Single Beds: The Best Beds for Small Rooms

Off to varsity and res life? Or moving to a new town because of work? Odds are, you may be worried about where to put all your stuff in your new apartment. And maybe your bed is too big for the new living space and you don’t know what to do. Well, single beds are your best option if floor space is at a premium. Keep reading as The Mattress Warehouse explains why small spaces are becoming more popular, and how to make the best sleeping arrangements with the space you have – from single beds for small bedrooms to multipurpose furniture for single-room apartments.

Small bedrooms are becoming more common

It appears that the new trend in South Africa (and in other parts of the world) is that property size, and subsequently room size, is shrinking. In South Africa, the average size of a new home decreased by 17 square meters between 2009 and 2016. That’s an area of roughly 6m by 3m, more than the size of an average bedroom.

But why is this the case?

Good question! There are a couple of reasons for this trend towards smaller homes and bedrooms:

1. Rising land and property rates – With inflation and rising fuel prices, everything else becomes more expensive as well, including property.
2. Urbanisation –  People tend to migrate to cities looking for jobs or to get a better education. Additionally, as cities become more densely populated, land becomes scarce. So developers are building more compact homes to fit more people in smaller areas.
3. Rising utility rates – Water and electricity are becoming more expensive each year. With price hikes well above the inflation rate, homeowners want to power fewer lights etc. in their homes to save on utility costs.

Do smaller bedrooms warrant smaller beds?

In terms of beds and mattresses, it is not always practical to buy large ones for small sleeping spaces. If you live in a one-bedroom apartment or bachelor flat, multifunctional furniture, like sleeper couches and bunk beds is more practical than large beds. Likewise, single beds are more suited to small living spaces than double beds or king-size beds.

So in short; yes. Smaller beds and multipurpose beds are better for smaller bedrooms. Keep reading as we showcase some of the best beds for small bedrooms.

Best single beds for sale to optimise small bedrooms

Are looking to buy a single bed for yourself, your guest bedroom or a kid’s room? We’ve got you covered. Here are our favourite picks for these categories.

Best single bed for the master bedroom

As the most important and luxurious bedroom in your home, the master bedroom requires a comfortable and supportive bed. The bed will be slept in pretty much every night, so for your own health, it is not a good idea to skimp on the mattress.

Tip: If you share your master bedroom with a partner and you have two different sleeping styles, consider getting two single beds and pushing them together. This way, you can both get restorative sleep.

Our top pick:

Serta Pinnacle Bed

This plush mattress is perfect for back- and side sleepers. The combination of high-strength springs and multiple layers of memory foam provides the sleeper with a comforting night’s rest while assuring spinal alignment.

The plush pillowtop makes you feel like you are sleeping on a cloud

• Price: R7,299.00
• Weight Limit: 150 kg per person
• 10 Years service warranty

Best single bed for the spare bedroom

A spare room is typically used for guests and is not occupied all the time. As such, it is not necessary to invest in a top-of-the-line bed for this room. Rather get a cost-effective option with a medium comfort rating, which is suitable for all sleeping styles.

Our top pick:

Restonic Restore Bed

You don’t have to ever flip this mattress, which makes the Restonic Restore bed an excellent choice for the spare room. Moreover, with the combination of Bonnell coils, foam pillow top, and marvellous middle technology (the central third of the mattress is enhanced to increase lower back support), your guests will all wake up feeling restored.

With its no-flip technology, the Restonic Restore is a low-maintenance bed

• Price: R4,399.00
• Weight Limit: 110 kg per person
• 10 Years service warranty

Best single beds for a kid’s room

Your child’s room should have a bed that is both comfortable and safe. And one into which your child can grow, as they age. If you have a toddler, it is better to get a smaller bed that has railings to keep the child from falling out of bed. However, as they outgrow the kid’s bed, a single bed is a great option as it can keep them all throughout their school career.

Having storage space under the bed, or space for an additional mattress in case friends come over is a great bonus.

Our top pick:

Oregon Divan Bed with Underbed

This bed does not come with mattresses, so you’ll have to purchase those separately. Having said that, it is still a great option for a child’s room, as there is a roll-out platform under the bed that provides space for a friend or a sibling to sleep over.

The Oregon Divan Bed with Underbed is great for unexpected family visits

• Price: R5,399.00
• Made from 35-year-aged radiata pine

Best single beds for multipurpose use

With small home living, your study or living area often has to double as a guest bedroom. Luckily, there are some innovative inventions like sleeper couches and bunk beds.

Best single bed for an office or study

Putting a bed in your home office can be a practical solution for a spare bed if you don’t have a spare room or if you have a large extended family. Keep in mind that the bed you put in your study must be comfortable enough for sleeping but also versatile enough to fit in with the decor of the room (and maybe double as a couch).

A single sleeper couch is a good option for a study as it offers a compact and stylish solution for both seating and sleeping.

Our top pick:

Astrid Sleeper Couch

The Astrid Sleeper Couch is a great option because you can choose the colour it comes in. So you can optimise it to your liking and make it fit perfectly with the theme of your study. Moreover, the mechanism is simple and effective, transforming the couch into a bed and back again without any hassle.

Elegant and minimalistic, the Astrid Sleeper Couch is perfect for your home office

One satisfied user says this about the Astrid Sleeper Couch:

Having the benefit of both (a) couch and sleeper couch is excellent. And having an option to choose my own colour fabric is a bonus.

-N. Alexander

Best bunk beds for small rooms

When it comes to saving floor space in the bedroom, bunk beds must not be forgotten. They are a popular choice for small bedrooms, especially for children as it is a great space saver! Bunk beds can accommodate two people in only the space of one bed frame. Isn’t that neat?

Children love bunk beds because they can easily be transformed into imaginative fortresses, ships etc. Bunk beds come in many shapes and sizes, but if you want to save space, single bunk beds are your best option.

Our top pick:

Taryn Bunk Bed

The Taryn Bunk Bed has an elegant design with safety railings on the top bunk for the sleeper’s safety. The straight ladder down the side does not take up additional floor space, making it ideal for small bedrooms.

Great for siblings sharing a room

Yvet is very happy with her Taryn Bunk Bed. This is what she has to say:

Easy to put together. Does not take a lot of space. Highly recommend(ed).

Single beds for sale online or in-store

Now that you know what kind of beds are good for small spaces, you will be able to find the perfect bed for your own small space. Check out our online catalogue and use the compare tool to, well, compare single bed prices. Happy shopping.