Design Your Dream Bedroom With These Key Measurements
Dream big with these essential dimensions that will help your bed and other furnishings fit neatly and comfortably
We spend more time in bedrooms than in any other room in the house. Even though we are sleeping most of that time, we end and begin our days there. An organised and well-considered space can improve your mood when you need to get to sleep, and get your day off to a good start when you wake.
Planning bedrooms starts with learning standard bed sizes, which one you prefer and which one will work in your plan. Other bedroom furniture comes in all kinds of sizes. Once you determine your room and bed dimensions, you can make good decisions about dressers, chests, benches, chairs, bedside tables and so on.
Planning bedrooms starts with learning standard bed sizes, which one you prefer and which one will work in your plan. Other bedroom furniture comes in all kinds of sizes. Once you determine your room and bed dimensions, you can make good decisions about dressers, chests, benches, chairs, bedside tables and so on.
Cots
There are standard dimensions for mattresses, but keep in mind that frames or other bed furniture will add to the overall space required to place them in your room. The smallest of all is the cot. Cot mattress dimensions can vary, but cots are usually 71 centimetres wide and 132 centimetres long. Mattress thickness also varies greatly for any mattress size.
There are standard dimensions for mattresses, but keep in mind that frames or other bed furniture will add to the overall space required to place them in your room. The smallest of all is the cot. Cot mattress dimensions can vary, but cots are usually 71 centimetres wide and 132 centimetres long. Mattress thickness also varies greatly for any mattress size.
Bunk beds
Bunk beds range from 77 to 84 centimetres wide and are 190 centimetres long. The height required depends on the furniture you buy for them or how you configure a custom design, like this one.
Bunk beds range from 77 to 84 centimetres wide and are 190 centimetres long. The height required depends on the furniture you buy for them or how you configure a custom design, like this one.
Single and super single mattresses
A single mattress measures 91 centimetres wide and 190 centimetres long while a super single is 106 centimetres wide. Single mattresses are great for small bedrooms, because you can fit the bed in a corner to allow space for your slipper rest and circulation, as has been done here. Twin beds are great for younger children, who tend to feel cosier in them than in a bigger one.
A single mattress measures 91 centimetres wide and 190 centimetres long while a super single is 106 centimetres wide. Single mattresses are great for small bedrooms, because you can fit the bed in a corner to allow space for your slipper rest and circulation, as has been done here. Twin beds are great for younger children, who tend to feel cosier in them than in a bigger one.
Queen-size mattress
Goldilocks might have chosen the queen-size bed. Being just right, it is a great size for two people and does not require a larger room, as king-size beds do. Queen-size beds measure 152 centimetres wide and 190 to 203 centimetres long.
Goldilocks might have chosen the queen-size bed. Being just right, it is a great size for two people and does not require a larger room, as king-size beds do. Queen-size beds measure 152 centimetres wide and 190 to 203 centimetres long.
King-size mattress
King-size beds provide lots of comfort for two people and extra space for those who tend to spread out while sleeping. King-size beds are generally 183 centimetres wide and 190 to 203 centimetres long.
For any bed size you can find furniture that stretches the total dimensions with extended footboards and built-in beside tables. Carefully consider purchases of larger furniture. You may need to move to another house in the future, and large pieces might be difficult to fit in another space.
All beds dominate a room, but the king-size bed especially demands aesthetic attention. Notice above that the colours of the furniture and bedding nicely blend into the overall colour scheme. Darker colours on the beside tables, dresser and artwork emphasise those elements.
King-size beds provide lots of comfort for two people and extra space for those who tend to spread out while sleeping. King-size beds are generally 183 centimetres wide and 190 to 203 centimetres long.
For any bed size you can find furniture that stretches the total dimensions with extended footboards and built-in beside tables. Carefully consider purchases of larger furniture. You may need to move to another house in the future, and large pieces might be difficult to fit in another space.
All beds dominate a room, but the king-size bed especially demands aesthetic attention. Notice above that the colours of the furniture and bedding nicely blend into the overall colour scheme. Darker colours on the beside tables, dresser and artwork emphasise those elements.
Benches
You might want a bench at the foot of your bed; it’s a perfect spot for putting on your shoes and socks without disturbing a freshly made bed. Benches can be just about any size as long as they fit within the width of the bed and leave enough space for someone to walk around them.
Grouped upholstered cubes in the previous photo make a flexible bench that can be broken up and moved around the room to be used as footstools.
9 restful bedroom schemes
You might want a bench at the foot of your bed; it’s a perfect spot for putting on your shoes and socks without disturbing a freshly made bed. Benches can be just about any size as long as they fit within the width of the bed and leave enough space for someone to walk around them.
Grouped upholstered cubes in the previous photo make a flexible bench that can be broken up and moved around the room to be used as footstools.
9 restful bedroom schemes
Bedside tables
Bedside tables can be substantial, like this one. Larger ones measure about 51 centimetres deep and 101 centimetres wide. Carefully consider height as well. Some mattresses on the market are stacked relatively high, and it is convenient to have the top of your bedside table about the same height as the top of the mattress. Most common bedside table heights are 66 to 71 centimetres. Smaller bedside tables should be used in smaller spaces and with smaller beds.
Style your bedside table like a pro
Bedside tables can be substantial, like this one. Larger ones measure about 51 centimetres deep and 101 centimetres wide. Carefully consider height as well. Some mattresses on the market are stacked relatively high, and it is convenient to have the top of your bedside table about the same height as the top of the mattress. Most common bedside table heights are 66 to 71 centimetres. Smaller bedside tables should be used in smaller spaces and with smaller beds.
Style your bedside table like a pro
Dressers
Dressers vary greatly in size as well, but the most important thing to consider when planning a bedroom is that there should be a wall to accommodate the bed and a wall to accommodate a dresser. You can find dressers as narrow as 107 centimetres; however, most people want a dresser that measures 152 to 183 centimetres. Dressers are usually about 81 to 91 centimetres high, but some designs are higher. Having a mirror above the dresser is less common than in the past, but you might want to keep one in mind as well as you plan your room. Or put up a piece of art like in this bedroom.
Dressers vary greatly in size as well, but the most important thing to consider when planning a bedroom is that there should be a wall to accommodate the bed and a wall to accommodate a dresser. You can find dressers as narrow as 107 centimetres; however, most people want a dresser that measures 152 to 183 centimetres. Dressers are usually about 81 to 91 centimetres high, but some designs are higher. Having a mirror above the dresser is less common than in the past, but you might want to keep one in mind as well as you plan your room. Or put up a piece of art like in this bedroom.
Chests
Narrower and taller than dressers, chests can fit into tighter wall spaces. They also have a height that is comfortable for someone standing, and they make good spots for emptying pockets and setting small items down. You will find most of them in 91- to 137-centimetre widths and 35- to 51-centimetre depths. The heights are usually 122 to 152 centimetres.
Narrower and taller than dressers, chests can fit into tighter wall spaces. They also have a height that is comfortable for someone standing, and they make good spots for emptying pockets and setting small items down. You will find most of them in 91- to 137-centimetre widths and 35- to 51-centimetre depths. The heights are usually 122 to 152 centimetres.
Chairs
Small, comfortable upholstered chairs provide an added dimension to a bedroom. It is easy to overlook this element for a new bedroom scheme, but one or two chairs can be a nice retreat from the rest of the household. Note that a chaise lounge will require more circulation room around it than a simple armchair.
Small, comfortable upholstered chairs provide an added dimension to a bedroom. It is easy to overlook this element for a new bedroom scheme, but one or two chairs can be a nice retreat from the rest of the household. Note that a chaise lounge will require more circulation room around it than a simple armchair.
Corners
Tighter spaces might call for an unconventional solution like this. A glass-encased corner cabinet provides a place for linens, collectibles and photos. This cabinet is about 61 centimetres on the sides and has an angled face of about 86 centimetres wide. The height is approximately 183 centimetres.
Other ideas for what to do with a corner
Tighter spaces might call for an unconventional solution like this. A glass-encased corner cabinet provides a place for linens, collectibles and photos. This cabinet is about 61 centimetres on the sides and has an angled face of about 86 centimetres wide. The height is approximately 183 centimetres.
Other ideas for what to do with a corner
Ceilings
Placing a bed in an attic space is not easy. The upholstered headboard here partially covers the window, yet the window acts as a centring element. The delicate beside tables are tucked under the descending roofline, and the circulation is comfortable around both sides of the bed. Steeper sloped roofs are better for attic rooms, since the rise of the ceiling quickly moves higher. Just remember that anything below 183 centimetres is difficult to walk under, and anything below 152 centimetres is less usable for furniture.
Placing a bed in an attic space is not easy. The upholstered headboard here partially covers the window, yet the window acts as a centring element. The delicate beside tables are tucked under the descending roofline, and the circulation is comfortable around both sides of the bed. Steeper sloped roofs are better for attic rooms, since the rise of the ceiling quickly moves higher. Just remember that anything below 183 centimetres is difficult to walk under, and anything below 152 centimetres is less usable for furniture.
Sitting areas
If you want a sitting area in your bedroom, you will need space for tables as well as chairs and love seats, plus the circulation area to make it work. Allow an area of at least 2.4 by 2.4 metres in addition to your requirements for the beds, dressers and chests. A rectangular room that’s 6.4 metres long and 4.3 metres wide will accommodate a bedroom with a king-size bed and a sitting area.
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Have you designed your dream bedroom? Share a photo in the Comments below.
MORE
And So to Bed: Bedding Terms Explained
If you want a sitting area in your bedroom, you will need space for tables as well as chairs and love seats, plus the circulation area to make it work. Allow an area of at least 2.4 by 2.4 metres in addition to your requirements for the beds, dressers and chests. A rectangular room that’s 6.4 metres long and 4.3 metres wide will accommodate a bedroom with a king-size bed and a sitting area.
TELL US
Have you designed your dream bedroom? Share a photo in the Comments below.
MORE
And So to Bed: Bedding Terms Explained
With this much space, you will have an entry point and a circulation route, and perhaps a dressing or sitting area. Next to the bed you need the “slipper rest,” my term for the area used for disengaging feet from the earth and entering the subliminal plane.
Keep your entry and circulation 76 to 91 centimetres in width. Dimensions for dressing and sitting areas all depend on your needs and available space. The areas do not have to be as spacious as shown, but you could allow a circular area in front of the furniture that’s 91 centimetres in diameter at minimum. Allow a 76-centimetre-diameter space for your slipper rest.
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