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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:
Hellocatshome · 03/08/2022 22:00

My oldest is 15. He has a double bed, has done since he grew out of his cot bed as his room is big enough for one so there was no reason not to and its future proof. Only need to replace the mattress.

Richenda · 03/08/2022 22:06

@Popcorncovered We found it really hard to find extra long beds at a reasonable price- wide beds are easy to find but long ones much harder. Eventually went with a company called the BIg Bed Company (I’d really recommend them to anyone in the same boat)- not the cheapest but they were able to do exactly what we wanted.

Popcorncovered · 03/08/2022 22:08

Richenda · 03/08/2022 22:06

@Popcorncovered We found it really hard to find extra long beds at a reasonable price- wide beds are easy to find but long ones much harder. Eventually went with a company called the BIg Bed Company (I’d really recommend them to anyone in the same boat)- not the cheapest but they were able to do exactly what we wanted.

Thank you!

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PuttingDownRoots · 03/08/2022 22:10

Ask him what he'd prefer?

My 9&11yos both have doubles. DD1 as DD2 bunks in with her if we have guests, DD2 as her room doubles as a guest room. Neither room would fit two singles, but do fit doubles. They like having extra space to spread out, have cushions for reading, the soft toy menagerie etc

IncyWincyGrownUp · 03/08/2022 23:09

My three all have doubles. Eldest inherited my old one when I switched from metal to wood frame, the younger two have double over double bunks as they’re tall buggers.

They appreciate the extra space, and it means that if a bed is invaded by the cats they can still sleep. :o

Italianmamami · 03/08/2022 23:13

I bought my ds a small double when transitioning from his single bed. I’ll change it to a double when he hits his teens but for now it works as well as a double but he has a little extra room

TeaWithPaddington · 03/08/2022 23:22

My 18 year old son has always had a single but has complained recently about not sleeping and has asked for a double.

What sort of bed have you got for your teens? I'm looking for recommendations!

RedCardigan · 03/08/2022 23:26

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.

Why though?
have you slept in a single as an adult? Really constrictive and if they have the room it’s far better. Why do a single just because you feel it’s punishing them or following convention?

cantkeepawayforever · 03/08/2022 23:38

My two - older teen and early 20s, with DS being 6’2” plus - both still gave the same plain single wooden bed frames they had when they moved out of the cot. (Have replaced the mattresses)

They have double duvets.

Both are very happy with this, and have always valued lots of space in their rooms rather than having bigger beds.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 03/08/2022 23:40

RedCardigan · 03/08/2022 23:26

Why though?
have you slept in a single as an adult? Really constrictive and if they have the room it’s far better. Why do a single just because you feel it’s punishing them or following convention?

Show quote history

Some people, and I’m not saying that the fist quoted poster is of them, have this weird need to make sure children are aware of their lesserness in relation to the adults.

The household pecking order must be maintained, children should have smaller beds, smaller rooms, and generally not have things that could be construed as remotely suitable for adults.

I came across this a lot when I have up my bedroom for my younger two, and moved into the box room. Some people cannot get their head around the fact I see my room as a place to sleep, not a marker of status. I’m still the grown up in charge, I just have a smaller room with less junk than they have.

cantkeepawayforever · 03/08/2022 23:44

That’s a perspective I hadn’t thought of, tbh. From our point of view, we bought good quality timeless beds when they were small, and everyone has stuck with them - in the same way as we have the bed frame we bought for our first house, nearly 25 years ago. The offspring like ‘doing stuff’ in their rooms - from wooden trains through Lego to instrumental music practice - and just like the extra space. Never cone up
in discussion, tbh.

PeloAddict · 03/08/2022 23:51

Definitely not modern, I had a double bed at 14.. and that's 24 years ago!
My parents theory was
It wasn't much more expensive
They already had double bedding
Guests could use it in an emergency
I wouldn't stop bloody growing

FlatBottomedGirl · 03/08/2022 23:51

If there's space and you can afford it I'd go for it.

PickAChew · 03/08/2022 23:53

@TeaWithPaddington ds1 has a bed with storage from IKEA.

FlatBottomedGirl · 03/08/2022 23:53

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.

Don't get this criticism. Modern families all have mobiles and bigger TVs. What's the big deal about a bigger bed?

PoundPill · 04/08/2022 00:24

Ask him

One of my DC wanted a double and the other wanted a single despite being offered a double

worriedatthistime · 04/08/2022 00:42

Ds 18 has a 4ft double ( small room) and da16 has a normle double
Both have had for around 5 yeArs now as they needed more room ideally and we had the space

MsPavlichenko · 04/08/2022 00:50

Why not get a double? More space , and also room for a partner should they wish to bring one home.

LightDrizzle · 04/08/2022 01:09

Single!
Otherwise he may struggle to adjust to one again if he ends up at away at university or in a scuzzy house-share in a shoe box room.

HerRoyalNotness · 04/08/2022 01:16

I’d get doubles. I learned my lesson as the boys had a single after a cot then needed a double. Could have saved the money spent on the single. With DD just went straight to double.

PeloAddict · 04/08/2022 01:19

HerRoyalNotness · 04/08/2022 01:16

I’d get doubles. I learned my lesson as the boys had a single after a cot then needed a double. Could have saved the money spent on the single. With DD just went straight to double.

My friend got a double bed for her toddler and everyone was "but why"
She's 5ft 11, her husband is a rugby player and the toddler is now 6 and the tallest in the class. I reckon he will be 6ft 3 easily

crowdedout · 04/08/2022 01:42

We are renovating my 14 year old dd
already has a double and her 9 and 11 year old brothers will be getting them. 7 year old is getting a small double.

User48751490 · 04/08/2022 02:47

cantkeepawayforever · 03/08/2022 23:38

My two - older teen and early 20s, with DS being 6’2” plus - both still gave the same plain single wooden bed frames they had when they moved out of the cot. (Have replaced the mattresses)

They have double duvets.

Both are very happy with this, and have always valued lots of space in their rooms rather than having bigger beds.

Same with ours.

avamiah · 04/08/2022 02:51

If there is enough space in their room then go for a small double, you can’t go wrong.

Christinatheastonishing · 04/08/2022 03:11

We're all in king beds here. Nothing to do with the weird 'teens these days!' thing going on upthread.

It just made sense at the time, as the singles (bought second hand) started getting wobbly and needed replacing at the end of the primary years, I took the opportunity to buy myself a new bed and pass the old one down the line. When they move out they either have an adult bed to take with them, or I score a guest bed.

My boys have large bedrooms anyway but when given the choice preferred extra bed space to floor space. Also, I know everyone on MN has gigantic children but one of mine is gets-stopped-in-the-street-ridiculous-tall and the other not far behind, and it was obvious from early on that they would be like that. You can eke more length out of a wide bed by sleeping diagonally.

Another wee benefit is that all the bedding in the house is the same size.

I am not saying that ALL TEENS MUST HAVE BIG BEDS but really don't understand why some people on here get so cut up about the fact that some do have them.

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