This kids bed buying guide walks UK parents through the main decisions: which size to buy, when a floor bed makes sense, when to move a child out of the cot, how to choose between a bunk, a loft and a single, and how to plan the bedroom around the bed.
How Do I Choose the Right Kids Bed in the UK?
To choose the right kids bed in the UK, start with what your child is moving from. A child leaving a cot needs a low, safe first bed, such as a floor bed at 5–15cm or a low single with a bed guard. A child upgrading to a bigger room, or sharing with a sibling, needs the room layout to drive the choice.
Three factors decide most purchases. The first is whether this is a cot transition or an upgrade. The second is room size, since a standard UK children's bedroom is about 3m x 3m. The third is whether the room is shared. A UK single at 90x190cm suits most children from about age 3 to 12, a double at 135x190cm suits teenagers, a floor bed suits the toddler transition and a bunk bed suits siblings sharing a room.
Budget and timing matter too. A bed bought for a toddler may be used for ten years or more, so it is worth choosing a frame that suits the room as your child grows, rather than one that only suits the next six months. Neutral finishes and a standard UK single size give you the most flexibility later.
Once you know which of these applies, the rest of the decision is about size, height and storage. You can compare every frame in the kids beds collection.
What Size Bed Should I Get for My Child in the UK?
Most children in the UK need a single bed at 90x190cm, with a small double or full double for older children and teens.
UK kids bed sizes:
| Bed Size | Dimensions | Typical Age / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90x190cm | Ages 3–12; the standard first full-size bed |
| Small double | 120x190cm | Older children and teens wanting more space |
| Full double | 135x190cm | Teens; doubles as a guest bed |
The key point is that all UK kids beds are 190cm long; only the width changes. A child who starts in a single will not outgrow its length, so the move to a double is about width and comfort rather than height. Compare frames in the kids single beds range, and look at kids double beds for teenagers.
In a standard UK children's bedroom of about 3m x 3m, leave a 50–60cm walkway on each side of the bed that is not against a wall. A single along one wall leaves space for a wardrobe and a desk, while a double takes noticeably more floor.
Use UK-size mattresses only. The UK single at 90cm wide is narrower than the Australian single at 92cm, so a mattress sized for another market will not fit correctly. Single and double mattresses in UK sizes are in the kids bed mattresses collection.
The same rule applies to sheets, protectors and duvets. Buying everything in UK single size means the bedding fits first time and can be replaced easily as your child grows. If siblings may swap rooms or beds later, keeping every bed in UK single size makes the mattresses and bedding interchangeable.
What Is a Floor Bed and Is It Right for a UK Child?
A floor bed is a bed with its mattress 5–15cm from the floor, and it is a good choice for a UK child moving out of a cot from about 18 months.
Because the mattress sits so low, a floor bed removes the fall risk of a standard-height bed, and a toddler can climb in and out on their own. That independence is the core of the Montessori approach, which is why floor beds are often called Montessori floor beds in the UK. The Matilda Single Floor Bed is Boori's floor bed designed for this stage.
Floor beds also suit many UK homes. In Victorian and Edwardian rooms with lower ceilings, or loft conversions with sloped ceilings, a standard-height bed or a raised bed can feel cramped, and a floor bed keeps the room open. It also suits a child who moves a lot in their sleep, because a roll off the mattress ends on the floor a few centimetres below.
The Lullaby Trust's safer sleep guidance still applies: a firm, flat mattress and a room temperature of 16–20°C. Floor level can be cooler in UK winters, so check the room temperature near the floor rather than at head height, and keep the area around the bed clear of cables, heaters and furniture a child could pull over.
A floor bed works best in a room that has been made child-safe at floor level, because a toddler who can get out of bed on their own will explore the room. Fit socket covers, anchor tall furniture to the wall and keep cords out of reach. When your child is older, many floor beds can be raised on legs or replaced with a standard single in the same 90x190cm size, so the mattress carries on.
When Should a Child Move from a Cot to a Bed in the UK?
Most UK children move from a cot to a bed between 18 months and 3.5 years.
The most common triggers are climbing out of the cot, which is a safety risk to act on immediately, a new sibling needing the cot, or a child who is ready and asking for a bigger bed. If your child is in a cot from the cots & cot beds range that converts, the cot bed itself may be the first step.
There is no benefit in moving a child early if they are sleeping well and are not climbing. A child who is still settled in the cot at two and a half can stay there, while a child who is climbing at 18 months needs a lower bed straight away, because a fall from cot height is the bigger risk.
For a separate first bed, there are two common options: a floor bed, or a low single with a bed guard on the open side. Bed guards sold in the UK must comply with BS EN 16890:2017, which covers guard height, gaps and fixing. Low frames for this stage are in the toddler beds collection.
Keep the same safer sleep habits after the move. The Lullaby Trust recommends a firm, flat sleep surface and a room temperature of 16–20°C, and loose bedding is best avoided for children under 2. Keep bedtime routines the same, and let your child help choose bedding for the new bed so the change feels like their own. Full safer sleep guidance is at lullabytrust.org.uk.
Plan the move for a calm period rather than alongside another big change, such as starting nursery or the arrival of a new baby, if you can. Some children settle straight away, while others take a week or two to stay in bed all night. A stair gate on the bedroom door can help in the early weeks, so a child who wakes in the night cannot wander far.
When Should I Choose a Bunk Bed Instead of a Single in the UK?
Choose a bunk bed instead of a single when two children share a room, because a bunk uses the floor area of one single bed.
That frees the rest of the room for play or study. In a standard UK bedroom of about 3m x 3m, a bunk along the longest wall leaves the centre clear. Bunk beds sold in the UK must comply with BS EN 747-1:2012+A1:2015, which requires guardrails at least 160mm above the mattress on the top bunk. The top bunk is not for children under 6, and the maximum mattress depth is stated on each product page.
An assembled bunk bed will not fit through a standard UK interior door of about 780mm, so plan to assemble it in the room where it will stay. Compare designs in the kids bunk beds range.
A single bed is the better choice when only one child sleeps in the room, when the child is under 6 and would want the top level, or when the ceiling is low. Two singles can also work in a larger shared room, and they give each child their own space without a ladder. If you are unsure, start with the room size: a bunk bed solves a space problem, while two singles solve a sharing problem in a room that already has the floor area.
When Is a Loft Bed Better Than a Bunk for UK Children?
A loft bed is better than a bunk when one child needs the floor space under the bed for a desk, storage or play.
A loft raises a single sleeper and leaves the full floor below free, which suits a child who needs a study area in a small room. Loft beds are made to BS EN 747-1:2012+A1:2015 and are recommended from age 7, when most children can use the ladder safely on their own. Check the ceiling height first: you need at least 90cm between the top of the mattress and the ceiling, which matters in Victorian and Edwardian rooms and loft conversions. Compare designs in the kids loft beds range.
A bunk is the better choice when two children need sleeping space, while a loft suits one child who needs the floor. Under a loft bed, a desk and chair is the most common setup for school-age children, and a reading nook or small sofa suits younger ones. Leave enough space for the chair to slide back without hitting the frame.
How Does a Kids Bed with Storage Work in the UK?
A kids bed with storage uses the space under the frame, either with under-bed drawers or a trundle bed.
Under-bed drawers need about 30–40cm of clearance below the slats and are useful for bedding, toys and out-of-season clothes. A trundle bed adds a second mattress on wheels that slides out for sleepovers. Both suit UK flats and Victorian terraces where storage space is limited. Drawers, trundles and other add-ons are in the accessories for beds collection.
Check the clearance under your chosen frame before ordering drawers, because not every bed has enough height underneath. Storage under the bed also means the room needs fewer freestanding units, which keeps the walls free for a wardrobe and a desk.
How Do I Plan a UK Kids Bedroom Layout Around a Bed?
Plan a UK kids bedroom layout by placing the bed along the longest wall, which leaves the most usable floor space.
A standard UK children's bedroom is about 3m x 3m. Keep a 50–60cm walkway on each accessible side of the bed. Place bunk beds away from windows and radiators, and allow at least 90cm of ceiling clearance above the mattress for a loft bed. A standard UK interior door is about 780mm, so assembled bunks and lofts will not pass through it: build them in the room.
Measure the room, mark the bed's footprint on the floor with masking tape and check that wardrobe doors and drawers can still open. When you have chosen a frame, register the warranty after delivery to extend it from 3 to 5 years. You can browse every size and style in the kids beds collection.
Think ahead to the next stage as well. A room planned around a single bed at age 4 may need a desk by age 8 and more hanging space by age 11, so leave one wall flexible rather than filling every space on day one. Keep the bed away from the radiator and the window where possible, so the sleeping area stays at a steady temperature through the year.
FAQs
When should a child move from a cot to a kids bed in the UK?
Most UK children transition from a cot to a first bed between 18 months and 3.5 years. The most common triggers are climbing out of the cot, a safety risk requiring immediate action, reaching the cot's weight or height limit, or a new sibling needing the cot. A floor bed or a low-profile single at 5–30cm floor height with a temporary bed guard fitted on the open side is the safest first step. Bed guards sold in the UK must comply with BS EN 16890:2017.
What is a floor bed and is it a good choice for UK children?
A floor bed places the mattress at or very close to floor level, typically 5–15cm from the ground. The Boori Matilda Single Floor Bed is designed specifically for this use. Floor beds eliminate the fall risk of standard-height beds and suit a Montessori approach where independent movement is prioritised. They also work well in UK homes with lower ceilings, Victorian, Edwardian, and loft conversion rooms where a standard-height bed is impractical. Suitable from 18 months onwards.
What size kids bed should I buy in the UK?
UK standard single beds are 90x190cm, the most common size for children from age 3 to around 12. All UK kids bed sizes share the same 190cm length; only the width changes. A small double at 120x190cm suits older children wanting more space. A full double at 135x190cm suits teenagers and doubles as a comfortable guest bed. Standard UK children's bedrooms are roughly 3m x 3m, a single at 90x190cm leaves comfortable floor space alongside storage and a desk.
What safety standard do UK kids bunk beds need to meet?
UK bunk beds and loft beds must comply with BS EN 747-1:2012+A1:2015. This requires guardrails to extend at least 160mm above the mattress surface on all open sides of the top bunk, secure ladder or staircase access, and a stated maximum mattress depth for the top bunk. The top bunk is not recommended for children under 6. All Boori bunk and loft beds comply with BS EN 747-1:2012+A1:2015.
Should I choose a bunk bed or a single bed for my child in the UK?
Choose a single bed if only one child sleeps in the room or if floor space is not a concern, a single gives the most layout flexibility and suits almost any UK bedroom. Choose a bunk bed if two children share a room: a bunk stack occupies the floor area of one single and frees the rest for play or study. In a standard UK children's bedroom of 3m x 3m, placing the bunk along the longest wall leaves enough space in the centre for a play mat and a compact desk.
