What's in this collection
The single beds here are upholstered fabric frames, covering a range of headboard heights and styles. That includes standard-height headboards and taller 70-inch designs, and both plain panelled and buttoned finishes. The frames available in single size are largely the same as those available in double and king, so if a child is currently in a single and you're thinking ahead to a larger size in a few years, the same frame style will be available to move up to.
For a full picture of the headboard types and base options across the range, the fabric beds collection covers the category in detail, including how headboard height affects room feel and what to consider with ottoman storage bases.
Single bed dimensions and room planning
A UK standard single mattress is 90cm wide and 190cm long. The bed frame itself will typically measure slightly larger than the mattress it holds, so allow a few centimetres either side and at the head and foot when measuring your room.
For comfortable daily use, leave at least 60cm of clear floor space on the accessible side of the bed and at the foot. In a child's room, that clearance matters more than it might seem: a room where the bed leaves no floor space to play on quickly becomes frustrating, and if there's a desk or wardrobe in the room too, the layout needs to work around all of them simultaneously. Sketch out the room on paper before committing, with the bed in the position you're planning and the wardrobe doors drawn open. If it all still works on paper, it'll work in the room.
One point worth noting for children's rooms specifically: check the ceiling height and the wall space above the head of the bed if you're considering a high headboard frame. A 70-inch headboard sits at roughly 180cm from the floor. In a room with a standard ceiling that's usually fine, but in a room with a sloped ceiling or a low window above the bed position, it can be an awkward fit.
Single or small double
A UK small double is 120cm wide and 190cm long, the same length as a single but 30cm wider. The question of which to choose comes up often, particularly for teenagers or for spare rooms where the occasional adult guest might be sleeping.
For children under around ten, a single is generally the right choice. The smaller footprint gives more usable floor space in what is typically a smaller room, and a child doesn't need the extra width. For a teenager, the picture is more nuanced. A standard single at 90cm is fine to sleep in, but a growing teenager who spreads out will notice the width eventually, and if the room can take a small double without compromising on floor space, it's worth considering. A 30cm difference in bed width leaves a child with noticeably more room as they get older, and the room doesn't need to get any bigger to accommodate it.
For a spare room, a small double is usually a more comfortable option for adult guests, but a single is a more honest answer for a room that genuinely isn't very big. A guest who sleeps soundly in a well-chosen single is better off than a guest who spends the night negotiating a small double that leaves no walkable floor around it. If the room is tight, choose the bed size that gives the room breathing space.
The small double beds collection covers that size in full if you want to compare directly.
Spreading the Cost
Finance is available on many of our single beds, subject to status. It's particularly worth knowing about if you're buying a frame and a mattress together, or equipping a child's room from scratch where the bed is one of several purchases at the same time. Details are available on the website and we're happy to talk through options before you order.
Why buy from Shawcross
We're based in Manchester with a physical showroom, and we deliver nationally across the UK. For a child's bedroom in particular, it's sometimes worth seeing a frame in person before buying, especially with taller headboard styles where the proportions relative to the room matter. You're welcome to come in without any obligation, and if you want to confirm whether a specific frame is currently on the showroom floor before making the trip, just give us a call.
We're happy to help with sizing questions, room planning, and anything else that would help you make the right decision before you order.
