Single Bed

Why Choose a Single Bed for Your Living Room?

A single bed is one of the most space-efficient options for one sleeper. It works particularly well in children’s rooms, smaller bedrooms, guest rooms, student accommodation and homes where floor space needs to be used carefully.

The main advantage is its compact footprint. A standard single mattress provides enough sleeping space for one person while leaving more room for wardrobes, desks, bedside tables and storage furniture than a double or king-size option.

For growing children, single beds can provide a practical step up from smaller junior beds. They can also work well for teenagers and adults sleeping alone, provided the mattress size and support meet the user’s needs.

A single bed frame can also be useful in a guest room that serves another purpose during the day. For example, a home office can still accommodate occasional overnight guests without the frame taking over the entire room.

When buying, look beyond the width of the mattress. Headboards, side rails and foot ends can increase the overall dimensions considerably. A well-chosen single bed should fit both the sleeper and the room comfortably.

What Is the Standard Single Bed Size?

Understanding single bed size is important before purchasing a frame or mattress. A standard UK single mattress is typically approximately 90 cm wide x 190 cm long

This is the mattress size rather than the total dimensions of the furniture.

The complete single bed frame will normally be wider and longer because the structure needs to surround or support the mattress. Upholstered designs with padded side rails can occupy more floor space than slim wooden or metal frames.

This difference matters in smaller rooms.

For example, if you have exactly 90 cm of free floor width, a standard single mattress might technically match that measurement, but the complete bed is unlikely to fit. Always use the overall product dimensions when planning your room.

Before purchasing, measure:

- Available floor width
- Available floor length
- Distance from the bed to wardrobes
- Clearance for bedroom doors
- Space beside drawers or storage units
- Delivery access through doors and staircases

Marking the proposed frame footprint with masking tape can help you see how much usable room will remain.

Single Bed vs Double Bed: Which one suits your Room

The key difference is sleeping space and overall footprint. A single bed is designed primarily for one sleeper. It takes up less floor area and can work better in smaller bedrooms.

A double bed provides more width and may suit couples or individual sleepers who prefer extra space.

Choose a single when:

- The room is compact
- Only one person normally sleeps there
- You want to preserve space for other furniture
- It is primarily a child’s or guest bedroom

Choose a double when:

- More sleeping width is important
- Two people may use the bed
- The room comfortably supports the larger frame

Browse Double Beds if you are unsure whether the additional sleeping area would be worthwhile.

How to Measure for a Single Bed

Measure before ordering rather than after removing the existing furniture. First, record the available width and length of the bedroom. Then compare those measurements with the single bed size shown on the product page.

Next, check the delivery route. Measure:

- Entrance doors
- Hallways
- Internal doors
- Stairs
- Landings
- Tight corners
- Lift dimensions where applicable

Large headboards are often the component most likely to cause difficulties during delivery. If dimensions for individual packages or components are provided, compare those with the narrowest point in the delivery route.

How to Maintain a Single Bed Frame

Maintenance depends on the material and construction of the frame. For upholstered frames, use a suitable vacuum attachment to remove dust from the headboard, seams and side rails.

Deal with spills promptly and only use cleaning products appropriate for the specific fabric. Wooden frames can usually be dusted with a soft cloth. Avoid excessive moisture unless permitted by the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Periodically check accessible fittings and follow the assembly or maintenance guidance provided with the product. For ottoman storage models, use the lifting mechanism as intended and avoid overloading the storage area beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Good maintenance helps the single bed frame remain secure, clean and practical for everyday use.

Single Bed With Storage

A single bed with storage can be particularly valuable where bedroom space is limited. Instead of using additional floor area for storage furniture, the space beneath the mattress can be used for bedding, clothing, shoes, toys or other household items. There are several common storage layouts.

Ottoman Single Beds

An ottoman single bed uses a lifting base to access a larger storage compartment underneath the mattress. The lifting direction can vary by model. Some open from the foot end while others lift from the side.

Ottoman storage is useful because it can make use of a large proportion of the bed’s footprint. This is particularly helpful in smaller bedrooms where there may not be enough space beside the frame for drawers to open.

Single Beds With Drawers

Some single beds include built-in drawers beneath the frame. Drawers provide straightforward access to stored items without lifting the mattress platform, making them useful for belongings that need to be accessed regularly.

However, drawer clearance must be considered. If one side of the bed sits directly against a wall or wardrobe, drawers on that side may be difficult or impossible to open fully.

Which Storage Type Is Better?

Choose an ottoman if you need maximum under-bed storage and have limited clearance at the sides. Choose drawers if you want easier access to smaller items and have sufficient floor space around the frame.

Choose a standard non-storage single bed frame if you already have enough storage and prefer a simpler design.

Choosing a Single Bed for a Small Bedroom

In a small room, furniture placement matters as much as furniture size. Start by measuring the complete floor area, then account for wardrobes, drawers, doors and radiators.

Placing a single bed against one wall can create a larger open area in the center of the room. However, consider whether you need access to both sides for changing bedding. Storage designs can be particularly effective in compact rooms. A single bed with storage may allow you to remove another piece of furniture entirely, creating more usable space overall.

Avoid focusing only on width. Deep headboards, thick side rails, and footboards can all increase the amount of floor space used.

Why Buy a Single Bed From Furniture Instore?

Furniture Instore's single beds collection is designed to help customers compare practical options according to room size, storage requirements and sleeping needs.

Whether you need a straightforward single bed frame, a single bed with storage for a compact bedroom or a single bed with mattress, the key is choosing a design that fits both your room and your daily requirements.

Our related collections make it easier to narrow your search. Browse Beds for alternative sizes, small double beds for focused designs, Double Beds for larger sleeping options and Mattresses when you need to complete the setup.

Before ordering, compare the complete frame dimensions with your available floor space and delivery route. Check mattress compatibility, storage access and headboard size rather than choosing solely by appearance.

If the measurements work and the design provides the storage or support you need, you can then select the most suitable model and move forward with your purchase confidently.