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Kids Beds & Children's Mattresses: UK Comparison

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A raised bed bought too early is a purchase you can't safely use yet. Buy for your child's age and room now, and read the safety marking before choosing the paint finish. The under-six warning and wall-fixing requirement matter first.

Choose a child's mattress as an ordinary mattress in a smaller size, with extra care for babies and raised beds. The youngest need a firm, flat surface, while a top-bunk mattress must stay within the frame's marked height limit.

Raised-bed warnings set limits you must follow

The upper bed isn't suitable for children under six because of the risk of falls. That warning is required by BS EN 747-1:2024, the British Standard for bunk beds and high beds, alongside mattress dimensions and whether wall fixing is required. Its strength tests represent one occupant per bed.

Compare bunk beds and high sleepers against those markings, and use the bunk safety tool to check a frame's figures. A mid sleeper offers a lower climb for a child who isn't ready for full height, but follow its age warning too.

Keep a child who sleepwalks off the top bunk, as the NHS advises. Sleepwalking is more common in children and runs in families, so climbing confidently during the day isn't enough reason to choose an upper bed.

Babies and top bunks need specific mattress checks

A baby's cot or cot-bed mattress must be firm, flat and in good condition. Choose a waterproof cover and a close fit without gaps, following The Lullaby Trust's guidance. Your baby's head should sink no more than a few millimetres.

Extra mattress depth reduces the guard rail's height above the sleeping surface. Put a deep pocket-sprung mattress on the bottom bunk if it exceeds the upper bed's limit, and choose a slimmer one for the top. Match both to the frame's stated dimensions.

Standard sizes give you a starting point when comparing mattresses, but the frame's recommended size comes first. These are UK size conventions, not age thresholds. Beyond the baby and bunk requirements, choose tension to suit your child's body and add a washable protector.

SizeDimensions
Single90 x 190 cm (3 ft wide)
Small single75 x 190 cm (2 ft 6 in wide)

Room measurements and access matter beyond the floor space

Measure the room and delivery route before buying, and think two years ahead. Floor-to-ceiling height minus the stated frame height gives the headroom above a top bunk. Use the room-fit tool before placing it beside a wardrobe whose doors need clearance.

Bunk frames arrive in several long, heavy boxes and take two people to build. Some separate into single beds later, which could save you another purchase. For one child, a cabin bed or high sleeper leaves space underneath for drawers or a desk.

Wall fixing and assembly add work beyond finding enough floor space, so read those requirements before ordering. A higher card score doesn't change the frame's safety limits. You still need room for your child to sit up without meeting the ceiling.

Avoid these choices

  • A top bunk for a child under six.
  • A raised sleeping space for a child who sleepwalks.
  • A mattress deeper than the upper bed's marked maximum.
  • A second-hand cot mattress with a torn cover or dip.
  • A bunk without enough sitting headroom.

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