Bed dimensions: the measurements that matter, from 140 to king size

The bed takes up a third of a life and half the bedroom: two reasons to measure before buying. Here are the standard sizes, the clearances that make a room liveable, and the secondary measurements everyone forgets.

The standard sizes

In France: 90 × 190 cm for one person, 140 × 190 (the historic “double”, now on the tight side), 160 × 200 (the queen size, today's standard for a couple), 180 × 200 (king size). In Italy the names differ: the singolo is 80-90 × 190-200, the piazza e mezza 120 × 190 — a format with no French equivalent, ideal for one person who likes space — and the matrimoniale 160 × 190-200. Rule of comfort: 20 cm more than the height of the tallest sleeper.

Clearances: the real constraint

Allow at least 60 cm of passage on each side of the bed (70 to open a wardrobe opposite), and 90 cm at the foot if the door opens onto it. In practice: a 160 × 200 needs a bedroom at least 2.80 m wide to remain liveable. Below that, the 140 is not a compromise, it is an architect's decision.

The headboard

Useful height: 110 to 130 cm from the floor for reading propped up, up to 150 for a dramatic effect. Wider than the bed by 10-20 cm on each side, it makes the room feel larger. Wood — solid, caned or woven — remains the safe choice: see our selection of wooden headboards.

Sleeping height and bedside tables

Today's standard: 50-55 cm from the floor, bedding included (lower = seventies look, higher = easier to get up). The bedside table is chosen to match the height of the mattress, give or take 5 cm. A low vintage chest of drawers often makes a better bedside table than a bedside table.

The mistakes that ruin nights

Putting a new mattress on a tired base — the base accounts for a third of the comfort and wears out in ten years. Squeezing a 180 into a bedroom under 12 m²: you gain 20 cm of bed and lose the room. Screwing a headboard to the wall in a rental instead of fixing it to the frame. And forgetting the total height: base plus a thick mattress can exceed 65 cm — your current bedside tables become stools.

The Beyit tip

The 160 × 200 is the best size-to-price ratio in Europe: it is the size where the choice of linen is widest and cheapest. Move up to the 180 only beyond 14 m² — or if a child, a dog and two adults share the bed at 6 a.m. And in vintage, an old 140 frame rarely converts: check the internal dimensions before buying the object of your affection.

And how to find the bed seen in a photo?

Scan the photo: Beyit identifies the bed, the headboard or the chest of drawers, and offers the original and its alternatives at every price.