Customer service: 0800 652 6750 Sales: 0800 652 5090 Contact us My account Search Visit a store My shortlist My basket Beds Mattresses Sofa Beds Kids Headboards Bedroom Furniture Bedding Sale & Offers Inspiration & Advice Sleep Matters Club Bedroom Design Reasons Why Your Bed Height Actually Matters Explore BEDROOM DESIGN Reasons Why Your Bed Height Actually Matters Despite being something that is often overlooked, bed height actually matters. We take a look at the main reasons why this is. 6 MIN READ LAST MODIFIED 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 FIRST ADDED 15 OCTOBER 2019 By Jessica Kadel When choosing a new bed, it’s easy to prioritise comfort and design and ignore something as mundane as the height. However, contrary to popular belief, bed height is actually pretty important. The height of your mattress, in addition to your bed frame, can contribute significantly to the look and function of your bedroom, not to mention your overall comfort when getting in and out of it every day. Whether your bed resembles the 20 mattresses in ‘The Princess and the Pea’, or consists of a measly mattress on the floor, its height can significantly affect you. Related – Mattress Size Guide Comfort in bed Possibly the most important justification behind the significance of bed height is that it affects your comfort and wellbeing on a daily basis. How easy it is to get in and out of the bed is obviously dependent on its height. You don’t want to strain your legs having to lift yourself out of a really low bed. At the same time, you don’t want to have to hurdle your way into bed every night. Sleep experts say the average person usually needs a bed at a height of 25 inches (including bed frame and mattress). However, this could differ with each individual, dependent on their height or age. What is the best bed height? Bed height should correlate with your height and adjust accordingly if you’re fairly short or tall. Most mattresses are 16 to 24 inches from the floor; to judge which end of the spectrum your bed should be, sit at the edge of the bed. If your feet are flat against the floor and your knees are in a straight line with your hips, your bed is the right height. If your knees are above the hips, the bed is too low and if your feet can’t reach the floor comfortably, the bed is too high. However, if you live with a partner who is significantly taller than you, you can compromise by adding a handy step that blends nicely with your bedroom décor. It can give a sense of opulence and regality. On the other hand, having a short bed can make you feel grounded. The Japanese have been fans of low beds for centuries, in fact they’ve gone as far as creating the ‘Shikibuton’, a traditional bed that almost becomes part of the floor. It’s meant to connect the spirit to nature, but be careful if you have a bad back! How to make a bed higher If you find your bed is not high enough off the ground, there are a number of ways to increase it’s height. However, the easiest way is to use a bed riser. These devices come in metal, plastic, and wood to suit the aesthetics of any room. These little devices are great if you need a few extra inches on your bed height and save you having to purchase an entirely new bed. 4 reasons the height of your bed matters 1. Age Your age is also likely to affect the bed height you require. An older person needs a bed that they can easily get in and out of without straining their body. A low bed height will be a struggle for joints, whereas a high bed will require jumping onto the mattress each evening. If this applies to you, correlate the bed height to yours to ensure maximum comfort. Read More: 40 Simple Bedroom Design Ideas to Improve Your Life For children however, bed height and ease of getting in or out is less of a priority. If, like a lot of children, your child is adamant to get a bunk bed or cabin bed, do not fret. These taller bed frames are an easy way of appeasing your child and offer multiple space saving properties. The ideal height of a bunk bed is dependent on the floor to ceiling space you have available. It seems obvious, but if you’ve got quite low ceilings, you’ll want a low bunk bed to ensure your kids don’t bump their heads. The height to leave between the top of their mattress and ceiling should be at least two feet (60.96cm), but again, if your child’s particularly tall, there should be more room. For more information, check out our bunk bed safety guide. 2. Depth of Mattress Depending on your chosen bed frame, your mattress should comply. If you’re after an extra thick mattress for comfort, opt for a shorter bed frame. Vice versa, if you fancy a tall bed frame with lots of storage space underneath, a thinner mattress is a good idea. Related: 11 Steps to Choosing the Right Bed 3. Feng Shui According to Feng Shui expert Sally Painter, the height of your bed can determine the quality of your sleep, and therefore your mood, by the levels of ‘chi’ permitted. Chi is an ancient Chinese term which can be translated as energy. She suggests the chi needs to be able to flow around your bed. Too short a bed height can block this flow of energy, preventing you from a good night’s sleep. Whereas a tall bed frame can leave you vulnerable to high levels of energy and a restless night. “The key is to go for a happy medium without blocking the space underneath your bed” – Sally Painter So, to avoid getting out of the wrong side of bed in the morning, choose a bed that’s the right height. Related: Sleep Better With These Simple Feng Shui Bedroom Tips 4. Aesthetics Finally, bed height is important because it can affect the overall look of your bedroom. For example, low beds can make a room look more spacious than a higher bed. However, if you’ve got a particularly tall room with high ceilings, a taller bed would appear more appropriate with the space. As well as plenty of storage, a tall bed offers a sense of refinement. While a short bed is literally more grounded and creates a laidback and minimalist impression. Interior designer Lisa Keates states: “When choosing a new bed, the height is a very important consideration. In terms of styling, higher beds are more suited to a traditional scheme and can also give a sense of luxury. Lower bed heights are more suited to contemporary styling. Also consider the relationship to the bedside tables. These want to be a similar height to the top of the mattress or slightly taller.” Related: How to Make a Small Bedroom Feel Bigger Can you think of any other reasons why bed height matters? Let us know in the comments! About the author Jessica Kadel See all articles by Jessica Kadel Share More from the Sleep Matters Club GENERAL Britain’s 10 Most Annoying Types to Share a Bed With 3 MIN READ GENERAL What To Wear To Bed 6 MIN READ GENERAL What’s The Best Time To Go To Bed? 5 MIN READ SIGN UP Store finder Over 200 stores nationwide Sleep Matters Club Sleep-related articles & advice Excellent Customer Support Sales: 0800 652 5090 Customer service: 0800 652 6750 COVID-19 Contact us FAQ's Bed and mattress guide Mattress size guide Returns & refunds Delivery info Assembly instructions Book or change a delivery Balance payments Will it fit? Measuring your property Sitemap Our services 40 night comfort guarantee Bedcover service plan Finance options Recycling service Assembly service Sleepmatch Student discount login Student discount info About us Store finder About Dreams Why choose Dreams? 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