UK Bed Sizes Guide: Single, Double, King & Super King Dimensions

Choosing the right bed size affects everything from how well you sleep to how much storage you can squeeze into your bedroom. This guide breaks down the standard UK bed sizes — from single through to super king — so you can find the perfect fit for your space and needs.

You'll also find links to our single, small double, double, king, and super king storage bed collections.

Standard UK Bed Sizes Compared

Here's a quick reference for the standard UK bed dimensions. These measurements give you a baseline for planning your space.

These are the industry standard measurements used by most UK manufacturers. Exact dimensions can vary by a centimetre or two between brands — always check the specific product spec before buying.

This variation matters more than you think. The average UK home now has just 2.95 bedrooms, down from over 3.6 bedrooms in properties built between the 1930s–1980s, according to LABC research. Modern homes built from 2010 onwards are over 4 square metres smaller than those from the previous decade. Every centimetre counts.

Single Bed Sizes

How Big Is a Single Bed?

A standard UK single bed measures:

• Length: 190cm (6'3")
• Width: 90cm (3'0")
• Height: Varies by frame type, typically 25–45cm

Single beds are designed for one person and work well in smaller rooms, children's bedrooms, and guest rooms where space is at a premium.

Do Single Bed Sizes Differ by Brand?

Most UK manufacturers stick to the same standard dimensions, but small variations exist:

IKEA adds an extra 10cm to the length, which can matter if you're over six foot. Our single storage beds stick to the UK standard 190cm length and pair it with deep under-bed storage — ideal for maximising space without compromising comfort.

How Do You Measure for a Single Bed?

Start by measuring the bed frame itself — length, width, and height. Then add the space you'll need around it.

• At least 60–70cm clearance on the side you'll use to get in and out
• 50cm at the foot for comfortable walking space
• 40–50cm for any bedside furniture — a small table or lamp

If you're placing the bed against a wall, which is common for single beds, you only need clearance on one side.

Who Are Single Beds Suitable For?

Single beds work best for children, teenagers, and guest rooms in smaller homes. They're the practical choice when you need to fit a bed into a compact space without sacrificing too much floor area for other furniture or movement. In urban properties where bedrooms average just 9–10 square metres, a single bed often makes the difference between a functional room and a cramped one.

Small Double Bed Sizes

How Big Is a Small Double Bed?

Small double beds go by different names — "three-quarter," "queen" in some countries, or just "small double." A standard UK small double measures:

• Length: 190cm (6'3")
• Width: 120cm (4'0")
• Height: Varies by frame type, typically 25–45cm

The extra 30cm width over a single gives a single sleeper more room to move — useful for taller people or anyone who shifts around at night — while still fitting rooms that can't accommodate a full double.

Do Small Double Bed Sizes Differ by Brand?

Small doubles show slightly more variation than singles:

Browse our small double storage beds — each designed to make every centimetre count.

How Do You Measure for a Small Double Bed?

Follow the same principles as a single, but allow slightly more clearance:

• 60–70cm on each side if used as a shared bed
• 70cm on one side if placed against a wall
• 60cm at the foot for walking space

Who Are Small Double Beds Suitable For?

Small doubles suit single sleepers who want extra room, couples with limited space, and teenage bedrooms where a single feels outgrown. They're often the right answer for second bedrooms in flats or smaller terraced houses where a full double simply won't fit.

Double Bed Sizes

How Big Is a Double Bed?

A standard UK double measures:

• Length: 190cm (6'3")
• Width: 135cm (4'6")
• Height: Varies by frame type, typically 25–45cm

The double is the most popular choice for couples in the UK. The 135cm width gives each person roughly 67.5cm of sleeping space — more than a single bed but less than you'd get with a king.

Do Double Bed Sizes Differ by Brand?

Double beds show some variation, particularly in length:

IKEA adds both length and width. Most UK manufacturers stick to 135cm width as the standard. Our double storage beds give you the sleeping space you need plus massive under-bed storage for everything from suitcases to seasonal wardrobes.

How Do You Measure for a Double Bed?

Measure your room dimensions and the bed frame, then calculate clearance:

• 70–80cm on both sides so each person has easy access
• 60–70cm at the foot for comfortable movement
• If space is tight, prioritise side clearance over foot clearance

Who Are Double Beds Suitable For?

Doubles are the default choice for couples in most UK bedrooms, and they work equally well for a single sleeper who wants generous space. If your bedroom is 12 square metres or larger, you have room for a double with comfortable clearance. Below that, consider a small double instead.

According to UK housing standards, a double bedroom must legally measure at least 10.22 square metres. That's tight for a double bed plus furniture, which is why storage beds make such a difference.

King Size Bed Sizes

How Big Is a King Size Bed?

A standard UK king size measures:

• Length: 200cm (6'6")
• Width: 150cm (5'0")
• Height: Varies by frame type, typically 25–45cm

The king adds 15cm of width and 10cm of length over a double — a meaningful step up for couples, especially anyone over six foot.

Do King Size Bed Sizes Differ by Brand?

King sizes are fairly standardised across the UK:

Again IKEA goes wider — their "king" is closer to a UK super king. Our king size storage beds match the UK standard and deliver the deepest under-bed storage in their class.

How Do You Measure for a King Size Bed?

King beds need proper clearance to feel right in a room:

• 80cm on both sides is ideal
• 70cm at the foot to avoid the room feeling cramped
• Factor in bedside tables — a king deserves proper nightstands, not perched lamps

Who Are King Size Beds Suitable For?

King beds work best for couples who want a more luxurious sleep experience in their main bedroom. The extra width gives each person roughly 75cm of space — more than a single bed. This size is particularly popular with couples who have different sleep schedules or movement patterns. The additional space means you're less likely to disturb your partner when you move during the night.

Super King Size Bed Sizes

How Big Is a Super King Size Bed?

A standard super king measures:

• Length: 200cm (6'6")
• Width: 180cm (6'0")
• Height: Varies by frame type, typically 25–45cm

Super kings are the largest standard size available in the UK. The 180cm width gives each person 90cm of sleeping space — the equivalent of a full single bed each.

Do Super King Size Bed Sizes Differ by Brand?

Super king dimensions are remarkably consistent across UK manufacturers:

Finally, everyone agrees. Discover our super king size storage beds — the largest standard beds we make, with storage to match.

How Do You Measure for a Super King Size Bed?

Super kings demand proper space to breathe:

• 80–90cm on both sides
• 70–80cm at the foot
• Minimum room size: 14 square metres for the bed to feel at home

Who Are Super King Size Beds Suitable For?

Super kings are for couples who value sleep quality above everything else — and for anyone who shares a bed with children or pets and has run out of room. They're the standard in luxury hotels for a reason: the space genuinely changes how well you sleep.

The super king is also popular with people downsizing from larger homes. Nearly one in five UK homeowners over 50 have already downsized, representing approximately 4 million people. Many want to maintain their sleep quality even as they move to smaller properties — a super king bed with integrated storage helps them do exactly that.

How to Choose the Right Bed Size

The right size is a balance of four things:

• Who's sleeping in it — one person, two, a restless pet?
• The room it has to fit — measure before you fall in love with a size
• How else the room will work — wardrobes, seating, walking space
• Your budget — larger beds cost more, but the sleep pays dividends

The single most common mistake is buying the biggest bed that fits, leaving nowhere to walk around it. Clearance matters as much as the mattress itself.

How Do You Know What Bed Size Is Right for You?

The right bed size depends on several factors working together. Start with your available space — measure your room and calculate realistic clearance around the bed. A bed that fits technically but leaves no room to move creates a cramped, uncomfortable bedroom.

Consider who will use the bed and how. A guest bed can be smaller than your main bed. A child's bed should leave room for play space and other furniture. A couple's main bed should prioritise sleep quality, which usually means going as large as your space allows.

Think about how you'll use the room beyond sleeping. Do you need space for a desk, dresser, or seating area? Your bed size affects what else fits in the room. Finally, consider your budget — larger beds cost more, but the investment in sleep quality pays dividends in how you feel every day.