A UK single bed is 90cm wide by 190cm long. In imperial terms that is 3ft by 6ft 3in, which is why it is often called a three foot bed. Those figures apply to the mattress, and every British single sheet, duvet and divan base is cut to match.<\/p>\n
There is also a small extra long variant sometimes sold as a single at 90cm by 200cm, which suits taller teenagers and adults. If you are over about 175cm tall, that 10cm of additional length is worth looking for.<\/p>\n
Placed in order, the British range runs single at 90cm by 190cm, small double at 120cm by 190cm, double at 135cm by 190cm, king at 150cm by 200cm and super king at 180cm by 200cm.<\/p>\n
What surprises most people is how the single compares with a shared double. Two adults on a 135cm double get about 67cm each, which is 23cm less than the 90cm a single sleeper enjoys alone. A single bed is genuinely generous for one person, which is why it remains the standard choice for children’s rooms, guest rooms and box rooms.<\/p>\n
The mattress is 90cm wide, but the frame will be wider. Wooden frames typically add 6cm to 12cm across the width, and upholstered frames a little more. A headboard adds 6cm to 12cm at the top depending on its construction.<\/p>\n
Plan for a footprint of roughly 100cm by 205cm. Then allow walking space: 60cm along one side is comfortable, and 45cm is the practical minimum if the bed has to sit close to a wall. At the foot, 60cm lets you pass and make the bed properly.<\/p>\n
That means a single bed fits a room as small as 2m by 2.6m, which is why it works in the box rooms found in so many British houses. Push the bed against the longest wall, keep the door swing clear, and the remaining floor becomes usable rather than a corridor.<\/p>\n
If the room is very narrow, consider placing the bed lengthways along the wall with a bolster or cushions on the wall side. It reads as a day bed during the day and recovers a surprising amount of the room. Simple frames from our single wooden beds UK sale<\/a> range suit this arrangement, particularly designs with a low footboard.<\/p>\n A single bed is the size most children move into after a cot bed, and it usually stays with them into their teens. That longevity is worth planning for: a frame chosen when a child is five will still be in use at fifteen, so a design that is not tied to a particular age tends to serve better.<\/p>\n Mattress support matters more than people expect in a child’s room, because children treat beds as furniture, trampolines and reading nooks in equal measure. Look for closely spaced slats and a solid frame construction rather than the lightest option available. Options across our childrens beds UK sale<\/a> selection are built with that daily use in mind.<\/p>\n Where two children share a room, bunk beds use two single mattresses stacked, which halves the floor area needed for sleeping. Check the ceiling height first: allow at least 75cm between the top mattress and the ceiling so the upper sleeper can sit up. Guard rails and a fixed ladder are essential, and most manufacturers advise that the upper bunk suits children over six. Compare designs across our modern bunk beds UK sale<\/a> range with the room’s height written down.<\/p>\n Two singles in a guest room is a more adaptable arrangement than one double. Placed apart they suit friends or siblings, and pushed together with a single mattress topper across the join they approximate a super king for couples.<\/p>\n The arrangement needs 2.4m of wall width for two beds side by side plus a gap, so it is not for small rooms. Where floor space is limited, a single bed with a pull out guest bed beneath it gives the same flexibility from one footprint, and it stays out of the way for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n Day beds and sofa beds are the other route in rooms that serve two purposes. A single day bed against a wall works well in a study, since it reads as seating rather than as a bed left out.<\/p>\n A single sleeper is easier to specify for than a couple, because there is no compromise to negotiate. Match firmness to weight and sleeping position: side sleepers generally want more give at the shoulder and hip, back and front sleepers want firmer support through the middle.<\/p>\n Children need a supportive rather than a soft mattress, and a breathable, washable protector is more useful than any premium fabric. For adults using a single, pocket sprung and hybrid constructions both work well at this width, and foam is a good option if the bed sits in a room where quietness matters.<\/p>\nChildren’s rooms and how long a single lasts<\/h3>\n
Guest rooms and flexible arrangements<\/h3>\n
Choosing a single mattress<\/h3>\n