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.

Today, King-size has the largest slice of the UK bed size market pie with the frequency of Super King-size and bespoke purchases increasing year on year, the demands and needs of people today have shifted from the 4'6" double days of the 20th Century.