Bed Sizes

What bed sizes are available in the UK?

When looking to purchase a bed the first determining factor is size. Standard bed sizes in the UK are; singles, which are three foot wide by six foot three inches long, doubles which are four foot six inches wide by six foot three inches long, king-size which is five foot wide by six foot six inches long or super king-size which is six foot wide by six foot six inches long. Bed sizes are very flexible in the UK and manufacturers will often specify beds in a variety of additional widths and lengths which are available. In addition to this there are the "bespoke" manufacturers who will make a bed to the size and shape of your need.

Table of bed sizes:

3'0" x 6'3" (90cm x 190cm) - Single

4'0" x 6'3" (120cm x 190cm) - Small Double

4'6" x 6'3" (135cm x 190cm) - Double

5'0" x 6'6" (150cm x 200cm) - Kingsize

6'0" x 6'6" (180cm x 200cm) - Super Kingsize

Why size matters?

In 1988 sleep expert Dr Chris Idzikowski, director of the Edinburgh Sleep Centre found that swapping an old bed for a new one could account for on average 42 minutes' extra sleep per night. Simply put, sleeping on the right bed is one of the most important things you need to do to ensure you're getting a good night's sleep. It is recommended that a bed should allow for six inches more than the height of the tallest person whom sleeps in a bed.

That means that at just over 6 foot I need a Kingsize mattress at the very least!

King-size is King

It's equally important to consider the width of your bed, when a standard double is only four foot six inches wide. Sharing a bed of this size effectively means two foot three inches each. Today the majority of the double bed market is for guest or spare rooms where space can be at a premium and for teenagers who like having the additional sleeping space, moving up from a three foot.

If you are looking for a new bed but are unsure what to get then please read on.

In the UK bed sizes are pretty standard. So what bed should you get? Well there a number of questions you need to ask yourself before going out and buying a bed.

How big is my room?

This can be the most limiting factor on what bed you decide to get. The rule of thumb is to get a bed which is the most prominent piece of furniture in your room but isn't so large that it overwhelms the room. Think big, but not too big.

How big are you?

You need a bed that is comfortable for your body size and shape. Over the last hundred years people have gotten bigger and this is why we have seen a growth in the popularity of king size beds and super king size beds. A double just doesn't cut it for many people anymore.

How much can you spend?

Your budget will also be a factor in what bed you get. As a rule beds are more expensive the larger they get. This makes sense as these mattresses use more material and cost more to move around.

So after you have considered all these factors, what sizes are there to chose from? Well in the UK there are a set of standard bed sizes. These are different to bed sizes in other parts of the world, particularly America.

Single Bed

The single bed size is ideal for younger children and is the stepping stone from the crib to the double bed. These beds are also great to be used in a guest room or as a spare bed. Obviously these beds shouldn't really be used for couples.

Double Bed

The double bed used to be the bed of choice for two people. Recently however the average person has become both taller and heavier and as such the King size bed is becoming more and more popular with couples.

King Size Bed

This is perhaps the first port of call for couples buying a bed now. That little bit of extra room the Kind size offers can make a world of difference to your sleep.

Super-King Size Bed

The king of all beds. If you try this bed you will never want to go back. The trouble is these beds cost more and they take up a lot of space. So you need deep pockets and a large bedroom.