Sharing a bed with a partner brings its own set of challenges, particularly when space is limited. A standard Australian double bed at 138 centimetres wide provides approximately 69 centimetres per person—noticeably less than the 76 centimetres each person would have in a queen. Yet many couples successfully and happily share double beds for years. This guide explores strategies for maximising comfort and minimising sleep disruption when sharing a double bed with your partner.
Is a Double Bed Right for Couples?
Before addressing how to share a double bed comfortably, it's worth considering whether this size suits your situation. Double beds work well for couples who enjoy sleeping close together, have smaller body frames, or have space limitations that prevent a larger bed. They may prove challenging for couples where one or both partners are restless sleepers, significantly different in size, or have incompatible temperature preferences.
That said, couples successfully shared beds of this size for generations before queen and king sizes became popular. The key lies in thoughtful mattress selection, appropriate accessories, and some basic sleep compatibility strategies.
- Couples who naturally sleep close or cuddled together
- Partners with similar body weights and sizes
- Those in smaller bedrooms where larger beds won't fit comfortably
- Renters in apartments with space constraints
- Budget-conscious couples prioritising mattress quality over size
Choosing the Right Mattress for Two
When two people share a mattress, certain features become more important than for solo sleepers. Motion isolation, edge support, and balanced firmness all affect how well couples sleep together.
Motion Isolation
If one partner tosses and turns, movements can transfer across the mattress and disturb the other sleeper. Memory foam and latex mattresses excel at absorbing movement, allowing one person to shift position without creating waves across the bed. Pocketed coil mattresses also perform well because each spring moves independently. Traditional interconnected spring systems transfer the most motion and may prove problematic for couples with different movement patterns.
Edge Support
On a double bed, both partners sleep closer to the edges than they would on larger sizes. Strong edge support prevents that rolling-toward-the-edge sensation and effectively extends usable sleeping surface. Look for mattresses with reinforced perimeters or foam encasement around the coil system. Test edge support by sitting on the mattress edge—it should remain stable without excessive compression.
Finding Compromise on Firmness
Partners often have different firmness preferences. If compromise proves impossible, consider mattresses with zoned firmness that offers different support levels in different areas, or investigate split mattress options where each side has independent firmness settings. For double beds specifically, a medium-firm option often provides the best compromise, offering enough support for heavier partners while not feeling too hard for lighter sleepers.
When shopping together, prioritise motion isolation first, edge support second, and then work toward firmness compromise. A mattress that minimises partner disturbance benefits both sleepers more than any other single feature.
Managing Temperature Differences
One of the most common couple sleeping challenges involves temperature preferences. One partner runs hot while the other always feels cold. This difference becomes more noticeable when sharing a smaller bed where bodies remain closer together throughout the night.
Bedding Solutions
Consider the Scandinavian sleeping style: use two separate doonas or blankets instead of one shared cover. Each partner can choose their preferred weight and warmth level without compromise. While this approach may seem unusual initially, couples who adopt it often report significant improvements in sleep quality.
If separate bedding feels too strange, look for temperature-regulating options. Phase-change materials in sheets and mattress toppers absorb excess heat from warm sleepers while maintaining neutral temperature for cool sleepers. Bamboo and eucalyptus-derived fabrics also provide excellent temperature regulation.
Sleep Surface Temperature
Mattress choice affects temperature significantly. Memory foam traditionally sleeps warmer because it contours closely to the body, reducing airflow. Gel-infused foams, open-cell constructions, and hybrid mattresses with coil bases improve breathability. For couples with extreme temperature differences, a mattress with a neutral temperature profile helps—neither partner should feel their side is artificially warm or cool.
Dealing with Snoring and Movement
Snoring and restless movement are relationship stressors that intensify when sharing smaller beds. While separate bedrooms might seem extreme, less drastic solutions often prove effective.
Snoring Strategies
Encourage the snoring partner to sleep on their side rather than their back. Positional pillows and sleep positioning devices can maintain side sleeping throughout the night. Elevating the head slightly using an adjustable base or wedge pillow may also reduce snoring intensity. For persistent snoring, suggest a medical evaluation—sleep apnoea and other conditions causing snoring are treatable.
The non-snoring partner can use white noise machines or sleep-focused earbuds to mask snoring sounds. Some couples find that the partner who falls asleep more slowly benefits from going to bed slightly earlier, achieving deep sleep before the snoring partner joins.
Movement Management
Restless sleepers often move more on mattresses that don't suit their needs. Ensure the mattress provides appropriate support and comfort for both sleepers. A mattress that causes pressure points will prompt more position changes throughout the night.
If one partner moves significantly more than the other, the motion-isolating mattress features discussed earlier become essential. Additionally, consider whether caffeine consumption, evening exercise timing, or stress levels contribute to restlessness.
Sleep quality affects health, mood, and relationship satisfaction. If sharing a bed consistently prevents either partner from sleeping well despite trying various solutions, sleeping separately isn't failure—it's practical problem-solving. Many happy couples maintain separate sleeping arrangements while remaining close in all other aspects of their relationship.
Coordinating Sleep Schedules
Partners with different chronotypes—one a night owl, the other an early bird—face particular challenges. When one partner comes to bed or wakes hours before the other, disturbances are inevitable.
Minimising Transition Disturbance
The partner who goes to bed or wakes later should establish quiet routines that minimise disturbance. Prepare sleep clothing and evening items before the earlier sleeper retires. Use low lighting or nightlights rather than main room lights. Consider a mattress with excellent motion isolation so getting into or out of bed doesn't wake the sleeping partner.
Finding Overlap
Even couples with different natural schedules often benefit from some shared sleep time. Consider whether adjusting schedules slightly—the night owl going to bed a bit earlier, the early bird staying up a bit later—creates more overlap. This shared time can maintain intimacy while still respecting each person's chronotype.
Making the Most of Limited Space
Physical space limitations require practical adjustments to sleeping positions and habits.
Sleeping Positions
Couples on double beds often naturally adopt positions that interlock rather than requiring parallel space. Spooning, with one partner curled behind the other, uses width efficiently. Some couples find a crosswise arrangement comfortable, with heads on the same end but bodies angled. Experiment to find positions that work for both partners.
Pillow Arrangements
Standard pillow arrangements may not work on narrower beds. Consider thinner pillows, staggered pillow positions, or a single long pillow that both partners share. Body pillows placed between partners can help with temperature differences while providing each person with something to hold.
Upgrading When Possible
While this guide focuses on making double beds work for couples, acknowledge that more space genuinely improves sleep quality for most pairs. If your living situation changes to accommodate a larger bed, moving to a queen (153cm) adds 15 centimetres of width—enough for noticeably more personal space. A king (183cm) provides essentially single-bed space for each partner while maintaining shared sleeping.
Until then, the strategies in this guide help couples sleep better together on double beds. Communication about sleep needs, willingness to experiment with solutions, and prioritising sleep quality as a couple all contribute to success.