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Most student bedrooms can't fit a standard double. A small double (4ft) is the size that actually works in a typical shared house room — here's what to buy without overspending on something you're moving again in a year.
Silver Pick — Budget
A basic foam mattress, rolled and boxed — easy to get up narrow stairs, does the job for a tight budget.
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GOLD PICK — 100% CONFIDENCE
Small Double Hybrid Mattress
We Recommend: 4.6/5 — the sweet spot between comfort and price for a mattress that needs to survive several house moves.
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Premium Pick
A proper pocket-sprung small double — worth it if you're in the same house for the full course, not just one year.
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Our Honest Verdict
Boxed, rolled mattresses are the practical choice for student housing — they go up narrow staircases and through tight doorways that a standard delivery can't handle.
Also worth a look: best sofa beds for student halls and cheap furniture for your first flat.
Sorting the bedroom? A preloved sofa for the living room won't break the budget either.
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