In short, your best bed height is based on your height, though you’ll also want to think about your health, plus the style of the bed when considering its height. A normal bed height is around 24 inches from the floor, this includes the bed frame and the mattress. However, typical bed height can range from 18 to 36 inches tall. Platform beds, for instance, are typically 20 inches or less.
The size of your bed is crucial whether you’re looking for a twin, a queen, or a California king when you’re buying one. The bed height is something that is frequently forgotten about while shopping, but it should also be taken into account.
This article will cover both finding a bed that is the right height and how to choose the best bed height for you.
Table of Contents
Why Bed Height is Essential?
Your ability to get in and out of bed will be impacted by your bed’s height, though it is unlikely that this will have an impact on how well you sleep. The décor of your room may also be impacted by the height of your bed. So it’s crucial to choose the right bed height for both your aesthetic preferences and functional requirements. Bed height is important because of:
Age and Mobility Needs
Getting in and out of bed can be painful and difficult if you have mobility problems brought on by old age or a disability. Choose a bed that won’t put undue strain on your body so that you can easily get in and out of it. Finding a bed that is the right height for you is essential for ensuring the greatest level of comfort because a bed that is too low or high can strain your joints.
Depth of Mattress
The size of your mattress, not just the frame, determines the height of your bed because mattresses come in a wide variety of types and densities. Your mattress should fit snugly into the bed frame of your choice. Choose a shorter bed frame if you want an extra-thick mattress for comfort.
A thinner mattress is a good idea, however, if you’d prefer a tall bed frame with lots of storage space underneath. There are many different depths available among the various mattress types and comfort levels, so you can choose the one that’s best for you.
Feng Shui Considerations
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art that emphasizes proper balance and flow and is often used when designing any space. Feng shui theory holds that your bed’s placement in the room and how it is arranged are both crucial elements for getting a good night’s sleep and unwinding.
The right chi (energy) flow depends on the height of the bed. For a restful night’s sleep, chi must also flow beneath your bed in addition to around it. A bed that is too high can lead to an energy buildup and disrupt your sleep, while a bed that is too low can prevent chi from flowing freely. The best option, according to feng shui experts, is a medium-height bed with an unobstructed space underneath.
For more bed-related tips, feng shui experts recommend:
- Allowing equal space on both sides of your bed for a balance of energy
- Placing your bed so you can see the door when lying down for a sense of safety and stability
- Getting a sturdy, solid headboard for a better connection with your partner, or to draw a new love interest if single
Tips for Choosing the Best Bed Height for You
There are a few things to take into account when selecting the bed frame and mattress combination that will be the right height for you. You should take into account your personal preferences. You might favor a bed that is extremely high in the Princess and the Pea style, or you might favor a low, modern bed. Consider it along with the points below, no matter where you fall on that spectrum.
Height
Your height should be taken into consideration when choosing the ideal bed height. You’ll benefit more from a shorter bed if you’re shorter and don’t want to spend every night hoisting yourself into it and bursting out of it.
Similar to shorter people, taller people frequently choose higher things so they don’t have to lift themselves out of bed in the morning. If your bed is too short for you, you can make it taller by adding a box spring or other form of support underneath your mattress, or by buying a tall bed frame.
Age
You should also take into account where you are in life right now. Because they are smaller, younger children may prefer a bed that is lower to the ground when selecting a mattress for a child. Taller beds can be more difficult to get into and have a greater drop to the floor if a child were to fall out.
Similarly, having a bed at the right height will be very beneficial for senior citizens and older adults with mobility issues. You frequently have to crouch down or take a slow step forward to get into shorter beds. People with weak joints, especially those in the knees and hips, may find this challenging. Additionally, getting out of bed can be uncomfortable because it requires both arm strength to push yourself up and hip, knee, and ankle control to prevent falls.
Mattress
If you want to get the right bed height, your mattress’ thickness will have a significant impact on the type of bed frame you need. Eight to fourteen inches can be found in a mattress’ thickness. You would require an 11-inch mattress to achieve the standard 25-inch bed height if your bed frame is 14 to 15 inches tall.
You should also take into consideration the height of any additional mattresses or supports that you currently use or intend to use.
Sleep Partner
It’s unlikely that you and your partner are the same height, despite the fact that it might make finding the ideal bed height a little simpler. Take into account both of your needs when deciding how tall you want your bed to be.
Adjust to that person’s needs if either of you suffers from a condition that makes getting into or out of bed challenging, such as chronic muscle or joint pain. If this indicates that the bed is too tall for one of you, try using a step stool to make it simpler to get in and out of every morning and night.
Types of Bed Frames
The height of your bed is greatly influenced by your bed frame. So choosing the proper frame can lead to a proper bed height. Let’s look at some of the most popular bed bases available right now.
Adjustable Bed Frames
Due to their adaptability, consumers prefer mechanically operated adjustable bed frames. A remote or smartphone app is used to operate these ground-breaking frames. By simply pressing a button, sleepers can change the position of their head and feet to enhance comfort, support, and pain relief. The fact that some beds can be adjusted in height makes them especially appealing because they make it easy to get in and out of bed.
Platform Bed Frames
Platform beds are low to the ground, rising only about 18 inches tall when a mattress is added. They are becoming more and more well-liked for their simple appearance. They are most effective in lofts, rooms with low ceilings, and other spaces where the owner wants to create the illusion of more space.
For small sleepers or anyone without joint or muscle pain, the platform bed’s small size makes it a good option. The fact that these low-profile frames require squatting to enter and exit the bed makes them problematic for tall people, the elderly, or those who suffer from back, knee, or hip pain.
Standard Bed Frames
The majority of people’s knees are about 25 inches from the ground when standing on a standard bed frame. Metal slats make up most bed frames, which typically need box springs or a slatted mattress foundation, which together will make up about 9 inches of the height.
Whether you require box springs or a mattress foundation depends on the kind of mattress you have. Box springs are a good fit for an innerspring mattress’ springy coil core because they are made of steel coils enclosed in a sturdy wooden frame.
Use a mattress foundation in its place if you have a latex or memory foam mattress to sleep on. Additionally, slatted and solid foundations work best with hybrid mattresses. Because they compress up against the foam layers of your bed and deplete them of support, box spring inner coils don’t work with these mattress types.
Antique Bed Frames
The tallest bed frames available are antique ones. Antique frames are a good option for tall people because they are about 36 inches tall when a mattress is attached. However, due to their high height, antique beds may be challenging for small sleepers or those who experience joint and muscle pain to climb into.
Different Bed Frame Heights
Even though the average bed height, including the mattress, is 24 inches, there are some exceptions. Different people may benefit more from the different heights and how they change the atmosphere of the space.
Low Bed Frames
Low beds can be between 18 and 24 inches high. A low frame can make a space look bigger and feel taller, making it appear more open. Lower beds are stylish in minimalist spaces and are common in bedrooms designed in the Japanese aesthetic (read more about this trend in our post on Japandi Bedroom Design). However, because getting in them requires getting quite low, which can put strain on the joints, these are not the best option for taller people or those with mobility issues.
Standard Bed Frames
This elevation of bed is a popular option and suits a lot of people, with a wide variety of beds readily available in a standard bed frame size of 24 inches. In general, this height tends to be ideal for most people, making it less stressful on your joints if you’re prone to back issues. If you are sharing a bed with a partner and need a bed frame that works for both of you, a standard height is also a good option.
High Bed Frames
25 to 36 inches high is the range for tall beds. Due to their customary height of 36 inches, antique beds frequently fall under this category. Particularly if the ceilings in your bedroom are high, these give off an elegant appearance. You can find a variety of styles with these beds, including Ottomans and divan bases, and they are not constrained by their elevation. Taller people or those who don’t have any health issues and want an elegant look should use tall bed frames.
Tips for Selecting the Best Bed Frame Height
Choosing the ideal bed height is challenging because of factors like age, pain, sleeping partners, and even mattress thickness. Let’s talk about why each is crucial to take into account before selecting a bed.
Age
Elderly sleepers: Using a bed that is sized properly for their height is crucial for elderly individuals with mobility issues. When rising from a low bed, one must crouch or sit slowly and deliberately while heavily relying on the hips, knees, and ankles. For older sleepers who experience joint or muscle pain, this can be risky and uncomfortable. A high bed may also require you to lift yourself out of it with your arms, which may be difficult for elderly sleepers.
Children: Because they are simpler to crawl into and out of, lower beds are the best choice for young children aged two to six. They also stop damaging tumbles out of bed. Parents may choose a bunk bed to maximize storage space and slightly older children may prefer the elevated sleeping surface. If you want to get your kid a bunk bed, make sure the top bunk is at least 36 inches away from the ceiling to avoid painful morning head bumps.
Mattress Thickness
Your mattress’s thickness and the height of your bed frame should be matched. When looking for mattresses, comfort comes first, as was already mentioned. However, we use bed frames to improve the appearance of our room. They can be utilized to make a bed that is the right size.
For instance, if your mattress is 12 to 14 inches thick, you might look for a shorter base, like a platform bed. On the other hand, if your mattress is less than 10 inches thick, a standard or antique base will probably be the right height for you.
Sleep Partners
You most likely have different heights from your bed partner. The ideal bed height for you might not be the ideal height for your partner. Fortunately, there are a few ways to resolve this conflict.
Discuss any joint or muscle discomfort. Think about choosing a bed height that will accommodate a sleeper who suffers from joint or muscle pain. For instance, getting in and out of bed might not be a problem for your partner if you frequently experience aches and pains but they don’t.
Invest in a bed step. Choosing a bed height that accommodates the needs of the taller person is a good idea if you and your sleep partner have trouble getting in and out of bed. To make it simpler for the shorter sleeper to get in and out of bed, place a step stool on their side of the bed.
Tips for Raising Your Bed Height
There are several ways to raise your bed’s height if you find that it is not high enough off the ground. Utilizing a specific bed riser is the simplest method. To complement the aesthetics of any room, these tiny devices are available in metal, plastic, and wood. They save you from having to buy an entirely new bed and are perfect if you need a few extra inches of bed height.
Getting a thicker mattress is another simple way to make your bed taller. A mattress topper is another option if you don’t want to switch to a thick mattress, and it will also improve your sleeping comfort.
FAQs
What is a Low Profile Bed?
A bed is referred to as being low-profile if it is low to the ground. Typically, this refers to bed frames like platform bed frames or adjustable bed frames that don’t need a box spring or foundation to be positioned beneath the mattress. The top of the mattress is lower to the ground than it would be if they needed the extra layer.
Is It Better to Have Your Bed High Or Low?
For an easier transition on and off the bed, people who are taller might prefer something higher, while people who are shorter are probably going to prefer something closer to the ground. This also depends on your stage of life; older people and seniors may find it harder to get out of a shorter bed and would prefer something taller.
How to Make Your Bed Higher Off the Ground?
Add a box spring or other foundation layer between the bed frame and the mattress to raise the height of your bed off the floor. An average box spring is 7 inches thick, which can quickly add the extra height you want to your bed.
Is 30 Inches Too High for a Bed?
Although beds are typically 25 inches high, if you like a fuller look or are tall yourself, you might prefer a bed that is 30 inches high. A 30-inch bed, though, might be too high for you if your own height is below average.
How High Should the Top of the Mattress Be from the Floor?
Your height and the stage of life you’re in can both affect how high your mattress is from the floor. The average separation, however, is only about 25 inches.
When selecting a mattress and bed frame that will complement your style and sit at a comfortable height, there are many factors to take into account. Although a bed is typically 25 inches tall, this may not be sufficient for your needs. The ideal bed height for you will depend on your height, stage of life, and personal preferences.
Conclusion
It’s probably time to check your bed’s height and maybe even think about getting a new bed foundation if you start to dread the pain that comes with getting into bed.
While low-profile beds are sure to enhance the modern appearance of your bedroom, tall beds appear more comfortable. But looks alone don’t make a good bed. A high-quality bed should have a mattress that is appropriate for your needs and a base that is either tall enough or short enough to make getting in and out easy. Before purchasing a bed frame, take into account your height and the thickness of your mattress to make sure getting into bed is comfortable rather than difficult.
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