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Original poster

Single or double bed for growing teen DS?

51 replies

FatBettyintheCoop · 03/08/2022 15:50

DS currently has a single size (wood frame) bed in his bedroom that he’s had since being a toddler, but he’s starting to shoot up in height and I’m wondering if we should swap his bed for a small 4ft double or standard 4’6” double? His room is big enough as he’s also got a sofa bed in there and a desk and chair.

Is it common to buy bigger sized beds for tall teen boys?

DS hadn’t mentioned it being a problem but then he never mentions when his shoes are getting too tight either! I’m only 5’2” so bed length has never been a issue for me so I’ve really no idea.

OP posts:
follygirl · 03/08/2022 15:55

If you've got the space then definitely get him a double bed. My 18 & 16 year old dcs have them.

mamatoTails · 03/08/2022 15:56

I definitely would if the room is big enough. Nice to have the extra space in bed.
My DS is 14 and has had a double since he was 10 and we moved house.

Richenda · 03/08/2022 15:57

16yo has a double (he’s 6’2”).

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TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 03/08/2022 15:57

DS had a double from about 10 years old. I think you get better sleep if you have more space and can stretch out.

Londono · 03/08/2022 15:58

And it can become a decent spare room for them/others when he moves out - saves you buying twice

SleepingStandingUp · 03/08/2022 16:01

Is a double actually any longer?

Would a double and the sofa bed out both fit? Does he use the sofa bed as a bed much?

SleepingStandingUp · 03/08/2022 16:02

Also this is MN where people declare that teens NEED a double so you won't be told yabu to buy one

RedWingBoots · 03/08/2022 16:09

Londono · 03/08/2022 15:58

And it can become a decent spare room for them/others when he moves out - saves you buying twice

Ahh but with adult children particularly in cities/large towns taking forever to move out the OP maybe better getting him a single and putting lots of furniture in his room so a double bed can't fit to encourage him to do so.

BlueWhat · 03/08/2022 16:10

For some reason all teens seem to have double beds! Very rarely when I was a teenager.

But tbh it's great for guests!

pointythings · 03/08/2022 16:22

Definitely get a double if it wil fit. You're future proofing the room that way.

Interestingly enough DD2 hl.ad a small double in her room in halls last year and will again this coming year - universities are also getting away from the single bed model.

Doubles aren't any longer, but can be slept in diagonally, which helps.

Original poster
FatBettyintheCoop · 03/08/2022 17:22

We're very rural so I don't think he'll want to hang around here when he's grown up and finished Uni. 😂

OP posts:
Kpo58 · 03/08/2022 17:25

I'd stick with a single. It seems to be a modern thing that all teen-agers need a double bed.

dementedpixie · 03/08/2022 17:26

Dd and ds have a small double each. Not enough space for a full sized double in their rooms

Kite22 · 03/08/2022 17:30

If you are replacing the bed anyway, and have plenty of room then I would 100% get a double.

@SleepingStandingUp (great name for this thread Grin ) No, they aren't longer, but you can sleep diagonally.

As others have said, better for guests once he moves out too. Or even when he returns with his partner. Wink

ShaunaTheSheep · 03/08/2022 17:33

Get a double. Why not?

Mine had singles, but as we recently upgraded to a super king, DD has our old double and she is over the moon.

TheUnexpectedPickle · 03/08/2022 17:39

Question for people who say teens should have a single bed- why?

I've had a double bed since I was a teen, seems normal for an adult sized person to have a big bed. Isn't it?

lOPAS · 03/08/2022 18:03

Should a single adult sleep in a single bed then? Best get rid of my super king I guess.

If a double fits, get the double.

Popcorncovered · 03/08/2022 18:06

SleepingStandingUp · 03/08/2022 16:02

Also this is MN where people declare that teens NEED a double so you won't be told yabu to buy one

Quite.
No your teenager does not need a double bed. He is one person;-). He needs a long bed if he is tall. How long is his bed? You can get beds that are 200 cm now in most shops (90cm/3ft wide).

PickAChew · 03/08/2022 18:07

Ds1 has a double that he sprawls across. Ds2 has a single that he curls up at one end of!

GiltEdges · 03/08/2022 18:20

I don’t remember ever having a single bed as a child, always a double. So when we moved DS out of his cot we put him straight in a double too. So yes, I’d absolutely get a teen a double if it’ll fit. Even as an average height adult woman I’d find it incredibly uncomfortable to sleep in a single.

alnawire · 03/08/2022 19:03

I would ask him.

ThinkingForEveryone · 03/08/2022 19:13

Mine both had doubles before they were 10. We have the space, why put them in a single just because they are teenagers.
I'd get them a superking each if we had the room😁

pointythings · 03/08/2022 21:03

@Kpo58 why should a teenager have a single? A double is more comfortable. If it fits in the room and is affordable, why not?
'

Richenda · 03/08/2022 21:32

Popcorncovered · 03/08/2022 18:06

Quite.
No your teenager does not need a double bed. He is one person;-). He needs a long bed if he is tall. How long is his bed? You can get beds that are 200 cm now in most shops (90cm/3ft wide).

Show quote history

200cm really isn’t that great if you’re very tall (I speak as the wife of an extremely tall man and mother of a very tall son). Unless you want to sleep with the top of your head pressed against the headboard, your feet still stick out the other end.

Genuinely can’t understand why anyone would object to a teen having a double bed. Why waste money on an uncomfortable single that you’ll have to replace eventually anyway? DS is in a double and DH and I recently had a super long bed made specially for us, so for the first time in his adult life he can actually fit in the bed. Heaven. You spend a third of your life in bed- why would you want to be uncomfortable?

Popcorncovered · 03/08/2022 21:56

Show quote history
200cm really isn’t that great if you’re very tall (I speak as the wife of an extremely tall man and mother of a very tall son). Unless you want to sleep with the top of your head pressed against the headboard, your feet still stick out the other end
No, but it's 10 cm longer than the traditional British length of 190cm. Can you get beds longer than 200cm without having to order a made to measure one ( and spending lots of money)?

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