Double vs King Size Bed: Which Should You Choose?
By the Kinky Beds teamPublished 2 min read
Quick answer
- A UK Double mattress is 135 × 190 cm; a King is 150 × 200 cm: 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer.
- A King gives each sleeper 75 cm of width (vs 67.5 cm) and suits taller sleepers.
- A Double leaves more floor space, and costs less.
- Choose by room size first, then sleep style and height.
It's the most common bed-buying dilemma in the UK. Here's how a Double and a King really compare, and how to decide.
The numbers
| Double (4ft 6in) | King (5ft) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress size | 135 × 190 cm | 150 × 200 cm |
| Width per sleeper (two people) | 67.5 cm | 75 cm |
| Extra width over a Double | — | 15 cm |
| Extra length over a Double | — | 10 cm |
| Mattress area | 2.57 m² | 3.00 m² |
| The Sovereign Bed | Double | King |
A King's mattress has about 17% more surface area than a Double's. That's the difference between brushing elbows and having your own side.
Choose a King if…
- You share the bed and either of you sprawls, fidgets or runs hot.
- Either of you is over about 6ft (183 cm): the extra 10 cm of length helps.
- A child or pet sometimes joins you.
- Your room comfortably fits it with walkway space on both sides.
Choose a Double if…
- Your room is compact, or you want the room to feel open.
- You sleep close together.
- You sleep alone most nights.
- You'd rather keep the budget lower.
Room size check
Interior designers usually recommend 60–70 cm of walkway around a bed. As a rough guide, using the mattress size only:
| Bed | Mattress width | + 2 × 60 cm walkway | Room width needed (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double | 135 cm | 120 cm | 255 cm |
| King | 150 cm | 120 cm | 270 cm |
The frame adds to these figures, so add the frame's extra width on top. For The Sovereign Bed's overall frame dimensions, email support@kinkybeds.com. Our room-fit calculator does the sums for your room and draws it to scale.
Bedding and mattresses
Both are standard UK sizes, so mattresses, sheets and duvets are easy to find. King bedding usually costs a little more. If you're buying a new mattress too, check the depth: The Sovereign Bed takes standard UK mattresses up to 30 cm deep. See the mattress depth guide.
Still undecided?
Take the 30-second which bed size quiz, or see both sizes of The Sovereign Bed below.
The Sovereign Bed, Double (4ft 6in)
£599.00 · Free UK delivery
- Restraint rings hidden behind interchangeable decorative panels that swap in under 60 seconds, no tools
- Solid hardwood frame with a 150kg load rating
- Double (4ft 6in, takes a 135 × 190 cm mattress)
- Onyx Black or Alabaster White · plain, unmarked packaging · 14-day returns
The Sovereign Bed, King (5ft)
£649.99 · Free UK delivery
- Restraint rings hidden behind interchangeable decorative panels that swap in under 60 seconds, no tools
- Solid hardwood frame with a 150kg load rating
- King (5ft, takes a 150 × 200 cm mattress)
- Onyx Black or Alabaster White · plain, unmarked packaging · 14-day returns
Frequently asked questions
How much bigger is a king than a double in the UK?
A UK king mattress (150 × 200 cm) is 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer than a UK double (135 × 190 cm).
Is a double bed big enough for two adults?
For many couples, yes, especially if you sleep close together. If either of you sprawls, is tall, or a pet joins you, a king is more comfortable.
What size room do you need for a king size bed?
As a rough guide, about 270 cm wide for a king mattress with 60 cm of walkway each side, plus the extra width of the frame. Use a room-fit calculator with the frame's real dimensions to check.