Small double, double or king size bed?

Is a small double what we used to call a three quarter? My husband and I changed about 15 years ago from a standard double to a king size, and even though he`s no longer here, I wouldn`t want a smaller bed anymore, even though I`d benefit from more space.

You could try a queen sized bed,smaller than a double,bigger than a single.
It`s hard to get fitted sheets though.

I have a small double in my bungalow for my adult son’s room and it’s great . I just but normal double bedding for it and he has a normal double sized quilt so there’s no extra expense . I would definitely recommend that size .

I’d avoid a single, I sleep in one (3ft) when visiting my sister, and always think I’m going to fall out if I roll over, I have to put pillows round the bed to feel safe . I’d go for a small double (4ft) which would free up quite a bit of room for you, but still be reassuringly wide enough! I’d also have a larger duvet to snuggle into
Are there any bed shops near you which you could visit to have a look?

Hope I’ve read this right, OP. It seems to me that you might want to swap your bedroom for another one. Decide on that first, maybe. Then decide whether you want a dedicated bedroom or perhaps more of a second sitting room with space for other furniture? A good quality sofa bed would allow you to make the room into something other than a bedroom. If you feel the decoration is too bland, you can always change accessories, cushions, curtains etc., to include some new colour.

If you’re sticking to a normal bed - unless desperate for space - I’d never want a single bed. For sheer comfort, I’d opt for more space for myself. After many years in a narrow single (her choice) we encouraged my Mum to buy a small double - she loved it. Like Witzend, I believe duvets should not just sit on top of the bed, but hang well down all around. Nobody wants their duvet to move each time they do, so to be able to turn underneath it and stay covered, it’s better to use a bigger duvet than the mattress size. For a small double, using a normal double sheet would give you sufficient tuck-in to avoid having to strip and remake the bed almost every morning, which is what happens when sheets are too small ! No point in looking for work!! ?

If you think you could be happy with a single, have you thought about a day bed.

It could be used for seating in the day and as a bed at night

My mother had a small double in a spare room - I often slept on it and it was fine, for just me. A bit different if dh was also staying though!

For bottom sheets, I’m sure you can buy them to fit (John Lewis?) but for duvets I’d just use a standard double. IMO a slightly bigger duvet is always preferable.

I sleep in a super king sized bed so effectively a single bed each. I would be happy with a single bed if I was on my own.

My mum and dad always had a small double.

When OH and I shared a bed and a room, before snoring et al struck, we had a super-Kingsize bed - six feet square, I think. We bought the linen from JLP. Now we each have a standard double of 4 feet 6 inches.

I have a small double and Dunelm do sheets to fit and of various depths as mattresses are no long the thin things they used to be. Would not entertain a single

I have a small double, 4'6 and it is just perfect. Much easier for duvet and sheets- plenty of space. He indoors has another one- next to me and his own sheets, duvet.

I have a super King - just for me now. I’ve just got a new (zip lock) mattress. The bed separates into 2 singles if required in the future. I love the space and the unused part is like an office - all the stuff I need when in bed. Like Alice, I sleep one side then over to the other to save on laundry. I don’t think I could cope with anything smaller than even a 5’ and definitely not a single - I’d fall out ?

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I moved in to my little bungalow nearly 2 years ago when my husband died. It’s all painted in cream and so boring. Im going to go nuts and stencil flowers everywhere! I can’t swap the rooms as the sitting room has french doors to garden, sky television point and a chimney breast. The sitting room gets very hot in the afternoons as it’s west facing so I wanted to utilise bedroom a bit more as it’s east facing. The bedroom has a bay window but the views are out over a used footpath and road. It’s not so private but nice to people watch.
I had the (strange) idea of trying to hide the bed as much as possible, which led me to consider moving the bed around, turning it into a settee, getting a smaller bed etc my mind tends to go in all directions at once.
Thanks for your useful opinions, great help and I will seriously consider matters.
I so wish my husband was here, he was so good at calming my wild ideas down.?

Yes as mentioned upthread could you not swap the rooms around Bluebellwould
My husband &I have separate rooms but retained double beds for comfort and in my case to keep cool.
I would go for a 4'6" double, single beds are restrictive.

I have thought that the view from our bedroom is much nicer than that of the view from the lounge, therefore thought of the pros and cons of changing lounge/bedroom furniture. Perhaps you should think deeply of the pros and cons before you make the decision whether or not to change,

A small double is just right, with space for the cats. A single is just too small.

I always have a larger size duvet on my beds anyway. I think they look/feel better when they have plenty of overhang. Therefore, you'd only need new bottom sheets.

If you were to 'become an invalid' (let's hope not) you'd probably need a hospital-type bed (provided by social services) anyway.

I have slept very well indeed in my small double bed. I sleep alone and there is ample room for me to stretch out. Previously had a super king size bed but had to share that with my ( now ex) husband.
As others have mentioned it's difficult to find bedding so I just use double bedding and it's no problem at all
Like yourself, I wanted my bedroom to have a seating area too and this resolves the issue

Sometimes on holiday we’ve slept in 3’ Beds but don’t find them particularly comfortable.. I think 4’ would be preferable for me at least.

We have a super king sized duvet for our king sized bed. I try and get bedding in the sales as I like to have high thread count cotton ones but it does take some searching. We had two as part of the deal when we bought the last mattress.

I bought a small double a couple of years ago as I grudged all the space the other took up. Looks good. Feels good. Not a single problem I can think of and...... somewhat more manageable when changing sheets.

When I stay with DD1 I sleep in my 12 year old granddaughter's room in a small double. Plenty of room and very comfortable.

I have had a small double since I downsized 20 years ago. The double is in the spare room. I still snuggle under a double duvet, but it's easy to get fitted sheets for small doubles by mail order. I hardly move in my sleep, so there's no risk of rolling off the side!

I changed to a small double to make more space in the bedroom. No problem with base sheet, I use the same duvet.

When I sleep in a single bed, I find it too small and uncomfortable.

A standard 4’6” would be my choice.
A single would risk me falling out on hot restless nights!
Pleased to say I’m currently in a king size (5ft) but if I was alone, as required when the time came to change , I’d downsize to a standard double.