Sleeping apart to stay together

• Five million couples choose to sleep in separate rooms
• Nearly half of couples who sleep separately believe it has enhanced their relationship
• Those who share a bed claim to lose two and a half nights sleep a week due to their partner disturbing them
• Nearly a third of couples who sleep separately have repurposed their spare room into dedicated sleeping spaces for themselves

Five million (16 per cent) UK adults in a relationship choose to sleep in a separate room to their partner reveals new research¹ from Direct Line Home Insurance. Nearly half of these couples (48 per cent) say that sleeping separately has improved their relationship, suggesting that absence may indeed make the heart grow fonder.

Sleep disturbance is a key factor driving the decision for separate sleeping arrangements. Those who share a bed say they lose on average 2.5 nights of sleep per week due to their partner disturbing them. Snoring (71 per cent), bathroom visits (60 per cent) and tossing and turning (60 per cent) are the main factors driving couples to sleep separately. 

Table one: Reasons partners are being kept awake at night 

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2025

Generational differences play a key role in why couples sleep separately. Interestingly, despite being more affected by disruptive sleep habits, younger couples are less likely to sleep apart—only 10 per cent of those aged 18-34 do so, compared to 20 per cent of adults over 55. For older adults, snoring is the biggest issue, disrupting sleep for 76 per cent, while for younger adults, tossing and turning is the main disturbance, affecting 65 per cent.

Table two: Sleep disturbances across generations

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance 2025

Sleeping separately is not just about getting a good night’s rest, it may also be strengthening relationships. Over a quarter (26 per cent) of those in a relationship believe that sleeping apart can improve their connection, while 28 per cent of those who sleep separately say it saved their relationship, while nearly half (48 per cent) believe it has helped to generally improve it.

The primary benefit of sleeping apart appears to be sleep quality, with four in five (82 per cent) in a relationship stating that sleeping separately allows both them and their partner to have improved shut eye. While many see the advantages, some couples struggle with the decision. A sixth (14 per cent) who currently share a bed admit they would like to sleep separately but know their partner wouldn’t want to, and one in ten (11 per cent) believe that separate sleeping arrangements could improve their relationship.

For some, the shift starts early with one in eight (12 per cent) of the couples not sharing a bed, doing so since the start of their relationship. To accommodate not sharing beds, couples are repurposing spare rooms into dedicated sleeping spaces (29 per cent), rather than using them as traditional guest rooms or home offices. A further one in ten (10 per cent) opt to sleep on the sofa and one in every eight (12 per cent) even factored in separate sleeping spaces when choosing a home to rent or buy.

The trend of sleeping separately is also influencing home-buying decisions, with 12 per cent of couples prioritising properties that include additional bedrooms or flexible living spaces to accommodate separate sleeping arrangements. This emphasises the growing shift in how couples use their living spaces to improve sleep and well-being.

Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance said: “Good sleep is an important factor in overall health and well-being. These findings highlight how some couples are making choices to improve their sleep quality, whether that means sleeping together or apart.

“Whatever the sleep situation, it appears it is encouraging a shift in how people are using their homes. More couples are prioritising the need for extra bedrooms or flexible spaces to help provide the space for their separate sleeping arrangements. Ultimately, the most important thing is finding a solution that works best for each individual relationship and to ensure that your home is reflective of these needs.”

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Notes to editors

1.      Research conducted by Opinium with a nationally representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, 31^st January-4th February 2025. 

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler

Deputy Head of News and Issues

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com

Phone: 07482107207

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and U K Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.