Most people choose a bed size by looking at the bed. The better way is to look at the room, the stairs and the person you share it with.
A super king is wonderful in the right room. In the wrong one, it turns a bedroom into a corridor. Here is how to choose, and how to make sure it reaches the bedroom at all.
UK bed sizes in centimetres
UK sizes are fairly consistent, but not identical. Makers vary by a centimetre or two, and some by more. As a guide:
- Double: about 135cm wide, sometimes 137cm, by 190cm long.
- King: 150cm by 200cm.
- Super king: 180cm by 200cm.
- Emperor: this varies the most. Some makers build it at 200cm by 200cm, others at 213cm by 213cm.
Always check the exact size of the bed you are choosing, and remember that the frame or headboard adds to the footprint. The mattress size is not the size of the bed.
King or super king for two people
The difference is 30cm of width. Split between two people, that is 15cm each.
It sounds small. In practice, it is often the difference between noticing your partner turn over and not noticing.
- Choose a super king if either of you is restless, if you have different bedtimes, if a child or a dog tends to join you, or if one of you runs hot.
- A king is plenty if you both sleep still, if the room is modest, or if you want space for bedside tables on both sides.
If you and your partner want different firmness as well as more room, ask about split tensions. Marshall & Stewart can build each side of the bed for the person sleeping on it.
Will it fit the room?
Before you choose, mark the bed's footprint on the floor with masking tape, frame included. Then live with it for a day.
- Walk round it. Can you get to both sides without turning sideways?
- Open everything. Wardrobe doors, drawers and the bedroom door should all clear the bed.
- Make the bed in your head. You need room to stand at the side and tuck in a sheet.
If the tape makes the room feel cramped, the bed will too.
The mattress size is not the size of the bed.
Getting it up the stairs
This is where London homes test a delivery team. Victorian terraces have tight turns on the stairs. Mansion blocks have lifts built for people, not mattresses. Converted flats have doorways that were never meant for a super king.
Measure these before you order, and bring the numbers with you:
- The narrowest doorway on the route, including the front door.
- The tightest turn on the stairs, and the ceiling height at that turn.
- Any lift, measured inside: width, depth and height.
- Banisters and radiators that stick out into the route.
If the access is restricted, we recommend an access check before you order. Our own delivery team carries every bed to the room, assembles it fully and takes the packaging away, so they would much rather know about a tight landing in advance than discover it on the day.
"Delivery was on time to the day and hour. Difficult staircase managed perfectly."
Google review, Westend Bed Company
When a big bed will not go up in one piece
There are good answers to a narrow staircase:
- Zip and link. Two single mattresses and bases that join to make one large bed. Hypnos notes that zip-and-link beds can be taken up the stairs in two single-sized parts. They also split back into two singles, which is useful for a guest room.
- A bespoke size. If the room is an odd shape or the stairs are unusually tight, a made-to-order bed can be built to fit. Marshall & Stewart makes beds for antique frames, yacht berths and extra-long sleepers. See how long a made-to-order bed takes.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a super king bed in the UK?
A UK super king mattress is usually 180cm wide by 200cm long. A king is usually 150cm by 200cm. Sizes vary slightly between makers, so check the exact dimensions of the bed you choose.
Will a super king fit up narrow stairs?
Often, but not always. Measure the narrowest doorway, the tightest stair turn and any lift. If access is tight, a zip-and-link bed, which goes up in two single-sized parts, or a bespoke size can solve it.
Is a king or super king better for a couple?
A super king gives each person 15cm more width than a king. It suits restless sleepers or couples with different routines. A king is usually enough for still sleepers in a smaller room.
Worried about the stairs? Call us on 020 7723 2925 and ask for an access check before you choose, or send us your measurements. Our showroom is at 215 Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, SW14 8QT.