Your Guide to Bed Height - How High Should A Bed Be?

Bed height is often a thought that many don’t consider when buying a bed frame or mattress. But you might be surprised to learn that bed height can have quite a significant impact on your health and overall wellbeing.

The combined height of the bed frame and mattress should be taken into account when shopping. The height you choose will play a key role in the look and feel of your bedroom. In this guide, we will aim to answer some common questions surrounding bed heights.

How high should a bed be?

When talking about bed height, we describe the distance for you to physically get out of bed. A typical bed height is somewhere around 24 inches from the floor (this includes both the bed frame and mattress). It is common to find popular bed frames and mattress combos that range from 18 to 36 inches tall.

Platform beds are typically lower to the ground due to supporting the mattresses without the need for a box spring. You’ll find the height of these bed frames at around 20 inches or less, whereas Ottoman or Divan Beds tend to be in the late 20s due to many of these beds offering storage options.

The height you choose will come down to personal preference, aligned with your height, current health and style.

Finding the right bed height for your height

Bed height should correlate to your actual height. In general, the taller you are, the higher your bed frame can be.

But how do you find out what height roughly your bed should be?

Ideally, you will want the bottom of your feet flush with the floor while you’re sitting on the edge of your bed and with your knees in line with your hips. If you find your knees above your hips, your bed will be too low. If you find your knees below your hips, your bed may be too height.

What is often the case, many couples will find that they are of different heights. To combat this, find a bed frame and mattress combination that fits in the middle for both your heights.

“Compromise is not about losing. It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do.”

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Finding the right bed height for your health

The answer to this is all relative to your own health. Generally, older people are more susceptible to wrongly chosen bed heights, but that’s not to say younger people can’t be affected.

Too low of a bed can be uncomfortable for your joints when getting out of bed each day. It can also lead to back pain. 

On the flip side, having too high of a bed can lead to sore legs and joints as you’ll have to jump out of your bed each morning.

If you’re unable to find the right height bed for yourself and your partner, opt for a slightly higher bed than a lower bed. In the long run, this will have left of an impact on your health than a low bed.

Adjustable beds

Adjustable beds are an ideal solution for the elderly and/or for people with disability and mobility issues. While you won’t be able to change the height of your bed, you will be able to adjust certain sections of the mattress to help get you in and out of bed easier.

Finding the right bed height for your style and decor

The chosen height of your bed doesn’t always need to correlate to your health. Should you be of average height and have no physical issues, a stylistic choice could be wiser. High beds offer a luxurious and grand feel while low beds are typically associated with a contemporary look.

Storage options may also factor into your decision making. Low bed frames of course don’t offer the storage options that high bed frames do. With high bed frames, you are able to utilise the space underneath the box spring with various types of drawers and even pull-out guest beds.

Ottoman bed frames have ready-made built-in storage in either a side or end lift action. Many ottoman beds come with a gas lift mechanism that allows you to easily lift the mattress so you can access the storage space underneath.

Bed height quick guide

It should be noted that the measurements given here are including the mattress height.

Mattress height and depth

When measuring yourself to the height of your chosen bed frame, you also need to include the depth of the mattress you intend to use. Mattresses come in a variety of depths. Thicker mattresses tend to offer indulgent comfort while thinner mattresses are cheaper and easier to transport.

Should you have a thin mattress, a higher bed frame could be more beneficial to you while a thicker mattress may increase the validity of a shorter bed frame.

You can browse our full range of mattresses here.

How to raise your bed height

If you find yourself with a bed that’s too low to the ground for yourself, you may want to increase your bed height. Without buying a new mattress or an entirely new bed, dedicated bed risers are the way to go.

These devices come in a variety of materials and colours (metal, plastic and wood) to help you match them to your current bed frame and room decor. Attaching these to your bed frame will add a few extra inches to the height of your bed, allowing you to find the optimal bed height for you.

Another option for you (if you don’t wish to buy a thicker mattress) is to purchase a mattress topper. Mattress toppers, while offering more comfort, can also add another 2 to 4 inches to the height of your bed.