As a parent, you may have the distinct impression your child can grow overnight – which makes it pretty difficult to keep up with making sure their clothes and shoes fit. But what about bed linen? Children’s sizing for things like sheets, duvets and pillows can seem a little complicated at first, so we’re taking a look at the most common standard UK sizes you’ll likely encounter when shopping for children’s beds and bedding.
Bedding for cots and toddler beds
For babies and toddlers, most cots have dimensions of 54 x 90cm or 60 x 120cm. “Cotbeds” or toddler beds can be bigger at 70 x 140cm. If you’re looking for fitted sheets for either of these, make doubly sure that you’re buying something that will fit – specially designed sheets will have the same dimensions, plus or minus a few centimetres. Beware of the depth of fitted sheets however. Cots are usually around 10 or 14.5cm deep; get a sheet deeper than this and you’ll have awkward excess fabric to tuck.
Flat sheets should be around 100 x 150cm, with cotbeds needing around 135 x 175cm. Expect duvet covers to be around 120 x 140/150cm for a comfortable fit. “Junior” pillowcase sizes are usually around 40 x 60cm and will not fit a standard pillow.
Bedding for single beds and beyond
Smaller single beds and bunk beds are typically 75 x 190cm in dimension. Long small single beds will be around 75 x 200cm while the standard single bed is 90 x 190cm and a long standard single is 90 x 200cm. Depending on your child (and how they sleep!) you might opt for more room or find that a smaller space is just fine. Here at Little Lucy Willow, our beds come in a range of sizes suitable for children’s’ bedrooms of many sizes.
Flat sheets should be in the realm of either 180 x 260cm or else 180 x 275 cm. If in doubt, simply pull out a tape measure to check the size of your bed, or else the space you’re working with. Going with fitted sheets is usually easier – if you can find a brand with dimensions more or less matching your mattress size. Duvet covers are usually 135 x 200cm or 140 x 200cm in size. It typically won’t make a difference which one you go for, but if in doubt a tape measure will warn you if you’re about to purchase something that will be too short to tuck in!
Look for double bed flat sheets either 220 x 230cm or slightly bigger at 230 x 275cm – both will work – and duvet covers 200cm square. In all these cases, a standard pillowcase of 50 x 75cm will work with the ordinary pillows you’ll see for sale everywhere. Other options include the “housewife” style pillow that might button or zip closed or else feature an inside fold to tuck.
If you’re buying all the linen for a bed at the same time, try to get duvet cover, sheets and pillow cases from the same brand to ensure they’re compatible both in size and style. If you’re trying to buy new bedding to match a mattress you already have, simply inspect the inside tag or label for the size, or measure it directly with a tape measure, before buying pieces that will fit.
It’s always better to measure carefully and double check before making a purchase, so you can be guaranteed bedding that will properly fit – no matter if your child is in a cot, single or double bed.