Need new bed for 6ft DS (14) - should I get an extra long one?

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

DS needs a new bed (broken slats). He has one that was previously part of a bunk bed, so it has a foot end on it. Although he’s only 14 he is 6ft tall and still growing. He is complaining that his feet touch the end of his so I need to think about a divan or a lower frame.

Do I also need to think about an extra long one though? I think standard singles are only 6ft 3 inches long and I can see him being taller than that. Is he destined to sleep with the top of his head jammed against the headboard and his feet hanging over the end?!

I'd probably buy a double or kingsize then he can sleep diagonally. You might find it difficult to get bedding for an extra long single, it's not really a standard size.

My tall male relatives all say they're OK in a standard double as long as it doesn't have a foot end, so no sleigh beds or iron bedsteads etc. I definitely wouldn't buy a single bed, though, if at all possible to fit a double in.

A standard double would be fine

My DH is 6ft 4 and we sleep in a standard double bed with a footboard. Didn't know you could get extra long beds (unless bespoke) but as a PP said you will struggle to get fitted bedding for a longer bed. Just get a bed that is bigger than a single if there is space in his room. My DS is 6ft 3 and sleeps quite happily in a 4ft slatted bed (no footboard).

Incidentally I broke a slat on DS's bed and took a slat to the local timberyard and got them to cut some new ones - which were stronger than the originals.

European beds are 10cm longer than UK ones - don't know what it is in feet but 200cm long instead of 190.

It's not particularly difficult to buy bedding for them, though I tend to order online. You can use a normal size duvet with no problems, it's just the fitted sheet that might be an issue.

I would go with a european double/small double in your position. Ikea used to do them as standard, now they have changed to uk sizes, but they do still sell some longer ones.

Yes get a European size Ikea do bedding

Don’t want to bother replacing the slats, it hasn’t got a proper headboard and the footboard must be really annoying. I’ve slept in it myself and sometimes touch it with my feet and I’m only 5 ft 6!

Hmmm.... maybe a double then. But his poor brother is in the box room and it will make me feel guilty about him!

Ooh, European ones. Wonder why Ikea changed to U.K.? It’s not like we’re a nation of midgets

My son is 6' 5" and sleeps in a standard single with no problems.

Britain builds the smallest houses in Europe yet people increasingly put children in double beds. Our DCs slept in 2ft 6ins bunk beds until they left home and we never thought they needed bigger beds.
Tell 6ft son to curl up!

The width isn’t a problem, it’s the length, obviously. He is only 14 and growing. He could be 6ft 4 like my dad, who has an extra long king size bed.

The issue is, why is the U.K. so far behind Europe when it comes to length of single beds? we are growing as a nation. The last time I went to an arena event mainly aimed at young adults, I was dwarfed by then. I am 5ft 6 so not to tiny but I did marvel at the height of most of the crowd in the foyer etc.

Why have we still got short beds and Europe, and the US, presumably, have it cracked?

Is it cos our new builds are akin to rabbit hutches? The smaller “bedroom” in 3 bed semi new builds these days tend to be smaller than traditional box rooms which could at least fit a standard single bed in. Now they’re more of a cupboard and buyers need to measure carefully to see if they can fit a single bed in.

Ot’s also a question of future proofing. I don’t want him going away to uni in 4 years time, meeting a serious girlfriend and then not having anywhere to bring her when he visits with her. We have no spare room.

My teenage boys have doubles with no foot, works fine and will work when they bring someone home (hopefully not for a while!).

My 14yo has a double. He appreciates being able to starfish. His is an ikea brimnes bed. Massive drawers underneath and, importantly for long teens, no foot.

DS1 is only 13 but already very tall (his Dad is 6'6" so he's looking likely to follow that pattern). He has a super king sized bed and loves the space. If you can fit a larger bed in, I'd do it.