160×200 or 180×200 is the most common question when choosing a double bed. Twenty centimetres look like a trifle on a drawing, so let's look at them in the three dimensions that really matter: how much space each person gets, how much the room loses, and what it costs.
How much space each person gets
The simplest way to understand the difference is to divide the width in two.
- 160 cm means 80 cm per person. Less than a single bed (90 cm).
- 180 cm means 90 cm per person. Exactly a full single sleeping place each.
That's the whole point, and it's why restless sleepers feel the difference: on 160 cm you share the space, on 180 each of you has your own.
For comparison: a 140 cm small double gives 70 cm each — noticeably tight for two every night. A breakdown of all the widths separately: single or small double: 90, 120 or 140 cm.
What it really costs
The phrase "the difference in price is smaller than the difference in comfort" appears in every article about beds. Let's check it against our prices — the same model, the same fabric, only the width differs:
| Model | 160×200 | 180×200 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| EASY | ₴16,910 | ₴17,900 | +₴990 (6%) |
| PLAINE | ₴19,320 | ₴20,880 | +₴1,560 (8%) |
| PUFFIE | ₴23,900 | ₴25,500 | +₴1,600 (7%) |
| Bohemma | ₴30,920 | ₴33,390 | +₴2,470 (8%) |
| Karoona | ₴34,800 | ₴37,800 | +₴3,000 (9%) |
| Mode 3.0 | ₴40,400 | ₴43,900 | +₴3,500 (9%) |
The range is 5–10%, usually ₴1,000–3,500 in money. So the phrase is true, and now you can check it: the extra cost of 180 cm is almost always less than the price of a mattress.
But the mattress costs more too — it's bought separately and to the width. That's the part of the bill people remember only after ordering the bed.
The main limit isn't the budget but the room
A bed doesn't stand in empty space. To use it comfortably, you need a walkway of at least 60–70 cm at the sides and at the foot: otherwise you have to squeeze past it, and making the bed becomes a daily workout.
- 160 cm + two 70 cm walkways = a room 300 cm wide
- 180 cm + two 70 cm walkways = 320 cm
- If the bed stands with its headboard in a recess and one side against the wall, subtract 70 cm
The rule that saves you: if 180 cm only fits by making a walkway narrower than 60 cm, take 160. A cluttered bedroom spoils more than the extra width adds.
And work out separately what else has to fit: a wardrobe with hinged doors needs 90–110 cm in front of it, and that space doesn't overlap with the walkway by the bed. A breakdown — hinged or sliding doors.
A third option nobody asks about
Between 180 and "there's nothing bigger" there's 200×200 cm — we have nine models in this size.
It's a format for a large bedroom, for two people plus a child who comes in at night, or for those who sleep with a pet. But the room requirements grow accordingly: 200 cm plus two walkways is already 340 cm of width.
For reference, here's how the range is split: 160×200 — 30 models, 180×200 — 32, 200×200 — 9. So the choice of designs in the first two sizes is the same, and you won't have to limit yourself on that score.
Length: when 200 cm isn't enough
Everyone discusses width, but people get the length wrong more often.
The rule: length minus height should leave at least 20 cm. At a height of 185 cm, even a 200-centimetre bed leaves exactly 15 — that is, a tight fit.
If either partner is taller than 185 cm, it's worth having the length made to order: 210 or 220 cm. It's a regular order, and it's cheaper than sleeping for years with your feet against the end.
Models available in both sizes
Most of our beds come in several sizes, so you choose the model by design and the width separately. For example, NAGRI comes in 140×200, 160×200 and 180×200 cm, and FLATTY in ten sizes, from 80×190 to 200×200 cm.
All double beds are collected on the double beds page, and the more compact small doubles on small double beds.
What else matters besides width
Headboard height. A low one (60 cm on MODE 2) makes the room look more spacious — a lifesaver where the bed is already big for the room. A high one (155 cm on FRAU) creates a focal point, but in a narrow bedroom it reads as a wall.
Storage compartment. Available as an option on almost any model. In a wider bed the compartment is bigger — but it's also harder to lift the base with the mattress. A comparison: a bed on legs or with storage.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 180 cm bed go in a 3×3 metre bedroom?
Yes, but with 60 cm walkways — the minimum below which it becomes awkward to use. If the room also needs a wardrobe with hinged doors, allow a separate 90–110 cm in front of it.
How much more does 180 cm cost than 160?
On our models, 5–10%, which is usually ₴1,000–3,500 per bed. Plus the difference in the price of the mattress, which is bought separately.
Will a mattress for a 160 fit a 180?
No. A mattress is bought to fit the internal size of the sleeping area of a specific model — include it in your budget from the start.
What if I need a width between 160 and 180?
We'll make it to your size. A 172 cm recess is no reason to take 160 and leave twelve centimetres of empty space.
In short
- 160 cm gives 80 cm per person, 180 cm gives 90 cm — a full single place each
- The extra for 180 cm is 5–10%, usually ₴1,000–3,500, plus the difference in the mattress
- A room for 160 cm — from 300 cm wide, for 180 cm — from 320 cm
- Walkway narrower than 60 cm — take the smaller size, not the bigger one
- If you're over 185 cm tall, think not about width but about a length of 210–220 cm
Choose a double bed in the size you need from dozens of MeBelle models.
See double beds →
