Let’s talk about beds. Of all the furniture in your home, there’s not many pieces more important than the bed. You use it every day, sleeping in it for eight hours every night - on average. That should tell you straight away you need to make sure it’s a good one. We’re not just talking about the build, but also the size of the bed.

This matters because there’s no better feeling than climbing into bed at the end of the day, lying back and spreading out over a comfortable mattress before drifting off. It beats feeling cramped by a small bed that you think you’ll fall out of every time you roll over, that’s for sure!

Whether you share a bed - with another person or a pet - you should make sure there’s enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably. In some cases, the size of bed you can have depends on how big the room is, but there’s more to it than that.

We’re going to look at just what you need to know to pick the right bed.

What Are The Sizes Of Beds?

There are five common sizes of beds to be aware of. All are different sizes, and suit varying room sizes and people. You’ll often find the same bed frame available in all of these sizes, giving you full choice as to what look and style you want for each room. These sizes are:

• Single
• Double
• Queen
• King
• Super King

You might think that bigger is better when it comes to bed frames - after all, having all the space to find the most perfect sleeping spot is a dream. You also need to think about where you’ll put the bed, making sure there’s access for everyone, and that you can get all the furniture you need and want in your room. The bedroom isn’t just about the bed, but the bed can make a bedroom, so size and style are important.

Also keep in mind that you can commission beds in custom sizes - although you would then have to source a mattress that matches, and this might be harder to do.

How Bed Sizes Change By Location

With this information in hand, you might be tempted to run off and find the bed frame that best fits your room or wants, but there’s more to think about first.

The sizes listed above are all standard for the UK market, and we included imperial and metric measurements to make sure you know the right sizes, but bed sizes can - and do - vary across the world.

To make sure you’re not confused by the different sizes, or pick the wrong size thinking it’s something else, we’ve taken a look at what kind of different bed sizes you might come across.

European Bed Sizes Compared To The UK

In Europe, you’ll find a much greater variety of bed sizes and styles than in the UK, which means there’s more chance of getting a size you don’t expect if you don’t check first. While you might be able to accommodate the different sizes, because you need a mattress that fits the bed frame, these changes can stop you finding the perfect fit.

Common European bed sizes include:

• Single - same width but longer than a UK single bed
• Double - wider than a double bed in the UK, but the same length (although they can be longer)
• Queen - Wider and longer than a UK queen bed. It sits between king and super king beds in size
• King - wider than a king bed in the UK, but the same length
• Grand King - same size as the super king bed in the UK.

American Bed Sizes Compared To The UK

American bed sizes and names can vary from what we see in the UK. While there are more bed sizes to choose from, we’ve looked at the closest options to those you’ll find here, and compared how they stand.

While some of the changes are very small, others can be bigger, and this is where it can be tricky getting the right size mattress, as if you get a UK mattress and an American sized bed frame (or vice versa), they won’t match well.

Here are the common US bed sizes:

• US Twin - Wider than a single bed in the UK, but longer
• US Full - roughly the same size as a double bed in the UK
• US Queen - similar size to a king bed in the UK, but a little bigger
• US King - wider and longer than a super king bed in the UK
• California King - similar width to a super king bed in the UK, but longer.

Matching Bed Frames With Mattresses

Now that we know how big a bed is - or can be - we need to look at the second part of what makes a bed relaxing, comfortable, and just super inviting. That’s the mattress.

Mattresses come in different sizes, too, to match the bed frames that you can choose, but there are also different types of mattresses. This means you can choose the best balance of comfort and support to help you sleep better, whether that’s a spring or memory foam mattress.

Only when you put the bed frame and mattress together do you unlock the potential of amazing sleep every night, and that’s something we can’t recommend you do fast enough.

To find this perfect combination, we’ve taken a look at the mattresses you can choose, and what they offer.

The Different Mattress Sizes

Choosing the right bed frame also means choosing a mattress to go with it. As you’d expect, mattress sizes match up to the size of bed you choose, making it easier to find the right one. These sizes are:

• Single mattress
• Double mattress
• Queen mattress
• King mattress
• Super King mattress

You don’t want to use a queen mattress on a king bed, for example. It won’t be a good fit. The bed frame will be too big, and the mattress might move while you sleep. This exposes edges that you might knock while getting in or out of bed.

Types Of Mattress

Along with the different sizes of mattresses, there are different types to think about. This comes in the form of materials used and different structures. The support and comfort differs in each type of mattress, letting you find the one that meets your needs the best. These types of mattresses include:

• Spring mattress
• Memory foam mattress
• Hybrid mattress.

Spring mattresses have been commonly used around the world, using springs to offer a sturdy environment to sleep on. The number of springs can vary, as can the thickness of the mattress.

Memory foam mattresses offer a more cushioned option, adapting to the shape of your body while providing support and comfort together. There are different layers that can be added to make this mattress more suitable for you, such as cooling gel and green tea to keep the mattress fresh.

Hybrid mattresses take the best of both options and put them together for the best sleeping experience you’ll have. It brings together the comfort of foam with the sturdiness and support of springs.

Using Separate Mattresses

The most common setup is a bed frame with a single mattress of the right size, however there are other options. For example, you can put two mattresses side by side to fit a larger bed - although you will have to know the measurements to make sure they fit the frame you have.

This is a great option for anyone looking for versatility, such as being able to split a bed into two smaller ones for when multiple guests are visiting. When used together, a mattress topper can also help keep them in place - and stop sleepers from sinking down in between them.

Another reason you might think about using separate mattresses is if you and your partner want different types of mattresses to sleep on. Perhaps you want the sturdiness of a spring mattress instead of a memory foam one, for example.

What You Need To Know About Bed Sizes

Now that you know about bed sizes, and which mattress you should pair with them, you have the basic information you need to make a decision. This isn’t the end, though, as there’s more to think about when choosing a bed for your bedroom.

To make it easier, we looked back at some of the questions people have asked us in the past, to make it easier to figure out what would work best in your home. We want to make this as simple as possible, which is why we’re using real questions, from people just like you, and answering them here.

Is A Queen Bed Bigger Than A King?

You’ll have seen the sizes and dimensions of each bed earlier on this page, but it can be hard to visualise how big the different bed sizes are - and it’s not just their lengths that change, but the widths, too.

Queen beds are a popular choice for many people, being bigger than a double but not taking up all the space in your room. However, queen beds are smaller than king beds, so if you’re looking for something bigger, and have the space to fit it comfortably, consider a king bed. Remember, you’ll need a king mattress to go with it.

What Is The Biggest Bed Size?

In most cases, the biggest bed size you can buy is a super king bed - and this needs a super king mattress to go with it. While you can commission a custom bed frame for something bigger, this is more expensive and will need a different size mattress, which can be harder to find.

A super king bed is huge, and there aren’t many reasons to look for something bigger that we can think of. You would also need a very large room to be able to fit it in comfortably and still have the other furniture you’d expect in a bedroom, from wardrobes to chest of drawers, and more.

How Big A Bed Should You Pick?

This is the million dollar question - and there’s no simple answer. The size of bed you choose will depend on your situation, your budget, and how big a bedroom you have. You should also think about who’s going to sleep in the bed, and whether you - or they - like to have space to move around in their sleep.

Pick a bed that is big enough for you to sleep in comfortably, but also fits into the bedroom. You’ll want furniture for clothes and belongings, and kids rooms will perhaps need space for desks, toys and more. If you can plan out how the room will fit together on paper, you’ll see what size of bed you can fit - and then look at different frames that fit into the decor you have planned.

Do Two Single Mattresses Put Together Make A Queen Size Bed?

We spoke before about how using two mattresses can be an advantage, but knowing which size mattresses to choose is a tough decision. This will determine the size of your bed frame. You might think that putting two singles together would be the same as a double, or a queen, but you’ll find the width doesn’t match up, and if you want those mattresses on a single bed frame, then you’ll be left with an overhang - if the frame even allows that.

When considering using two mattresses instead of one, make sure to check the length and width of your preferred options and compare them to the bed frames you want to buy to make sure they fit. This stops problems later, when you have made the purchases and are struggling to make things fit.

What Bed Frame Size And Mattress Should You Choose?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the right size of bed. The size of your room, and who’s sleeping in the bed, will be different for every home, and every family. That’s why we’re focused on giving you the information and advice to make the best decision possible for what you need.

That said, it’s not just about the numbers and specifications. They help, definitely, but think about how important a good night’s sleep is to your health, attitude, and energy levels. Sleeping in a bed that’s too small isn’t going to relax as much as a larger bed frame that lets you spread out, find a comfy position and settle in just how you like.

Even in a small room, a bigger bed can be a great choice - even if it means you have to move other pieces of furniture to different rooms in your home. Try playing around with the space and find what works best for you, so you can get the sleep you deserve.

If you’d like to know more about bed sizes, what the best sizes are for your room, and which bed frames we’d recommend, do get in touch with the team at Zinus. We know bed frames better than anyone else, and we want you to create the best bedroom possible, so you can trust our experience and expertise will help you get it.