Single Bed Sizes for Children and Adults

The standard size of a single bed for adults is 90 × 200 cm (the mattress size). You will also find 80 × 190, 80 × 200 and 90 × 190 cm versions for small rooms, 100 × 200 cm if you want more room, and 120 × 200 cm, the widest option for one person. For children, the usual sizes are 60 × 120, 70 × 140, 80 × 160 and 90 × 180 cm. Below you will find all the sizes in one table, the difference between mattress size and bed size, and tips to help you choose.

When choosing a single bed, it is important to think about the needs of the person who will sleep in it. There is a whole range of sizes, suitable for children as well as adults, and each group comes with its own recommendations for comfort and practicality.

Single bed sizes: the complete table

Mattress size	Category	Who it suits (as a guide)
60 × 120 cm	Cot	Babies and toddlers
70 × 140 cm	Toddler (junior) bed	The move from cot to a child’s bed
80 × 160 cm	Child’s bed	School-age children
90 × 180 cm	Older child’s bed	Can be used up to the teenage years
80 × 190 / 80 × 200 cm	Narrow single	Small rooms, guest rooms
90 × 190 / 90 × 200 cm	Standard single	Teenagers and adults; 90 × 200 cm is the most common
100 × 200 cm	Wide single	Restless sleepers who move around a lot
120 × 190 / 120 × 200 cm	Large single	Extra comfort for one person

Standard single bed sizes for children

In a child’s room, choosing the right bed means thinking about space, safety and the child’s lifestyle. The most common sizes are:

• 60 × 120 cm – ideal for babies and toddlers;
• 70 × 140 cm – a transitional option between the cot and a child’s bed;
• 80 × 160 cm – suitable for school-age children;
• 90 × 180 cm – a flexible choice that can be used up to the teenage years.

These sizes make for an attractive, practical design without crowding the child’s room. If you want a bed that will see your child through many years, you can go straight for 90 × 200 cm, the standard adult size.

Recommended sizes for adults

For adults, comfort becomes essential. A single bed needs to give you enough room for a good night’s rest. The most popular adult sizes are:

• 90 × 200 cm – the standard size in most homes;
• 100 × 200 cm – gives you a little extra space and is ideal for anyone who moves around a lot in their sleep;
• 120 × 200 cm – a very comfortable solution for one person, also known as a “large single”.

These sizes work well in small bedrooms, as well as in guest rooms or studio flats.

Mattress size is not bed size

When you see “90 × 200 bed”, the figures almost always refer to the mattress, not the overall size of the bed. The frame, headboard and upholstered sides add a few centimetres, sometimes more. For example, the Samoa Good upholstered bed in our store, in the version for an 80 or 90 cm mattress, has an overall width of 100 and 110 cm respectively. Before you order, measure the space in the room and compare it with the external dimensions of the bed, not just with those of the mattress. Also leave room to walk on the side where you get into bed, plus space for wardrobe doors or drawers to open.

Upholstered single beds

An upholstered bed, with a headboard and sides covered in fabric or leather, makes a bedroom warmer and more elegant than a plain frame. The Samoa Italia upholstered models in our store are made for 90 × 190/200 cm mattresses (some also for 80 cm), as well as for 120, 140/160 or 180 cm, so you can keep the same style in the child’s room and in the main bedroom. Depending on the model, you can choose a version without a slatted base, with a slatted base, or with an ottoman storage box and lift-up mechanism, which is very handy in a small room. Check on each product page what the price includes: with the Samoa Good bed, for example, the mattress is not included.

You will find all the models in our beds category, and the Italian manufacturer’s full collection on the Samoa Italia page.

What to consider when choosing a bed size

• The sleeper’s height and weight – a tall adult will prefer a bed at least 200 cm long.
• The space available in the room – measure carefully where the bed will go and allow for the external size of the frame.
• The type of mattress – some mattresses only come in certain standard sizes, which is why it is easier to choose a common size such as 90 × 200 cm.
• Storage – in a small room, a bed with a storage box saves you an extra chest of drawers.
• The rest of the furniture – the bedside table, desk and wardrobe all need to fit comfortably around the bed. Have a look at the rest of our furniture range for a cohesive scheme.

For comparison: double and king size bed dimensions

If you are torn between a wide single and a small double, here are the usual sizes in continental Europe: 140 × 200 cm (small double, often chosen by young people or those who live alone), 160 × 200 cm (double, also called queen size) and 180 × 200 cm (king size). Bear in mind that in the UK and the US “king size” means different dimensions, so always check the centimetres, not just the name.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a bed for one person?

Most often 90 × 200 cm. There are also 80 × 190, 80 × 200 and 90 × 190 cm (more compact), plus 100 × 200 cm and 120 × 200 cm (wider). These figures are for the mattress; the bed itself is slightly larger.

What are the dimensions of a single bed?

“Single” is simply the usual name for a bed for one person, so the dimensions are the same: 90 × 200 cm as standard, with versions from 80 to 120 cm wide and 190–200 cm long.

What size are children’s beds?

As a guide: 60 × 120 cm for babies, 70 × 140 cm for the move out of the cot, 80 × 160 cm for school age and 90 × 180 cm up to the teenage years. A 90 × 200 cm bed can be used from school age right through to adulthood.

What size is a king size bed?

In continental Europe, king size usually means 180 × 200 cm. In the UK, a king size is roughly 152 × 198 cm, and in the US roughly 193 × 202 cm.

Is a 120 × 200 cm bed for one person or two?

It is considered the widest single bed (a “large single”). For two people, the usual sizes start at 140 × 200 cm.

Whatever you choose, a well-chosen single bed makes for restful sleep and a harmonious room. If you are not sure which size suits your room, send us the measurements and we will help you choose.