The king size bed is the most popular premium bed size in the UK — the natural upgrade from a double for couples who want generous shared sleeping space, and the most comfortable option for single adults who prioritise sleeping width and length. At 150cm × 200cm, it provides 15cm more width and 10cm more length than a standard double, which in practice means noticeably more personal space for each sleeper and comfortable accommodation for adults taller than 6ft. At Airedale Living, our king size beds are available as standard frames and ottoman storage beds across upholstered and wooden finishes, built on solid frames that hold their geometry across years of heavy daily use. Browse the full collection above and pair your chosen frame with a king size mattress for a complete sleep setup. Free UK delivery and in-room assembly are included as standard.

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King Size Beds: The Complete Guide to Sizing, Choosing, and Planning

A king size bed is a significant purchase — larger than a double in both dimensions, more demanding on room planning, and the piece that anchors the bedroom more than anything else. Getting the size decision right before browsing individual frames is the most important step.

Is a king size the right size for your room? A standard UK king size bed measures 150cm × 200cm. To accommodate a king with comfortable walkway clearance on both sides, your room needs to be at least 310cm wide (150cm bed + 80cm clearance on each side). Comfortable room length is at least 270cm (200cm bed + 70cm clearance at the foot). In a room that meets these dimensions, a king is the right choice for most couples. In a room below these dimensions, a double bed at 135cm × 190cm may be more appropriate.

Is a king size right for your household? For two adults sharing a bed regularly, a king gives each person 75cm of sleeping width — 7.5cm more than on a double (67.5cm each). For adults who move during sleep, sleep in different positions, or simply prefer not to be aware of their partner's movements, that additional width makes a consistent, measurable difference to sleep quality. For a single adult, a king provides exceptional sleeping width and the full 200cm length that makes it the most comfortable single-occupant option in the range.

Standard frame or storage bed? An ottoman king size storage bed lifts from the foot to reveal a large open compartment beneath — typically 500–600 litres of accessible storage, more than any other storage solution of comparable cost in a bedroom. For master bedrooms where wardrobe and storage space is at a premium, the ottoman king is one of the most practical upgrades available. For bedrooms with adequate storage already in place, a standard frame is simpler and more affordable.

King Size Bed Dimensions: The Complete Size Guide

Standard king size bed (UK): 150cm wide × 200cm long

This is the definitive UK king size bed dimension. King size mattresses, fitted sheets, and duvet sets are made for 150cm × 200cm. Always use this as your planning dimension when measuring your room, ordering a mattress, and purchasing bedding.

Key dimensions to note:

  • A king size is 15cm wider than a double (150cm vs 135cm)
  • A king size is 10cm longer than a double (200cm vs 190cm)
  • A king size is 30cm narrower than a super king (150cm vs 180cm)
  • A king size and super king share the same length (both 200cm)

Room planning with a king size bed:

  • Minimum recommended room width: 310cm (150cm bed + 80cm walkway on each side)
  • Comfortable room width: 350cm+ (150cm bed + 100cm walkway on each side)
  • Minimum room length: 270cm (200cm bed + 70cm clearance at foot)
  • For rooms between 280–310cm wide, a double at 135cm will leave more comfortable clearance

Mattress note: A king size frame requires a king size mattress at exactly 150cm × 200cm. Do not confuse with a double mattress (135cm × 190cm) — it is both narrower and shorter. Always confirm mattress dimensions before ordering.

King Size vs Super King: How to Choose

This is the most searched bed size comparison in the UK — and the answer is more specific than most guides make it. Here is the complete breakdown.

King size bed: 150cm × 200cm
Super king bed: 180cm × 200cm

The only difference is width. Both sizes are 200cm long. A super king is 30cm wider than a king — which gives each of two sharing adults 90cm of personal sleeping width on a super king, compared to 75cm each on a king. The length is identical.

Choose a king size if:

The room is between 310cm and 380cm wide. A super king at 180cm in a 310cm room leaves only 65cm of clearance on each side — tighter than most people find comfortable for a master bedroom. A king at 150cm in the same room leaves 80cm on each side, which is more appropriate.

You want generous shared sleeping space without the room commitment of a super king. For most couples, 75cm of personal width each on a king is genuinely comfortable — only couples who sleep significantly apart or who are larger in build typically notice a meaningful difference with the extra 15cm per person that a super king provides.

The room is a primary double bedroom of standard UK dimensions (typically 3.0–3.5m wide). A king size is designed for exactly this room scale.

Choose a super king if:

The room is 400cm or wider, giving comfortable clearance on both sides of a 180cm bed without compromising the space. A dedicated master suite, a converted loft, or a large principal bedroom.

Both adults are above average build or significantly taller than 6ft and want maximum personal sleeping space. At 90cm each, a super king gives each sleeper more personal width than a standard single bed (90cm) — the most generous sleeping arrangement in the standard UK range.

You prioritise sleep quality above all else and the room accommodates the size without constraint. The 15cm additional width per person is the difference that makes a super king genuinely distinct from a king rather than marginally different.

See the full super king size beds collection and super king mattresses to compare directly alongside this range.

Complete Your Bedroom Setup

A king size bed frame performs at its best alongside a correctly sized mattress — 150cm × 200cm specifically. Browse the full king size mattresses collection to find the right firmness, depth, and support profile. The mattress choice is as consequential as the frame for long-term sleep quality — a quality king frame paired with an inadequate mattress will underperform on both comfort and longevity.

To compare across the full bed range before deciding, the double beds collection covers the 135cm × 190cm format and the super king size beds collection covers the 180cm × 200cm format. The full mattresses collection covers every size and firmness option in one place.

Every Airedale Living king size bed comes with free UK delivery, in-room assembly by our two-person team, a 5-year frame guarantee, and free returns as standard.

Browse the full king size bed collection above and find the frame that transforms your bedroom.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard UK king size bed measures 150cm wide × 200cm long. In feet and inches this is approximately 5ft × 6ft 6in, which is why a king size is also commonly referred to as a "5ft bed" in product descriptions. This makes it 15cm wider and 10cm longer than a standard double (135cm × 190cm), and 30cm narrower than a super king (180cm × 200cm). The external frame dimensions will be slightly larger than the mattress — typically 155–160cm wide including the frame surround, plus headboard height. Always check individual product pages for exact external frame dimensions when planning room layout.

A UK king size bed is 150cm wide × 200cm long. The mattress for a king size bed must be 150cm × 200cm — do not purchase a double mattress (135cm × 190cm) for a king size frame, as it will be both too narrow and too short. External frame dimensions are typically around 155–160cm wide × 205–215cm in total length including the headboard projection and any footboard. Always confirm external dimensions on the product page when measuring your room and planning doorway clearance for delivery.

A standard UK king size bed is 150cm wide (approximately 5ft). This is 15cm wider than a standard double (135cm), 30cm narrower than a super king (180cm), and 60cm wider than a single (90cm). For two adults sharing, 150cm provides 75cm of personal sleeping width each — comfortable for most couples. For a solo adult, 150cm is exceptionally generous sleeping width.

A standard UK king size bed is 200cm long (approximately 6ft 6in). This is 10cm longer than a double, small double, and single (all 190cm), and the same length as a super king (also 200cm). The additional 10cm of length compared to a double is practically significant for adults over 6ft (183cm), who may find their feet near the end of a standard double but have comfortable clearance on a king. If length is the primary concern rather than width, a king size provides the same 200cm length as a super king at a more room-efficient width.

A king size bed measures 150cm × 200cm. A super king bed measures 180cm × 200cm. The length is identical — both are 200cm. The only difference is width: a super king is 30cm wider than a king. This gives each of two sharing adults 90cm of personal sleeping width on a super king, versus 75cm each on a king. The super king requires a significantly larger room — plan for at least 380–400cm of room width for comfortable clearance on both sides, compared to 310cm minimum for a king. For most UK master bedrooms (typically 3.0–3.5m wide), a king size is the appropriate choice. A super king suits larger dedicated master suites or rooms of 4m+ in width. Both sizes share the same length (200cm) and the same mattress length — only the width and the room requirement differ. See the full super king size beds collection to compare directly.