A small double bed measures 120 x 190cm -- 30cm wider than a single and 15cm narrower than a standard double. It is the most underused size in UK bedrooms, and often the most practical answer for a room that cannot take a full double but has outgrown a single. For a teenager who wants more space than a single, a solo adult in a compact bedroom, or a guest room that occasionally needs to sleep two, it is frequently the most logical choice. At Land of Beds, we stock over 300 small double beds across every style. Free mainland UK delivery, a Price Promise Guarantee, and honest advice from people who know this category properly come as standard.
Browse the full range below, or use the guides below to find the right type and storage option. Our team is available seven days a week for a personal recommendation.
A small double is 30cm wider than a single and 15cm narrower than a full double. That sounds like a compromise, but for the right room and the right sleeper it is the most logical choice on the page. It fits where a double will not, gives a solo sleeper considerably more room than a single, and works as a practical guest bed that can occasionally sleep two. The question is whether it is the right size for the specific person and room. At Land of Beds, we've been helping people work through exactly this for over 50 years, with honest advice and no pressure to buy.
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Is small double actually the right size? | A small double gives a solo sleeper 120cm of width -- significantly more than a single. For two adults sharing regularly, it gives each person around 60cm, which is less than a standard single provides as a solo bed. Being clear about the primary use prevents a decision that needs revisiting within a year or two. | Whether the room fits a full double, how often two people will share it, and whether a taller sleeper needs more than the 190cm length |
| Type and storage | In a compact room, storage matters as much as sleeping space. Choosing the right storage from the start -- ottoman, drawers, or divan -- avoids the most common regret in this category: adding furniture later that a well-chosen bed would have replaced. | Room clearance available for drawers, whether daily access or maximum capacity is the priority, gas-lift weight limits for ottoman options |
| Mattress availability | Small double mattresses are stocked by most major UK brands but the range is narrower than standard doubles. If you have a specific mattress in mind, confirm it is available in 120 x 190cm before ordering the frame -- not after. | Whether the preferred mattress brand stocks 120 x 190cm at your chosen tension, lead times compared to standard double |
A standard UK small double bed measures 120 x 190cm (4ft x 6ft 3in). It is sometimes listed as a 4ft bed or three-quarter bed. The dimensions are identical regardless of which term is used.
| Dimension | Measurement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 120cm (4ft) | 30cm wider than a single; 15cm narrower than a full double |
| Length | 190cm (6ft 3in) | The same length as single and standard double. Suits sleepers up to approximately 5ft 10in. |
| Space for one | 120cm | Significantly more room to move than a standard 90cm single |
| Space for two | Approximately 60cm each | Less than a standard single as a solo bed -- very snug for two adults sharing regularly |
For couples who share the bed most nights, a standard double at 135cm will almost always be more comfortable. See our double beds to compare.
See our UK Bed Sizes Guide for full room-measuring advice.
| Single (3ft) | Small Double (4ft) | Double (4ft6) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 90cm | 120cm | 135cm |
| Length | 190cm | 190cm | 190cm |
| Solo sleeping space | 90cm | 120cm | 135cm |
| Shared (per person) | Not suitable for regular couple use | Approx. 60cm -- less than a solo single | Approx. 67cm -- the practical minimum for most couples |
| Minimum room width | Approx. 2.5m | Approx. 2.8m | Approx. 3m |
| Mattress availability | Very wide | Wide -- most major UK brands stock this size | The widest range in UK retail |
| Best for | Children, solo adults in compact rooms | Teenagers, solo adults wanting more space, occasional guest use | Couples; solo sleepers wanting maximum width |
Our recommendation
Choose a small double if: the room cannot take a full double with 60cm of clearance on each side, you are furnishing a teenager's main bedroom, or it is a guest room that occasionally needs to sleep two.
Choose a standard double if: the room can take 135cm with adequate clearance -- a double is almost always worth the extra 15cm for the wider range of frames, mattresses, and accessories available.
The small double is the guest room decision most people get right when they think it through and wrong when they default to a single. A standard single in a guest room is perfectly adequate for one person. But a small double -- at just 30cm wider -- accommodates two occasional guests without meaningfully increasing the room footprint. It also gives a solo guest considerably more comfort. For rooms between 2.5m and 3m wide where a full double would be tight, a small double ottoman often becomes the highest-value decision in the house: maximum guest comfort, maximum hidden storage, minimum floor space consumed.
| Type | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ottoman | Gas-lift mechanism opens entire base upward; full hidden storage; no side clearance needed | Compact rooms where storage needs to work as hard as the sleeping space -- regularly replaces a chest of drawers |
| Beds with Drawers | Built-in side or end drawers; easy daily access; no lifting | Everyday accessible storage for clothes, bedding, or regularly used items |
| Divan | Solid upholstered base; lower profile; optional integrated drawers | Simple, practical setup -- usually the best value at small double size with excellent mattress compatibility |
| Fabric / Upholstered | Padded headboard; soft finish; wide colour and fabric choice | Bedrooms where the bed is intended to be a visual feature |
| Wooden | Solid or engineered wood; warm finish; quiet construction | Long-term everyday use, classic or natural interior styles |
| Metal | Slim profile; lightweight; promotes airflow under mattress | Minimalist or vintage rooms, guest rooms -- a clean simple look at good value |
Choose a small double ottoman if:
Choose a small double with drawers if:
Choose a small double divan if:
Choose a fabric or wooden small double if:
One pattern our team notices consistently: parents buying a standard single for a 13 or 14-year-old who will spend the next four or five years in it. At that age, the small double is usually worth the extra spend. The cost difference between a reasonable single and a reasonable small double is often smaller than the cost of an early replacement.
| Storage Type | Capacity | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Ottoman | Maximum -- the entire under-bed footprint; no side clearance needed | Gas-lift weight limit with your chosen mattress. Some models require a minimum mattress weight to operate correctly. |
| Side drawers | Medium -- easy daily access | Allow 60cm of clearance on the side the drawers open toward. In tight rooms this space often does not exist. |
| End drawers | Medium to large | Allow clearance at the foot of the bed. Easy to overlook when measuring around fitted wardrobes. |
| No storage | None -- widest frame style choice | Under-bed storage boxes supplement well if needed |
| Budget | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Under £300 | Entry-level materials -- engineered wood, basic metal, simple fabric. Reliable for lighter use. | Guest rooms, a teenager's first grown-up bed, occasional use |
| £300 to £700 | Better construction, more storage options, wider style choice. Built for daily use. | A teenager's or solo adult's main bedroom used every night |
| £700 and above | Premium materials -- solid hardwood, high-end fabric. Better construction and longer lifespan. | Long-term investment in a main bedroom used nightly for years |
0% finance from 3 to 48 months. Price Promise Guarantee on every order. See our finance page for details.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What size is a small double bed in the UK? | A standard UK small double measures 120cm wide by 190cm long -- also described as a 4ft bed or 4ft x 6ft 3in bed. It is 30cm wider than a standard single (90cm) and 15cm narrower than a standard double (135cm). The terms 'small double', '4ft bed', and 'three-quarter bed' all refer to identical dimensions and are completely interchangeable across retailers. |
| Is a small double big enough for two people? | For occasional use, yes -- but it is snug. At 120cm wide, two adults each have roughly 60cm of personal space, which is less than a standard single provides as a solo bed. For couples sharing most nights, a standard double at 135cm will almost always be more comfortable. The small double is best as a solo sleeper's main bed or a guest bed that occasionally accommodates two. |
| What is the difference between a small double and a double? | A small double is 120cm wide. A standard double is 135cm wide -- 15cm broader. Both are 190cm long. The standard double has a wider range of mattresses, frames, and accessories available. Choose a small double when those 15cm would genuinely compromise the room layout or available clearance. |
| What mattress do I need for a small double bed? | A small double mattress measures 120 x 190cm, sometimes listed as a 4ft mattress. Most major UK mattress brands stock this size, though the range is narrower than for a standard double. Confirm availability for your preferred mattress before ordering the frame. Land of Beds stocks small double mattresses alongside our frames. |
| Is a small double the same as a 4ft bed? | Yes. 'Small double', '4ft bed', and 'three-quarter bed' all refer to exactly the same dimensions: 120 x 190cm. All three terms are completely interchangeable across retailers. |
| Do small double beds come with storage? | Yes -- ottoman and drawer options are available in small double size, though the range is narrower than at standard double. In a compact bedroom, a small double ottoman can replace a chest of drawers and significantly improve how the room functions every day. |
| Should I buy a small double or a double? | If the room can comfortably take a standard double (135cm) with 60cm of clearance on each accessible side, a double is almost always the better long-term choice -- wider range of mattresses, accessories, and frame styles. Choose a small double when those 15cm would genuinely compromise the room layout or clearance. |
| Do you offer free delivery on small double beds? | Yes. Free mainland UK delivery on every small double bed order, with no minimum spend. Professional assembly and old bed removal and recycling are both available as add-on services. |
Third-generation family business, founded 1974. Over 100,000 beds sold. Genuinely independent -- not tied to any manufacturer. 9,000+ verified Trustpilot reviews, rated Excellent. Free mainland UK delivery on every order. Price Promise Guarantee. 0% finance from 3 to 48 months.
Not sure whether small double or double is the right choice for the room? Our team helps with exactly this decision regularly. Call us on 01928 242829, visit either showroom, or use live chat -- we're open seven days a week and there's no obligation to buy.
| How to Reach Us | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Phone: 01928 242829 | Speak directly with a bed expert. Seven days a week. |
| Live chat | Fast responses during opening hours. |
| In-store (Helsby, Cheshire / Wigan, Greater Manchester) | Over 60 beds to try in person. Open seven days a week. |
| Email: [email protected] | We aim to respond within one working day. |
