Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
High sleeper and cabin bed mattresses
Most high sleepers, mid sleepers and cabin beds take a single mattress, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), no deeper than the maximum mattress line marked on the frame. On many raised beds, that line allows 15 to 16 cm.
Read our buying guide- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
- Fits bunk bedsMade in Britain
What size mattress does a cabin bed or high sleeper take?
Most cabin beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers take a standard single mattress, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3). Some take a small single (75 x 190 cm) or a European single (90 x 200 cm), and a few larger high sleepers take a small double or a double.
| Mattress | Size | Where you'll find it |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3) | Most cabin beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers |
| Small single | 75 x 190 cm (2ft6 x 6ft3) | Some cabin beds and high sleepers |
| European single | 90 x 200 cm (3ft x 6ft6) | Many European-made raised beds |
| Small double or double | 120 x 190 cm or 135 x 190 cm | A few larger high sleepers |
Measure the inside of the frame where the mattress sits, not the bed's overall size, which includes the frame itself. A gap between the mattress and the frame is a safety issue on any raised bed, so don't size down to make a mattress fit. Our kids single mattresses, small single mattresses and European single mattresses cover the three common sizes.
How deep can a high sleeper mattress be?
A high sleeper mattress can be no deeper than the maximum mattress line marked on the bed, which on many high sleepers, mid sleepers and cabin beds allows 15 to 16 cm. The line on your own bed, not a typical figure, is the number that counts.
Under BS EN 747, that line keeps the guard rail at least 16 cm above the top of the mattress. To find your limit, measure from the base the mattress sits on up to the line. Everything under the fitted sheet counts: a topper adds to the depth, and a protector should be a thin one. Standard mattresses are usually 18 to 25 cm deep, so the single from a spare room is often too deep for a raised bed. Our thin mattresses range gathers low-profile mattresses made for this job.
What's the difference between a cabin bed, a mid sleeper and a high sleeper?
Cabin beds, mid sleepers and high sleepers are all raised beds; they differ in height and in what fits underneath. The names overlap from one maker to the next, so check the bed's own measurements rather than the label.
- Cabin bed: raised a little, with storage built in underneath, such as drawers, cupboards or shelves.
- Mid sleeper: higher, with a short ladder and space underneath for storage or play.
- High sleeper: the tallest, with room underneath for a desk, wardrobe or seating. It's often called a loft bed.
Whatever the name, the mattress has to fit the frame snugly and sit at or below the maximum mattress line. High sleepers made to BS EN 747 carry a warning that the upper bed isn't suitable for children under 6, so check the age guidance for your bed as well as the size.
Which mattress is best for a high sleeper?
The best high sleeper mattress is slim enough to sit at or below the line, supportive, and light enough to lift at the corners when you change the sheets. Foam is the lightest choice, while a slim pocket sprung mattress lets more air move.
Warm air rises, so a bed near the ceiling can feel warmer than one at floor level, and a child who already sleeps hot may be more comfortable on pocket springs than on memory foam. Slim doesn't have to mean soft: depth and firmness are separate things, and most children sleep well on a medium to medium-firm mattress whatever its depth.
How do you change the sheets on a high sleeper?
Changing the sheets on a high sleeper is easiest with a lightweight mattress, working one corner at a time: lift a corner, hook the fitted sheet over it, and move round the bed.
- Wall side first: do the corners against the wall while the sheet is still loose, then finish on the ladder side, where it's easier to reach.
- The right pocket: fitted sheets need a pocket deeper than the mattress, but not by much. On a slim mattress, a very deep pocket leaves loose fabric that rucks up.
- A protector underneath: a waterproof mattress protector means a spill stops at the protector instead of reaching the mattress.
Bunk beds have their own sizes and rules for top and bottom bunks, so see our bunk bed mattresses if that's your bed. No line on your bed, or not sure which size it takes? The assembly instructions should give both, and the team can help through our contact page.
High sleeper and cabin bed mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
What age is a high sleeper suitable for?
A high sleeper is suitable for children aged 6 and over: high sleepers made to BS EN 747 carry a warning that the upper bed isn't suitable for children under 6. Mid sleepers and cabin beds vary in height, so check the age guidance in your bed's instructions. Whatever the bed, the mattress must sit at or below the maximum mattress line.
Will a 20 cm mattress fit a high sleeper?
A 20 cm mattress is too deep for many high sleepers, because the maximum mattress line on many raised beds allows only 15 to 16 cm. Check the line on your own bed: measure from the base up to the line, and choose a mattress no deeper than that, including any topper.
Can a high sleeper mattress be pocket sprung?
Yes. Slim pocket sprung single mattresses around 15 cm deep are made for bunks and high sleepers, and they let more air move than foam, which helps a child who sleeps warm. They're heavier than foam, so changing the sheets takes a little more effort. Like any high sleeper mattress, a pocket sprung one must sit at or below the maximum mattress line.
What is a loft bed?
A loft bed is another name for a high sleeper: a bed raised high enough to fit a desk, wardrobe or seating underneath. A loft bed takes the same kind of mattress as any high sleeper, usually a 90 x 190 cm single no deeper than the maximum mattress line. A few larger loft beds take a small double or double.
Is a high sleeper mattress different from a bunk bed mattress?
A high sleeper mattress and a bunk bed mattress are usually the same thing: a slim mattress, most often a 90 x 190 cm single, that sits at or below the maximum mattress line. Check the size and the line on your own bed before you order, because both vary from one model to another.
How do I measure a cabin bed for a mattress?
Measure a cabin bed inside the frame where the mattress sits, width first and then length. Next, measure from the base up to the maximum mattress line, which gives the deepest mattress the bed can take. Go by the frame, not the old mattress or the bed's overall size, which includes the frame itself.
Can an adult sleep on a high sleeper?
An adult can sleep on a high sleeper only if the bed's weight limit allows it, so check the instructions before anyone heavier than a child uses it. The mattress rules don't change for an adult: the mattress must fit the frame and sit at or below the maximum mattress line. A heavier sleeper usually needs firmer support, so choose a slim mattress that's firm enough rather than a soft one.
Do cabin beds need a special mattress?
A cabin bed takes an ordinary mattress in the right size and depth rather than a special one. Most cabin beds take a standard single, 90 x 190 cm, and the mattress must not go above the maximum mattress line marked on the bed. A lighter mattress also makes changing the sheets easier.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.