Twin Bed vs. Double Bed: Which Bed Is Best For a Guest Room?

You have a big decision to make when fitting out a guest room. You can either maximise guest comfort with an enormous bed you can fit into the space or go for a smaller bed that preserves floor space and is good enough for the room’s usage.

Sometimes, your decision will be based purely on the size of the room, especially if a double bed has to be squeezed in with no side space.

A twin bed is more commonly known as a single bed in the UK, measuring 45cm narrower than a double bed with the same 190cm length. Twins sleep one person, and double beds sleep two people.

Which is best for your guest room comes down to two questions:

• The size of the guest room
• Who will be using it (primarily)

The size of your guest room 

We’re not all blessed with double bedrooms, and those with small spaces need to compromise. A twin bed measures 90 x 190cm (3’0” x 6’3”) and will take up as little space as possible horizontally across the bedroom.

Double beds are 45cm wider, measuring 135 x 190cm (4’6” x 6’3”), and the minimum bedroom size is 9ft x 9ft 6in (2.74 x 2.9m) if you want to have channels down the sides of the bed that you can walk up and down.    

If your guest room takes a double bed, you will find a double more versatile because it sleeps more people. However, a double bed might be unnecessarily depending on who will use it and how often it will be used.

Who will be using your guest room?

If you only ever sleep one guest, a twin bed is fine. Although it isn’t ideal, a twin bed can also sleep a skinny couple who are happy sleeping on the side and cuddling. If you have couples that stopover, you should get a double. A double bed is perfect for two people and gives everyone the space.

But what if you can’t fit a double? A small double bed could be the answer. Small doubles measure 120 x 190cm (4’ x 6.3”), so they are 15cm narrower than doubles but 30cm wider than singles, giving couples a good night’s sleep.

A double bed is best if you want to accommodate anyone from solo people to couples with toddlers (oh, how toddlers love to sleep with mummy and daddy).

Best bed types for guest rooms

Guest rooms are for occasional sleeping, but that doesn’t mean they have to be crammed with a bed that makes them unusable for other things. We’ve listed your best bed options below, and you can find lots of options. 

Day beds

Should you wish to offer a double bed without eating into all your floor space when the guest room isn’t in use, look at day beds.

Day beds take up the same space as a single bed and convert into a double by pulling out the frame and mattress. The Julian Bowen Versailles is an excellent example of a bed that offers a comfortable sleeping experience in style.

Ottoman beds

Ottoman beds have a mattress platform/frame that is the same size as the mattress, saving space compared to standard bed frames.

Ottomans also have a trick up their sleeves – a liftable base that takes the mattress with it, using the abundant space between the mattress and the floor for storage. You can also specify a side-opening platform or end-opening platform.

Sleigh beds

Sleigh beds are a timeless option with a curved or scrolled footboard and a wooden or upholstered frame.

Sleigh beds are a popular option in luxury homes, and you can get them with an ottoman frame for storage. The rolled footboard gives you somewhere to perch, and the rounded profile helps to instill a sense of femininity in spaces.