The best guest room bed balances three things: comfort for occasional sleepers, storage for the 50 weeks a year nobody is staying, and a size that leaves the room usable. For most UK homes that means a double or small double ottoman bed — comfortable for guests, and a storage cupboard the rest of the time.
Table of contents
- What size for a guest room?
- Why storage matters most here
- Choosing a guest mattress
- The small touches guests notice
- Frequently asked questions
What size for a guest room?
Double (135 × 190cm) — the default: works for couples and solo guests alike.
Small double (120 × 190cm) — for rooms under about 2.7m wide; fine for one guest, tight for two.
Two singles — the most flexible option if the room takes them, covering friends, siblings and couples alike.
Exact dimensions for each are in our UK bed sizes guide.
Why storage matters most here
A guest room is occupied a handful of nights a year. The rest of the time it is — realistically — where the household's overflow lives. An ottoman base turns that overflow into hidden storage instead of visible clutter, so the room is guest-ready in ten minutes rather than a weekend. That is roughly 380 litres in a double, per our capacity guide.
Choosing a guest mattress
Guests have unknown preferences, so choose medium firmness — it suits the widest range of sleepers. There is no need for a flagship mattress on a bed used occasionally; a well-made pocket sprung or memory-topped open coil model gives genuine comfort at guest-room budget. See the mattress range and our firmness guide.
The small touches guests notice
- A spare blanket at the foot of the bed — room temperature preferences vary.
- Two pillow types (one firm, one soft) so guests can choose.
- A bedside surface with a socket or charging point within reach.
- Blackout curtains or a blind — guests often sleep later.
- Somewhere to put a suitcase that isn't the floor.
Guest room ottoman beds under £300
Handcrafted storage beds that keep the guest room usable all year. Free UK delivery.
Browse the collection →Frequently asked questions
What size bed is best for a guest room?
A double (135 × 190cm) suits most guest rooms; a small double works in narrower spaces.
What mattress firmness is best for guests?
Medium — it suits the widest range of sleeping positions and body types.
Is an ottoman bed good for a guest room?
Yes — arguably the best use case, since the storage is available every week the room is empty.
Do you need an expensive mattress for a guest room?
No — a good mid-range mattress is appropriate for occasional use.
