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Double Mattresses

The double is the most widely bought mattress size in the UK, which isn't surprising. It covers more situations than any other size: a single sle...


The double is the most widely bought mattress size in the UK, which isn't surprising. It covers more situations than any other size: a single sleeper who wants genuine room to move, a couple working with a smaller bedroom, a spare room being sorted out properly, a teenager ready to move on from a single. It's also the size people most often choose without thinking too hard, which is worth addressing. A double is genuinely the right answer in a lot of cases. In some it's a compromise. This page is worth reading if you're not completely sure which situation you're in.




The double mattresses here measure 135cm wide by 190cm long and cover the main construction types: pocket spring, memory foam, and hybrid options combining the two. They sit within the full mattresses collection where you can compare across all sizes. Everything is delivered across the UK in 7 to 14 days.




Finance is available on many mattresses, subject to status. Get in touch at any stage if you'd like to talk through the options before you order.

What's in this collection

The double mattresses here cover pocket spring, memory foam, and hybrid constructions.

Pocket spring mattresses use individually wrapped coils that move independently. Because the coils don't all move as one unit, they absorb movement more selectively across the surface and allow air to circulate through the mattress, which keeps the sleeping temperature consistent. The spring count tells you how many coils are in the double-size version of the mattress. More springs means finer contouring; it's a useful guide when comparing mattresses of similar construction.

Memory foam and hybrid options are also included. Hybrids combine a pocket spring base with a memory foam comfort layer, offering pressure relief at the surface without losing the airflow and movement absorption of a spring structure. For more on how these constructions compare, the memory foam mattresses page covers the detail.

Who a double mattress suits

A double works well for a single sleeper who has outgrown a single and wants proper room to spread out, or who simply prefers a more generous sleeping surface. At 135cm wide, there's plenty of space for one person in most sleeping positions. It's also the natural choice for a guest or spare bedroom, where the priority is comfortable accommodation for visitors without the footprint of a larger size.

For couples, it's worth being straight: a double gives each person 67.5cm of width. That's enough to sleep comfortably, but it's not generous, and two people who move around during the night will be aware of each other in a way that doesn't happen on a larger bed. Whether that matters depends on how lightly each person sleeps and how much movement transfer bothers them. Some couples sleep perfectly well on a double for years. Others find that a king size mattress changes things more than they expected. If you're replacing an existing double and consistently find it too small, that's worth taking as a signal rather than defaulting to the same size again.

A double is often the right call for a teenager's bedroom where a single has been outgrown. It fits comfortably in a standard room, allows for a full-size sleeping surface without the footprint concerns of a larger size, and won't need replacing when they move out.

Double dimensions and room planning

A UK double mattress is 135cm wide and 190cm long. This is the standard, and any double mattress will fit any double bed frame. The assembled bed, once you account for the base frame, typically measures closer to 145 to 150cm wide depending on the design.

For room planning, a double bed works comfortably in a bedroom of around 2.8m x 3.2m or larger, with enough clearance on both sides and at the foot to move around and make the bed without difficulty. It can be fitted into a smaller room, but access becomes tight once you're under about 50cm on either side. If you're also buying a bed frame, the double bed frames collection shows the full options and their assembled dimensions.

Spreading the Cost

Finance is available on many of our double mattresses, subject to status. A good mattress is one of those purchases where the quality of what you choose tends to affect how long it remains comfortable and supportive, so it's worth choosing on fit and construction rather than just on price. Spreading the cost makes that easier to do. Details are shown on each product page.

Why buy from Shawcross

We're a Manchester-based furniture retailer with a showroom and we deliver nationally across the UK. If you're replacing an existing mattress and not completely sure what went wrong with the last one, that's a useful conversation to have before you buy rather than after. We're happy to talk through which construction type and firmness level makes sense for how you sleep. Give us a call or come into the showroom.

Double Mattress FAQs

What are the dimensions of a double mattress, and how does it differ from a small double?

A UK double mattress is 135cm wide and 190cm long. A small double is 120cm wide and 190cm long, so the length is the same but the width is 15cm less. That 15cm sounds modest but is noticeable in practice, particularly for anyone who moves around during the night or shares the bed.

The small double is sometimes called a four-foot bed, and the double a four-foot-six. Both terms refer to the same standard sizes. If you're replacing a mattress and aren't sure which size you currently have, measuring the base from the inside edge on each side will tell you. 120cm or just under is a small double; 135cm or just under is a double. A double mattress will not fit a small double base.

Is a double mattress big enough for two people?

It can be, and many couples sleep on a double without issues. At 135cm wide, each person has 67.5cm of space, which is workable but not spacious. How much this matters in practice depends on how much either person moves during the night and how lightly the other sleeps. Two people who sleep fairly still and don't disturb each other easily can share a double comfortably. Two people where one moves a lot, or where one is a significantly lighter sleeper than the other, will often notice the limitations.

It's also worth considering the length. At 190cm, a double is 10cm shorter than a king. For anyone over roughly 180cm, that difference starts to matter.

If you're buying a double because the bedroom won't comfortably fit a larger size, it's the right decision for the room. If you're choosing a double over a king primarily because of cost and the room could take the larger size, it's worth working out whether the king is achievable, either by extending the budget or by looking at finance options. The difference in how well two people sleep on a king versus a double tends to be more significant than people expect.

What construction type should I choose for a double mattress?

The short answer is that the choice is the same as for any mattress size: it depends on how you sleep rather than on the size of the bed. Pocket spring suits most situations, particularly shared beds, because of how well it handles movement and temperature. Memory foam and hybrid options suit side sleepers or anyone with pressure point discomfort at the shoulder or hip.

The memory foam mattresses page covers how those constructions compare in more detail if that's the direction you're leaning. The parent mattresses page covers the full comparison across types if you're still deciding.

Can I use a double mattress on my existing double bed frame?

Yes. UK double is a standardised size at 135 x 190cm, so any double mattress will fit any double base, slatted frame, divan, or ottoman base. There's no compatibility issue between brands or constructions.

The one thing to check is mattress depth if you're replacing an existing mattress rather than buying new. A significantly deeper replacement mattress will raise the overall height of the bed, which changes how easy it is to get in and out. If that's a concern, check the depth listed in the product specification before ordering and compare it with what you currently have.

Is a double mattress a good size for a teenager?

It's usually a good step up from a single. The 45cm of additional width over a single gives a teenage sleeper genuine room to move, and the standard 190cm length is suitable for most people into adulthood. A double also uses a bed frame size that they can take with them if they move out, which makes it a more practical long-term purchase than a small double.

If the bedroom is on the smaller side, it's worth taping out the double footprint on the floor before ordering. A double fits comfortably in most standard UK bedrooms, but if the room is quite compact, checking the clearances on both sides and at the foot is worth doing. The bed should feel like it belongs in the room rather than filling it.

How does delivery work, and can I see mattresses in person first?

We deliver nationally across the UK. Once your order is placed you'll receive a confirmation, and we'll be in touch closer to the time to arrange a delivery date that suits you. Double mattresses are delivered in 7 to 14 days. They arrive in protective packaging and the delivery team will bring them into your home. If there's anything about your property worth flagging in advance, such as a narrow staircase or restricted parking, let us know when you order so the delivery team can prepare.

If you'd like to see mattresses in person before committing, our Manchester showroom carries a selection and you're welcome to come in without any obligation. Give us a call beforehand to check what's currently on the showroom floor.