Choosing the right bed size for your bedroom
What bed size should you choose for your bedroom?
There is plenty of medical research to suggest that getting good quality sleep is as important to human health as getting regular exercise and eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet. The quality of sleep you get affects how rested you feel, and that can have a major impact on your physical and mental health.
According to the National Bed Federation, two people sharing a standard double size bed only have as much personal sleeping space as a baby in a cot. So, when it comes to beds, bigger is better! The more space you have in bed, the more comfortably you’ll be able to sleep. So, it makes sense to invest in the biggest bed you can afford, provided it also fits comfortably in your bedroom. It’s worth putting some thought into what size bed will give you the best night’s sleep, but what should you consider when you’re shopping for a bed?
We’ll help you decide which UK bed size is right for you. If you haven’t already, you can read our bedding size guide to learn more about the differences in UK, European and US bed and bedding sizes.
Single size beds are usually designed for one person and are suitable for very small bedrooms. A standard double bed is not ideal for 2 people either, so for a comfortable night’s sleep we recommend that single adults should have a double bed at least (if there is space to accommodate this). While couples should consider a king size bed to start.
Your bed should be at least 10cm longer than the tallest person who’ll be sleeping in it, so that they aren’t having to curl up or have their feet dangling off the edge! If you or your partner are taller than 5ft 11” (180cm), that means you’ll need a king size bed for maximum comfort.
Your bed needs to be proportional to the size of your bedroom, because a small bed will look a bit lost in a large room, while a large bed will make a small room feel even smaller. As a guideline, a 1:3 ratio of bed to bedroom works best but this isn’t always practical, particularly in cramped new build houses. Remember that you’ll still need space to walk around the edges of the bed comfortably, so aim to make sure that you leave 24 to 30 inches between the bed frame and wall on each side of the bed.
Your bed likely isn’t the only item of furniture in your bedroom, so you’ll need to leave space for other pieces of furniture! From bedside tables, chest of drawers and wardrobes, any furniture will need 24 to 30 inches between the bed and the item so that you can move around easily.
Now let’s take a look at which bed size is best for you and your room.
*When estimating the recommended bedroom sizes in the examples below, we have assumed that the mattress lies on a bed frame that is 10cm larger in both width and length than the mattress. Mattress sizes are assumed to that of UK standard mattress sizes.
a) Buying a Single bed?
A standard UK size single bed measures 90x190cm. You should measure your room to make sure that the bed can fit with enough walking and storage space. For the best level of comfort, we recommend that your room should be at least 65 sq. ft. in order to fit a single bed.
To accommodate a single bed, a bedroom measuring at least 175cm (W) x 335cm (L) would be most suitable - assuming there’s a 60cm deep wardrobe against one wall with walking space of at least 60cm (24”) to 75cm (30") after allowing space for radiators.
b) Buying a Double bed?
A standard UK double bed measures 135cm x 190cm. European sized double beds are slightly longer and roomier, measuring 140cm x 200cm. Again, you should measure your room to make sure that the bed can comfortably fit with enough walking and storage space around the room!
We recommend that your room should be at least 105 sq. ft. in order to fit a standard UK size double bed.
A bedroom measuring at least 295cm (W) x 335cm (L) would be most suitable to accommodate a double bed - assuming there are wardrobes on only 1 wall side of 60cm depth & walking space of 24" - 30" around 3 sides of the bed (minimum) after allowing space for radiators.
c) Buying a King Size bed?
The king sized bed is the most popular bed size in Europe, allowing two people to sleep comfortably. Whilst the standard double bed, in the UK, is the most popular size, people are increasingly upgrading for a King size bed for a luxurious sleep.
A UK size king bed measures 150cm x 200cm, while a European size king bed is a slightly wider 160cm x 200cm. So the minimum room size should be at least 115 sq. ft.
A bedroom measuring at least 310cm (W) x 345cm (L) would be most suitable to accommodate a king sized bed - assuming there are wardrobes on only 1 wall side of 60cm depth & walking space of 24" - 30" around 3 sides of the bed (minimum) after allowing space for radiators.
d) Should I buy a Super King size bed?
If your bedroom is large enough to accommodate this sized bed, you should absolutely choose this option without hesitation!
The comfort you and your partner would get by sleeping on a bed this size would be luxury hotel standard, especially when you consider that it is 30cm wider than a UK king size bed (and 45cm wider than a UK double).
Considering that a super king sized bed measures 180cm x 200cm, the bedroom must be at least 125 sq. ft.
A bedroom measuring at least 340cm (W) x 345cm (L) would be most suitable to accommodate a super-king sized bed - assuming there are wardrobes on only 1 wall side of 60cm depth & walking space of 24" - 30" around 3 sides of the bed (minimum) after allowing space for radiators.
The importance of quality bed sheets in the right size:
When you’ve treated yourself to that new bed, why not treat yourself to a gorgeous new set of Strawberry & Cream organic cotton bed sheets to go on it?
Getting the correct sized bedding is also important as it's more comfortable and looks more attractive. Oversized or under-sized, ill-fitting sheets not only look untidy but also can impact the sleep quality.