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 — fine for a young child, 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.

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 20–25cm 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.

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. If the room is mainly used by children or solo guests, this feature matters less.

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. Check under-bed clearance too, since the trundle needs to store fully underneath the main frame.

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 five colours — Grey, Pink, Cream, Navy and Black — with an optional floorstanding headboard if you'd like a more finished look.

6. Check Delivery Time and Guarantee

Handmade beds can take longer to arrive than mass-produced 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 — a longer guarantee is generally a reasonable proxy for how confident a manufacturer is in their own build quality.

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
• 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

Most guest beds, including trundle designs, arrive either flat-packed for home assembly or delivered assembled depending on the manufacturer. If assembly matters to you, check this before ordering rather than assuming — and if you're planning around a specific visit, order with enough lead time to allow for both delivery and any assembly required, particularly with handmade furniture, which can take longer to produce than mass-market flat-pack alternatives.

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, to ensure 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 a handmade guest bed take to deliver?

This varies by manufacturer. Our Guest Bed & Trundle is delivered free to England and Wales, usually within a week.

See how our own Guest Bed & Trundle With 2 Mattresses stacks up against this checklist — it's built to tick every box above.