Choosing the best bed for a small bedroom is about finding the right balance between comfort, storage and floor space.
The right space-saving bed can make a compact bedroom feel bigger while also giving you useful storage for bedding, clothes and other items.
Here are 10 practical ideas for choosing beds for small bedrooms in the UK.
Best Beds for Small Bedrooms: Quick Guide
1. Choose an Ottoman Storage Bed
An ottoman bed is one of the best beds for a small bedroom because the space underneath the mattress becomes useful storage.
The base lifts to reveal space for:
Bedding
Duvets
Pillows
Clothes
Suitcases
Shoes
An ottoman storage bed can reduce the need for extra cupboards or drawers, helping you save valuable floor space.
For smaller rooms, a small double ottoman bed can be especially useful.
2. Consider a Small Double Bed
A small double bed is a great option if a standard double feels too large.
A UK small double mattress measures around:
120 × 190 cm
A standard double measures:
135 × 190 cm
That means a small double saves around 15 cm of width.
A 4ft small double bed can work particularly well for one adult, guest rooms or smaller bedrooms where every centimetre matters.
3. Use a Divan Bed With Drawers
A divan bed with drawers combines a compact bed base with useful storage.
Divan beds are often less bulky than larger upholstered bed frames and can work well in small rooms.
The drawers can store:
Clothes
Bedding
Towels
Shoes
Bedroom accessories
Just make sure there is enough room beside the bed to open the drawers.
4. Avoid Oversized Bed Frames
The mattress size is not always the same as the full bed size.
Large upholstered beds may have:
Thick side rails
Wide headboards
Winged headboards
Large footboards
These features can make the bed much bigger overall.
For a small bedroom, choose a compact bed frame and always check the full dimensions before ordering.
5. Choose a Bed Without a Large Footboard
A large footboard can make a small bedroom feel more crowded.
A bed without a footboard or with a slim, low foot end can help:
Create more walking space
Make the room feel more open
Reduce the overall bed footprint
This can be especially useful if the bed faces a wardrobe or bedroom door.
6. Keep the Headboard Slim
A large winged headboard can look luxurious, but it can also take up valuable space.
For a compact bedroom, consider:
Slim upholstered headboards
Vertical-panel headboards
Low-profile headboards
Simple padded headboards
A slimmer design can still look stylish without making the bedroom feel crowded.
7. Choose a Double Bed With Storage
If you need a full double bed, a double bed with storage can help you use your bedroom more efficiently.
Popular choices include:
Double ottoman beds – large storage area underneath.
Double divan beds with drawers – convenient everyday storage.
A storage bed for a small bedroom can reduce the need for extra furniture and help keep the room organised.
8. Consider a Single Bed for Very Small Rooms
For box rooms, guest rooms or very compact bedrooms, a single bed may be the best option.
A standard UK single mattress measures:
90 × 190 cm
A single bed leaves more room for:
Wardrobes
Desks
Drawers
Bedside tables
Walking space
A single ottoman bed or single divan bed with storage can provide even more practicality.
9. Choose a Low-Profile Bed
A low-profile bed may not physically save much floor space, but it can make a small bedroom feel larger.
Large bases and tall headboards can dominate a compact room.
A simpler, lower bed frame creates a more open appearance and can make the bedroom feel less cluttered.
10. Measure Your Bedroom Before Buying
Before choosing any bed for a small bedroom, measure the room carefully.
Common UK mattress sizes include:
Bed SizeMattress SizeSingle90 × 190 cmSmall Double120 × 190 cmDouble135 × 190 cmKing150 × 200 cm
Remember, these are mattress measurements. The complete bed frame will usually be larger.
Check:
Bedroom width and length
Wardrobe clearance
Door clearance
Drawer space
Bedside table space
Radiators
Walking space
You can also use masking tape on the floor to mark the approximate bed size before buying.
What Is the Best Bed Size for a Small Bedroom?
The best size depends on who will use the room.
Single bed
Best for one person, children's rooms, box rooms and small guest bedrooms.
Small double bed
Best for one adult who wants more sleeping space without using the width of a standard double.
Double bed
Best for couples if the room still has enough space for walking and furniture.
For many small bedrooms, a small double bed or storage double bed offers the best balance between comfort and floor space.
Are Ottoman Beds Good for Small Bedrooms?
Yes. Ottoman beds are excellent for small bedrooms because they provide hidden storage without needing extra furniture.
They are particularly useful for storing bulky items such as bedding, duvets and seasonal clothing.
If your room has very little space beside the bed, an ottoman bed can also be more practical than side drawers.
Small Double vs Double for a Small Bedroom
A small double bed is 15 cm narrower than a standard double.
That extra floor space can be useful in a compact bedroom.
Choose a small double if saving space is more important.
Choose a standard double if two adults will use the bed regularly and the bedroom is large enough.
How to Make a Small Bedroom Feel Bigger
Along with choosing the right bed, you can make a small bedroom feel more spacious by:
Using under-bed storage
Choosing a slimmer bed frame
Avoiding oversized headboards
Keeping walkways clear
Using lighter bedding
Reducing unnecessary furniture
Choosing furniture with built-in storage
Best Beds for Small Bedrooms FAQs
What is the best bed for a small bedroom?
An ottoman storage bed is one of the best options because it combines sleeping space with hidden storage.
What size bed is best for a small room?
A single or small double works well in very compact rooms. A standard double can also work if there is enough walking space.
Are storage beds good for small bedrooms?
Yes. Storage beds, ottoman beds and divan beds with drawers help reduce the need for extra bedroom furniture.
What size is a small double bed?
A UK small double mattress measures approximately 120 × 190 cm, or 4ft × 6ft 3in.
Is an ottoman bed better than drawers?
For very tight bedrooms, an ottoman bed can be better because you do not need side clearance to open drawers.
Find the Best Bed for Your Small Bedroom
The best beds for small bedrooms combine comfort with clever use of space.
Choose an ottoman bed for maximum hidden storage, a small double bed to save width, or a divan bed with drawers for easy-access storage.
Whatever style you choose, measure your bedroom carefully and check the complete bed dimensions before ordering.
Explore small double beds, double beds, ottoman beds, divan beds, storage beds and upholstered beds at MNM Beds.
Shop Beds → https://mnmbeds.co.uk/categories/beds