To choose a TV bed for a studio flat, start with the floor plan rather than the bed. Measure the wall you plan to use, the full length the frame will need including the footboard, and the clearance around it. Then decide on mattress size, lift type, storage and upholstery in that order. Get those decisions right and the bed will make the studio feel larger, not smaller.
This guide works through each decision step by step. You can compare the options as you go across our range of modern TV beds UK sale, which includes single, double and larger sizes in fabric, velvet and leather finishes.
A studio has fixed elements you cannot move: the front door, the kitchen run, the bathroom door, windows and radiators. Sketch these onto a simple plan with measurements. The bed needs to sit somewhere that does not block any of them.
The strongest position is usually a long, unbroken wall away from the kitchen. It gives you a sensible viewing distance from the pillows to the footboard and keeps the bed out of the main walkway. An alcove or recess is even better, because it frames the bed and creates a natural sleeping area.
Once you know where the bed will go, you can judge how it relates to the rest of your bedroom furniture UK, such as wardrobes, drawers and bedside tables, and how much space each one needs.
The mattress size is only part of the story. A TV bed footboard contains the lift mechanism and the screen, so it is deeper than a conventional footboard. The headboard also adds a few centimetres. Always work from the overall product dimensions.
Use masking tape to mark the full outline on the floor. Live with it for a day. Walk around it, open the wardrobe, step out of the bathroom and cook a meal. This simple test reveals problems that a tape measure alone will not.
Check vertical space as well. The television rises straight up from the footboard, so make sure there is no shelf, low pendant or window blind directly above it.
Studios vary enormously in size, so there is no single correct answer. Use these UK sizes as a guide:
| Size | Mattress dimensions | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 by 190cm | Very compact studios used by one person |
| Small double | 120 by 190cm | One person who wants room to spread out |
| Double | 135 by 190cm | Couples in an average studio |
| King size | 150 by 200cm | Larger studios and loft style apartments |
For most studio flats, a small double or double offers the right balance. A king size can work in a generous open plan apartment, but in a typical studio it may leave too little space for seating and storage.
Most TV beds use an electric lift operated by a handheld remote. You press a button and the screen rises from the footboard, then lowers back out of sight when you are finished. This is the easiest system to live with day to day.
When comparing designs, check three things. First, the maximum screen size and weight the lift supports. Second, the bracket fitting, so you know your television will attach securely. Third, the location of the power supply and control box, which affects where the bed can go in relation to a socket.
In a studio, the quietness of the lift matters more than in a separate bedroom, because there is no door to close between you and anyone else in the flat. A smooth, steady action is worth prioritising.
Consider your viewing height as well. When the screen is fully raised, its centre should sit roughly level with your eyes as you lean against the headboard. Mattress depth, pillow height and the height of the footboard all affect this. If you plan to use a particularly deep mattress or a mattress topper, check the recommended depth for the frame so the screen does not end up too low. A comfortable eye line makes a real difference on evenings when you watch for more than an hour, and it means you will not need to prop yourself up awkwardly with extra pillows.
Studios rarely have enough storage. A TV bed with an ottoman base gives you a large, hidden space beneath the mattress without taking any extra floor area. Use it for bedding, luggage and clothes you do not need every week.
Side drawer storage is an alternative, but it needs clear floor space beside the bed for the drawers to open. In tight layouts, an ottoman is usually more practical because it lifts upwards.
Think about the rest of your storage at the same time. A tall, narrow chest of drawers can hold far more than a wide, low one while using less floor space, and a drawer unit placed at the end of a kitchen run can double as a room divider.
The hardest part of studio living is making one room feel like several. A TV bed helps because it removes the need for a separate media unit, but you still need to mark where sleeping ends and living begins.
A freestanding screen or open shelving unit can create a gentle partition without blocking light. Our modern room dividers UK are designed to section off a sleeping area while keeping the room open. Open shelving works in a similar way and adds storage at the same time.
Rugs are another effective tool. A rug beneath the seating area defines the living space, while a separate rug at the side of the bed marks the sleeping zone. Browse our modern rugs UK sale for sizes that suit smaller rooms.
Lighting completes the effect. Keep bright task lighting in the kitchen and workspace, and use softer lamps near the bed. Switching between them signals a change of mood without any structural change.
In a studio, the bed is on show all day. Its finish should suit the rest of the room and stand up to daytime use.
Fabric feels warm and relaxed, and textured weaves hide small marks well. It sits naturally alongside a sofa.
Velvet adds depth of colour and a soft sheen. It suits studios where you want the bed to feel like a statement piece.
Faux leather wipes clean easily and does not hold cooking odours in the same way. It is a practical choice for open plan rooms with a kitchen.
Real leather brings a tailored, long lasting look that develops character over time, with a little regular conditioning.
Choose a colour that relates to the largest surfaces in the room: the floor, the kitchen units or the sofa. Neutrals keep a studio feeling open, while one deeper shade can add personality if the rest of the scheme is calm.
Studio flats are often in converted buildings or apartment blocks with narrow stairs and small lifts. Check the dimensions of the largest box, usually the footboard section, and measure the route from the street to your door.
Plan where you will unpack. You will need floor space to lay out the frame pieces, and the mattress should go on last, once the lift has been tested. Keep the instructions for the mechanism somewhere safe for future reference.
A well chosen TV bed gives a studio flat a sense of order. It handles sleep, storage and entertainment in one footprint and leaves the rest of the room free for living. Take your time with the floor plan, and the right size and style usually becomes clear. Once the bed is decided, our guide to chests of drawers in small UK rooms can help you plan the rest of your storage. You can see our complete bedroom collection at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
For most studios, a small double or double gives the best balance between sleeping comfort and usable floor space. Larger open plan apartments may have room for a king size.
It varies by design, as the footboard houses the lift and screen. Always check the overall dimensions listed for the bed rather than relying on mattress size alone.
Yes. The screen lives inside the footboard, so you do not need a separate stand or wall bracket, which frees up both floor and wall space.
Use a room divider or open shelving, rugs to define each zone and different lighting for sleeping and living. These create separation without blocking light.
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