame, but your old queen mattress just isn’t cutting it anymore, perhaps it was too much you want to keep the bed frame but perhaps downsize on the mattress. This will leave you wondering if it is possible for a full size mattress to fit a queen-sized frame.

Well, yes, a full size mattress can fit a queen-size frame, however, you may need to use some creativity to make up for the slight difference in the sizes. The sizes are not too different, but just plonking the mattress on the frame won’t do the trick. You need to get inventive, and we are here to help.

Why size matters

Sometimes size doesn’t matter, sometimes size does matter. Size does matter with bed frames and mattresses. A full sized bed frame is designed to accommodate a mattress that is 54” by 75” in size. On the other hand, a queen-sized bed frame is designed to accommodate a mattress that measures 60” by 80”. So, while the size difference is only a few inches, this does matter.

This is because a queen headboard and frame will have 6 extra inches of width beyond the border or your full size mattress. So, you will have 3 inches to spare on either side of your mattress.

The good news is that once you have outfitted your bed with your pillows, comforters, a bed skirt, your sheets and maybe a blanket or two, it will probably not be all that distinguishable. It won’t look too strange, but you may still want to make some adjustments, mainly if you have a headboard.

In many hotels, many spreads will feature beds with an oversized headboard that will extend beyond the mattress, so this is not uncommon, or even all that weird, however it depends on the overall aesthetic of the room, and your personal preference too.

Try adjusting your mattress frame

If you have a metal mattress frame, you can make some adjustments to make your mattress and bed frame fit together a little better. Some beds will have two metal mattresses support bars on either size that connect to the headboard and the footboard. Some other beds will have four sided metal mattress support frames that adjust to different widths to support many mattress sizes.

If you have a wooden headboard and footboard, with two metal mattress support bars then you should first check and see if the support bars are adjustable, and if you can adjust them from 80 inches for a queen-sized set up to a 75-inch full-size set up. If they are not adjustable, you can actually purchase full-size mattress support bars from most furniture stores.

To make these adjustments, unscrew the bolts connecting the support bars to the head and footboards and mark the positioning of the new holes for a full-size bed. You should evenly space these out from the centers of the headboard and footboard. You should also drill new holes that are the same size and are aligned with the old ones in order to properly connect the hardware.

Then place the box spring onto the support bars and put the mattress on top. The difference may not be too noticeable, and the bed should be perfectly comfortable.

Fixing the difference with four sided-metal bed frames that adjust is very simple and easy to do in comparison. Simply push the frame inward and lock into place if possible.

You can use brackets

If you want to adjust the brackets of a new bed frame this can be trickier. The overall priority here is to get adequate support from your mattress as you sleep. The ideal way to get support is to get a full size platform bed frame without a headboard. This is mainly in the case that you have a gorgeous queen-sized headboard you do not want to get rid of, and your bed frame needs replacing.

You want an option that will match with your headboard in material and color, if you can’t get this, think about covering it up with your bedding. You will need headboard brackets that you can secure to the new frame. And then you will need to mount the larger headboard to the new brackets and put down your mattress.

It is not overly complex, but if you have a beautiful headboard that doesn’t match in size, there is no reason to get rid of it.

What if I have a platform bed?

If you have a queen-size platform bed where the top extends out more than the side of the frame base, then there may be enough to cut the excess down for a full sized bed. You should mark 3 inches inward from the sides around all edges. Then you should use a long and straight line to connect these.

To cut this, a circular saw is the best bet, cut away the 3 inches from all sides of the frame, and you can then reinforce the structure with wooden studs and then wood glue. You can also add a nail wood trim to conceal the cut edges this way.

This is probably the easiest option for getting a full size mattress onto a queen frame. As long as you do not intend on putting a queen-sized mattress on there again in the future this is a great and easy fix.