Do you sleep well at night? Does your partner? Partner disturbance is a common reason people don’t sleep well at night. From snoring and accidental kicking to breathing too close to your face – they are enough to make anyone consider a bigger bed – or a bed of their own!
Our long-standing mattress mantra is the bigger the bed the better the sleep – whether you’re sleeping solo or sharing your bed with a partner. According to our latest consumer research*, a double bed is still the most popular size in the UK at 41%, followed by king at 33%, single at 11% and small double at 6%. However, a standard double is only 135cm (4ft 6”) wide, which only provides each user with just 67.5cm or about 2ft 3” of space each. This is the same space that we give a baby in a cot!
Some couples may find a smaller bed more intimate and cosier, but with so little room to move, you’re more likely to disturb your partner every time you change position, resulting in a poor night’s sleep. Your bed should also be 4-6in (10-15cm) longer than the tallest partner – anyone over 6ft (1.8m) tall should consider a bed longer than standard. Read more in our bed and mattress size guide.
A larger bed means the two of you are more likely to sleep better, so we would advise buying as big as the space and your budget will allow. But not all beds are the same, and not everyone shares the same preferences! If you are going to buy a new bed, it’s important to go bed shopping together and to try as many mattresses as you can.
Shop together for a new bed
Wear comfortable clothes, remove your coats and shoes and lie on the bed for quite a long time – at least 10 minutes (preferably more). Lie next to your partner on your back with your hands behind your head and your elbows sticking out. If your elbows don’t touch your partner’s elbows, then you have enough space to sleep comfortably. Get into your normal sleeping position and lie on your side too.
Try to buy the mattress and bed base together. At the very least, make sure you try mattresses on a similar type of base. The two are designed to work together and an incompatible base will affect the feel and performance of the mattress. Don’t go bed-shopping if you’re stressed, tired or rushed either, you’ll run the risk that the beds will all feel wonderful!
Still unsure about sizing up? Buying a new bed doesn’t necessarily cost a whole heap more to move up a size. Over seven years, every £100 spent on a new bed costs just 3.9p per night. And, if you spend as much as you can afford on the best possible house, holiday, car, kitchen, TV and sound system, why aren’t you doing the same for your bed? Remember, we spend a third of our lives asleep!
Find further advice in our Bed Buyers’ Guide.
*The latest NBF consumer research study was carried out in July 2024 by Censuswide, based on a sample of 1000 people who had purchased a bed/mattress in the previous 12 months.
First published February 2022, republished and updated February 2025.
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