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The Benefits of Adult Single Beds

Sarah HarrisSarah Harris
November 9, 2022

While you may initially baulk at the idea of adult single beds, this option could actually have many surprising benefits - for you and your partner.

In our 2022  Instagram poll on adult single beds and sleeping alone, only 13% of participants said they would consider a single bed as their main bed.

But will your opinion change once we open your eyes to the true benefits of adult single beds? Let's find out.

Adult single beds and solo living

Living alone isn’t the same as lonely living.

Whereas adult single beds were once often associated with hostels, convents, bedsits, and hospitals, the rising trend of solo living, has changed things.

In fact, independence, whether you’re in a relationship or not, is an attractive concept to many. In addition, choosing adult single beds, instead of double or king size beds can help make the most of your precious, unshared space, leaving plenty of room for other items and hobbies.

Plus with wooden, metal, and even upholstered fabric, faux leather, and velvet adult single beds to choose from, there's something for everyone in our collection.

What is solo living?

According to Wearesololiving, solo living is all about being “our best selves, for us, those around us, and the planet.”( 1) The thought that living alone could have a positive impact on the planet is an interesting one, but how do adult single beds fit in with this ethos?

Well, it would be sensible to presume that single bed frames and mattresses usually use fewer materials than larger beds. As an adult living alone, a single bed could turn out to be an environmentally sound choice.

Single beds for couples

If you’re living together as a couple, two single beds could use more materials than a double bed or even a king size bed, which is something to think about if you’re looking for eco-friendly sleeping arrangements.

However, there are certain benefits to choosing single beds, even if you’re married or cohabiting:

Sleeping alone can lead to a better night’s sleep

Have the covers and pillows all to yourself

As romantic as it may be to share a bed with the one you love, those warm fuzzy feelings can soon turn to resentment if one, or both of you, isn’t getting a good night’s sleep.

According to research (2) featured online in Stylist, 56% of women interviewed had taken to sleeping in a separate room from their partner to get a better night’s sleep.

There is also research (3) that suggests sharing a bed can have a negative impact on sleep, especially if your sleep patterns and habits differ.

How can sleeping in separate beds help couples get more sleep?

Man and woman in bed. Man is sleeping wrapped in a duvet and woman looks angry as she isn't covered by any of the duvet.

Avoid feeling chilly by ditching the double bed

It puts a stop to cover-stealing  

If your partner hogs the duvet, leaving you shivering in the middle of the night, having your own single bed and your own single duvet can put an end to this. Plus, disagreements on mattress types and comfort levels as well as whether that extra blanket is really necessary or not will be a thing of the past too.

But I want to share! If you really don’t want to sleep in separate beds, take a tip from the Scandinavians (4) and have a duvet each - genius!

 

SHOP Duvets

Things that go bump in the night 

Should you have a partner that sleeps as though they’re trying to tackle a tiger, you could find your sleep being affected. In your own single bed, you’re less likely to notice their incessant flailing limbs - especially if the bed is in another room entirely.

But I want to share! When you can’t bear to be apart from your beloved, opt for a shared bed with a disturbance minimising mattress complete with individually tailored support, such as the Slumberland Clima Airstream Memory 3000 Mattress.

 

SHOP Mattresses

You can still share a room

When you’d still like to share a bedroom with your partner, but can see the benefits of sleeping alone, two adult-sized single beds could be the ideal compromise. Two single beds will take up less space than two larger beds. And you'll still be able to sleep in the same room as your partner.

But I want to share! If you want to share a bed but hanker for one that provides benefits relevant to each of you, think about buying an adjustable bed. This way you can adjust the height of the head and base to suit your individual preferences. You may also want to consider a bed with a  zip & link mattress which allows you to have a different comfort rating (soft, medium, firm or extra firm) on each side to suit your needs.

 

SHOP Adjustable Beds

 

Sleeping apart and your relationship

If you’re unsure about the impact of sleeping apart, perhaps research conducted by  Dr Alix Mellor will put your mind at rest. Mellor, a postdoctoral research fellow in the sleep and circadian medicine laboratory at the Institute for Brain and Mental Health at Monash University states:

"There’s a real need to normalise the fact that sometimes it’s just better to sleep apart and that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a really fulfilling relationship."

Adult single beds and the guest room

 

Pensilva Ortho Comfort Divan Bed Set in cool grey set in a contemporary bedroom design

The Pensilva Ortho Comfort Divan Bed Set

Sometimes the guestroom is actually little more than a box room which would be overwhelmed by a double bed. Space may also be limited in your spare room because it needs to serve as both the guest room and an office.

This is where an adult single bed can save the day, especially an adult single bed with storage.

 

Adult single beds with storage

If you’re thinking about getting a single bed for your spare room, or even as your main bed, as space is lacking in your home, an adult single bed with storage may be even more attractive.

A bed such as the  Slumberland Duo 1400 2-in-1 Divan Bed Set offers you a choice of storage options. Those available in a single divan storage bed includes 2 drawers or a full front ottoman. So, you can clear the clutter and create a sleep sanctuary in the ottoman storage, or expand your bedroom's easy-access storage solutions with drawers if you prefer.

 

SHOP Single Beds With Storage

 

Adjustable adult single beds

 

Pocketflex Optima Divan Bed Set

Pocketflex Optima Divan Bed Set

 

An adjustable adult single bed delivers customisable comfort to all sleepers.

And choosing an adjustable adult single bed can improve your quality of life at any age. Just think how much comfier  reading in bed would be if you could adjust it to enable you to sit up slightly? 

A bed like the  Pocketflex Optima divan bed set is a brilliant investment in personal wellbeing for adults of ages. 

 

Find out more about adult single beds at Bensons for Beds

Browse our collection of single beds or get in touch for more information. Our helpful team of experts will be delighted to help you find the right single bed for your home.

Give us a call on 0808 144 6160 today.

Sources:

(1) Solo Living | Living Alone, Self-Care & Sustainable Living (wearesololiving.com)

(2) Does sharing a bed affect sleep? How your partner disrupts sleep (stylist.co.uk)

(3) Sharing a Bed - The Sleep Charity

(4)  https://www.moderndane.com/blogs/the-modern-dane-blog/sleeping-the-scandinavian-way-pros-and-cons-of-separate-duvets

Sarah Harris - Head of D&D