Single beds – Your Ultimate guide on everything you need to know.

Welcome to The Bed Guy, Your source of information on all things about single beds! Suppose you’re a student living in a tiny dorm room, an up-and-coming young adult starting in your own space, a BNB host, or just someone who needs a smaller, more compact sleep size, single beds offer a variety of options for comfort, affordability, and space-saving practicality. We have compiled this comprehensive guide that will look at everything you need to know about single beds, giving you the tools to make the best purchase for an affordable, comfortable, and practical sleep solution.

What are single beds?

Single beds are the second largest of the standard South African standard bed sizes. They are also known as single beds, single bed sets, single base sets, or single base and mattress sets. They are primarily used in the main bedroom of the house. Single beds are a customer favourite along with double beds. They are available in all of the mattress types and will have a solution for any sleep issue that needs to be addressed.

Who needs a single bed?

Comfort for All Ages: Single beds cater to various age groups, making them a versatile option. For children and teenagers, a single bed provides a cozy and secure sleep environment. Parents can choose from a wide range of designs, including themed beds or bunk beds, to make the sleeping experience enjoyable for their little ones. Additionally, single beds are also suitable for adults, providing a comfortable and restful night’s sleep.

Homeowners looking for guest bedroom beds: If you are shopping for a guest bedroom bed and the room has sufficient space, then this option will provide you with a good selection for your guests to have a comfortable sleep experience.

BNB or hotel owners: BNB and hotel owners also make frequent use of this size bed. It is practical in many of the room sizes that you may be renting out as you can have multiple in one room.

Single sleepers: If you are sleeping on your own then this is the perfect size for you. Getting into your favourite position will be no problem as there is ample space for one person to stretch out and sleep well.

Features of single beds

They Are Space Savers: Single beds are the perfect size for small apartments, studios, dorm rooms, guest rooms, or the hospitality industry. Their compact measurements allow for the practical use of the space available in smaller bedrooms, leaving enough room for other furniture and maneuverability around the room.

Budget-Friendly: Compared to bigger bed sizes like double or king-size, single beds are more affordable. This makes them a great option for budget-conscious buyers, students, hostels, or those needing a bed for a spare bedroom to accommodate overnight guests.

Made for Single Sleepers: If you need enough sleeping space just to get a comfortable rest. Single beds give you enough room to sleep comfortably, giving you a good night’s rest. They may not allow to you get into a spread-out sleep position though so please take that into account when looking to buy. The bed can be used by two small children if need be.

Practical Mobility: The smaller space consumption of a single bed makes it easier to move around your bedroom. This can benefit those with limited mobility or smaller living spaces. They are also a popular choice for hospitality where two singles can quickly be pushed together to make a king bed.

Versatility: Single beds come in many different styles and options. You can find platform beds, single beds with storage, bunk beds with a single bed on top and bottom, and even loft beds that provide a small workspace or a play area for kids underneath. This versatility allows you the freedom to build a sleep solution that fits your requirements.

Single size dimensions in South Africa

While the standard single bed size is generally around 91/92 cm wide and 188 cm long, there can be slight variations depending on the manufacturer. You might also find extra-length single beds that are a few centimetres longer to accommodate taller sleepers. They come in at 200 cm in length.

Sleep Positions and Weight Considerations: Weight and sleeping position plays a big role when buying the right mattress for your single bed.

Weight: Heavier people more often need a firmer mattress for the proper support, while the not-so-heavy sleepers can choose any mattress that meets their firmness preferences. At The Bed Guy, we offer heavyweight single beds for sale in our wide range.

Single mattress heights

An often overlooked aspect of single beds is the height. While the standard width and length are pretty standard in the industry, the heights vary greatly between models and manufacturers. This is because what is inside the mattress has an influence on how tall or thick the mattress is. Knowing the width and length is not always helpful when buying a single bed. Some of us need to know if our feet are going to touch the floor when we sit on the bed.

Types of Single bed mattresses.

Bed Sets: These are the standard base and mattress sets. They consist of a mattress and a standard base that comes in a covered base that has the same colour scheme as the mattress.

Storage Single Beds: Removing the clutter in your bedroom is easy with a single bed with built-in storage drawers or compartments. This is the perfect solution for small apartments or rooms where cupboard space is limited, or non-existent. You can store your clothes and bedding, toys, shoes or books and personal belongings.

Bunk Beds with a Single Bed on Top: You can increase your sleep space with a bunk bed that has a single bed on top and bottom, or a double bed at the bottom. The option with a double at the bottom bed is called a Tri-bunk. This is perfect for your kid’s rooms, spare bedrooms, or optimising space in communal sleep spaces like dormitories.

Loft Beds: Loft beds have become very popular because of their practicality. They have a single bed that is on a platform and space underneath so that you can create a workspace with a desk and bookshelves or a play area for children. The perfect solution if you have a tiny bedroom.

Mattress Options for Single Beds:

Your perfect single bed will need the perfect single mattress to ensure you get quality sleep. Each of us has our own needs, so choosing the right mattresses for your requirements is essential.

Spring Mattresses: Also known as Bonnell spring or innerspring. These are the most common mattresses and give you a supportive and responsive feel. They are made from hourglass-shaped springs, these springs, or coils, are interconnected to form one spring unit. They are often the most economical type.

Memory Foam Mattresses: These mattress types are known for their pressure-relieving properties, memory foam mattresses contour your body shape by softening to your body heat, providing excellent comfort that helps you get quality sleep and support for your spine.

High-Density Foam Mattresses: These are made from one or multiple layers of chip foam or virgin foam layers. They provide a uniform and responsive sleep surface and are available in different firmness levels. Foam options have entry-level, budget options, or high-end luxury models.

Pocket Spring Mattresses: Pocket spring mattresses are made from hundreds of individually wrapped metal spring coils. Because they are not attached like innerspring springs they compress individually which eliminates motion transfer. It also helps to provide an even weight distribution for correct spinal alignment.

Hybrid Mattresses: Combining the best technologies for exceptional sleep quality, hybrid mattresses use a combination of two of either an innerspring or a pocket spring foundation that is topped with memory, gel or latex foam. This gives both support and the best comfort levels, catering to a wide range of sleep preferences. These types are often in the premium price range.

Latex Mattresses: There are two types, synthetic and natural. Synthetic is manufactured with chemicals and natural is sourced from trees. Known for their resilience and durability, latex mattresses offer a buoyant and supportive feel. They can be a good option for those with allergies or sensitivities.

Shopping for the best single beds for sale

Shopping for a single size bed can be a challenge. Getting the best value for money while getting the best quality sleep may seem impossible, but our guide will show you what to look for to ensure you buy the best single bed for your needs.

Factors to consider when choosing your new bed.

When shopping for a single-size bed, there are several factors to consider. By looking in detail at these factors you will be able to make the best decision on the best single bed to buy. These include comfort, support, prices, and room size amongst others.

Single bed prices

The single-bed price in South Africa varies considerably. Several factors contribute to the cost. The biggest influence is the mattress type that you choose. The other factors include the material cover, internal and side support structure (spring systems) to name a few. We break down the single price ranges below.

Comfort and support

When shopping for a bed, two critical factors to consider are comfort and support. These elements are vital for achieving quality sleep, which directly impacts your overall health and well-being. Selecting the right mattress can make all the difference between tossing and turning through the night and waking up refreshed and rejuvenated.

Comfort:

Comfort primarily refers to the mattress’s firmness or softness and ability to cushion pressure points like your hips and shoulders. For instance, side sleepers should opt for a softer surface that offers gentle support to avoid pressure on these areas. On the other hand, back and stomach sleepers can generally feel comfortable across a broader range of firmness levels.

Comfort Tip: Side sleepers benefit from softer mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers should consider medium-firm to firm options.

Support:

Support deals with how well the mattress maintains your spine’s natural alignment during sleep. A mattress that provides proper support ensures that your body weight is evenly distributed, preventing your spine from arching or bowing unnaturally, which can lead to stiffness and discomfort. Support levels are often tied to the mattress’s weight rating, so it’s important to choose one that matches your body weight.

Support Tip: Match the mattress’s weight rating to your body weight to ensure proper spinal alignment and avoid waking up with aches and stiffness.

When shopping for single beds, particularly for children, it’s crucial to balance comfort and support. Single mattresses often come with specific weight ratings ranging from 70 kg to 180 kg per person. For children, a medium to soft mattress is generally recommended to provide a comfortable yet supportive sleep surface.

Key Takeaways:

Comfort determines how the mattress feels and cushions pressure points.
Support ensures your spine stays aligned, reducing the risk of back pain.
When buying a bed, balance these factors according to sleep style and body weight.
For children’s single beds, consider softer mattresses with appropriate weight ratings for optimal comfort and support.

Single Beds for Specific Needs:

Single Beds for Children: Single beds are most often bought for growing children. So when looking for single beds for kids rooms be reminded that the preferred single bed to buy will have a medium or soft sleep surface. This will help keep the body comfortable and in the correct sleep position for the growing body.

Single Beds for Adults: Single beds are perfectly fine for adults too. But be sure to buy one that supports adult weights.

Adjustable Single Beds: For specific needs, these types are very popular. If you have reflux problems, back problems or any other issue where it is medically recommended that an elevated sleep position is maintained, these would be the best single beds to buy for your issues. Please be aware that this advice can only be offered by professionals.

Where to buy single beds

You can buy single beds online or in a bed shop near you. Both options will have a range of beds that you can browse to be able to find the best single deal in town. There are of course several things that will help you find the best option.

Buy single beds online: Buying a bed online used to be a weird concept in the past the opinion was that you need to feel a bed to be able to check if it was suitable for your sleep preference. These days, with a detailed bed-buying guide, you are able to make an informed decision

Single Bed Specials: Be sure to keep an eye out for single beds on promotion or on sale. This will help you save money on your purchase.

Delivery: Because of the size it is almost always that you will need your new bed delivered to your house. Check out whether there is free delivery and if there are any other additional fees.

Buy from a bed shop near you: If an online bed shop is not your thing, then the best option is to visit a brick-and-mortar shop in your area. There are an abundance of bed and mattress retailers in every town. You will be able to feel the beds and base your purchase on first-hand knowledge.

Check out customer reviews: This is especially important if you are going the online route. Always check out customer reviews where you can. Check out their social pages too, this will give you an idea of how well the company you are considering buying from performs in the public eye.

Easy returns and refunds: Does your bed shop have an easy returns policy in place? This is very important if you are buying online and the bed that you have bought does not meet your expectations.

Guarantee and warranty: Are the products backed by quality assurances? Bed manufacturers offer warranties on their products so make sure the one you are interested has that in place. Also, read the warranty terms and conditions carefully to make sure you comply should there ever be an issue.

Conclusion:

Single beds offer a practical and affordable sleep solution for specific needs and living spaces. By taking the advice detailed in our comprehensive guide, you can make the best choice when buying your single bed.

Remember, quality sleep is an investment in your overall health and well-being. Buying the perfect single bed will provide the perfect sleep environment. Getting the balance right will boost the quality of your life.

Bonus Tip: Check out our website for single bed specials, mattresses, bedding, and other promotions. We offer high-quality products at competitive prices to help you create your dream bedroom. Our products carry the lowest price guarantee in Gauteng. Shop our wide range for the best single-bed prices and save on quality.

Additional Resources:

Getting the best value single bed is just the beginning, why not have a look at some useful sleep information to make sure you are getting the most out of your sleep? :

National Sleep Foundation: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/ offers a wealth of information on sleep health, habits, and solutions.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine: https://aasm.org/ is a trusted resource for sleep disorders and their treatment.

International Sleep Products Association: https://bettersleep.org/ provides information on mattress types, sleep products, and healthy sleep practices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Single Beds:

What is the standard size of a single bed? The standard single bed size in South Africa is 91cm wide and 188cm long. Extra-length single bed options for taller people measure 200 cm long.

What type of mattress is best for a single bed? There is no single “best” type. Factors such as your weight your weight, sleep position, and personal firmness level will determine what is best for you.

Are single beds ok for adults? Absolutely! As the saying goes, if the shoe fits, wear it. The important consideration is the weight rating of the bed.

How long do single beds typically last? We always recommend buying a new bed every 7 – 10 years. Mattress quality, proper use, and weight rating can influence their longevity.

Can I use a single bed frame with a double mattress? Nope. Single bases are too narrow to accommodate single mattresses.

How much do single beds cost? The price of a single bed can vary considerably. This variation depends on the type, the retailer, manufacturer, and the quality to name a few of the things that influence the price

Where Can I Buy a Single Bed? At The Bed Guy naturally. We offer the widest range of affordable and quality single beds. You can shop online in our safe and secure online bed shop for speedy delivery to your door anywhere in Gauteng

The Takeaway:

Single beds are a versatile and practical sleep solution for limited sleep areas. They offer many options so you will always be able to address your sleep requirements with your budget without compromising your sleep experience.

Our single-bed buying guide will help you on your journey to finding the very best options when shopping for single beds for sale.