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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do any couples sleep in a ‘standard double’ at home.

603 replies

Shamrockshirley · 16/10/2025 15:04

On a UK holiday and the rather posh accommodation has twin rooms and a double bedroom. The bed is a standard double and I find it utterly impossible for two people to sleep in. Always rolling together or clinging to the edge. I’ve been sleeping on the floor all week which is far more comfortable. We have a super king sized bed at home so this may seem quite princessy but surely no one sleeps in a standard double at home?

We aren’t big people - both underweight - but my goodness the bed is hell.

OP posts:
booksnbaking · 16/10/2025 15:15

If a standard double is 140 cm wide, we do 😐
Separate mattresses (different firmness) and separate duvets, though.

We have a guest sofa bed that I always used to think was fine, very comfortable etc, and had lots of people sleep on it and nobody said a word. This summer we slept on it ourselves for the first time in ages, and had exactly the OP’s problem.
What polite guests we have …

pilates · 16/10/2025 15:15

No way - king size here

KiwiFall · 16/10/2025 15:15

We have a standard double but we like to sleep close to one another. Husband’s feet hang off the edge if he sleeps with a straight leg but neither of us can sleep in a bigger bed on holiday.

NotQuiteUsual · 16/10/2025 15:15

We shared a standard double all through my pregnancies and baby years. Then when it was time to replace we opted for a king-size. I could never go back now. It's so comfortable being able to stretch out and move around at night.

DontGoJasonWaterfalls · 16/10/2025 15:15

Yeah, we have a standard double (splashed out on a king size duvet though 💅)

We fit absolutely fine and DH is tall and I'm a chonker. I thought everyone on Mumsnet was a waif who couldn't possibly finish an entire meal off the children's menu; how are people struggling with a standard double?

Justploddingonandon · 16/10/2025 15:16

I think it's what you're used to. I used to be abel to share a standard double fine with DH for years. When we moved we got a super king because the kids kept coming into the bed and it really wasn't big enough for 3 and now I really struggle to sleep in a standard double. MIL's sofa bed is a particular problem as it also feels like I'm sleeping on rocks, and somehow seems to force you together.

tartyflette · 16/10/2025 15:17

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 16/10/2025 15:12

Imagine if our grandparents and great grandparents who lived through world wars and sheltered underground at night as they were bombed could read this thread.

Well, I’m sure they would be equally gobsmacked at many, many aspects of modern life.
For myself I always check the size of beds in holiday homes. Twins are fine but if not it has to be at least kingsize and if not I will go elsewhere.

mjjnkljj · 16/10/2025 15:17

no way we could! We have super king and even that is not ideal (different schedules and snoring) so we usually sleep separately. Works lovely

luckylavender · 16/10/2025 15:18

Shamrockshirley · 16/10/2025 15:04

On a UK holiday and the rather posh accommodation has twin rooms and a double bedroom. The bed is a standard double and I find it utterly impossible for two people to sleep in. Always rolling together or clinging to the edge. I’ve been sleeping on the floor all week which is far more comfortable. We have a super king sized bed at home so this may seem quite princessy but surely no one sleeps in a standard double at home?

We aren’t big people - both underweight - but my goodness the bed is hell.

Of course people do. Most people. We do, married 34 years this week.

BruFord · 16/10/2025 15:18

It wouldn’t suit us. I don’t like being too close to anyone when I’m sleeping, not even feet touching! We have a queen. We’ve slept in a kings in hotels and they’re huge, DH didn’t like it. He’s more of a snuggler than me though.

Original poster
Shamrockshirley · 16/10/2025 15:18

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 16/10/2025 15:12

Imagine if our grandparents and great grandparents who lived through world wars and sheltered underground at night as they were bombed could read this thread.

Having a tough day?

OP posts:
babasaclover · 16/10/2025 15:19

I’m with you. Superking since I was early 20’s and now in mid 40’s. I won’t even book anywhere with a double! So miserable in such a small bed.

12Giraffes · 16/10/2025 15:19

God no. We have a King sized bed and I’d get a super king next, if budget allows.

BaconCheeses · 16/10/2025 15:19

No!

The only people that sleep in doubles by choice are those that can fit a bigger bed or haven't had a week in a superking.

KoiTetra · 16/10/2025 15:20

Once you get used to a super king it is very hard to drop down to a double, the width difference is very large.

However a standard double is very normal, DP and I had a standard double for years before moving to a super king.

We never had issues but decided to splash out and I do not for a second regret it! I do now find it tough when we visit family to use a double but I will happily admit this is a huge first world problem and wouldn't voice it outside of an anonymous forum.

BlindSpotForCats · 16/10/2025 15:20

Superking here.

Bought mainly so the various cats could sleep with us.

However- it does not matter how big a bed is- one cat usually manages to take up half of it.

Dangitydang · 16/10/2025 15:20

Just to note super king is the actual double.

Itiswhysofew · 16/10/2025 15:20

We have a super king, and as comfortable as it is, I do find it a little on the large size. Mind you, we do have a cat to accommodate 😻

Blusteryskies · 16/10/2025 15:20

Nope, it's far too small. We have a super king and even find a king size bed too small. I think it's what you're used to though. If you'd only ever slept in a double, I'm sure it would be adequate.

CarlaH · 16/10/2025 15:21

A double bed only provides 2'3" per person. Even a small single bed is 2'6" wide and they look and feel very narrow.

I wake up frequently with hot flashes and have to make my way over to a cooler part of the bed so I have a double bed all to myself.

Didimum · 16/10/2025 15:21

Standard double here and no issues at all. DH is 6ft too.

I find it really strange anyone would care what others sleep on.

AutumnnotFall · 16/10/2025 15:21

Superking, dh is really tall, we are healthy weight and still couldn't do a double. Dh's feet would hang off the bottom! We do like each other 😂, but I need sleep!

I like to stretch out and wouldn't want to be sandwiched together, (not a new young couple anymore). I'd overheat, and I get easily disturbed. Dcs' jump in with us too some mornings.

Disclaimer: obviously we are fortunate we have the choice, and means.

TMMC1 · 16/10/2025 15:22

As long as you like each other a standard double is should be perfectly ok.
the only issues would be:

  1. if it has a footplate your movement is restricted (I’ve never understood these even on larger sizes)
  2. the mattress is old/soft and not supportive.

if you have chosen the floor and found that this is more comfortable I suspect your issue is the mattress and not the size.

nhsmanagersanonymous · 16/10/2025 15:22

We’ve had a standard double for 30 years. So do many people because they can’t afford the space for bigger and so, yes, declaring you must have a larger bed is more than a bit prlncess like.

Ginmonkeyagain · 16/10/2025 15:22

We have a standard double and it is fine and I am not one for snuggling or even being touched when I am trying to sleep. We are both 5ft 7" though and and fairly slim.

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