Double bed dimensions in the UK are 135cm by 190cm, or 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in. That applies to both the mattress and the divan base. The bed frame itself is larger, generally 143cm to 160cm wide externally, because side rails, padded borders and plinths add width beyond the mattress footprint.
Understanding both figures is what prevents a bed arriving that technically fits the room on paper but not in reality. This article breaks down every dimension involved, from mattress and frame through to headboard height, bedding sizes and the clearances a double needs around it.
A UK double mattress is 135cm by 190cm. Depth varies by construction, commonly 20cm to 30cm, and occasionally more on pillow top models. Depth matters for two reasons: it changes the fitted sheet you need, and it changes the finished height of the bed relative to the headboard and bedside cabinets.
Divan bases match the mattress at 135cm by 190cm and typically add 25cm to 35cm of height before legs. Combined with a 25cm mattress, a divan can put the sleeping surface at 60cm or higher, which is worth checking if you want to sit on the edge with feet flat on the floor.
The external frame is the number to plan the room around. A slim wooden frame with 4cm rails measures around 143cm wide. A mid range upholstered frame with an 8cm padded border reaches about 151cm. A deeply padded frame with a wide surround can exceed 160cm.
Length behaves the same way. A 190cm mattress inside a frame with a headboard and footboard can produce an overall length of 200cm to 215cm. If your room measurement is tight along the length, that difference decides whether the door still opens properly.
Headboard height is measured from the floor, and it ranges widely. Low profile headboards sit around 80cm to 90cm. Standard heights fall between 100cm and 115cm. Tall statement headboards reach 130cm or more.
Two things to check. First, whether a radiator, window sill or dado rail sits at the height the headboard would occupy, since a headboard in front of a radiator blocks heat and one clashing with a sill will not sit flush. Second, whether the height suits your ceiling. In a room with a 230cm ceiling, a 130cm headboard takes over. Our double leather beds UK sale listings give headboard heights alongside the frame dimensions.
Double duvets are usually 200cm by 200cm. On a 135cm mattress that gives roughly 32cm of drop on each side, which sits well without pooling on the floor. Some people size up to a king duvet on a double for a fuller look or when two sleepers pull the cover in opposite directions.
Fitted sheets must match the mattress footprint and depth. A sheet cut for a 25cm mattress will not stay on a 30cm one, and a sheet made for 30cm will sit loose on a 20cm mattress. Check the stated depth rather than assuming, particularly if you use a mattress topper, which can add 5cm to 8cm.
Dimensions on their own do not tell you if a bed fits. Allow 60cm of walkway on each side you use, or 45cm as an absolute minimum in a tight room. At the foot, 60cm lets you pass comfortably and 75cm is needed if a wardrobe or chest opens into that space.
Drawer and door clearance is the detail most often missed. A chest of drawers with 45cm deep drawers needs 45cm of clear floor in front, plus room to stand. Wardrobe doors need their full swing, and sliding doors need none, which is why sliding designs work in rooms where a double has taken most of the floor. Our modern sliding wardrobes UK sale suit exactly this situation.
If you choose a storage double, the internal dimensions matter as much as the external ones. Drawer divans typically offer two or four drawers around 60cm to 90cm wide and 15cm to 20cm deep internally, suitable for bedding and folded clothes but not suitcases.
Ottoman bases lift the full mattress and give a single internal space around 130cm by 185cm with 25cm to 30cm of depth, which will hold a suitcase or spare duvets. Ottomans need vertical clearance to open, so check nothing overhangs the head end. Our modern beds UK sale range includes both drawer and ottoman doubles with internal measurements listed.
A small double is 120cm by 190cm, so 15cm narrower. A king is 150cm by 200cm, so 15cm wider and 10cm longer. A single is 90cm by 190cm. Length only changes at king size and above, which is why a tall sleeper may be better served by a king even in a room where a double fits more easily.
Set out against each other, the practical picture is straightforward. The double is the size that fits most rooms while still working for two people. The step up to king buys length as well as width. The step down to small double buys back floor space in a narrow room. You can compare all sizes and shop modern furniture UK at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Bedside cabinet height should sit close to the top of the mattress, so a divan and deep mattress combination needs a taller cabinet than a low wooden frame. Measure from the floor to the mattress top and choose a cabinet within about 10cm of that figure.
Depth should stay at 35cm to 40cm alongside a double, since anything deeper eats into the walkway. Width depends on the gap between the bed and the wall: measure the actual gap after allowing for the frame’s external width, not the mattress. Our high gloss bedside cabinets UK sale range includes slim widths for tighter gaps.
What are the dimensions of a double bed?
In the UK, 135cm wide by 190cm long for the mattress and base. The external frame is typically 143cm to 160cm wide depending on the design.
Why is my bed frame wider than the mattress size?
Side rails, padded borders and plinths sit outside the mattress footprint. A slim wooden frame adds around 4cm per side, while a deeply upholstered one can add 12cm or more.
What size duvet fits a double bed?
A double duvet at 200cm by 200cm gives around 32cm of drop each side. Some people prefer a king duvet on a double for a fuller finish or when two sleepers share.
How much clearance should I leave around a double bed?
Aim for 60cm on each side you use and at the foot, with 45cm as a tight minimum. Allow more where drawers or wardrobe doors open into that space.
How tall is a double bed headboard?
Typically 80cm to 130cm from the floor. Check it against any radiator, window sill or dado rail on that wall so it sits flush and does not block heat.
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