Shorty beds are designed with size in mind and are perfect for little people who aren’t quite ready to sleep in a full-size single bed.
They’re essentially a step up from cots and are perfect for younger children who are ready to leave their crib behind and are almost ready to sleep on a grown up’s bed for the first time!
While some parents like their kids to transition directly from a cot to a single, the process can be a little intimidating for tots, who aren’t used to the size of the bed and may find it difficult to get to sleep.
The fact that shorty beds have smaller dimensions, means they are much snugger than single beds and are also ideal for bedrooms that are a little bit tight on space.
What size is a shorty bed?
A shorty bed measures around 2ft 6 inches wide and around 5ft 9 inches long. In centimeters this is 75cm wide x 175cm long. When you compare it to a single size bed, which is 3′ x 6’3 or 90cm x 190cm, a shorty bed is about 15cm narrower and 15cm shorter.
Keep in mind that the length of a shorty bed can vary from: 5ft3 up to 6ft or 160cm up to 183cm. Essentially, depending on the manufacturer and retailer, you can find shorty beds in a range of lengths, widths, and sizes that serve as the perfect sleeping solution for smaller people with limited floor space.
Some people opt for custom-sized shorty beds, particularly if they’re purchasing the beds to fit in a tight space in their kids’ bedroom or, indeed, in another part of the house.
While it might sound strange to say this, shorty beds are also available in different sizes, all the way up to king size! A shorty king size bed is usually 5 ft wide and 6 ft 3 inches long.
What age is a shorty bed for?
When you feel that your child is ready to leave their cot, which is around 3 years old and up, this is that time when you can transition them into a shorty bed. You might want to consider adding guard rails on one side, so that your toddler doesn’t tip over during the night.
However, keep in mind that your child might outgrow their shorty bed in their teenage years. According to the UK Growth Chart 2-18 years published by the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, boys will reach 170cm height when they are around 14-17 years old. In this case you’ll need to purchase a regular single size bed for them.
What is a shorty bunk bed?
While a regular bunk bed fits two single size mattresses, a shorty bunk bed fits two 2’6 mattresses, making it shorter and narrower. It’s very practical if your kids’ bedroom is short on floor space.
You will need to purchase two shorty mattresses 2’6 by 5’9 (or 75cm x 175cm). However, you need to double check what is the size of the bed frame. In some cases the frame can measure around: 180cm long, 88cm wide, and 155cm high.
Advantages of a shorty bed:
Shorty beds have become increasingly popular in recent times. Here are the top reasons why many households consider buying a shorty bed:
- If your house or apartment is limited on floor space, for instance, but you want to provide a comfortable place for your guests to sleep, a shorty bed might be the perfect solution.
- Their diminutive design is ideal for toddlers who aren’t quite ready to make the step up to a full-sized single bed, and they’re also a great option for people of all ages who are a little tight on space.
- Equally, for people who are a little on the short side, sleeping in a shorty bed is a tempting proposition, as it can be nice and snug, and you don’t feel as if you get lost underneath the covers.
No matter what your age, you might find that a shorty bed is an ideal option for your home for a range of reasons.
