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Everything starts with a good night sleep. Without adequate sleep, us humans cannot function and poor sleep affects all areas of life. An average adult needs about 7-9 hours sleep daily (preferably during the night) and a good bed can help to reach this. A lot of other factors matter, but at least we have control over picking the right bed. The correct bed size, the quality of the mattress and the comfort level can help enormously.
Often, we share the bed with our partners – so that’s something that also need to be considered when picking the right size bed. We don’t just have to find the correct length but also the the width when buying a new bed.
As a rule of thumb, the bed should with six additional inches (about 15 cm) longer than your height. The tallest person in the bed, that is.
In this article – with the help of Simba Sleep – I aim to help you choosing the best bed of your life.
Popular bed types
These days, there are plenty choose from. Bed frames evolved rapidly in the past couple of decades and there are so much more available to really satisfy all taste and requirements. There was just the bed frame with a mattress not long ago, but now you can buy really smart divan beds with hidden storage that saves space and helps to keep your bedroom clutter-free too. They all come in different sizes too.
Ottoman Bed
Undoubtedly the most popular of bed styles of our times, ottoman beds do what the name suggest: a great bed that has lots of storage. Ideal for a family home: the ottoman Simba beds use space underneath the bed that might otherwise be lost, and it also helps to keep the bedroom tidy and clutter-free.
Canopy Bed
Also known as four-poster bed. One of the oldest type of beds. Characterised by its four tall posts, one at each corner of the bed, this design can vary from simplistic to intricately decorated.
Divan Bed
A divan bed is a bed which is made up of a base plus a matching mattress. Which is why it’s the best to buy this bed from the best mattress companies. With the base is generally crafted from wood, it’s a durable option.
Platform Bed
These types of beds rest on a base that is a raised, level horizontal solid frame. It can be made of wood, metal or can upholstered but the main feature is a stable surface in the middle – either wooden slats or a solid platform.
Folding Bed
Great for space saving, the folding bed can transform from couch to bed. Ideal for small apartments or guest rooms! They can easily be folded out to a bed and stored away as a couch. How it works: a hinged frame helps the mechanism, which allows the bed to be folded up and stored away.
Sleigh Bed
Although a bit old-fashioned, many people loves this classic bed type. Shaped like a sleigh, the bed has a headboard and a footboard (both fairly high). Mostly made of wood but upholstered, metal and leather covered frames are also popular. The visual appeal is what really makes people still love this bed style.
Murphy Bed
The Murphy bed is a blast from the past, a multifunctional furniture dating back to the 1900s. It is also known as a pull-down bed, fold-down bed – not to confuse with the folding bed! -, or wall bed. It is a bed that is hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall, or inside a closet/cabinet.
Traditional Bed Sizes
Small Twin (single) 75 x 190cm 2ft (approximately 6in x 6ft 3in)
Twin (Single) 90 x 190cm (approximately 3ft x 6ft 3in)
Euro Twin (Single) 90 x 200cm (approximately 3ft x 6ft 6in)
Small Double (Queen) 120 x 190cm (approximately 4ft x 6ft 3in)
Double 135 x 190cm (approximately 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in)
Euro Double 140 x 200cm (approximately 4ft 9in x 6ft 6in)
King 150 x 200cm (approximately 5ft 3in x 6ft 6in)
Euro King 160 x 200cm (approximately 6ft x 6ft 6in)
Super King 180 x 200cm (approximately 6ft x 6ft 6in)
Emperor 200 x 200cm (approximately 6ft 6in x 6ft 6in)
Which size to choose?
For children 5ft. 5in. (165 cm) tall: Small Twin (Single)
This is really a children’s size bed or for shorter grown-ups.
For people under 5ft. 5in. (165 cm) tall: Twin (Single)
Although the name says ‘twin’, it really is the single bed. This size has only enough space for one person. In the UK, with a width suitable for a child or adult that has a height of under 5 ft. 5in (165cm). With its compact size, a twin is an ideal choice when bedroom space is limited.
For people up to 6ft. (182cm) tall: Euro Twin
The Euro Twin (Twin XL in the US) has the same width as the Twin, but the length is slightly longer. It is six inches longer, which makes it much more suitable for taller people. This size is suitable for adults too.
The Double, also known as Queen, is a bed size ideal for those under 6ft (approximately 182cm). This makes a super comfortable bed for single use. Most hotels use it for space saving – which is ok for a few nights when sharing it with your partner, but for a long term – it’s quite small for people sharing it.
For people who are 6ft. (182 cm) tall: Euro Double
The euro double are also ideal for single use. However, since it is longer than the double, it can better accommodate much taller individuals. Unfortunately, you won’t find it too comfortable if sharing the bed, but you can be sure that your legs will have plenty of luxurious space. Some people might find it comfortable when sharing though.
For people who are 6ft. (182 cm) tall : King
The King is probably the all-time favourite of the bed sizes available. Most people opt for King size if space allows. Compared to the Euro Double, the King is wider. It is the width that people buy it for and there is definitely enough space to accommodate two adults.
For individuals over 6ft. (182 cm) tall: Super King/Emperor
Besides the King, the Emperor is also one of the most popular bed sizes. Depending on the space you have in the room, of course. It is a firm favourite for of couples in the US, but in Europe it is also gaining popularity.