TV Bed Buying Guide: Screen Sizes, Lifts and Frames

Choosing a TV bed comes down to three measurements and one decision. Measure your room, measure your television and find your nearest plug socket. Then decide which frame style and upholstery suit the way you live. If the screen fits within the lift’s stated maximum, the overall bed length leaves you a comfortable walkway and the motor can reach power without trailing cables across the floor, you are most of the way to the right bed.

This guide walks through each of those steps in order, from screen sizes and lift mechanisms to frames, bases and mattresses, so you can compare our TV beds UK sale range with a clear list of what matters.

Start With the Room, Not the Bed

A TV bed is longer than a standard bed of the same size because the television is housed in the footboard. That extra length is easy to forget when you are focused on mattress dimensions.

Before you look at styles, take three measurements:

• Wall to wall length from the wall where the headboard will sit to the opposite wall or nearest obstruction.
• Width across the room, so you can allow for bedside cabinets on both sides.
• Clearances for doors, wardrobe doors, drawers and radiators.

Then compare those figures with the overall external dimensions of the bed, not the mattress size. Leave enough space at the foot to walk past comfortably, and remember that wardrobe doors and chest of drawers need room to open fully. Our wider modern bedroom furniture UK range lists dimensions for every piece, which makes planning the whole layout easier.

Understanding UK Bed Sizes

TV beds follow standard UK mattress sizes, so your existing mattress may well fit. The common sizes are:

• Single: 90 by 190 cm
• Small double: 120 by 190 cm
• Double: 135 by 190 cm
• King: 150 by 200 cm
• Super king: 180 by 200 cm

Most TV beds are made in double, king and super king sizes because the footboard needs enough width to house the screen. Wider beds generally accept wider televisions. Keep in mind that the external frame is always larger than the mattress, and the TV footboard adds further length on top of that.

Screen Sizes: What Will Actually Fit

The screen size a TV bed can take is set by the internal cavity of the footboard. Width, height and depth all matter, and every model is different. Treat the maximum screen size in the product details as the figure to work from.

Measure the television itself

Screen sizes are quoted diagonally, but what really matters is the physical width and height of the television without its stand. Two televisions with the same diagonal size can differ in width because of bezel thickness. Measure yours with a tape rather than relying on the box.

Check the mounting pattern and weight

Lifts usually attach to the back of the television using the standard screw holes used for wall brackets. Check that your television’s hole pattern is supported and that its weight is within the lift’s limit. A heavier screen than the lift is designed for can strain the motor.

Think about viewing comfort

Because the screen rises from the foot of the bed, it sits closer to you than a wall mounted television across the room. A very large screen at that distance can feel overwhelming. For most bedrooms, a moderate screen that fits comfortably within the cavity gives a more relaxed view.

How TV Lifts Work

The lift is the heart of a TV bed. In most designs, an electric motor raises the screen out of the footboard and lowers it again at the press of a button. A few points are worth checking.

Controls

Most lifts are operated by a remote control or a wired hand control. A remote is convenient but can go missing among the bedding. A wired control stays put. Some beds include both.

Movement and noise

A good lift moves smoothly and steadily. You will hear a gentle motor hum while it is moving, which is normal. Ask whether the lift stops automatically at the top and bottom of its travel.

Power

The motor needs mains power, and so does the television. Plan where the cable will run. Ideally, it should exit near the foot or side of the bed and reach a nearby socket without crossing a walkway. Avoid stretching extension leads across the floor.

Cable management

Your television may also need an aerial lead, a streaming stick or a soundbar connection. Check that there is a route for these through the footboard so cables do not catch as the screen rises and falls.

Choosing a Frame Style

Once the practical side is clear, the frame style is about how you want the room to feel.

• Low profile frames keep the room feeling open and suit contemporary schemes and rooms with sloping ceilings.
• Tall or winged headboards make a statement and give good back support when sitting up to watch.
• Panelled or buttoned headboards add detail and suit more traditional or glamorous rooms.
• Clean, flat panel designs work in minimal rooms where the bed should not compete with other pieces.

Look at the height of the footboard with the screen lowered. A tall footboard hides the television completely but adds visual bulk. A lower one feels lighter but may limit screen height.

Upholstery Options

TV beds are usually upholstered, which keeps the footboard soft to bump into and hides the mechanism neatly.

• Faux leather is wipeable and consistent in colour.
• Genuine leather is hard wearing and ages with character.
• Velvet is soft with rich colour but needs regular brushing.
• Woven fabrics such as linen look or textured weaves are relaxed and breathable.

Choose based on who uses the room. Children and pets generally favour wipeable finishes. Adult only bedrooms can comfortably take softer fabrics.

Bases and Support

Underneath the mattress, most TV beds use either a sprung slatted base or a solid platform. Slats allow air to circulate, which helps keep a mattress fresh. A centre support rail and legs are important on larger sizes to stop sagging.

Some TV beds also include storage, either drawers or a lifting base. If storage matters to you, check whether the design includes it, as the lift mechanism takes up space at the foot of the bed.

Mattress Depth and Line of Sight

This is often overlooked. A very deep mattress raises your eye level when lying down, which changes how you see the screen. It can also sit higher than the side rails, which some people dislike visually. Check the recommended mattress depth for the frame. If you need a new mattress, our modern mattresses UK range lists depths and sizes clearly.

Do You Need a TV Bed or a Bracket?

It is worth asking the question honestly. If you have a suitable wall opposite the bed and do not mind a visible screen, a wall bracket is simpler. Our wall TV brackets UK range shows the alternatives. A TV bed makes more sense when you want the screen to disappear completely, when you rent and cannot drill, or when there is no suitable wall.

Planning the Rest of the Room

If you are weighing up a king against a double, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frames, mattresses and rooms explains how frame size differs from mattress size and how much floor space to allow.

With the bed chosen, think about what sits either side of it. Bedside cabinets need to be at a comfortable height relative to the mattress top, and they should not block the cable route to the socket. Our guide to bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms explains how to get those proportions right.

Your Quick Checklist

• Overall bed length fits with a walkway at the foot.
• Television width, height and weight sit within the lift’s limits.
• Mounting holes on the television are supported.
• A socket is within reach without trailing cables.
• The frame style and upholstery suit the room and its users.
• The mattress depth matches the frame’s guidance.
• Access through doors and stairs allows the parts to be carried in.

When you are ready to compare designs, the full range is available at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size TV fits in a TV bed?

It depends on the model. Each bed has a maximum screen size based on the footboard cavity. Measure your television’s physical width and height without its stand and compare it with the listed maximum.

Do TV beds need a plug socket?

Yes. The lift motor and the television both need mains power, so plan for a socket near the foot or side of the bed.

Can I use my existing mattress in a TV bed?

Usually, yes. TV beds follow standard UK mattress sizes. Check that your mattress depth suits the frame.

Are TV bed lifts noisy?

You will hear a gentle motor sound while the screen moves. Once it reaches the top or bottom, the lift is silent.