King to Super King Bed: Is It Worth Upgrading?

If you've been sleeping in a king size bed for years, you might be wondering whether moving up to a super king would make much difference. After all, a king is already a generous size, so is an extra 30cm of width really worth changing your bed for?

For some couples, absolutely. A super king provides noticeably more room to stretch out, change sleeping positions and enjoy a little more personal space. For others, a king is perfectly comfortable, and the additional floor space might be better used elsewhere in the bedroom.

Before investing in a larger frame and mattress, it's worth understanding exactly what you're gaining and whether your bedroom can accommodate the change.

King vs Super King: How Much Bigger Is a Super King Bed?

The main difference between a UK king and super king bed is the width. Both mattresses are the same length, so upgrading gives you more space from side to side rather than additional legroom.

That additional 30cm gives each person approximately 15cm more sleeping width when sharing the mattress equally.

It might not sound like a huge amount on paper, but it can feel quite different when you're sharing a bed every night, particularly if one or both of you tends to move around while sleeping.

The important thing to remember is that these are mattress dimensions. The complete wooden bed frame will be wider and longer depending on its construction, headboard and surrounding timber.

What Are the Benefits of Upgrading to a Super King?

The biggest advantage is fairly obvious: more room. However, how much you benefit from that additional space depends on your sleeping habits and who shares the bed.

More Personal Sleeping Space

A king size mattress provides 75cm of width per person when shared equally. With a super king, that increases to 90cm. For couples who regularly find themselves competing for space, those extra centimetres can make a welcome difference.

You may particularly appreciate the upgrade if you or your partner moves around frequently, prefers to sleep with arms stretched out or simply enjoys having more room. Of course, a larger bed won't necessarily resolve every sleep disturbance, but it can give both people a little more space to settle into their preferred positions.

More Room for Family Mornings

If you have young children who occasionally climb into bed for a morning cuddle or a lazy weekend, you'll probably understand how quickly even a king size bed can feel crowded. A super king offers more space for those moments without everyone needing to squeeze into the same small area.

It's a practical consideration for some families, although it's worth remembering that the extra width is most useful when the bedroom itself has enough space to accommodate the larger frame.

A More Generous Bed for a Larger Bedroom

A super king can also work particularly well in a spacious main bedroom. Where a king might look slightly undersized against a long wall, a wider frame can create a more balanced appearance, especially if you prefer a substantial wooden headboard.

Our super king wooden beds include different designs in solid European oak and Scandinavian pine, allowing you to choose a style that suits the proportions of your room.

However, the bed should still leave enough space for the rest of the furniture. A beautifully made super king isn't much use if you're constantly squeezing past it to reach your wardrobe.

Will a Super King Fit in Your Bedroom?

This is often the deciding factor. A super king mattress is 30cm wider than a king, but you'll need to consider the external dimensions of the complete frame before deciding whether there's enough room.

If your existing king already sits comfortably between two bedside tables, upgrading may mean moving the tables further apart or choosing narrower furniture.

It's worth checking three things before ordering:

Space on either side: Will you still be able to walk around the bed comfortably and access bedside furniture?

Wardrobes and drawers: Can doors and drawers open fully without catching the frame?

The bed's external measurements: How much additional width does your preferred wooden frame add beyond the mattress?

One useful approach is to mark out the proposed dimensions on your bedroom floor using masking tape. This gives you a much clearer idea of how the larger bed will affect the room than simply looking at measurements on a product page.

From the Workshop: When customers are considering a larger wooden bed, we always recommend checking the full frame dimensions rather than just the mattress size. Headboards, side rails and footboards can all affect the overall footprint, and two super king beds may have slightly different external measurements depending on their design. If you're unsure whether a particular frame will fit, our team can help you check before ordering.

What Else Will You Need to Replace When Upgrading?

Buying a super king bed frame is only part of the investment. Because the mattress is wider than a king, you'll also need to account for a few other purchases.

The most significant is usually the mattress itself. A standard UK king mattress measures 150 × 200cm, so it won't fit a super king frame designed for a 180 × 200cm mattress.

You'll also need to consider:

Fitted sheets: Your existing king size fitted sheets won't stretch comfortably over a super king mattress.

Mattress protectors and toppers: These need to match the new mattress dimensions.

Duvets and bedding: You can use a king size duvet on a super king bed, but you may find the coverage limited, particularly when sharing. A super king duvet and matching covers may be preferable.

Bedside furniture: If the wider frame changes your bedroom layout, you might need to reposition your existing bedside tables or choose narrower alternatives.

The good news is that you won't necessarily need to replace everything. Pillows, decorative cushions and other bedroom accessories can usually stay exactly as they are. Before ordering, it makes sense to calculate the combined cost of the frame, mattress and any essential bedding rather than comparing bed frame prices alone.

When Is It Better to Keep a King Size Bed?

Although the extra space of a super king can be appealing, there are plenty of situations where a king remains the more practical choice. If you and your partner already sleep comfortably, upgrading may offer relatively little benefit compared with the additional expense and floor space required.

A king is also worth keeping if:

• Your bedroom has limited clearance around the existing bed.
• A wider frame would interfere with wardrobes, drawers or bedroom doors.
• You have a good-quality king mattress that you're not ready to replace.
• You prefer having more room for other bedroom furniture.
• You want to invest in a better-quality wooden frame without changing mattress size.

It's worth remembering that a UK king and super king are both 200cm long. If your main reason for upgrading is that you need more legroom, moving to a super king won't solve that particular problem.

And if you're simply replacing an older bed frame, there's no reason you can't enjoy the benefits of a beautifully made wooden bed without increasing its size.

Our king size wooden beds offer a range of solid oak and pine designs, from simple frames to more substantial styles with headboards.

Is Upgrading to a Super King Worth It for You?

By this stage, you probably have a reasonable idea of whether the additional space would improve your bedroom. However, if you're still undecided, it can help to compare the two options against your everyday requirements.

There's no universally right answer. A super king is a lovely luxury when you have the room and genuinely want more sleeping space, but a well-proportioned king can be every bit as suitable for a comfortable bedroom.

If you're weighing up the decision, we'd suggest prioritising how you actually use your bed rather than choosing the largest size your room can technically accommodate.

Choosing the Right Wooden Bed for Your Upgrade

Once you've decided on the size, it's worth spending a little time choosing the frame itself.

At The Wooden Bed Company, we make our beds to order in our Yorkshire workshop using solid European oak and Scandinavian pine. Both timbers offer their own character, and our collection includes designs suited to everything from simple, contemporary bedrooms to more traditional interiors.

You might prefer a low wooden frame that keeps the room feeling open, particularly when upgrading to a wider bed. Alternatively, a substantial headboard can make a beautiful feature in a larger bedroom.

We also offer a choice of finishes, so you can find something that works with your existing furniture rather than feeling you need to redecorate the entire room around your new bed. Whichever size you choose, our wooden beds are strength tested to 490kg and come with a 12-year structural guarantee.

A Little More Room to Call Your Own

We spend a remarkable amount of time in bed over the years, so it makes sense to choose something that feels comfortable, suits the room and is made to last.

For some people, upgrading from a king to a super king is one of those changes they wish they'd made sooner. The additional space is appreciated every night, and the wider frame feels perfectly at home in a generous bedroom.

For others, sticking with a king means keeping the right balance between sleeping space and everything else they enjoy about their room.

We make both sizes in our Yorkshire workshop, with the same attention to timber selection, construction and finishing. Whether you're choosing a new king size wooden bed or treating yourself to a super king bed, you'll be buying directly from the people who make it.

And if you're unsure which design will work best, we're always happy to help you check the measurements and explore the options before you order.