It’s rarely just the posters that have changed since that bed was bought. The height’s likely an issue too, and the once-loved cabin bed with the slide is starting to look a little out of place. Our teenage beds guide covers which bed size to choose, the best options for small rooms, and where bunk beds and gaming beds still fit in.
What size bed should a teenager have?
Somewhere in the early to mid-teens, a single bed starts to feel more like last year’s bed rather than a proper fit. Growth spurts play a part, but so does how a teenager spends time in their room, sleeping less and sprawled out doing homework or on their phone. A single still works well in a smaller room or a shared one, but a small double or double gives noticeably more space to stretch out. Room size usually settles the decision one way or the other, so measure the space first, leaving a bit of clearance around the bed rather than measuring right up to the walls.
Our UK bed sizes and mattress size guide covers the full breakdown of dimensions if needed.
What are the best beds for teenagers?
There’s no single best bed, as it depends on what else the room needs to do beyond providing somewhere to sleep. Ottoman beds lift up to reveal storage underneath, useful when wardrobe space is already stretched thin. Beds with a desk built into the frame itself, which pays off once homework becomes a nightly fixture rather than an occasional one. And for a teenager who wants somewhere to sit during the day and sleep at night, a sofa bed covers both without needing a separate sofa taking up floor space.
Best bunk beds for teenagers
Bunk beds don’t disappear once childhood ends; they simply take on a slightly more grown-up job. In a shared bedroom, triple bunk beds fit a third sibling in, or handle regular sleepovers without a mattress ending up on the floor. An oddly shaped room tends to suit L-shaped bunk beds better than a straight stack, since the angled layout works with the corners rather than against them. And wooden bunk beds tend to suit an older teenager’s room better than a bright metal frame, which matters more than it sounds once a teenager has an opinion on their own bedroom.
Best gaming beds
A gaming bed turns a corner of the room into a proper setup, rather than a console balanced on the end of an ordinary bed. The better designs build in space underneath for a gaming desk and a gaming chair, so the whole corner works as a single setup, rather than separate pieces of furniture competing for the same space. Many also raise the sleeping platform in a similar way to a high-sleeper, freeing up the floor space a proper gaming station needs, with some going further still with built-in shelving for consoles and cables.
Teenage beds for small rooms
A small room narrows the choice, but it doesn’t rule out a good bed. Cabin beds keep the platform low while still making room for a desk or drawers underneath, a sensible option if your teenager isn’t keen on climbing a ladder every night. If you’d rather avoid a raised platform altogether, a bed with built-in storage gives you the same drawer space in a standard, ground-level frame. A small double, rather than a full double, often strikes the right balance in a compact room, giving a bit more space to stretch out without needing the floor area a full double demands.
How to choose a mattress for a teenager
Getting the frame right is only half the job; the mattress on top matters just as much for how well a teenager actually sleeps. Growth spurts through the teenage years mean firmness matters more than it did for a younger child. A medium or medium-firm mattress tends to offer enough support without feeling too hard, while a softer mattress can leave a taller, heavier teenager without the support they need. Material is worth thinking about, too. Memory foam contours to the body and suits a side sleeper; pocket-sprung offers a bit more bounce and works well for someone who moves around a lot in their sleep; and hybrid mattresses combine both for a middle ground.
Teen bedroom ideas to try
The bed does a lot of the work, but a few small changes finish off the room properly. Swapping out childish bedding is usually the quickest win. Our bed linen range covers plenty of styles suited to an older teenager, from plainer designs to something with a bit more personality. A dressing table or a full-length mirror adds a genuinely useful, grown-up touch that a younger child’s room wouldn’t call for. And if the bed itself is already doing much of the visual work, a bunk or a gaming setup is often better; keep everything else in the room simple and let the bed carry the look.
Browse our full range of teenage beds to find the right fit for your teenager’s room.