Standard UK bed sizes
The best place to start when choosing a bed is to figure out what size bed you need. After all, you don’t want a bed to overwhelm your space – nor do you want one that looks too small for the floor plan.
That’s why we recommend getting the tape measure out to size up your room’s dimensions. Only once you’ve got these measurements can you decide between a double and a small double, or a king size and super king size bed. Check out the standard UK bed sizes below, or read our helpful beds and mattress size guide for a deeper dive into all things sizing.
Single bed - standard dimensions: 190cm x 90cm (6ft 3” x 3ft)
Whether you need a nifty storage bed base or want a high sleeper/desk combo, single beds provide compact comfort for a good night’s sleep. These more diminutive dimensions are perfect for your little one’s first ‘big bed’ or for smaller guest rooms.
Small double bed size - standard dimensions: 190cm x 120cm (6ft 3” x 4ft)
Not quite a single, not quite a full-sized double, small double beds are tailor-made for box-sized bedrooms or modest guest rooms. You can enjoy the extra stretch-out space at night while leaving enough room for the rest of the furniture in your bedroom to shine.
Double bed size - standard dimensions: 190cm x 135cm (6ft 3” x 4ft 6”)
Boasting more stretch-out space at affordable prices, double beds are the go-to option for couples and spread-eagled solo sleepers alike. You will be able to find a double to suit your needs across a majority of our different bed types, including divan, ottoman, TV, and sofa beds.
King bed size - standard dimensions: 200cm x 150cm (6ft 6” x 5ft)
Both longer and wider than standard doubles, king beds are the perfect choice for couples looking to upgrade their bedroom, or who are territorial about their sleeping space. No longer will you be edged off the mattress in the middle of the night, as there’s plenty of room for both of you on a king size bed.
Super king bed size - standard dimensions: 200cm x 180cm (6ft 6” x 6ft)
If you’re looking for the ultimate space to stretch out, give yourself the royal treatment by choosing a super king size bed. You, your partner, kids, pets; there’s room for everyone under the enveloping blankets of a super-king.
Bed frame
A classic bed frame usually includes a headboard, footboard, side rails and slat system, to securely support your mattress. Many come flat packed and can be easily assembled and taken apart again, which offers an advantage if access to your bedroom is difficult.
Bed frames also offer many style and material options – from wood and metal to luxe velvet upholstery – and because they raise your mattress off the floor, they have excellent airflow. This allows you to vacuum under the bed more easily, as well as take advantage of under-bed storage.
Divan bed
Great for tidying away spare sheets and pillows, divan beds combine classic style and comfort with the option of convenient storage.
These bed bases are made from wood and then covered in fabric, resulting in a clean look that takes up minimal floor space. There’s also the option to add storage – two or four drawers, depending on what you need – and most divan beds have matching headboards (and sometimes footboards) available too.
Ottoman bed
Offering even more storage than divan beds, ottoman beds provide the perfect balance between style and function.
Ottoman beds feature gas-powered pistons that enable you to lift up the mattress to reveal the spacious storage capacity beneath – really maximising your bed’s footprint. This type of bed has become very popular in recent years, and as a result, there are many different styles and silhouettes now available – from simple and understated, to dramatic, hotel-style statement ottoman beds.
TV bed
If you want to treat yourself to ultimate luxury, TV beds bring the small screen straight to your bed, with space to mount a telly directly inside the footboard. With a click of a button, you can raise the TV up from the foot of your bed and enjoy your favourite movies and shows – and when you’re all done, it glides discreetly back into the footboard, giving your bedroom a clean look.
Some TV beds are fully adjustable, meaning you can raise or lower the top and bottom of the mattress to find the perfect position for you – while others are available with storage, including two drawer, four drawer, and side ottoman options.
Kids bed
Some of the most popular kids beds – particularly for shared bedrooms – are bunk beds, which pack in two comfy beds while maximising floor space. These secure frames mount one mattress directly over the other, with a ladder to access, giving each child their own private space.
Bunk beds not quite right for your child? High sleeper beds and mid sleeper beds still help to maximise floor space – or opt for a classic single bed, which can also include drawer or ottoman storage. For more information, read our kids bed buying guide.
Sofa bed
Providing the best of both worlds for multi-functional rooms, sofa beds offer sink-in comfort during the day and snoozing satisfaction throughout the night. Whenever you have a friend or relative over to stay, simply remove the cushions from the sofa and pull out the bed frame.
The real trick is matching a DFS sofa bed to your room. Browse our collections of leather sofa beds, fabric sofa beds, and corner sofa beds to find the perfect hybrid sleeping solution.
What are the different types of bed bases?
There are three main types of bed base types that affect how your mattress will sit – flexible slat, rigid slat, and divan bed bases. All are suitable for most types of ç, but there are differences in cost, style, and how they feel to sleep on.
Flexible slat bases
Beds with a flexible slat base can contour to both you and your partner’s individual sleeping positions. That’s because each side of the bed features independent systems of flexible slats that yield to the weight and distribution of your body. This creates bespoke bed comfort that’s a great choice for couples with very different sleep support needs – even if one of you is a side sleeper and the other is a front sleeper!
Rigid slat bases
Sometimes referred to as a solid slat base, rigid slat bases are designed to distribute the pressure of your body while sleeping. Not only can this help with any potential back problems, but it also absorbs movements effectively. This makes rigid slat bases the perfect choice for people with particularly fidgety sleeping partners.
Divan bed bases
A box frame base, divan bed bases are popular for their storage capabilities, adding a couple more drawers to your bedroom. Thanks to their sturdy design, divan bed bases provide an equal level of support wherever you lie on the mattress. This typically results in a firmer feel than other types of bed bases, which might not be suited to everyone’s preference – though you can pair it with a soft mattress to offset that firmness.
Bedding at DFS
What’s a bed without bedding? Whether you’re a duvet hogger or a pillow mountaineer, your bedding should suit your style, your space and your sleeping preferences. Lucky for you, we’ve got Silentnight bedding to suit every sleeper – including duvets for sumptuous sleep in every season, pillows that go the extra mile, and must-have mattress toppers and protectors to stretch your luxury longer.
Get a great night’s sleep with DFS
Finding the right bed could be the key to unlocking a sound night’s sleep – but it’s not the only factor. For more expert sleep tips, explore our Sleep Hub and learn how small changes can make a big difference.
Top tips for front sleepers
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Top tips for sleeping with back pain
Whether you suffer from chronic pain or have recently pulled a muscle, sleeping with back pain can often feel like a near impossible task.
Sleep Expert: Improve your quality of sleep
We have teamed up with Anne Marie Boyhan, sleep expert at The Sleep Care Co. to give us some tips on how to improve the quality of your sleep.
How much sleep do I need?
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What sleep position is best for you?
Have you ever woken up feeling like you’ve slept ‘funny’? Those stiff necks, sore backs, and pins-and-needles sensations in your arms might actually be caused by your preferred sleeping pose.
