When you sleep, comfort is key. Having your feet dangling off the end of a bed becomes tiresome pretty quickly. So, the first step in buying a new mattress is working out which size is right for you, your partner and your home. Here are a few basic guidelines for you to follow when choosing your new size.
UK Standard Mattress Sizing
The following are the standard mattress sizes sold by retailers in the UK:
| UK Mattress Size | Toddler | Small Single | Single | Small Double | Double | King Size | Super King Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in CM | 70x140 | 75x190 | 90x190 | 120x190 | 135x190 | 150x200 | 180x200 |
| Dimensions in Feet | 2ft 3” x 4ft 6” | 2ft 5” x 6”3 | 3ft x 6ft 3” | 4ft x 6ft 3” | 4ft 6” x 6ft 3” | 5ft x 6ft 6” | 6ft x 6ft 6” |
For comparison, here are the standard EU mattress sizes:
| EU Mattress Size | Single | Double | King Size | Super King Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in CM | 90 x 200 | 140 x 200 | 160 x 200 | 180 x 200 |
| Dimensions in Feet & Inches | 3ft x 6ft 6” | 4ft 7” x 6ft 6” | 5ft 3” x 6ft 6” | 6ft x 6ft 6” |
EU mattresses are slightly larger than UK mattress dimensions.
The height of your mattress
What height is the tallest person who will be using the bed? There should always be 10cm between your feet and the end of the bed.
As you can see from above, the standard length of a UK double mattress is 6ft 3” (190cm). We never lie against the headboard with the addition of pillows, therefore anyone over 5ft 11” can find their feet hanging in mid air.
If you have the space, it would be well worth investing in a King size and up. For even taller sleepers, you might need to do some research into a custom made mattress.
How wide should your mattress be?
No one wants to roll off the bed in the middle of the night when turning over. So factoring in the width is important. When lying on your back with your hands behind your pillow, your elbows should not reach the edge of the mattress.
Sleeping With a Partner
Having a restless partner is one of the most common factors of sleep disturbance, which explains why more and more couples are choosing to buy separate mattresses. Choosing a wider bed will minimise disturbance from movement and provide more space for you to spread out and relax.
On the other hand, a smaller bed can also help to improve intimacy between partners. The closer you are, the more tactile the experience. In which case, a double could be just the ticket.
You should also be thinking about space in your sleeping room. Ask yourself the following questions if you don’t know which size your mattress should be:
- How big is the room?
- Are you able to fit the mattress into your room?
- Do you still have enough space to comfortably walk around it?
- Do you still have access to all of your furniture?
- Will you be keeping your current bedframe, and if so, what size is it?
These are all important questions related to mattress sizes – to consider when buying a new mattress. The bedroom is a safe haven to relax and restore, and the last thing you want to affect this is a claustrophobic space.
