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A small double (4ft) is 120cm wide and a standard double (4ft6) is 135cm wide. Both are 190cm long. That 15cm is the whole difference, and it decides whether the bed works for two adults or suits one person with room to spread out.
Small double vs double at a glance
| Small double | Standard double | |
|---|---|---|
| Size in feet | 4ft x 6ft3 | 4ft6 x 6ft3 |
| Mattress size | 120 x 190cm | 135 x 190cm |
| Width per person (two sleepers) | 60cm | 67.5cm |
| Best for | One adult, a teenager, a guest room | A couple, or one adult in a mid-sized room |
For comparison, a single is 90cm wide. Two people in a small double each get two-thirds of a single bed's width.
Is a small double big enough for two adults?
For occasional use, yes. For every night, it's tight. At 60cm each, most couples find a small double works for a guest room but not their own bed. If two adults share every night and the room allows, a standard double or a king is worth the space.
Who is a small double best for?
A small double is the most generous bed for one person in a room that can't take a double. It suits a single adult in a flat, a teenager who has outgrown a single, and a guest room that doubles as a study. It's also sometimes called a three-quarter bed.
The Panel Bed, available in both 4ft and 4ft6.
Bedding is the one inconvenience. Small double sheets are sold in fewer designs than double, so check you can find fitted sheets you like before committing.
Will the extra 15cm make a difference in my room?
Often yes, in a small room. That width is what decides whether a door opens fully, whether a bedside table fits, or whether there's space to walk around the bed. Mark both widths on the floor with tape and walk around them before choosing. The small bedroom guide has a room-size table, and where to put the bed covers walking space.
What about storage?
A storage bed matters more in a small room, where a small double often sits. A side-lift ottoman suits a narrow box room where the foot of the bed is close to a wall. The storage cavity scales with the bed, so a double gives a little more room underneath than a small double of the same design.
A side-lift base opens along the long side, which suits a narrow room: the Side Lift Ottoman Divan Bed.
How much more does a double cost?
Across the Legend Beds range, each design is priced by size. The standard double costs £20 more than the small double of the same bed. Check the product page for the current price of the design you like.
Beds in both sizes
Size is the first step in the complete guide to choosing a bed. Every Legend Beds bed comes in both sizes. Compare the small double ottoman beds with the double ottoman beds, or the small double and double divan beds. If you need a mattress, buy it in the exact size name of the bed; see matching a mattress to your bed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 4ft bed a small double?
Yes. In the UK a 4ft bed is a small double, 120 x 190cm. A 4ft6 bed is a standard double, 135 x 190cm.
Will double sheets fit a small double mattress?
A double fitted sheet will be baggy on a small double, as it's 15cm too wide. Flat sheets and duvets are more forgiving; a double duvet on a small double simply hangs lower at the sides.
Is a small double the same as a queen?
No. There is no standard UK queen size. The nearest US equivalent to a UK small double is a US full, which is a little wider.
Should a teenager have a small double or a single?
A small double if the room allows. It gives more space for a growing teenager and lasts into adulthood. If floor space is tight, a single leaves more room for a desk.
Are small double and double the same length?
Yes, both are 190cm long. King and super king are the sizes that add length, at 200cm.
