Double Bed vs King Size Bed: Which Size Is Right for Your Bedroom?

Choosing between a double bed and a king size bed comes down to more than the mattress measurements. A standard UK double mattress measures 135 × 190 cm (4ft 6in × 6ft 3in), while a UK king measures 150 × 200 cm (5ft × 6ft 6in). A king therefore gives you 15 cm more width and 10 cm more length.

For couples, that extra width can make sharing feel less restricted; for taller sleepers, the additional length can matter just as much. But the right choice also depends on the full bed-frame footprint, the furniture around it and whether the bed can be delivered into the room. This guide focuses on those real buying decisions so you can choose the size that works best in your bedroom.

Double Bed vs King Size Bed: Quick Comparison

The practical question is not simply whether a king can fit between two walls. It is whether the complete bed frame fits while leaving the room comfortable to move around and the surrounding furniture usable.

How Much Bigger Is a King Size Bed Than a Double?

A standard UK king mattress is 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer than a standard double. A double provides about 2.57 m² of mattress area, while a king provides 3.00 m² - roughly 0.44 m² more sleeping surface.

When two people share the bed equally, a double gives about 67.5 cm of width per person, compared with 75 cm per person on a king. The difference is only 7.5 cm each, but that can be useful if one or both sleepers prefer more shoulder room or tend to move during the night.

The extra 10 cm of length is also worth considering for taller sleepers. However, these figures describe the mattress only. The external size difference between two actual bed frames can be larger or smaller depending on their upholstery, rails, headboard and footboard design.

Is a Double Bed Big Enough for Two Adults?

Yes. A standard UK double can accommodate two adults, but whether it feels spacious enough depends on personal preference, sleeping habits and the room available.

A double is often the more practical choice when:

• bedroom floor space is limited
• you want to keep two bedside tables or other furniture
• wardrobe or drawer access would become awkward with a larger frame
• the room is used as a guest bedroom
• you are a solo sleeper who wants more room than a single without the footprint of a king
• you would rather preserve walking space than gain another 15 cm of mattress width

If two adults will share the bed every night and either person prefers more personal space, compare the room against the full dimensions of your preferred King Size Beds as well as the Double Beds you are considering before deciding.

Is a King Size Bed Better for Couples?

A king gives a couple more sleeping space, but it is not automatically the better purchase. It works best when the bedroom can take the larger complete frame without making the rest of the room inconvenient to use.

A king is especially worth considering if:

• two adults share the bed every night
• either sleeper values more personal space
• one or both sleepers are tall enough to benefit from the 200 cm mattress length
• your current double feels restrictive
• the larger bed still leaves practical access to wardrobes, drawers and walking routes

If the bedroom becomes cramped once you account for the full frame, a well-proportioned double may be the better long-term choice. The aim is to gain sleeping space without making everyday use of the room harder.

Double vs King for a Typical UK Bedroom

Bedroom size alone does not tell you whether a double or king will work. Two rooms with the same floor area can behave very differently because of door positions, fitted wardrobes, chimney breasts, radiators, windows and alcoves.

Before choosing a size, map the proposed bed position and check:

• bedside tables and the space needed to use them
• wardrobe doors and sliding or hinged access
• drawers opening towards the bed
• the swing of the bedroom door
• radiators and heating controls
• windows and curtains
• plug sockets and charging points
• a clear route around the bed and towards the door
• any bench, chest or furniture positioned at the foot of the bed

Where space allows, around 60 cm of clear movement space on frequently used sides can be a useful planning reference, especially where furniture needs to open. Treat this as practical guidance rather than a fixed rule: room shape and how you use the space matter more than meeting one universal number.

Why the Bed Frame Can Matter More Than the Mattress Size

This is one of the easiest details to miss when comparing a double and king. Mattress sizes are standard, but bed-frame footprints are not.

An upholstered bed frame can extend beyond the mattress because of padded side rails and a substantial footboard. Wingback Beds can project further across the wall because the headboard wings sit outside the mattress width. High Headboard Beds may need more clear wall space and can have a much stronger visual presence, even when their floor footprint is manageable.

Statement designs can therefore make the jump from double to king feel larger than the 15 cm mattress-width difference suggests. Always compare the external width, external length, headboard width and any other dimensions listed for the exact model.

Double or King Ottoman Bed?

If storage is part of the decision, compare the two sizes within the Ottoman Beds range rather than looking at mattress dimensions alone. A larger bed may provide a larger potential under-bed area, but usable storage depends on the construction of the specific frame.

Also consider how the ottoman opens. You need enough room to operate the lift comfortably, stand in the right position and reach the storage once the rest of the bedroom furniture is in place. A bed that technically fits may still be awkward if nearby furniture blocks access to the lifting area.

What About High Headboards, Wingback and Statement Beds?

With tall or wide upholstered designs, the wall behind the bed is part of the measurement plan. A high headboard can sit comfortably in a generous room but feel visually heavy where the ceiling is low or the available wall is narrow.

Winged and oversized headboards may also extend beyond the mattress. Measure the available wall width, check for sockets, switches, radiators, sloping ceilings or wall-mounted fittings, and make sure the headboard will not interfere with curtains or nearby furniture.

If you are choosing between the same statement design in double and king, compare the full frame dimensions for both sizes. This gives a much more reliable picture of how the bed will look and function than comparing 135 cm with 150 cm alone.

Double vs King TV Bed

A TV Bed needs extra planning because the footboard contains the television lift housing. This can increase the complete frame length compared with a standard bed of the same mattress size.

When comparing a double and king TV bed, check:

• the full external frame width and length
• the depth of the footboard and space at the end of the bed
• the position of wardrobes, drawers and other furniture
• the location of power sockets and the route for cables
• the television size and compatibility stated for that specific model
• whether the viewing position still works comfortably in the planned room layout

Deeplay lists exact specifications on individual product pages, so use those measurements before ordering rather than assuming all TV Beds have the same footprint or TV requirements.

Measure More Than Just the Bedroom

Once you know the bed fits the room, check whether it can reach the room. Large upholstered components can be more difficult to manoeuvre than their final position suggests.

Measure the complete delivery route, including:

• Doorways - especially the narrowest internal opening
• Hallways - including width and space to turn long components
• Stairs - check width, ceiling height and changes in direction
• Landings - allow enough turning space for headboard and side sections
• Corners - a long component may fit a corridor but not turn through a tight angle
• Tifts - where applicable, check both the door opening and internal dimensions
• The final bedroom entrance - including the angle needed to enter the room

Do not assume a bed will arrive in small enough pieces simply because it is assembled in the bedroom. Component sizes and assembly details vary by design, so check the product information or ask Deeplay before ordering if access is tight.

Double or King: Which Should You Choose?

Choose a double if...

• preserving floor space is a priority
• a king would restrict wardrobes, drawers or walking routes
• the room is compact or used for more than sleeping
• you are a solo sleeper who wants generous space without moving up to a king
• two sleepers are comfortable sharing a 135 cm-wide mattress

Choose a king if...

• two adults share the bed regularly and want more personal sleeping space
• the extra 10 cm of mattress length is useful for a taller sleeper
• your room comfortably accommodates the complete king frame
• the larger bed does not block furniture, circulation or delivery access
• you prefer a larger visual centrepiece and the room has the scale to support it

If neither feels quite right, compare the surrounding options in the UK Bed Size Guide. For tighter rooms, the Small Double Bed Size Guide can also help you judge whether a 4ft bed offers a better balance between sleeping space and floor area.

FAQs

Is a king size bed much bigger than a double?

A UK king mattress is 15 cm wider and 10 cm longer than a standard UK double. A double measures 135 × 190 cm, while a king measures 150 × 200 cm. The external size difference between the complete bed frames varies by design.

Is a double bed enough for two adults?

Yes. A UK double is suitable for two adults, although it offers less personal width than a king. Two people sharing equally have about 67.5 cm each on a double, compared with about 75 cm each on a king.

Is a king size bed worth it for couples?

It can be, particularly when two adults share the bed every night or either sleeper wants more personal space. It is only worth sizing up if the complete king frame still leaves the bedroom practical to use.

Are king beds longer than double beds in the UK?

Yes. A standard UK double mattress is 190 cm long, while a king is 200 cm long, so a king provides 10 cm of additional mattress length.

Can a king size bed fit in a small bedroom?

Possibly. Measure the exact external dimensions of the frame, not just the 150 × 200 cm king mattress. Then check walking space, wardrobes, drawers, doors, radiators and bedside furniture.

How much space should you leave around a bed?

There is no single rule for every room. Where space allows, around 60 cm of clear movement space on frequently used sides is a useful planning reference, but the room still needs to work with your doors, wardrobes, drawers and other furniture.

Should I measure the mattress or the bed frame?

Use the mattress dimensions to understand sleeping size, but use the full external bed-frame dimensions to decide whether the bed will fit your bedroom. Upholstery, side rails, headboard wings and footboards can all add to the footprint.

Can a king mattress fit a double bed frame?

No. A standard UK king mattress measures 150 × 200 cm, while a double measures 135 × 190 cm. Use the mattress size specified for the particular bed frame.

Double Bed vs King Size Bed: The Final Decision

The difference between a double bed and a king size bed is not just 15 cm of width. A king gives you more sleeping space and extra length, while a double preserves more of the bedroom for movement, storage and other furniture.

The right size is the one that balances who is sleeping in the bed, the full external dimensions of the frame and the usable space left in the room. If a king fits without compromising the way the bedroom works, the extra space can be worthwhile. If it makes wardrobes, walkways or access awkward, a double may be the more practical choice.

Whichever size you choose, check the exact dimensions shown on the individual Deeplay product page before purchasing - especially for upholstered, wingback, ottoman, high-headboard and TV-bed designs.