Prepared by Denora.
In brief
- In a 140×200 cm bed, each person has 70 cm of width.
- In a 160×200 cm bed, each person has 80 cm of width.
- The wider bed adds 10 cm of sleeping width per person but reduces the space on each side of the bed by the same amount.
- Decide using the actual frame dimensions, not only the mattress size.
- Mark both options on the floor and check the door, wardrobe and walkways.
- You can compare both sizes in one place in the double beds collection.
Room and bed size calculator
Enter the width of your room and the frames of the beds you are considering. If bedside tables or other furniture will stand beside the bed, include their width too.
140×200 option
151 cm remains in total.
75.5 cm remains on the left and 75.5 cm on the right.
Fits within the entered width.
View 140×200 beds160×200 option
131 cm remains in total.
65.5 cm remains on the left and 65.5 cm on the right.
Fits within the entered width.
View 160×200 bedsCalculation method: the external bed-frame width and the width of adjacent furniture are subtracted from the room width. The result is not a universal walkway or safety standard.
Contents
What difference do 20 cm actually make?
When comparing a 140x200 or 160x200 bed, only the sleeping width changes. Both mattresses are 200 cm long. The numbers alone do not show how much room the complete piece of furniture occupies because the frame is wider than the mattress.
- A 140×200 cm sleeping area covers 2.8 m².
- A 160×200 cm sleeping area covers 3.2 m².
- The difference is 0.4 m², or about 14.3% more sleeping surface.
- When two people share the bed, the 160 cm option adds 10 cm of width per person.
A 160 cm bed is not automatically better for every couple. Some people find 140 cm entirely sufficient, while others need more room to turn over. Start with your current bed: measure it and discuss whether either of you genuinely needs more space.
140 or 160 cm bed: how much room does each person get?
When the sleeping area is divided equally, the calculation is simple:
| Sleeping area | Width per person | Total sleeping area | What you gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140×200 cm | 70 cm | 2.8 m² | More free width in the room |
| 160×200 cm | 80 cm | 3.2 m² | 10 cm more for each person |
The table does not tell you which mattress firmness suits you or how much of your partner's movement you will feel. It compares width only. When choosing a 140 or 160 cm bed, the same 20 cm goes either to the sleeping area or to the room.
How to measure the room using the actual bed frame
A common mistake is to mark only a 140×200 or 160×200 cm rectangle on the floor. Those are mattress dimensions, not the size of the whole bed. Upholstered sides, headboard and footboard add centimetres. Use the greatest width and length shown in the product drawing.
Use this formula:
Room width - external bed-frame width = total space remaining on both sides of the bed.
If the bed will stand in the centre, divide the result by two. This still is not a clear walkway: subtract the space taken by bedside tables and check that doors and the wardrobe can open.
A real Denora model example
Compare the same model so that different constructions do not distort the result. The total width of the 140×200 version of the DENORA bed is 149 cm, while the 160×200 version is 169 cm. Both versions have a total length of 216 cm.
In a 300 cm wide room with the bed centred:
- a 149 cm frame leaves 151 cm in total, or 75.5 cm on each side;
- a 169 cm frame leaves 131 cm in total, or 65.5 cm on each side;
- the difference is again 10 cm on each side.
These figures apply only to this model and room example. They are not the dimensions of every Denora bed or a mandatory walkway standard. Another frame may be wider or narrower.
Five-minute measuring test
- Find the greatest external frame width and length on the product page.
- Mark that outline on the floor with easily removable painter's tape.
- Position the bedside tables or mark them with cardboard boxes.
- Open the room door, wardrobe and drawers fully.
- Walk around the bed outline as you would every day, including when changing the bed linen.
- Repeat with the other size. If the extra 20 cm blocks nothing, decide based on sleeping comfort.
When is a 140×200 bed for two a practical choice?
A 140x200 bed for two can work if you already know this width and find it comfortable. It is also worth considering when the extra 20 cm are needed for a wardrobe, door or walkway.
Consider 140×200 when:
- a 160 cm frame would prevent the wardrobe or door from opening fully;
- the wider option would remove space needed for an important bedside table or other everyday furniture;
- both of you are genuinely comfortable with the current 140 cm sleeping width;
- one side of the bed must remain easy to reach in a small room;
- a more compact frame helps keep the bedroom functional, not merely visually spacious.
If both of you already feel short of space, do not choose 140 cm simply because it should be enough. Ask what those 20 cm will solve in the room. If there is no specific answer, the wider sleeping area may be more useful.
When should you choose 160×200?
A 160×200 bed is worth choosing when both people want more sleeping room and the extra 20 cm do not make the room less functional.
It is the stronger candidate when:
- one or both people lack width in the current bed;
- someone often has to move towards the edge while sleeping;
- the 160 cm frame outline marked on the floor does not obstruct doors, the wardrobe or walkways;
- the room width accommodates the bed and other necessary furniture without awkward compromises.
Decision table
| Question | If the answer is yes | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Are both of you comfortable with the current 140 cm sleeping width? | Yes | 140×200 remains a practical candidate |
| Would a 160 cm frame block a door, wardrobe or essential furniture? | Yes | Check 140×200 first |
| Does either person currently lack room to turn over? | Yes | Check 160×200 first |
| Does the 160 cm outline fit without reducing room function? | Yes | The extra sleeping room has little spatial cost |
| Are you comparing mattress dimensions rather than frame dimensions? | Yes | You still need more data before deciding |
If you are still unsure, compare the construction, length, width and included components of several specific models. A size filter alone is not enough.
Which size should you choose?
If both of you are comfortable in a 140 cm wide bed and room space is limited, 140×200 is a sensible choice. If you need more sleeping room and a 160 cm frame blocks nothing, choose 160×200. Make the final decision only after marking the full frame outline on the floor.
Sources and calculation method
- Denora product data: DENORA bed.
- Sleeping area and width per person were calculated from the nominal 140×200 and 160×200 cm sleeping dimensions.
- The 300 cm room example is an illustrative calculation, not a building standard or universal ergonomic recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 140×200 bed a double bed?
Yes, two people can sleep in it. Dividing the width equally gives each person 70 cm. Whether that is enough depends on your sleeping habits.
Is a 160×200 bed always better for a couple?
No. It gives each person 10 cm more width but occupies 20 cm more room space. If the wardrobe cannot open or the walkway becomes difficult, the wider bed may be inconvenient.
Do 140×200 and 160×200 describe the size of the whole bed?
No. They describe the sleeping area for the mattress. The complete frame is wider and may be longer. Find the exact figures in the drawing for the chosen model.
How do you decide between a 140 and 160 cm bed for a couple?
Measure your current bed. Then mark both new frame outlines on the floor and check that the door and wardrobe open. If both sizes work in the room, decide whether the extra 10 cm of sleeping width per person matters to you.
