How To Get King Mattress Upstairs: Practical Steps and FAQs

If you’re searching for “How To Get King Mattress Upstairs,” you’re likely staring at a large mattress and a narrow staircase, wondering if it will even fit. This guide explains what to expect, how to measure, safe lifting tips, and when to consider alternatives like split king or mattress-in-a-box styles.

What Makes Moving a King Mattress Upstairs So Difficult?

A standard king mattress is both wide and rigid, which makes tight corners, low ceilings, and narrow stairwells challenging. Even if the mattress is flexible, its overall size and lack of handles can make it awkward to maneuver.

Before you move anything, it helps to understand:

  • Typical king mattress dimensions: About 76" wide by 80" long
  • Weight: Can be heavy, especially with dense foam or hybrid constructions
  • Flexibility: Some all-foam mattresses bend more easily than innerspring designs

Knowing this helps you decide how many helpers you need and whether the mattress will realistically fit upstairs.

How To Get King Mattress Upstairs: Step-by-Step

1. Measure Your Mattress and Your Pathway

The first step in how to get king mattress upstairs is to check if it can physically pass through.

Measure:

  • Mattress: Width, length, and approximate thickness
  • Staircase width: The narrowest point
  • Ceiling height over stairs: Especially at turns or landings
  • Doorways and hallways: Frame width and any tight corners nearby

🔎 Key idea: If the diagonal of the mattress (corner to corner) is less than the open space around tight turns, you have a better chance of fitting it.

2. Plan the Route and Clear Obstacles

Walk through the path from the entry point to the bedroom:

  • Remove pictures, lamps, and small furniture along the way
  • Prop doors open or remove them if they block space
  • Check for low light fixtures or railings that might snag the mattress

A clear route reduces the chances of damage to walls, the mattress, and yourself.

3. Use the Right Technique and Enough Help

Trying to move a king mattress upstairs solo is often unsafe. At minimum:

  • Use two people, ideally three if stairs are narrow or steep
  • Keep a firm, balanced grip, and use a mattress bag or cover if available
  • Lift with your legs, not your back, and avoid twisting while carrying

Common techniques:

  • “Stand and slide”: Stand the mattress on its side, then gently slide and guide it up the stairs
  • “Tilt and pivot”: For tight turns, tilt one end up or down while the other person pivots the mattress slowly around the corner

Communication is essential—decide on simple cues like “stop,” “tilt,” and “rotate.”

4. What If the Mattress Seems Too Big for the Stairs?

Sometimes, even with planning, it feels impossible. In that case, consider these options:

Can you bend a king mattress?

Some all-foam mattresses can be gently bent or flexed to maneuver around tight spaces. However:

  • Avoid folding a mattress sharply in half
  • Do not bend mattresses with rigid borders or strong coils
  • Check for any warning labels about folding or bending

If a mattress resists bending, forcing it can damage the internal structure.

Is a split king or mattress-in-a-box easier?

  • A split king is two separate pieces, each closer in size to a twin, which are much easier to take upstairs.
  • Some mattresses arrive compressed and rolled in a box, which can be carried upstairs before opening. Once unboxed, they expand to full size in the room.

These alternatives are often chosen by people who know they have tight staircases or older homes.

5. How Do You Protect Your Mattress and Home While Moving It?

Scrapes and tears are common when learning how to get king mattress upstairs. You can reduce damage with simple steps:

  • Use a mattress bag or cover to shield fabric from dirt and scuffs
  • Cover sharp corners of walls or railings with towels or blankets
  • Move slowly and avoid dragging the mattress across rough surfaces

If you have to rest the mattress on the stairs for a moment, make sure it’s secure and stable before letting go.

6. When Should You Consider Help from Movers?

If your staircase has:

  • Very narrow turns
  • Low ceilings above landings
  • Spiral or curved steps

…then even careful planning may not be enough. In these cases, some people choose to:

  • Ask for help from experienced friends or neighbors
  • Consider professional movers familiar with large furniture in tight spaces

This can be especially useful when the mattress is heavy, expensive, or difficult to replace.

✅ Quick Mattress Takeaways

Key points to remember about How To Get King Mattress Upstairs

  • Measure first: Check mattress size, stair width, ceiling height, and doorways before moving.
  • Clear the path: Remove obstacles and protect walls and the mattress with covers or blankets.
  • Use enough help: Two or more people, with slow and steady lifting, make the process safer.
  • Adjust technique: Stand the mattress on its side, use tilting and pivoting for tight corners, and avoid sharp folding.
  • Consider alternatives: If access is too tight, a split king or mattress-in-a-box style may be easier to get upstairs.

Knowing how to get king mattress upstairs comes down to careful measuring, planning your route, and using safe, controlled movements. With the right preparation—and sometimes a different mattress style—you can set up a king-size sleep space even in homes with challenging staircases.