The Alaskan King mattress, measuring an impressive 108 x 108 inches (9 feet by 9 feet), is the largest commercially available bed size, offering 11,664 square inches of luxurious sleeping space—nearly twice that of a standard King (6,080 square inches). Ideal for co-sleeping families, pet owners, tall individuals, or those seeking a spacious sleep sanctuary, this oversized mattress transforms a bedroom into a haven of comfort. However, its massive footprint demands careful planning to ensure it fits your space and lifestyle. Measuring your room accurately is critical to accommodating an Alaskan King mattress, along with its bed frame, bedding, and delivery logistics. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to measure your room, assess accessibility, and prepare for a seamless integration of an Alaskan King mattress into your home.
Understanding the Alaskan King Mattress
Before diving into measurements, it’s essential to grasp the Alaskan King’s unique dimensions and requirements. With a square 9x9-foot footprint, it dwarfs other large mattresses like the California King (72 x 84 inches) or Wyoming King (84 x 84 inches). Its size makes it perfect for families—45% of dog owners and 62% of cat owners in the U.S. sleep with their pets—or for accommodating multiple children during co-sleeping. As one customer noted, “With five kids that often frequent our bed at night, it affords us plenty of space for us all to get a good night’s rest.”
However, the Alaskan King’s size comes with challenges:
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Room Space: A minimum room size of 15x15 feet is recommended to ensure comfort and accessibility.
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Weight: The mattress can weigh 200–300 pounds, requiring a sturdy bed frame.
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Bedding: Custom sheets and accessories are necessary, as standard sizes won’t fit.
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Delivery: The mattress’s bulk may complicate transport through doorways, stairwells, or elevators.
Proper measurement ensures your room can accommodate the bed and its accessories while allowing for easy delivery and setup.
Step 1: Measure Your Room’s Dimensions
The first step is to determine whether your bedroom can comfortably house an Alaskan King mattress and its frame. Here’s how to measure your room accurately:
Tools Needed
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Tape Measure: A retractable metal tape measure (at least 25 feet long) for precise measurements.
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Notebook and Pen: To record measurements and sketch a floor plan.
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Level: To check floor evenness, as uneven floors can affect bed stability.
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Assistant: A second person to hold the tape measure for accuracy.
Measuring Room Size
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Measure Length and Width:
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Extend the tape measure along the longest wall to measure the room’s length.
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Measure the width along the adjacent wall, from wall to wall.
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Record measurements in inches and convert to feet (e.g., 180 inches = 15 feet).
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Minimum Requirement: The Alaskan King mattress alone requires a 9x9-foot space, but experts recommend a room of at least 15x15 feet (180 x 180 inches) to accommodate the mattress, bed frame (which may add 4–12 inches per side), and additional furniture like nightstands or dressers.
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Measure Ceiling Height:
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Use the tape measure to check the height from floor to ceiling.
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A standard ceiling height of 8 feet is usually sufficient, but if you’re considering a canopy bed frame (common with Alaskan Kings), ensure the ceiling is at least 9–10 feet to avoid a cramped feel.
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Account for Windows, Doors, and Obstacles:
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Note the location and size of windows, doors, vents, or built-in furniture.
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Ensure the bed’s placement won’t block windows or vents, which could affect ventilation or safety.
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Measure the distance from walls to windows or doors to confirm the bed won’t obstruct access.
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Check Floor Evenness:
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Use a level to ensure the floor is flat. Uneven floors can cause the bed frame to wobble, affecting mattress longevity.
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If the floor is uneven, consider leveling solutions or adjustable bed frames.
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Recommended Room Size
A 15x15-foot room provides a 3-foot clearance on all sides of the mattress, allowing space for:
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Nightstands: Typically 24–30 inches wide.
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Walking Space: At least 24–36 inches for comfortable movement.
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Other Furniture: Dressers, chairs, or ottomans.
For smaller rooms (e.g., 12x12 feet), the Alaskan King may fit but could feel cramped, limiting furniture options and accessibility. One reviewer on Reddit’s r/Mattresses cautioned, “We barely fit our Alaskan King in a 13x13 room, but it’s tight. Wish we had more space for nightstands.”
Step 2: Measure Access Points for Delivery
Delivering an Alaskan King mattress is a logistical challenge due to its size and weight. Many manufacturers, like Mattress Insider or Von Viva, offer modular designs that ship in three zippered pieces, simplifying transport. However, you must ensure the mattress can navigate your home’s access points.
Key Measurements
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Doorways:
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Measure the width and height of all doorways from the exterior entrance to the bedroom, including front doors, interior doors, and bedroom doors.
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Standard doorways are 36 inches wide and 80 inches tall. Modular Alaskan King mattresses (compressed to 36 x 36 inches per piece) typically fit, but one-piece designs may require wider openings (48–60 inches).
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Note any tight corners or angles in hallways that could complicate maneuvering.
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Stairwells:
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For multi-story homes, measure the width, height, and depth of stairwells.
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Check for handrails, landings, or low ceilings that could obstruct passage.
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A Reddit user in Alaska shared, “We had to use a freight forwarder to get our Alaskan King up a narrow staircase. Measure everything twice!”
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Elevators (if applicable):
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For apartments or condos, measure the elevator’s interior dimensions (width, depth, height) and door opening.
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Ensure the elevator’s weight capacity exceeds the mattress’s weight (200–300 pounds) plus delivery personnel.
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Hallways:
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Measure the width and height of hallways leading to the bedroom.
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Note any light fixtures, moldings, or other protrusions that could interfere.
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Delivery Tips
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Modular Mattresses: Companies like Mattress Insider ship Alaskan Kings in three compressed pieces, which fit through standard 36-inch doorways. Von Viva’s tool-free assembly further simplifies setup.
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In-Home Delivery: Brands like Alaskan King Bed Company offer white-glove delivery, where professionals handle transport and setup, ideal for tight spaces.
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Temporary Removal: Consider removing doors or hinges temporarily to widen access points.
Step 3: Assess Bed Frame and Furniture Compatibility
The Alaskan King mattress requires a sturdy, custom-built bed frame, as standard frames won’t suffice. Measuring for the frame and other furniture ensures a cohesive bedroom setup.
Bed Frame Measurements
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Frame Dimensions: Alaskan King bed frames typically add 4–12 inches to each side of the mattress, resulting in a total footprint of 116–132 inches (9.7–11 feet) per side. For example, Alaskan King Bed Company’s platform frame adds 6 inches per side, requiring a 120 x 120-inch space.
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Height: Measure the frame’s height, including headboards or canopies. A low-profile frame (8–12 inches) suits standard 8-foot ceilings, while canopy frames may need 9–10 feet.
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Weight Capacity: Ensure the frame supports the mattress (200–300 pounds) plus sleepers (e.g., 600–1,000 pounds for a family of four). Frames from BigBeds.com use aluminum-reinforced slats for up to 2,000 pounds.
Furniture Placement
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Nightstands: Allow 24–30 inches on each side for nightstands. Measure their depth to ensure they don’t block walkways.
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Dressers or Wardrobes: Place these along walls opposite the bed, leaving at least 36 inches for drawers to open fully.
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Clearance: Maintain 24–36 inches of walking space around the bed for comfort and safety.
Step 4: Plan for Bedding and Accessories
Alaskan King mattresses require custom bedding, as standard King or California King sheets won’t fit. Measuring for bedding ensures a proper fit and enhances the sleep experience.
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Sheets and Mattress Protectors: Confirm the mattress’s exact dimensions (108 x 108 inches) and depth (typically 10–14 inches). Companies like alaskankingbeds.com offer bamboo Lyocell sheets with deep pockets and elastic bands for a secure fit. One customer raved, “Love the bamboo Alaskan King sheets! They are cooler than any other bamboo sheets I have.”
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Comforters and Blankets: Choose oversized comforters (e.g., 120 x 120 inches) to drape over the mattress and frame. Big Mattress Co. provides matching duvet covers.
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Pillows: Standard pillows (20 x 26 inches) work, but consider larger Euro pillows (26 x 26 inches) for aesthetic balance.
Step 5: Double-Check and Visualize the Layout
Before purchasing, create a floor plan to visualize the Alaskan King’s placement:
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Sketch the Room: Draw a to-scale floor plan, marking the mattress (108 x 108 inches), frame (116–132 inches), and furniture.
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Use Tape or Cardboard: Outline the bed’s footprint on the floor with painter’s tape or cardboard to simulate its size. Walk around it to ensure clearance.
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Test Accessibility: Trace the delivery path from the entrance to the bedroom, confirming all measurements align.
Online tools like RoomSketcher or Floorplanner can help create digital layouts, ensuring accuracy.
Step 6: Consider Budget and Logistics
An Alaskan King mattress costs $3,000–$8,000, with bed frames ($1,000–$3,000) and bedding ($200–$500) adding to the expense. Financing options, like 0% APR from Alaskan King Bed Company, can help. Factor in delivery costs, which may be free (e.g., Mattress Insider) or require white-glove service ($200–$500).
Logistical tips:
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Modular Designs: Choose brands like Von Viva or Mattress Insider for easier delivery.
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Trial Periods: Big Mattress Co. offers a 100-night trial, allowing you to test the fit.
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Warranty: Most Alaskan Kings come with a 10-year warranty, ensuring long-term value.
Conclusion
Measuring your room for an Alaskan King mattress requires careful attention to room size, access points, bed frame compatibility, and bedding needs. A minimum 15x15-foot room, 36-inch-wide doorways, and sturdy frame are essential for a seamless fit. By using a tape measure, sketching a floor plan, and considering modular designs, you can ensure the mattress integrates effortlessly into your home. Companies like Alaskan King Bed Company, Von Viva, Nolah Sleep, and Mattress Insider offer solutions to simplify delivery and setup, making the Alaskan King a luxurious, family-friendly addition to your bedroom. With proper planning, you can transform your sleep space into a spacious, comfortable retreat for years to come. Follow this link for More insite about Alaskan King Bed
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