What Mattress Size is Right for Me?

Choosing the perfect mattress is a really important decision, and with so many options to choose from, it can feel like a daunting task! Whether you opt for a single size, double size or king size, your mattress needs to suit your space and your sleeping style. In this ultimate mattress size comparison guide, we will break down the different mattress sizes available, and give you advice on which one will fit you and your bedroom best.

Small Single Mattresses and Single Mattresses

When it comes to single mattresses, you can either select a 2ft6 small single mattress or 3ft single mattress.

A 2ft6 small single mattress is the narrowest choice and is normally designed for young children. It’s a great option for a child’s first bed and will fit smaller bed frames well. If your child does have a small bedroom, then a small single should fit into their space nicely.

A 3ft single mattress, on the other hand, is a great choice for older children, or even for smaller adults who prefer sleeping alone. A single mattress would fit well into smaller bedrooms where there is less floor space to work with. It’s a great choice for a small guest bedroom, too.  

Small Double Mattresses and Double Mattresses

There are two options when it comes to double mattresses – either a 4ft small double mattress or a 4ft6 double mattress.

A 4ft small double is perfect for people who like to sleep solo, but want a little bit more wriggle room than what a single mattress can provide. A small double mattress can also suit two people; however, they would have to be alright with sleeping close together! As such, a small double is probably not an ideal long-term choice for couples. A small double is a fantastic choice for a guest bedroom if it is on the smaller side because it suits both single sleepers and couples without taking up a lot of room.

The standard 4ft6 double mattress is the most common mattress used in UK homes. A mattress of this size works well for couples as it provides a comfortable amount of sleeping space while fitting well into most master bedrooms. 4ft6 double mattresses also offer the added benefit of more affordable linens, and a wider choice of linens, in comparison with larger mattress sizes.

King Mattresses and Super King Mattresses

Next up in our mattress size comparison guide is the king mattresses. The two choices here include the 5ft king size mattress or the 6ft super king size mattress. 

A 5ft king size mattress is perfect for couples who desire more sleeping space. Whether you’re a light sleeper and your partner is a heavy snorer, or you’re a still sleeper, and your partner tends to move and jolt, a king size mattress offers you a bit more separation. That being said, your king size mattress still needs to fit into your bedroom properly – make sure there is enough floor space to move around and make the bed easily.

For a real sense of luxury, you could get yourself a 6ft super king size mattress. This is one of the largest mattress choices available and is perfect for couples who really need their sleep space. It's also an ideal choice for couples whose children or pets like to cuddle up with them first thing in the morning! 

Things to Consider:
Now that we’ve explained the different mattress sizes available, we’re going to highlight seven key considerations that you should keep in mind before finalising your choice.

1.      How tall are you?
Height is an important factor to consider when browsing for your ideal mattress. It is recommended that your mattress is at least 10cm longer than the height of the tallest user. Your mattress should also be wide enough to allow you to place of your hands under your head without your elbows touching either side of the mattress. If you or your partner are tall, it may be worth investing in a larger mattress, such as a king or super king. We offer king size and super king size zip link mattresses which are extra-long, so this could be a superb solution if you need that added length.

2.      Are you a light sleeper?
If you do share a bed with a partner, their sleeping habits can have a huge impact on your sleeping pattern and your quality of sleep; in turn, this can influence your mood. A light sleeper may find it harder to drift off if their partner snores heavily or moves about a lot. If this is the case for you, consider upgrading your mattress to a king or super king to get some much-needed space.

Alternatively, if you’re an active sleeper that sleeps solo, it might be worth opting for a bigger mattress, such as a 4ft6 double mattress, so that you have space to move about without the risk of falling onto the floor! 

3.      What mattress type will work best for you?
Mattress size is definitely important, but so is mattress type! Choosing the perfect mattress material depends on your needs and preferences.

A memory foam mattress is great for relaxing the back into shape and helps to relieve pressure points in the back and other joints. Also, if you share a bed with a partner who disrupts your sleep and you don’t have the budget or space for a king size mattress, consider opting for a memory foam mattress; they don’t allow movement to travel across the mattress so that you can fall asleep with minimal disturbance.

4.      Will your mattress fit your bed frame?
Many bed frames are not made to be the same width and depth as the mattress sitting on top of it; instead, they are designed to fit around the mattress. They then take up unnecessary space in your bedroom. Take a tape measure to confirm the size of your bed frame, or if it hasn’t arrived yet, see if you can find the dimensions online. Divan beds are a fantastic choice that offers a solution; they are a firm favourite across the UK and further abroad because they are designed to align with the size of the mattress. Divan beds offer other excellent benefits, too, as they are highly customisable – for example, you can add storage drawers and taller legs that help to add space underneath. 

5.      Will your mattress fit the space in your bedroom comfortably?
Your bed is the most important feature of your bedroom, and so it should take priority when arranging the furniture in your space. You can always move your existing furniture around to discover the ideal place for your new mattress. Also, ensure to take a tape measurer and carefully measure out the floor space you have dedicated to your bed.  

A top tip is that you should aim to have at least a foot of space on either side of your mattress; this will leave you with enough room to comfortably get out of bed in the morning and easily change your bedding. 

6.      Can you find linen to go with your mattress?
When it comes to picking out the perfect linen for your mattress, you need to think about pricing and accessibility. Typically, the larger the bed linen, the more expensive it is. So bare this in mind if you are going to choose a larger mattress. It is also worth noting that beds which are not of a standard dimension – anything other than single, double, or king – are usually less readily available so you may have limited options.

7.      Can you manoeuvre your mattress into your bedroom?
Even if you have the bedroom space for a larger mattress, if you don’t have the space to get the mattress into your bedroom physically, then you’re going to struggle!

Before finalising your mattress selection, plan out how you and the delivery people will manoeuvre your mattress into your bedroom. You may need to measure out your doorframes and the width of your staircase or hallway.

A fantastic solution to this problem is opting for a zip and link mattress. A zip link bed and zip link mattress are two single beds that seamlessly and easily join together with straps and zips to form a king or super king size bed. Two single zip link mattresses can be more easily manoeuvred through tight spaces, and they are much lighter than a double size or king size mattress.

So, now you can answer that very important question – what mattress is right for me?  There are lots of important things to keep in mind so that you can choose the best mattress for your sleep style and your bedroom space. Have a browse of our collection of mattresses and be sure to find one that will help you sleep peacefully for years to come.