Choose a wooden king size bed if two adults share the bed and the room is wide enough to leave comfortable walkways on both sides. Choose a wooden single bed if one person sleeps there, the room is small, or the bed is for a child, teenager or occasional guest. The decision rests on three things: who will sleep in it, how much floor space you have, and how the room needs to work during the day.
n
The two sizes sit at opposite ends of the range, so it helps to see them side by side. Our modern king size wooden beds UK collection offers generous frames in oak, walnut and painted finishes, while our wider bedroom furniture UK sale range covers everything else you need to build the room around either size.
n
n
In the UK, a king size mattress measures 150 by 200 centimetres, and a single measures 90 by 190 centimetres. The wooden frame adds to both dimensions, often by a few centimetres for a minimal design and more for one with a substantial headboard or footboard.
n
| Feature | King size | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress size | 150 by 200 cm | 90 by 190 cm |
| Sleeps | Two adults | One person |
| Typical room | Main bedroom | Child’s room, box room, guest room |
| Space beside the bed | Needed on both sides | Can sit against a wall |
n
That 60 centimetre difference in width and 10 centimetre difference in length changes how a room feels and functions far more than the numbers suggest.
n
n
A king size gives each of two adults about 75 centimetres of width, which is noticeably more than a standard double. Couples where one or both partners move around in their sleep, or where a child sometimes climbs in, tend to appreciate that extra room. The 200 centimetre length is also kinder to taller sleepers, whose feet can hang off the end of a 190 centimetre bed.
n
A single is designed for one person. It suits children, teenagers and adults who sleep alone in a small room. For a single adult with more space, a small double or double offers more comfort, but if the room is tight, a well made single with a supportive mattress is a sensible choice.
n
n
A king size bed needs a room that can accommodate both the frame and the walkways around it. As a rule of thumb, allow around 60 centimetres of clear space along each side and at the foot if you need to walk past. Add the frame width and you can see that a king size frame suits rooms of roughly three metres wide or more, depending on the design.
n
A single bed is much more flexible. It can sit against a wall, freeing up floor space for a desk, a wardrobe or play area. In a box room of around two by two and a half metres, a single is often the only bed that leaves room to move.
n
Mark out the external frame dimensions on the floor with masking tape before deciding. Walk around the outline, open the door and wardrobe, and imagine making the bed. If it feels cramped with tape, it will feel more cramped with furniture.
n
n
Bedrooms are not just for sleeping. A teenager’s room may need space for a desk and storage. A guest room may double as a home office. A main bedroom might include a dressing table or a reading chair.
n
A king size bed takes up a significant share of floor space, which can limit other uses. It works well in a dedicated main bedroom where sleeping and relaxing are the main activities. A single bed leaves more room for other functions, and when pushed against a wall with cushions along the side, it can double as daytime seating.
n
n
Both sizes are available with built in drawers. On a king size frame, drawers can be large and genuinely useful for bedding and out of season clothes. On a single, under bed drawers make a real difference in a child’s room, where toys and clothes need a home.
n
Remember that drawers need clear floor space to open. On a single bed placed against a wall, drawers must be on the open side. On a king size, check that the walkways are wide enough to pull drawers out fully and still stand beside them.
n
n
Guest rooms often prompt this decision. A king size bed is generous for visiting couples, but in a small spare room it can make the space feel cramped and limit other uses. A single bed is efficient but only suits solo guests.
n
If you need to sleep couples occasionally, a double may be a better middle ground. Alternatively, a single bed with a pull out trundle can sleep two people when needed and tuck away the rest of the time. Our wooden single beds UK sale include practical frames that suit spare rooms and study bedrooms.
n
n
For children, a sturdy wooden single bed is the usual choice. It fits comfortably in most children’s rooms and leaves space for play. Solid timber frames handle years of use well, and a simple design can be restyled with new bedding as tastes change.
n
Older teenagers sometimes outgrow a single, particularly if they are tall. If the room allows, a small double or double can be a sensible upgrade. A king size is rarely necessary or practical in a teenager’s room.
n
n
A king size mattress is a significant piece, and couples with different preferences may want to consider options with separate comfort zones. Check the support requirements of the frame, especially the central rail and slat spacing, to ensure the mattress is properly supported across its full width.
n
Single mattresses are easier to handle and turn. For children, a medium firm mattress that offers good support is a common choice. Explore our mattresses UK range for options in both sizes.
n
For a closer look at frame, mattress and room sizes for the larger option, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions and room planning sets out the figures in more detail.
n
n
A bed is a long term purchase, so it is worth considering how the room might be used in a few years. A main bedroom bought for a couple today may need to accommodate a cot or a small child sleeping in the parents’ room for a while. A king size bed handles that phase more comfortably than a smaller frame, provided the room still leaves space for a cot beside it.
n
A single bed in a child’s room will eventually be outgrown in style, if not in size. Choosing a simple wooden frame in a neutral finish, rather than a heavily themed design, means it can move from a young child’s room to a guest room or study bedroom later. Solid timber singles often outlast several redecorations.
n
If you plan to move house in the near future, keep in mind that a king size frame may not suit every room in your next home. Singles are far easier to place almost anywhere. That flexibility is part of the reason many families keep a good wooden single bed in use for years, passing it between rooms as needs change.
n
n
Once the bed is chosen, think about the pieces that must share the room. In a main bedroom with a king size bed, a wardrobe with sliding doors avoids conflict with the walkways. A pair of compact bedside tables keeps the area beside the bed clear. In a single bedroom, the freed floor space can hold a desk, a chest of drawers or a reading chair, which makes the room more useful throughout the day.
n
n
A wooden king size bed is a strong presence in any room. Choose the headboard carefully. A tall, solid timber headboard looks grand in a high ceilinged period room but can feel heavy in a modern bedroom with standard ceiling height. A lower slatted headboard or a frame on slim legs reduces visual weight.
n
A wooden single bed has less impact, so the headboard and finish become more about personality. Painted frames suit children’s rooms, while natural oak or walnut gives a single bed a more grown up feel for a guest room or study.
n
n
If you are still unsure, run through these points:
n
n
n
n
n
n
Whichever size you settle on, choose a wooden frame that suits the room and the person using it. You can browse every size and finish we offer at Furniture in Fashion.
n
n
n
As a guide, a room of around three metres wide or more allows a king size frame with comfortable walkways on both sides. Always measure the frame itself, not just the mattress.
n
n
Many adults sleep comfortably on a single, especially in smaller rooms. Taller adults or those who move a lot may prefer a small double or double.
n
n
Two singles side by side measure 180 centimetres across, the same width as a super king, so they need a larger room than a king size. They give each sleeper their own mattress and can be separated for guests who prefer not to share.
n
n
It depends on who visits. A double or a single with a trundle offers flexibility. A king size suits larger guest rooms where couples stay often.
Choosing a more sustainable wooden bed is less about finding a single flawless material and…
Yes, a dark oak bed can absolutely work in a Scandi bedroom. The key is…
Cherry wood has a rich, reddish brown warmth that deepens gradually over time, giving a…
In a square bedroom, a wooden storage bed works best when it is centred on…
In a studio flat, the bed is always on show and usually the largest object…
Buying a wooden bed is a long term decision, so it pays to ask the…
This website uses cookies.