Best beds for small rooms in the UK

Best Beds for Small Rooms UK (2024)

Last updated: 30.04.2024 Reading time: 10 Min.

Small rooms are often the hardest to design and decorate.

The bed can take up all the available floor space, leaving little room for a desk, additional storage or wardrobe. 🛌

The key is to find a bed that serves multiple purposes to utilise every square foot of the space.

From ottoman beds to cabin beds for small rooms, there are plenty of options to find the right bed for your space.

In this article, we dive into the best beds for small rooms for children, adults and guests. 👇

ottoman beds for small rooms
Sleep Hero Favourite

Emma Ottoman Bed

The chic grey Emma Ottoman Bed offers up to 890 litres of discreet storage space.
  • Soft, padded headboard, perfect for sitting against
  • Generous and uninterrupted storage space
  • Product of the Year 2024

Tell me more about the Emma Ottoman Bed

The Emma Ottoman Bed, available in 2 classic shades of grey, has a slatted base which improves airflow.

Its softly upholstered headboard is lined with flexible, contouring PU foam.

The bed also boasts outstanding storage capacity.

However, assembly proved challenging for our testers and other customers, and we expected a higher quality frame given the premium price point.

Luckily, delivery and returns are free, though you may want a helping hand lifting the 3 heavy boxes the bed arrives in.

As a quick safety warning, customers should not attempt to use the Emma Ottoman Bed lift mechanism without a mattress as the slatted base jumps up, which may result in injury.

Reasons to buy

200-night trial

Outstanding storage capacity

Wooden slats for improved breathability

Reasons to avoid

Complicated assembly

Not great quality for the price

Slatted base jumps up if there's no mattress on it

Customisable Comfort

Happy Beds Max White Wooden 6-in-1 Combination Bed

The Happy Beds Max 6-1 Combination Bed offers you six different layouts to fit into awkward spaces.
  • MDF & solid pine
  • White or dove grey
  • Customisable layout 

 

Tell me more about the Max 6-in-1 Combination Bed

The Happy Beds Max 6-in-1 Combination Bed is a versatile option for small, awkward rooms. 

It’s suitable for toddlers to teenagers, so you can get your money’s worth over the years. 

You can arrange it in 6 different layouts, including a toddler bed, L-shaped bunk bed or high sleeper loft. 

Disclaimer: We do not recommend the high sleeper customisation for young children. 
 

Unfortunately, a few customers on Trustpilot reported problems with quality, including minor cracks and marks. 

Please double-check each piece upon arrival and notify Happy Beds within 15 days if you notice any problems.

It is delivered flat-packed so you can carry it through narrow doorways and into the bedroom. 

Reasons to buy

5-year guarantee

Can be adjusted as your child grows 

Assembly service available 

Reasons to avoid

Some customers reported quality issues 

Quite expensive 

Compact Design

Happy Beds Tyler Day Bed With Trundle

The minimalist design of the Tyler Day Bed makes it the ideal choice for any contemporary room.
  • Solid pine wood with solid wooden slats
  • Single size 
  • Trundle is fully detachable 

 

Tell me more about the Tyler Day Bed With Trundle

The Happy Beds Tyler Day Bed is a convenient space-saving option designed as an accessible bed and sofa. 

It features additional storage shelves at the top, great for a bedside lamp or storing books, and a discreet trundle hidden away in a drawer below. 

Conveniently, the trundle underneath can be separated from the main bed, creating two separate bed spaces. 

You can also purchase the trundle separately to store underneath a different bed frame. 

The trundle space has a height of 20 cm (7.9 inches). 

Happy Beds delivers the Tyler Day Bed flat-packed and free of charge, with easy-to-follow self-assembly instructions. 

Reasons to buy

5-year guarantee

Integrated storage shelves 

Free delivery 

Reasons to avoid

Trundle doesn't raise up 

Easy Assembly

DreamCloud Divan Bed

The DreamCloud Divan Bed has built-in storage and a wide range of sizes.
  • Timber and upholstered covering
  • Easy-access storage
  • Smoke, coal and biscotti

Tell me more about the DreamCloud Divan Bed

The DreamCloud Divan Bed has built-in drawers and a wide range of customisable options, including different colours, fabrics and sizes. 

The base and headboard are made from FSC-certified [1] timber, so you know they were sourced with the environment in mind.  

There is the option of two-drawer storage, with metal runners, to make them easily accessible.

The drawers arrive assembled, and the base has a simple clip-on method to fix it together.

Unlike the DreamCloud Ottoman Bed, the divan base is also available in a small double size, perfect for those who need a double bed but have a smaller bedroom. 

Reasons to buy

2-year guarantee

Free delivery & returns

Easy assembly

Reasons to avoid

No trial period

The DreamCloud Ottoman offers more storage capacity 

Great For Kids

Happy Beds Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed Frame

The Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed Frame from Happy Beds is a great option for small kids' rooms.
  • Wooden particle board
  • Anthracite, grey oak, grey and white, oak and white
  • Ideal for small spaces 

Tell me more about the Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed

The Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed Frame from Happy Beds is a cosy and compact solution for small kids' bedrooms with little floor space. 

It has internal drawers, external shelving, a pull-out desk, and space for a single UK mattress. 

The desk has rubber caster wheels to make it easy to pull out, and the ladder has safety rails to help your child get into bed. 

The bed layout is fixed, so you can’t move the ladder to the other side or alter the position of the drawers. 

It also has a matching wardrobe and additional drawers to buy separately if you need further storage. 

Happy Beds offers free standard delivery and specific-day delivery at an additional cost. 

Reasons to buy

5-year guarantee

Lots of additional storage & pull-out desk 

Space-saving design 

Reasons to avoid

Quite complex to build 

Some customers say it doesn't feel very sturdy

What is the best type of bed for a small room?

Finding the best bed for a small room can be tricky.

It’s all about what you or your child needs from the room and what you can compromise on.

Let’s dive into the different types of beds for small rooms and how they adhere to different ages. 👇

Ottoman beds for small rooms

An ottoman bed is a great option if you need plenty of storage in your small room.

An ottoman bed has a hydraulic piston mechanism that helps you lift the bed to reveal storage space underneath.

A hydraulic piston mechanism is a fluid power system used to create linear motion and force through a cylindrical barrel containing a piston, which moves back and forth within the barrel as hydraulic fluid is pumped in and out. In ottoman beds, these mechanisms are employed to lift and lower the bed frame smoothly.

This provides ample storage for larger items that don’t fit in drawers, like suitcases, Christmas decorations and even sports equipment. 🎾

ottoman beds for small rooms
An ottoman bed is an excellent choice if you need lots of storage.

However, lifting the mattress and frame can be very heavy and may not be suitable for older individuals or those with back problems.

For this reason, we don’t recommend storing items you use every week in the ottoman compartment.

Nonetheless, the Emma Ottoman Bed offers a whopping 890 litres of storage space and is a great way to store large items in a dust-free environment.

BUY EMMA OTTOMAN BED£ 419.40

Divan beds for small rooms

If you don't need as much storage space as an ottoman bed, we recommend trying a divan double bed for small rooms instead.

Divan beds have pull-out drawers under the mattress that can be used to store smaller items, like clothing and spare bedding. 🗄️

divan beds for small rooms

Divan beds don’t offer the same storage volume as an ottoman bed, but they are much easier to access daily.

The DreamCloud Divan Bed offers two or four drawers that can be pulled out from under the bed with an easy-to-use metal glide mechanism.

55% OFF DREAMCLOUD DIVAN BED£ 301.50

Cabin beds for small rooms

Space saving cabin beds for small rooms are an excellent option for children and teenagers.

A cabin bed has an upper bunk with built-in storage underneath, including drawers and shelves.

This maximises the floor space available and provides space for toys, clothes and other bits and bobs.

Happy Beds’ Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed Frame even has space for a desk in the bed frame.

33% OFF JUPITER MID SLEEPER

The desk can be stored underneath the bed at night and then rolled out on castor wheels during the day.

This style is great for teenage beds for small rooms, who need a desk to do homework after school but don’t have the floor space for a separate desk.

Cabin beds often have integrated shelving to display ornaments, books and even a TV. 📺

You can turn the storage-savvy cabin bed into a stylish furniture piece in your child’s bedroom.

Bunk beds for small rooms

If your kids share a bedroom, bunk beds are often the best choice to save space.

Space saving bunk beds for small rooms include one lower bunk and one upper bunk stacked on top of each other. 🛏️

trundle bunk beds for small rooms
Some free-standing bunk beds also come with a trundle bed, creating three separate sleep spaces.

Alternatively, built-in bunk beds for small rooms are attached to the wall and are much sturdier than free-standing ones.

We recommend purchasing ready-to-buy bunk beds first to see if your kids get along with them and then look into custom built in bunk beds for small rooms later.

The Happy Beds Max 6-in-1 Combination Bed is a good one to start with, as it provides multiple layout options.

30% OFF 6-IN-1 COMBINATION BED

Loft beds for small rooms

A loft bed is an upper bunk bed with space underneath for a desk, sofa or play mat.

This is a great choice for older children who need their own space to do homework and relax away from the family rooms.

loft beds
Loft beds are a great fit for teenagers.

Space saving loft beds for small rooms offer a bedroom, office and living room in one without needing any extra floor space.

You can turn the Happy Beds Max 6-in-1 Combination Bed into a loft bed and keep the second single bed for guests in another room.

30% OFF 6-IN-1 COMBINATION BED

Pull-down beds for small rooms

Murphy beds, or pull-down beds, are a popular choice for small guest rooms.

A Murphy bed is a space-saving bed that can be hinged at one end to store vertically against a wall or within a cabinet.

pull down beds for small rooms
Just pull down the Murphy bed when someone comes over for a cosy guest room.

This means you can use the room as an office, gym or playroom most of the time and turn it into a guest room when you have people over.

A pull-down bed lets you make the most out of a small room and fulfil multiple requirements.

Trundle beds for small rooms

A trundle bed is a low, wheeled bed that is stored under a standard bed and can be rolled out for use by guests or as an additional sleeping space.

If you don't need the extra mattress, you can use the trundle part as storage.

A trundle bed allows you to have guests over without needing to find the space for a larger bed.

trundle beds for small rooms
A trundle bed is great for small spaces and sleepovers.

When you don’t have guests, you could turn your trundle bed into a day bed and use the rest of the room as a home gym or office. 🖥️

Equally, trundle beds work well in kids' rooms if they have friends over for sleepovers often.

We recommend the Happy Beds Tyler Day Bed with Trundle because it comes in a UK adult single mattress and has integrated shelving for a cosy and aesthetic look.

34% OFF TYLER DAY BED£ 339.99

What types of beds should I avoid for a small room?

When it comes to beds for small box rooms, it’s all about storage and flexibility.

You should avoid beds with a simple frame and no built-in storage or other features.

While you can store some belongings underneath a plain metal or wooden frame, these beds tend to be lower and can’t fit the larger items.

Try to avoid beds with bulky or curved headboards or foot ends, which take up extra space, especially TV beds.

Ultimately, you should opt for storage-savvy small beds for box rooms that maximise the available space.

What size bed is best for a small room?

The right bed and mattress size for a small room depends on the space dimensions and the age of the person using the bed the most.

Let’s dive into the different sizes of space saving beds for small rooms (UK).

Double beds for small rooms

A double bed in a small room can be quite a squeeze.

However, a small double bed, measuring 120 cm x 190 cm (47 x 75 inches), provides just enough room for two people without taking up as much floor space as a standard double, which is 135 cm x 190 cm (53 x 75 inches).

small double beds for small rooms
The small double size is perfect for smaller bedrooms.

We wouldn’t recommend two people sleeping in a small double bed full-time as it’s quite snug, but it’s a great option for guests staying over the weekend. 👭

Many brands also don’t offer the small double size, which can be more difficult to come by in both beds and mattresses.

Fortunately, our recommended DreamCloud Divan Bed is available in a small double size with plenty of storage underneath.

55% OFF DREAMCLOUD DIVAN BED£ 301.50

Single beds for small rooms

For individual sleepers, a single bed at 90 cm x 190 cm (35 x 75 inches) offers ample sleeping space without overwhelming the room.

A standard single mattress and bed are much easier to find than a small double so you will have more options to choose from.

You can also find narrow single beds for small rooms if you need something even smaller than a standard UK single.

single beds for small rooms
The UK single mattress can make your small room feel much bigger.

A UK single is ideal for teenage beds for small rooms as it provides plenty of sleeping space and leaves floor space for a desk, TV, or additional storage. 📺

We recommend the Happy Beds Tyler Day Bed with Guest Bed Trundle because it gives you the choice of more sleeping space if a guest comes over or you fancy stretching out.

34% OFF TYLER DAY BED£ 339.99

Short beds for small rooms

When browsing small beds for small rooms, remember that UK and EU beds have different dimensions.

For example, a single adult-sized mattress measures:

  • UK: 90 x 190 cm (35 x 75 inches)
  • EU: 90 x 200 cm (35 x 29 inches)

If you’re looking for shorter beds for small rooms, stick with a UK-sized bed and mattress, as they are 10 cm (4 inches) shorter than an EU bed.

Kids beds for small rooms

Kids' beds tend to be a little smaller than regular adult beds.

For example, the Happy Beds Max Combination Bed Frame can be turned into a toddler bed or two guest beds for small rooms.

toddler beds for small rooms
The Happy Beds Max Combination Bed is slightly larger than the average UK toddler mattress size.

The toddler bed houses a 77 x 143 cm (30 x 56 inches) mattress, while the guest bed fits a standard UK single, measuring 90 x 190 cm (35 x 75 inches).

The toddler bed is much shorter and narrower, perfect for smaller kids. 🧒

30% OFF 6-IN-1 COMBINATION BED

If you’re looking for children’s storage beds for small rooms, we recommend the Jupiter Mid Sleeper Cabin Bed from Happy Beds instead.

This cabin bed has far more storage than the Max Combination bed, providing space for kids' toys and clothes.

How much do beds for small rooms cost?

Our recommended beds for small rooms range from £500 to £1800 in price. 💸

For example, the Emma Ottoman Bed is a more premium product with a premium price.

BUY EMMA OTTOMAN BED£ 419.40

It has a huge amount of storage and a luxurious design with high-quality upholstery.

In comparison, the DreamCloud Divan Bed is almost half the price and provides far less storage.

We also recommend a few children's beds for smaller rooms, each with plenty of storage and unique design features.

These beds are comparatively more expensive than a standard children’s single bed frame without any storage or shelving.

kids beds for small rooms
Kids' beds with storage can hide away their toys and keep their room tidy.

As we discussed earlier, beds for small rooms need to serve multiple purposes and contain a lot of storage.

These features elevate the bed frame and often come at a higher cost.

However, integrated storage and desks also mean you don’t need to purchase separate drawers, storage containers, etc.

If you’re looking for custom made beds for small rooms, these will often come at a higher price than ready-to-buy frames.

What is the delivery and returns process for beds for small rooms?

The delivery and returns process depends on the brand you purchase from.

For example, Emma Sleep and DreamCloud offer free returns and delivery in the UK.

Happy Beds also offers free delivery, but you must arrange and pay for your courier to return the product.

Delivery process for beds for small rooms

If you’re purchasing from another brand, double-check the delivery and returns process before ordering.

This is particularly important when purchasing beds for small rooms, as you need to make sure the bed fits the space, and if it doesn’t, you can get a full refund.

You should also see if your chosen brand offers an assembly service, as space-saving beds can be quite difficult to assemble.

For example, Happy Beds provides a bed assembly service via Taskrabbit for an additional cost.

Do beds for small rooms save space?

Beds for small rooms are designed to maximise the space available.

They often come with integrated storage, display shelving and even a second mattress tucked out of sight.

They save space by serving multiple functions, so you don’t need additional furniture in the room, like a chest of drawers.

This helps you make the most out of your small room, whether it’s a guest bedroom, kids' playroom or office.

Our favourite beds for small rooms UK:

Frequently asked questions

  • Where should a bed be placed in a small room?


    The placement of double beds for small rooms can significantly influence both the space and aesthetics. 

    Consider space saving cabin beds for small rooms as they are designed to fit compactly and often include built-in storage, making them ideal for tight spaces. 

    Placing the bed in a corner can maximise floor space, and opting for narrow beds for small rooms can enhance the room's openness. 

    For a unique layout, L-shaped beds for small rooms can offer an innovative solution, providing both sleeping space and extra room for movement or additional furniture.

  • What is the smallest bed for adults?


    The smallest bed size typically suitable for adults is a small single bed. 

    For those dealing with very limited space, space-saving single beds for small rooms can be a lifesaver. 

    These box room beds are ideal for solo sleepers and can be a practical choice for guest rooms or studio apartments. 

    Exploring options like narrow beds for small rooms can provide sleeping solutions that fit even the tightest spaces effectively.

  • Are sofa beds good for small rooms?


    Sofa beds are an excellent option for small rooms, offering a dual-purpose solution that saves space. 

    Chair beds or single sofa beds for small rooms are particularly beneficial as they occupy minimal space while providing the necessary functionality of both a bed and a sofa. 

    This makes them perfect for studio apartments or guest rooms where space is at a premium. 

    Furthermore, many modern sofa beds come with additional storage options, adding to their practicality in small living spaces.

  • Can I design my own bed size?


    We recommend custom-made beds for small rooms if you need anything smaller than the standard UK sizes. 

    For example, you may opt for a custom bed if you need:

    • Narrow single beds for small rooms
    • Small single beds for small rooms
    • Big beds for small rooms
    • Small bunk beds for small rooms
    • Fitted beds for small rooms

    Finding small beds for small rooms is a tricky task, and in some cases, a sofa bed may fit your dimensions better. 

  • How do I maximise space in a small bedroom?


    To maximise space in a small bedroom, focus on multifunctional furniture and clever storage solutions. 

    Single sofa beds for small rooms and day beds for small rooms can double as seating during the day, freeing up valuable space. 

    Incorporating mid sleeper cabin beds for small rooms can create additional storage or play areas underneath. 

    For those who enjoy DIY projects, DIY bunk beds for small rooms can be a fun and space-efficient addition. 

    Additionally, opting for cheap cabin beds for small rooms from retailers like IKEA can be a budget-friendly way to make the most of limited space.

    This is a great example of how space can be maximised in a small bedroom:

  • References

George arkley image

George Arkley

Content Writer

I’m always the first person to try the latest sleep hack - whether it’s drinking coffee or counting sheep. Now, I get to write about the latest sleep gadgets, mattresses and much more in a bid to help you find the perfect night’s sleep.

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