Beds

So you’ve arrived in Chile and need a bed, and maybe you’ve even brought some sheets with you from abroad.  What should you buy?  What’s a cama americana?  What’s with all the plazas?

Chilean department and bedding stores sell many different size mattresses and even the standard sizes aren’t always so standard.  So break out that tape measure and start your shopping trip by browsing online.

The following table shows the most common bed sizes you’ll find in Chile:

Note that three of the sizes have a length that varies by 10cm.  Because of this it’s a good idea to choose bed, mattress and sheet sizes not just by name, but by the actual dimensions shown on the package or at the store.

After the size, you’ll need to decide whether you want a frame or a box spring.  A frame is simply called a cama, either platform-style or with wooden slats, and you buy a colchón (mattress) to go on top of it.

If you decide on a cama americana that is 2 plazas or larger, and you live in an older apartment or house, find out if the rigid box spring will fit through the doors/up the stairs/through the window.  If not, you will need to buy a box spring that comes in two pieces, called a base dividida.

Where to shop (linkme)

• Department stores
• Rosen (their outlet stores are worth a trip)
• Casa & Ideas (bedclothes only)

Vocab

• almohada pillow
• base box spring base ~ dividida divided base
• box spring usually refers to the mattress/box spring set
• cabecera headboard
• cama bed
• camarote bunk bed
• colcha knit bedspread
• colchón mattress
• colchoneta small, thin mattress made of foam or other light material, can refer to mats used in camping and for floor exercises like yoga
• cuna cradle
• cubrecama bedspread
• cubrecolchón mattress cover
• escaldasonno heating pad
• frazada blanket
• funda cover, as in pillowcase or comforter cover
• futón futon
• moisés bassinet
• plumón comforter, quilt, duvet (de pluma = feather-filled)
• respaldo headboard
• sábana sheet
• sommier mattress support to place in a bed frame, consisting of wooden slats connected by two strips of wood or cloth