Posted by Shane Cousins
on December 11, 2025
Small bedrooms are a common challenge in UK homes, especially when you’re trying to fit a comfortable kids bed without sacrificing valuable floor space. Choosing the right bed can make all the difference in creating a room that feels open, practical and fun for your child. For a full overview of all kids bed types, ages and safety considerations, start with our ultimate guide to choosing the right kids bed.
Why Small Bedrooms Need the Right Bed Choice
Many UK homes have compact children’s bedrooms or narrow box rooms, which means the bed you choose has a huge impact on how usable the rest of the room feels. A bed that is too wide or positioned poorly can block doors, reduce storage options, or make the space feel crowded. Choosing with care helps maintain floor space for play, studying and everyday movement. Before exploring different bed styles, it can help to understand the basics of room size, bed layouts and how height and width can affect comfort.
WNBO Tip – Measure Twice, Buy Once
When planning a kids bedroom layout, always measure the usable floor space rather than just the total room dimensions. Wardrobes, radiators, door swings and angled walls can significantly reduce the available width for a bed. A few extra minutes of careful measuring helps avoid surprises and makes selecting the right bed size much easier.
Small Single Beds – A Surprisingly Effective Option
Small single beds are one of the most practical solutions for compact children’s bedrooms, especially in traditional UK homes where box rooms can be narrow or irregularly shaped. Measuring around 76–80cm in width, a small single frees up valuable floor space while still offering a comfortable sleeping area for children aged four to twelve. This extra space can make a noticeable difference when placing wardrobes, desks or toy storage, helping the room feel open and easier to move around.
Many parents are surprised by how well a small single fits into tight layouts, particularly when a standard single would restrict walking space or block key furniture. WNBO Tip: A small single is often the best choice for narrow bedrooms where every centimetre matters, allowing your child more freedom to play and move comfortably.
Standard Single Beds – Best All-Round Value for Small Rooms
Standard single beds remain the most popular choice for children in the UK, and for good reason. A standard single offers plenty of growing room and can easily take a child from early school years through to their teenage stage, which makes it one of the best long-term investments for parents wanting practicality without compromising comfort.
WNBO Tip – Choose a Bed with Good Clearance
When working with a small room, look for single beds with good underbed clearance. This extra space is perfect for drawers or storage boxes and can help keep the room organised without adding extra furniture.
Visit our Underbed Accessories collection to make the most out of underbed storage or even invest in a trundle bed for those sleepovers with friends
Bunk Beds – The Ultimate Space Saver for Shared Bedrooms
Bunk beds are one of the most effective ways to maximise space in a small children’s bedroom, especially when siblings share a room. By stacking two beds vertically, you instantly free up valuable floor area without compromising comfort. This extra space can be used for wardrobes, a study desk or a dedicated play zone, helping the room feel more organised and less crowded.
Modern bunk bed designs offer much more than simple sleeping arrangements. You can choose from metal or wooden frames, fun novelty styles or practical bunks that separate into two individual beds if your children eventually move into their own rooms. This flexibility makes bunk beds a smart long-term choice for growing families and compact UK homes where room layouts can be challenging.
WNBO Tip – Ladder Placement Matters
Look for bunk beds with reversible ladders so you can adapt the layout to the space available. Bunks featuring an end ladder are also a great option for maximising underbed space on mid and high sleepers, giving you more flexibility with the room layout.
Browse our full range of bunk beds to find styles that make the most of shared or compact bedrooms.
Mid Sleepers – Beds with Built-In Storage That Keep Floors Clear
Mid sleepers are one of the most practical choices for smaller children’s bedrooms because they offer valuable storage without taking up additional floor space. Raised slightly higher than a standard single bed, mid sleepers create a functional area underneath that can include shelving, cupboards or even a compact desk. These are a very underrated space saving solution, but mid sleepers are ideal for clutter-heavy rooms where toys, books and school essentials need a dedicated home.
Mid sleepers provide a cosy sleeping height while remaining easy and safe to access. Many families choose them because they help reduce the need for extra furniture, which is especially useful in narrow or awkwardly shaped rooms. WNBO Tip: Mid sleepers are a great choice for kids who need organised storage, fitting in the same footprint of a bed.
High Sleepers – Creating a Full ‘Room Within a Room’
High sleepers are an excellent option for older children and teenagers who need more than just a place to sleep. By lifting the mattress higher off the ground, these beds create a versatile space underneath that can be used for studying, gaming, relaxing or storage. This “room within a room” layout is perfect for compact bedrooms that lack width but have enough height to make vertical space work harder.
Many high sleeper designs include built-in desks, wardrobes or seating areas, making them a practical upgrade for children who are growing more independent and need a space that can evolve with them. High sleepers are especially effective in long, narrow rooms, where fitting both a bed and a workspace side-by-side would be difficult.
WNBO Tip – Check Ceiling Height
Before choosing a high sleeper, measure the distance between the top of the mattress and the ceiling. Your child should be able to sit comfortably without touching the ceiling, especially in loft conversions or rooms with sloped ceilings.
Small Doubles – A Bigger Bed Without Overpowering the Room
Small double beds are an excellent upgrade for pre-teens and teenagers who want more personal space without filling the entire room. Measuring 120cm+ in width, they offer a noticeable comfort boost compared to a standard single, yet still fit into more UK bedrooms than many parents expect. Small doubles work particularly well in rooms that double up as study spaces or occasional guest rooms, providing flexibility without the bulk of a full double bed.
Their shape makes them suitable for both long, narrow rooms and more awkward layouts where angled furniture or low wardrobes restrict placement. This balance of comfort and practicality makes small doubles a popular choice for growing families looking to future-proof a child’s room.
Best Storage Ideas to Maximise a Small Existing Bedroom
Even the smallest children’s bedrooms can feel organised and spacious with the right storage choices. Underbed drawers are one of the most effective ways to keep toys, clothing and bedding neatly tucked away, especially when paired with a bed that offers good clearance. Narrow shelving is also ideal for compact rooms, taking up minimal floor space while adding plenty of vertical storage for books, décor or everyday essentials.
Corner units are worth considering too, as they turn unused areas into practical storage spots without encroaching on the main walkway. Rolling storage boxes are another clever option for flexible floor layouts, sliding easily in and out as needed. If you are choosing a new bed, look for designs that naturally support extra storage beneath or above the frame.
WNBO Tip – Avoid Oversized Furniture
Choose tall, narrow storage units instead of wide pieces. This preserves valuable floor space and helps small bedrooms feel more open and easier to organise.
Final Thoughts – Choosing the Right Bed for a Small Room
There is no single perfect choice for every child or every bedroom, which is why understanding room layout, age suitability and storage needs makes such a difference. Small rooms can be transformed with the right bed style, whether that is a compact single, a bunk for siblings or a raised sleeper to free up floor space. For wider guidance on choosing the right design, see our Ultimate Guide to Kids Beds. When you are ready to compare styles and find a design that suits your child’s room, explore our kids beds collection to make the most of our great prices.
Shane Cousins
Marketing Executive
Shane has been part of the West Norfolk Bed Outlet team for over four years, bringing his BSc Honours degree together with a passion for helping local customers find the right products. He enjoys creating buying guides and collection insights that simplify the decision-making process, while also keeping an eye on the latest bedroom and furniture trends.
