How To Choose The Right Bed Size: A GLB Guide to Comfort and Room Design

By George 31 December 2025

Choosing a new bed frame is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make for your home. It’s more than just a piece of furniture, it’s the foundation for your rest. The size of your bed directly influences your sleep quality, your comfort, and even the overall design and flow of your bedroom. A bed that is too small can lead to restless nights, while one that is too large can swallow your space, making a room feel cramped and unwelcoming.

At Get Laid Beds, we understand this delicate balance. As specialists in handmade solid wooden beds, we believe everyone deserves a bed that perfectly suits their body, their partner, and their unique bedroom dimensions. That’s why, alongside our extensive standard UK range, we offer unparalleled custom bed options, ensuring that if you can dream it, we can build it.

Step 1: Sizes Explained: Matching People to Dimensions

Understanding UK bed sizes is the crucial first step. While the mattress dimensions are standard, remember that a solid wood bed frame, especially those with headboards and chunky posts, will always be slightly larger than the mattress itself, a key point for smaller rooms.

Here is a breakdown of the standard UK mattress sizes and the scenarios they are best suited for:

Bed Size

Metric (W x L)

Imperial (W x L)

Best Suited For

Single

90 x 190 cm

3’0” x 6’3”

Children, teenagers, or single adults in small bedrooms/guest rooms.

Small Double

120 x 190 cm

4'0" x 6'3"

Solo sleepers who love space, or couples in very restricted bedrooms.

Standard Double

135 x 190 cm

4’6” x 6’3”

The most common choice for couples, though space can be cosy (just 67.5cm per person).

King Size

150 x 200 cm

5’0” x 6’6”

Taller individuals (due to the extra length) or couples needing more room to spread out.

Super King

180 x 200 cm

6’0” x 6’6”

Couples prioritizing maximum comfort and space; the closest to two singles pushed together.

The GLB Advantage: Beyond these, we offer everything from Small Singles (75x190cm) up to giant Super Caesar sizes and EU sizes, and if you need an extra 5cm in length or width, our customisation service has you covered

Step 2: Use the Room Planner Concept to Ensure Clearance

The number one mistake people make is only measuring the mattress size. When assessing what fits, you need to consider the external frame dimensions and, critically, the surrounding clearance.

The Clearance Rule: For a comfortable, functional room, design experts recommend a minimum clearance of 60cm, 2 feet, on all sides of the bed that require access, for walking or opening drawers.

Visualising Your Layout: Let’s take a standard UK double bed, with the dimensions of 135x190cm, as an example: 

  • If your bedroom is 3m x 3m (9'10" x 9'10"), placing the bed centrally leaves ample space (approx. 75cm on each side) for movement and furniture.

  • However, if your room is 2.5m x 3m (8'2" x 9'10"), that same bed leaves just 52cm of clearance on the sides, making it a tight squeeze. In this scenario, a Small Double (4ft) bed might be the superior choice, or you may require a custom-built frame with a reduced border to reclaim precious inches.

Step 3: Factor in Lifestyle and Layout Considerations

The perfect bed size is a blend of your sleeping needs and your room’s capacity.

  1. Lifestyle Needs:

    • Master Bedrooms: Prioritise space and comfort. If you have the room, always upgrade to a King or Super King, especially if you share the bed with a partner, children, or pets.

    • Children’s Rooms: A Single bed is standard, but a Small Single (2'6") is perfect for box rooms, a younger child or when sharing with toys and furniture.

    • Guest Rooms: A Small Double (4ft) is a versatile choice, comfortably accommodating one adult or two temporary guests without dominating a smaller spare room.

  2. Furniture and Layout:

    • Proportions: Avoid the temptation to buy the biggest bed possible if it overwhelms your space. A well-proportioned Double or King Size bed that leaves room for essential furniture and movement is far more stylish and practical than a gigantic Super King you have to climb over.

    • Storage Solutions: At Get Laid Beds we truly excel here. Our handmade wooden frames are designed to maximise under-bed space. Incorporating our dedicated Underbed Storage Boxes or choosing an Ottoman Bed allows you to turn otherwise wasted space into valuable storage for linen, clothes, and seasonal items, effectively shrinking your footprint while expanding your bed.

Step 4: Leverage GLB's Customisation for a Tailor-Made Fit

Sometimes, the ideal bed simply doesn't exist in a catalogue. This is why our bespoke service is so popular.

At Get Laid Beds, we pride ourselves on exceptional UK craftsmanship and durability. Every frame is lovingly made to order, giving us the flexibility to alter dimensions to the centimetre. Whether you’re a tall sleeper constantly finding your feet hanging off the end, or you live in a charming but oddly shaped cottage where a standard width just won’t squeeze through the door, we can adjust:

  • Length: Perfect for taller sleepers.

  • Width: Ideal for unique mattress dimensions or tight room fits.

  • Height: Raise or lower the frame to suit your mobility or accommodate extra-deep storage boxes.

This commitment to precision and solid wood construction means your GLB bed is not just the perfect size today, but a durable piece of furniture built to last for decades.

You can learn more about how we craft your perfect sleeping solution here: The Art of Customisation: Beds Made By You

Conclusion: Sleep Better, Live Better

The right bed size is the key to unlocking better sleep and a more beautiful, functional bedroom. It requires considering your body, your lifestyle, and the geometry of your room.

At Get Laid Beds, we offer the range, the storage solutions, and the custom flexibility to ensure you never have to compromise on comfort or design.

Ready to find your perfect fit? Explore our collection of handmade wooden beds today, or contact our specialists to discuss a bespoke design that is tailor-made for your best night's sleep.

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Note: International shipping prices are charged per bed rather than per order. This is due to the bulky nature and weight of these products.

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