Guest Bed Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Buy

The most important thing to check when buying a guest bed is the second mattress. Many budget guest beds pair a full-size main bed with a narrower, shorter pull-out, which shortchanges whoever ends up on it. Here's a full checklist to work through before you buy.

1. Check Both Mattresses Are Genuinely Full-Size

UK standard single mattresses measure 90 x 190cm. Some guest beds and trundles use a smaller "small single" (75 x 190cm) or a shorter mattress on the pull-out level to save space, which is fine for a young child and less so for an adult guest. Our Guest Bed & Trundle uses two matching 90 x 190cm mattresses, so there's no difference in sleeping space between the main bed and the trundle, and both levels take adult weight.

2. Look at Mattress Depth and Construction

Depth is a reasonable proxy for comfort: a mattress under 15cm deep will generally feel noticeably firmer and less supportive than one in the 20 to 25cm range. Construction matters too. Pocket spring designs adapt to individual body shape more closely than a single interconnected coil system, and a turnable (two-sided) mattress will generally last longer with regular use. Ours are 25cm deep, with 1000 pocket springs, and two-sided. For more on mattress types, read our quick guide to choosing a mattress.

3. Decide Whether You Need Zip-Link Flexibility

If the room occasionally hosts a couple rather than two separate guests, a zip-link option lets the two mattresses join into one larger bed. On our guest bed, the trundle raises level with the main bed to make one bed 182cm wide. If the room is mainly used by children or solo guests, this feature matters less. Our guide to zip and link mattresses explains the details.

4. Measure the Room, Twice

Measure the closed footprint of the bed for everyday use, and the extended footprint with the trundle pulled out and positioned alongside the main bed, for when guests actually stay. Our guest bed's closed footprint is 90 x 199cm. Check the route into the room too: doorways, stairs and landings. Our guide on how much space you need for a trundle bed walks you through it.

5. Consider Finish and Colour Options

A guest bed is a long-term piece of furniture, so it's worth choosing a colour that will still suit the room in a few years, rather than matching a specific short-term scheme. Our Guest Bed & Trundle comes in 11 colours across two fabrics, Plush Velvet (Grey, Pink, Cream, Blue, Black, Mink) and Grampian (Cocoa, Mink, Seal, Coal, Dawn), with an optional full floorstanding headboard, 127cm high, in Plain or Howarth 3-bar.

6. Check Delivery Time and Guarantee

Beds made to order can take longer to arrive than flat-pack alternatives, so check delivery estimates if you're buying ahead of a specific visit. Also check the length and terms of the guarantee, and what it covers. Our guest bed comes with a 12-month guarantee covering manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.

Quick Checklist

• Both mattresses are full UK single size (90 x 190cm), not a narrower "small single"
• Mattress depth is at least 20cm for genuine adult comfort
• Pocket spring or equivalent supportive construction
• Zip-link option available if you might need one larger bed occasionally
• You've measured both the closed and extended footprint, and the way in
• Colour and headboard options suit the room long-term
• Delivery time fits your timeline, and the guarantee is clearly stated

Common Mistakes When Buying a Guest Bed

The most common mistake is buying on price alone and only discovering the second mattress is undersized once the bed arrives, by which point returning a large item is far more hassle than checking the mattress dimensions before ordering. A second common mistake is skipping the room measurements for the extended layout, only measuring the closed footprint, then finding there's no room to actually pull the trundle out and make it up when a guest arrives.

Assembly and Delivery: What to Expect

Guest beds, including trundle designs, arrive either flat-packed for home assembly or ready-built, depending on the bed. Check this before ordering rather than assuming, and if you're planning around a specific visit, allow enough time for delivery and for putting the bed together if it needs it. Our Guest Bed & Trundle arrives fully assembled, so there is nothing to build once it is in the room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size mattress should a guest bed have?

Look for a genuine UK standard single mattress (90 x 190cm) on both the main bed and the trundle, rather than a narrower "small single" pull-out, so both sleepers get the same level of comfort.

Do I need a zip-link mattress option?

Only if the room might occasionally need to sleep a couple in one larger bed rather than two separate guests. It's a useful option to have but not essential for most guest rooms.

How long does your guest bed take to deliver?

Our Guest Bed & Trundle is hand-built to order and usually takes 2 to 3 weeks, with free delivery to England, Wales and most of Scotland. Order by 30 November for guaranteed delivery before Christmas.

How much does it cost?

£995, including both mattresses.

See how our own Guest Bed & Trundle With 2 Mattresses stacks up against this checklist, or browse all our guest beds and trundle beds.