A complete guide to bedding sizes to help you find the right fit

May 21, 2024

Selecting the right-sized bedding can make all the difference when it comes to getting a comfortable night’s sleep. By choosing the sizes that perfectly fit your duvet, mattress, and pillow, you’ll be able to prevent bunching or risking your bed sheets slipping off during the night.

To help you figure out what size bedding you need, we’ve created this guide which details how to measure your mattress and choose bed linens that can accommodate these dimensions. We’ve also answered some commonly asked questions about choosing bedding, including whether a duvet should be bigger than a bed and whether fitted or flat sheets are better. Before choosing your bedding set, make sure you read through the guide below to ensure you purchase the correct sizes.

What are the most common bed sizes in the UK?

Typically, when thinking about bedding sizes, we tend to focus on the mattress size. Whilst this is useful to know, choosing bedding that exactly matches your mattress dimensions is likely to result in the bed not having enough material to cover you adequately, or sheets coming off the bed easily during the night. Most bedding sets accommodate this by making the standard sizes bigger than the mattress. The tables below should help to illustrate how standard sizing works so that you can figure out which size is best for you.

Mattress sizes

In order to choose the right size bedding, you’ll need to establish what size your mattress is and choose the correlating duvet cover sizes. If you don’t know, you can measure the length and width using a tape measure. Simply measure end to end, and side to side to get your mattress dimensions. You can also measure the height if you intend to buy fitted or flat sheets to ensure there is adequate coverage. Though, fitted sheets will generally be the same size as the mattress, or possibly marginally bigger to ensure they can cover the mattress.

Size	Dimension in cm	Dimension in inches
Single	90 x 190	35 x 74
Double	135 x 190	53 x 74
King	150 x 200	59 x 78
Euroking	160 x 200	62 x 78
Superking	180 x 200	70 x 78
Euro Superking	200 x 200	78 x 78

Duvet cover sizes

Duvet cover sizes are generally always a little bit larger than the mattress size so that they can drape slightly over the sides, so don’t be put off if a single size mattress and a single sized duvet don’t have the exact same measurements. To attain this luxury look we typically recommend sizing up for extra coverage for comfort, but only by one size bigger as any more than this can make your bed look unkempt if the duvet is close to, or touching, the floor. Even having excess duvet fabric which covers the bed frame on the sides can contribute to this messy, ill-sized look, so we recommend paying attention to where this will fall when the mattress is laid flat. You will also need to pay close attention to any border and placement designs on the bed linen to ensure that designs are centred and balanced.

Size	Dimension in cm	Dimension in inches
Single	140 x 200	55 x 78
Double	200 x 200	78 x 78
King	225 x 220	88 x 86
Euroking	240 x 220	94 x 86
Superking	260 x 220	102 x 86
Euro Superking	260 x 240	102 x 94

Pillowcase sizes

There is more flexibility when it comes to choosing a pillow size, as you can layer different sizes for an aesthetic look or just opt for one that feels comfortable. However, you should be careful not to choose an incorrect pillowcase size, as a case that is too small will slip off and expose the inner pillow to natural dirt and debris, and a case that is too large will have extra loose fabric that could quickly become irritating when trying to sleep. When layering your pillows, you should consider the sizing of your bed and placement, for example, king size pillows are more commonly used on super king sized beds due to their extra length, but you can add a square pillow behind for a decorative uplift, or a boudoir pillow in front of the pillows for an added aesthetic touch or extra support.

Size	Dimension in cm	Dimension in inches
Standard	50 x 75	19 x 29
King	50 x 90	19 x 35
Square	65 x 65	25 x 25
Boudoir	30 x 40	11 x 15

What do I need to fully dress my bed?

Once you’ve got your mattress and pillowcases measured up, it’s time to start thinking about your bedding. Whilst some people will be happy with a simple duvet and pillowcase set, there are extra options that you can incorporate to create a cosier and more aesthetically pleasing space. We’d recommend investing in each of the following items to dress your bed:

If you’d like to take it a step further, you might also want to add throws or blankets, or even an eiderdown for added warmth during the colder seasons or for a more homely feel. To further enhance comfort you could also opt for a mattress topper and you can read more about the benefits of this on our dedicated mattress topper blog.

Mulberry Silk Blend Mattress Topper from £105

Is a flat or fitted sheet better?

When choosing a size, it’s important to think about whether you’d prefer a fitted or a flat sheet. If you toss and turn a lot during your sleep a fitted sheet may be a better option to avoid waking up to bundled fabric and an exposed mattress. This option also offers a more tailored fit and is usually easier to place on the mattress. One thing you will need to consider if using a fitted sheet is the pocket depth, you’ll need to ensure that the pockets are not too shallow and cover the height of your mattress adequately, and not so deep that they are baggy around the corners of the mattress. If you have a standard sized mattress, this isn’t likely to be an issue but it is important to think about if you have an extra thick or thin mattress height.

However, if you want more layering options and further flexibility when dressing your bed, a flat sheet may be for you. Though, if you move a lot during the night there is a risk of the sheet coming off when compared to a fitted option. With that being said, the natural properties of silk can help to eliminate this risk as there is less friction as you are more likely to glide over the sheet during movement. This means that a silk flat sheet is still a viable option if this is your preference.

In terms of interior design and layering, flat sheets are also more versatile than fitted options as they aren’t restricted to being used to sleep on. They can also provide a lighter layer in place of a duvet cover, which is ideal for hotter climates. Additionally, they can be styled in different colours and designs to create a more layered look using contrasting borders and palettes. As such, this may be a better option for those who are looking at aesthetic as well as practicality.

If you’re still making the choice between a fitted or flat sheet for your new bedding set, read our full guide to learn more about the benefits of each option for different types of sleepers.

Find your dream bedding at Gingerlily

Now that you know how to establish your mattress size and pick your bedding set accordingly, it’s time to look at colour schemes and designs. If you’re in need of some inspiration, browse through our gallery of signature collections to find an array of beautiful silk bedding options, each available in an impressive range of sizes to cater for all bed dimensions. Whether it’s a calming contemporary green set for a double bed, or a comforting hotel-like ivory set for a king sized bed, there’s something for everyone at Gingerlily.