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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To advocate for DD having a double bed?

248 replies

xhelper · 13/12/2022 15:40

DD is in a cot currently, but will soon be moving into her own bed

I want to give her a double bed, H thinks it's ridiculously OTT?

Now, hear me out on this... I spent ages looking at all the super pretty Little White company fairy bedding sets, and couldn't wait to do all of that

But they don't come in double size and I think she might be more comfy in a double?

Who doesn't want a double over a single bed anyway?

H thinks I'm mad but says 'you do you darling'

Would you give your toddler a double bed? AIBU?

OP posts:
NorthernWanker · 13/12/2022 16:23

DashboardConfessional · 13/12/2022 15:42

No, because I'd rather there was more floorspace for playing.

No because of this exact reason.

nokidshere · 13/12/2022 16:25

Why do teenagers need double beds?

Mine needed them because at 6ft4 a standard bed is too small. Whilst the length of the double is the same as the single (6ft2) they sleep diagonally across the double for a better nights sleep.

DH is 6ft6 and we had a super king for the same reason.

Original poster
xhelper · 13/12/2022 16:27

VitaminX · 13/12/2022 16:21

If you want to buy a double bed, there is absolutely no reason you can't still put a single duvet on it, though? We all have single duvets in our house regardless of the size of our beds. DP and I have a single duvet each on our 180x200cm bed, DD has a single on her 80x200cm bed and DS has a single on his 70x140cm bed.
The kids have smaller beds to suit the size of their bedrooms but it would be easier with guests if one of them had a double, so I think it would be a fine idea if you have room for one.

Does it look nice though if there's a single on a double? Surely it doesn't cover the bed properly etc?

OP posts:
Moonatics · 13/12/2022 16:29

Clymene · 13/12/2022 15:57

Why do teenagers need double beds? Confused

Because they grow? I had a single until I left home at 15, was a revelation to finally have double bed where my arms and feet didnt stick out of the covers or over the edge of the bed. And I'm 5ft 6 so not overly tall.
Now in a king size and would have super king if it would fit.

Frabbits · 13/12/2022 16:30

pointythings · 13/12/2022 16:23

For all those going 'but how will they cope with singles at uni' I'm here to tell you that a lot of halls now have small doubles. And once you're into off campus accommodation, doubles are pretty much the norm.

Just saying.

I'm also pretty sure a young adult who has a double at home will be able to cope with having a single for a few weeks during term time in any case.

I mean, when I went to uni I went from a double to a single and I didn't have a TV in my room and yet, here I am alive and well.

Dacquoise · 13/12/2022 16:32

If you have the room, why not?

My daughter went to a double bed as soon as possible. She had sleepovers with friends in her bed right into her twenties. No messing around with extra bedding and mattresses. We've always used king sizes duvets on our beds as I think it looks nicer with better drape over the sides.

InvincibleInvisibility · 13/12/2022 16:34

Mime both have single duvets on double beds. The beds are 3/4 covered. And it honestly doesn't look too bad. Most the time their beds are being played on or read on - its a bedroom not a showroom

TheCraicDealer · 13/12/2022 16:35

We debated this as DD’s room is a decent size. We decided to just stick with a single and then we’ll upgrade her to a small double or double for her birthday when she’s about 12-13 when we’d be looking to replace the mattress anyway. At the moment the floor space in her room is more important, especially as she begins to have wee friends over to play. It’s amazing how much more space even the single takes up compared to her cot bed, and tbh I can comfortably sleep in there with her if needed- 3 year olds aren’t that big!

Notanotherone6 · 13/12/2022 16:36

No toddler needs a double bed. Don't be bloody stupid.

mymeatballsmymeatballs · 13/12/2022 16:37

If you have the room, why not? We're about to move and 4 yo DS will be having a double. We're getting a new king size and he's going to have our mattress cause it's only 5 years old. His new room is massive though so will still have space for furniture and toys.

Hugasauras · 13/12/2022 16:37

No one needs a double bed. But life isn't just about needs, is it?

Swearwolf · 13/12/2022 16:37

My daughter was an occasional bedwetter until about 6, it's hard enough fitting a single duvet into the washing machine, I'm glad I didn't have to do a double!

Toospicey · 13/12/2022 16:37

Like a PP said we wasted money constantly buying bigger beds for DC1, so DC2 went from cot to double. Both are now early teens and in Superkings (we're a tall family!).

The downsides are it's more faff to change the bed and more to wash, which was an issue when they had regular wee accidents when they were young.

Fifiellz · 13/12/2022 16:38

Buy an Ikea Hemnes day bed. Put the gorgeous duvet on it. Pull it out into the double when she is ill/gets older and wants sleepovers.

Mine now have small doubles but we did this option when younger.

GrinAndVomit · 13/12/2022 16:39

We did this. Our daughter and son both went from cot beds to doubles and we’ll do it with the baby when he’s ready.
It means we have more flexibility if we have guests stay overnight.

MarcelEtCeleste · 13/12/2022 16:39

We got a double when DD was about 6. It closed in the room, obviously, but she managed.

It was so much more comfortable for me to be with her when she was ill (prone to middle of the night asthma attacks that needed monitoring) and she actually went from being a 4-5am riser to sleeping soundly through to 7, which I’m sure was down to the bed. She was quite tall for her age and always hanging off the edge.

The only down side was that there wasn’t as much choice of kids bedding.

drwitch · 13/12/2022 16:39

For those who worry about space - you actually get the bed as a space to play as well. Mine went through as stage of having about 3 million teddies and so the bed was a really useful place to keep them. - wouldn't have fitted on a single

Tiani4 · 13/12/2022 16:39

carefulcalculator · 13/12/2022 15:46

I wouldn't because learning to sleep in a single is useful and you lose all the floor space. They feel/look a bit lost in a single at first quite often, like Mrs Pepperpot in a double!

I agree with your DH on this one.

This ^^

VitaminX · 13/12/2022 16:40

I don't think it really matters if a child's bed looks perfect, I bet it would look good enough. Just a suggestion as it seemed like the cuter single covers was your main reservation.

Forgotthekindle · 13/12/2022 16:40

You need to say the size of the room tbh, (In my house), our bed can take up more space in our bedroom because it is basically used for sleeping, reading and changing... and for storage of clothing. In a childs bedroom a lot of kids use it for studying, playing, sleeping and reading. They need more space outside of the bed in my opinion. So I would think about that. My DC got small doubles when they got their beds changed (around the age of 13/14), and that worked because they needed less space for playing - still needed space for storage and studying.

Toospicey · 13/12/2022 16:41

Notanotherone6 · 13/12/2022 16:36

No toddler needs a double bed. Don't be bloody stupid.

I'm sure you have lots of things in your life that you don't need so that makes you just as bloody stupid?

VitaminX · 13/12/2022 16:42

Fifiellz · 13/12/2022 16:38

Buy an Ikea Hemnes day bed. Put the gorgeous duvet on it. Pull it out into the double when she is ill/gets older and wants sleepovers.

Mine now have small doubles but we did this option when younger.

My daughter has an IKEA day bed as well. 80cm wide so perfect for a child. We extend it for guests (which makes it rather too large for the room but fine for temporary) but that has become more annoying as she has started school and got a desk in her room. It means you have to move around other furniture or keep that space clear.

user1471523870 · 13/12/2022 16:43

Why not. I get it' slightly unusual, but if your child will sleep in it, it will fit your family routine and you have the space, why not?
Or little one moved from the next to me to a double bed (I actually think it's a king bed!) for lots of reasons mentioned already by other posters, mostly convenience and not needing space floor. It just works well for us and I am even able to find nice bedding!

SunshineBoy · 13/12/2022 16:45

If you have the room definitely do it.

with my DD I did the whole cot, toddler bed, single bed to double bed at 13 route and each stage was getting her used to it and buying the bed and bedding etc.

With DS he got DDs double straight from his cot because she moved out and it seemed silly to buy a single and get rid of a perfectly good bed. He loved it and it’s lasted him 12 years so far (I did replace the mattress after 6 years) It was a godsend for sleeping next to him when he was poorly etc. Up until a few years ago it was good for cousin sleepovers too. When DD comes back to stay she often ends up in with him for a movie night too!

if space isn’t an issue go for it. You can still get nice bedding and go the princess route with cushions and accessories if you want.

gogohmm · 13/12/2022 16:46

Useful if they need to give up their room for a grandparent staying etc otherwise I can't see an advantage that young