Small double beds are 30 cm wider than singles and 15 cm narrower than double beds, making them a big upgrade from a single bed and not much of a downgrade from a double.
Here are the benefits of small double beds
Ideal for compact bedrooms
A small double bed will excel in your small bedroom because its compact size allows for easier navigation around the bed and more space for bedside tables.
Versatile sleeping options
Solo sleepers can luxuriate in the extra space, while some slender couples might find them suitable for cosy nights together - though small doubles are primarily for individual use.
Cost-effective upgrade
Upgrading to a small double is more economical than opting for a double bed, with the prices for both frames and a small double mattress around 10% less.
Pictured: Giltedge Beds Rome 4FT Small Double Mattress. Priced £199. Available from Bedstar.
Abundance of stylish options
There’s a small double bed for every taste, from minimalist wooden and metal bed frames to plush upholstered designs.
Space-saving storage solutions
Ottoman-style beds with lift-up bases provide ample room for stowing bedding and other items, while divan models can have two conveniently placed drawers.
Easy manoeuvrability
The more compact size of small double beds makes them easier to move and manoeuvre during room reconfigurations or house moves.
Suitable for growing teens
Small double beds provide an excellent sleeping solution for teenagers who outgrow their single beds, and the extra width offers more comfort.
Pictured: Milan Bed Company Side Lift 4FT Small Double Ottoman. Priced £281. Available from Bedstar
Preserving visual space
Low-profile small double designs and minimalist styles can make your bedroom feel bigger by creating an illusion of more space within your room.
Versatile placement options
Your small double bed’s compact dimensions allow for versatile placement within your room, including positioning against a wall or in the corner.
Encouraging better sleep habits
Small double beds encourage stretching out and finding more comfortable positions for better sleep quality and rest.
Perfect for guest bedrooms
Small doubles perfectly balance the preservation of floor space and provide a comfortable sleep area for guests stopping over.
Improves home saleability
If you’re selling your house and have a bedroom that won’t quite take a double bed, it might take a small double, which will go down better with buyers than a single bed.
Pictured: Birlea Rio 4FT Small Double Wooden Bed Frame – Pine. Priced £211. Available from Bedstar.
No loss in comfort or sleep quality
Small double mattresses come in all the same top-quality options as larger sizes, so you'll sleep just as soundly whether you prefer springs, foam, or hybrid mattresses.
Tips on choosing the right small double bed
Bed frame material and style
Small double beds come in wooden, metal, and fabric types.
Fabric bed frames give you a comfortable, cushioned headboard to sit up against and are available in a broader range of colours.
Wooden bed frames are more robust than fabric and have an organic feel, perfect for traditional and rustic bedrooms.
Metal bed frames are cold to the touch but work better in industrial spaces and bedrooms where a sleek, ornamental feel is best.
Mattress technology
Your small double needs to provide adequate support and comfort for your favourite sleeping position.
Choose a firmness based on these positions:
Side sleepers – medium
Front sleepers – firm
Back sleepers – medium-firm
The best middle ground is a medium-firm mattress. These are suitable for all sleep positions and provide adequate comfort for guest spaces.
However, if you or your partner is on the larger side – over 220 lbs – a firm mattress is necessary to ensure the support system doesn’t collapse. Too soft a mattress will dip in the middle and provide no edge support, making the usable sleep surface smaller.
Front sleepers – firm
Back sleepers – medium-firm
The best middle ground is a medium-firm mattress. These are suitable for all sleep positions and provide adequate comfort for guest spaces.
However, if you or your partner is on the larger side – over 220 lbs – a firm mattress is necessary to ensure the support system doesn’t collapse. Too soft a mattress will dip in the middle and provide no edge support, making the usable sleep surface smaller.
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