Super King TV Beds vs Footboard TV Beds: Which Is Right for Your Home?

The choice between a super king TV bed and a footboard TV bed is really a choice between prioritising width and prioritising the design of the footboard itself. A super king takes a 180 x 200 cm mattress and gives two people the most sleeping space of any standard UK size, along with room for a wider screen. A footboard TV bed, in the sense most people use the phrase, is one where the footboard is the defining feature: its height, shape and finish shape the whole look of the bed. Every lift TV bed hides its screen in a footboard, so the question is which of these two qualities should lead your decision.

Below we look at what each priority brings, where they overlap and how to decide for your room. Our range of modern TV beds UK sale lists both the mattress size and the footboard dimensions for every design, and our wider bedroom furniture UK collection helps with planning the rest of the room.

Understanding the footboard

On a TV bed, the footboard does far more than finish the end of the frame. It houses the lift mechanism, the television bracket and the cables, and it has a lid at the top through which the screen rises. Its height determines how much of the screen is hidden when lowered and how high the screen sits when raised.

Footboards vary considerably. Some are tall and solid, creating a strong block at the end of the bed. Others are lower and slimmer, with the screen rising further to reach viewing height. The upholstery, shape of the top edge and any stitching or panelling all affect how the bed reads in the room.

When people talk about choosing a footboard TV bed, they usually mean choosing a design where that panel has been carefully considered, so the bed looks balanced whether the screen is up or down.

What a super king brings

A super king offers 30 cm more width than a king size and 45 cm more than a standard double. For couples who sleep restlessly, have different schedules or share the bed with a child or pet in the early morning, that space makes a real difference to rest.

The wider frame also means a wider footboard, so super king TV beds generally accept larger televisions than smaller sizes. If you already own a broad screen, a super king may be the only size that houses it comfortably. Check the listed maximum screen width and weight before ordering.

The trade off is floor space. A super king frame, with its upholstered sides and deep footboard, needs a generous room. Our selection of super king size fabric beds UK gives a clear sense of how this size sits in a bedroom, even before the TV mechanism is added.

What a well designed footboard brings

If your room is modest, putting the footboard first may serve you better than chasing width. A thoughtfully designed footboard on a double or king size bed can look refined and keep the room feeling balanced, while still housing a good sized screen.

A lower footboard keeps sight lines open, which makes a room feel larger. A taller footboard gives more presence and can hide a bigger screen fully when lowered. Rounded top edges feel softer and suit relaxed schemes; squared edges look sharper and more tailored.

The footboard also affects comfort. If it is very tall relative to your mattress height, you may find yourself looking slightly up at the lid rather than over it. If you sit up in bed to watch television, check that your eye line clears the top of the footboard comfortably.

Where they overlap

A super king TV bed still has a footboard, and the quality of that footboard matters just as much on a wide bed as on a narrow one. In fact, on a super king, the footboard is broader and more visible, so its proportions become even more important. A tall, heavy footboard across 180 cm of width can feel imposing; a slimmer, well finished one keeps the bed elegant.

So the best approach in a large room is often to choose a super king for width and then compare footboard designs within that size.

Deciding by room size

In a large main bedroom, a super king usually makes sense. Mark the full frame on the floor and check that you can walk around both sides and across the foot of the bed with the television raised. If that works comfortably, the extra width is a genuine benefit.

In a medium bedroom, a super king may leave too little space for bedside cabinets and storage. Here, a king size or double with a carefully chosen footboard will often feel better proportioned.

In a smaller room, focus entirely on the footboard. A lower, neatly finished panel on a double or small double frame helps the room feel calmer and leaves space for movement.

Footboard styles worth knowing

Footboards on TV beds tend to fall into a few broad types. A squared footboard has crisp corners and a flat top, giving a tailored look that suits contemporary rooms. A rounded footboard has a softened top edge and curved corners, which feels more relaxed and pairs well with curved headboards.

A panelled footboard uses stitched sections or channels to break up the surface. On a wide super king, this detail adds interest to what would otherwise be a large plain panel. A buttoned footboard repeats a Chesterfield headboard and creates a matching, traditional look.

Some footboards are slightly lower at the centre than at the ends, or have a lid that sits flush with the upholstery. These details matter most when the television is lowered, as the footboard is then the main thing you see. Look at product photographs with the screen down as well as up to judge the full effect.

Mattress and viewing height

The mattress depth sets your sitting height, which in turn decides how well you can see over the footboard. Each bed lists a recommended mattress depth. A mattress that is too deep may lift you so high that the footboard sits awkwardly in your view; too shallow, and the screen may feel slightly high.

Our range of mattresses UK sale lists depth alongside size, which helps you match the two. For a broader look at how frame size relates to room size, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room planning explains the measurements that matter, and the same principles apply to a super king.

Bedside furniture

A super king spreads wide across the wall, so bedside cabinets need careful sizing. Too small and they look lost; too large and they crowd the walkway. Height matters too: the top of the cabinet should sit roughly level with the top of the mattress so you can reach a lamp or glass of water easily.

Our article on bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms sets out sensible heights and widths for different bed sizes.

Practical points for both

• Power. The electric lift needs a mains socket near the foot of the bed.
• Glare. Avoid placing the raised screen opposite a bright window.
• Access. Check stairs and doorways, as the footboard box is often the largest.
• Clearance. Keep the lid clear before raising the television.
• Cleaning. Vacuum the top of the footboard regularly, as dust gathers along the lid.

Assembly and access

A super king TV bed is a substantial piece of furniture, and it arrives in several boxes. The footboard section, which contains the lift, is often the heaviest and largest. Before ordering, measure the narrowest point of your stairs, the tightest turn on the landing and the width of the bedroom door.

Clear the room before assembly so you have space to lay the panels flat. Two adults working together will find the process manageable, and it helps to fit the television only once the frame is fully assembled and in its final position. Keep the instructions and any spare fixings somewhere safe, such as inside a bedside drawer, in case you need to move the bed later.

A simple way to decide

If the room is large, you share the bed and you want a bigger screen, start with a super king and then judge the footboards within that size. If the room is moderate or small, start with the footboard design that suits the space and choose the largest bed that still leaves comfortable walkways.

Either way, you can compare dimensions, footboard heights and finishes in one place at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently asked questions

Do all TV beds have a footboard?

Lift TV beds do, because the television and mechanism are housed inside it. Designs differ in footboard height, shape and finish.

What size mattress does a super king TV bed take?

A super king takes a 180 x 200 cm mattress in standard UK sizing. Stay within the recommended depth for comfortable viewing.

Does a super king TV bed take a bigger television?

Generally, yes, because the footboard is wider. Always check the maximum screen size and weight on the product page.

Is a tall or low footboard better?

A low footboard keeps a room feeling open, while a taller one gives more presence. Choose based on room size and your eye line when sitting up in bed.