A standard UK double bed is 135cm wide by 190cm long. In imperial terms that is 4ft 6in by 6ft 3in, which is why the trade often refers to it simply as a four foot six. Every mainstream British mattress, fitted sheet and divan base sold as double follows those measurements, so the figure is dependable across brands.<\/p>\n
Two points are worth noting straight away. First, a double is narrower than many people assume: split between two adults it gives each person about 67cm, which is less than the 90cm width of a single bed. Second, at 190cm long it is 10cm shorter than a UK king, so anyone over roughly six feet may find their feet reach the end.<\/p>\n
British bed sizing is consistent once you have seen it laid out. A single is 90cm by 190cm. A small double, sometimes called a three quarter bed, is 120cm by 190cm. The standard double is 135cm by 190cm. A king moves up to 150cm by 200cm, and a super king to 180cm by 200cm.<\/p>\n
Notice that the first three sizes share the same 190cm length. That makes upgrading from a small double to a double straightforward in terms of room depth, because only the width changes. Moving to a king brings an extra 10cm of length, which often has more impact on a room layout than the additional width does.<\/p>\n
If you are weighing up which of these suits your space, our modern double fabric beds UK sale<\/a> lists the outer frame measurement as well as the mattress size, which is the number you actually need when planning.<\/p>\n A double mattress is 135cm by 190cm, but the bed frame around it will always be larger. Fabric and upholstered frames typically add 8cm to 15cm of width because of the padding on the side rails. Wooden frames with substantial posts can add a similar amount. A headboard adds depth at the top, sometimes 12cm or more once the upholstery and fixings are accounted for.<\/p>\n As a working figure, allow 150cm by 210cm of clear floor for a double bed frame. Then add walking room. Sixty centimetres along one side is workable, seventy is comfortable, and if the bed sits in the middle of the wall you will want that on both sides. In a bedroom measuring 2.7m by 3m, a double fits neatly with access down one side and the foot. In anything smaller, look carefully at where the door swings and whether wardrobe doors can open fully.<\/p>\n The double is the most common bed size in British homes for good reason. It fits the average main bedroom in a terraced or semi detached house, and it is generous enough for a guest room without swallowing the whole space.<\/p>\n In a second bedroom of around 3m by 2.6m, a double bed placed centrally on the shortest wall usually leaves room for a slim bedside cabinet and a chest of drawers. In a box room under 2.5m wide, a small double or single is usually the more practical choice, because the difference in usable floor space is noticeable every day.<\/p>\n Loft conversions and rooms with sloping ceilings need a different approach. Measure the height at the point where the mattress edge will sit, not at the highest part of the room, and consider a low frame so the headroom feels adequate when you sit up. A number of the wooden double beds UK sale<\/a> we stock use a lower profile that works well under a slope.<\/p>\n With 135cm to share, mattress quality has a direct effect on how two people sleep. Pocket sprung constructions respond independently across the surface, which limits the sensation of rolling toward a heavier partner. Foam offers close contouring and quietness. Hybrid designs combine springs with a comfort layer and tend to suit couples with different preferences.<\/p>\n Firmness should follow body weight and sleeping position rather than reputation. Heavier sleepers usually need firmer support to avoid sinking through the comfort layer. Side sleepers generally want a softer surface at the shoulder and hip. If one of you runs warm at night, look for breathable comfort layers rather than dense foam throughout.<\/p>\n Depth is the detail most often overlooked. A deep mattress needs deep fitted sheets, and it also raises the overall bed height, which can leave a headboard looking short. Check both numbers before ordering, and browse the modern mattresses UK sale<\/a> range with your frame measurement written down.<\/p>\n Double bedding in the UK is cut for a 135cm by 190cm mattress. Fitted sheets carry a stated pocket depth, commonly 25cm to 30cm, and a mattress deeper than the pocket will pull the corners loose. Duvet sizing is more flexible. A standard double duvet measures around 200cm by 200cm, though many couples prefer a king duvet on a double bed so there is enough fabric to cover both sleepers without a tug of war.<\/p>\n Pillows are a small detail with a large effect. Two standard UK pillows sit across a 135cm bed with a little room to spare, which is why a double looks tidier with two pillows than with four crammed side by side.<\/p>\n Once the bed is placed, storage decides whether the room feels calm or cramped. Frames with drawers underneath or an ottoman lift mechanism make use of space that would otherwise be dead, and they suit rooms where a second chest of drawers simply will not fit.<\/p>\n Where floor area allows, a chest of drawers on the wall opposite the bed keeps the room balanced and gives you a surface for a lamp or a mirror. Our wooden chest of drawers UK sale<\/a> selection includes narrower widths that suit a room already occupied by a double bed.<\/p>\n Wardrobes are worth planning last, because they need door clearance. A sliding door wardrobe removes the swing entirely, which can be the difference between a workable layout and one where you shuffle sideways past the bed. Take the ceiling height into account as well: taller units hold considerably more without taking additional floor area.<\/p>\n Measure the room at skirting level, then measure again at mattress height if the walls are uneven, which is common in older British houses. Note the position of radiators, sockets and the door swing on your sketch.<\/p>\n Then measure the access route. Doorway widths, stair turns, low ceilings above stairs and awkward landings cause the majority of delivery difficulties. Beds that arrive flat packed in sections are far easier to bring upstairs than a rigid divan base, and if a divan is your preference, check whether it is available as a split base.<\/p>\nFrame size versus mattress size<\/h3>\n
Which UK rooms suit a double<\/h3>\n
Choosing a double mattress<\/h3>\n
Bedding that fits a double properly<\/h3>\n
Storage around a double bed<\/h3>\n
Practical checks before you order<\/h3>\n