Get These 9 Measurements Right for the Perfect Bedroom Layout
The best layout and furniture for your sleep space starts with the right dimensions
Eva Byrne
7 May 2017
I'm an Architect + House Consultant based in Dublin. I specialise in House Consultations to maximise Space, Light and Storage in your home. Whether you are planning a Renovation, Extension or New Build project, I aim to help you get your project off to the best possible start and to make best use of your cents and centimetres.
I'm an Architect + House Consultant based in Dublin. I specialise in House Consultations... More
Our bedrooms can be on the small side, yet we all aspire to creating airy, uncluttered spaces that are beautiful, restful and practical. There are two things to get right if you want to maximise your available space: first, choose the right-sized furniture (especially the bed), and second, create a layout that works best for the size and shape of your room. Whether you’re wondering how far apart twin beds should be, or how far a top bunk should be from the ceiling, here are some key dimensions to have at your fingertips so you can create the sleep space you’ve been dreaming about.
Mattress sizes
A standard single mattress is 91 centimetres wide and 190 centimetres long, while a super single is wider at 107 centimetres. A queen size mattress typically measures 152 centimetres by 190 centimetres. This could be great for a growing teen or where space is limited.
A king-size mattress measures 182 centimetres by 190 centimetres. If you want to go really roomy, a super king measures 180 centimetres by 200 centimetres, but these are best reserved for particularly wide rooms, otherwise the bed will tend to dominate the space.
When choosing your mattress, you’ll need, of course, to take care that your bed frame, mattress and bed linen all match in size.
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A standard single mattress is 91 centimetres wide and 190 centimetres long, while a super single is wider at 107 centimetres. A queen size mattress typically measures 152 centimetres by 190 centimetres. This could be great for a growing teen or where space is limited.
A king-size mattress measures 182 centimetres by 190 centimetres. If you want to go really roomy, a super king measures 180 centimetres by 200 centimetres, but these are best reserved for particularly wide rooms, otherwise the bed will tend to dominate the space.
When choosing your mattress, you’ll need, of course, to take care that your bed frame, mattress and bed linen all match in size.
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Bunk bed essentials
Off-the-peg bunk beds are designed to fit in a standard room height of 2.4 metres.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to allow a minimum of 60 centimetres clearance between the top of the upper mattress and the ceiling, more if the occupant of the top bunk is tall.
The height of the top bunk will typically be a maximum of 180 centimetres above the floor.
Off-the-peg bunk beds are designed to fit in a standard room height of 2.4 metres.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to allow a minimum of 60 centimetres clearance between the top of the upper mattress and the ceiling, more if the occupant of the top bunk is tall.
The height of the top bunk will typically be a maximum of 180 centimetres above the floor.
Wall-bed dimensions
Where space is extremely restricted, a fold-up wall bed can provide a great space-saving solution and make every centimetre of your room work hard.
You’ll need to take into account the dimensions of the bed both when folded away and when in use, and whether the design opens out from the side or from the head of the bed. The closed depth will vary from 38-56 centimetres.
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Where space is extremely restricted, a fold-up wall bed can provide a great space-saving solution and make every centimetre of your room work hard.
You’ll need to take into account the dimensions of the bed both when folded away and when in use, and whether the design opens out from the side or from the head of the bed. The closed depth will vary from 38-56 centimetres.
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Space at the end of the bed
A space of 50-55 centimetres at the end of a double bed will allow you to move around, and make, the bed reasonably comfortably.
You can get away with slightly less space at the foot of a single bed, as the bedding is typically less bulking. Single beds will also be happy against a wall, and in such instances, they can be made relatively easily without needing to access the end at all.
Bear in mind though that these are all preferred minimum sizes – your bedroom will thank you for more space to move around the furniture where this is possible.
A space of 50-55 centimetres at the end of a double bed will allow you to move around, and make, the bed reasonably comfortably.
You can get away with slightly less space at the foot of a single bed, as the bedding is typically less bulking. Single beds will also be happy against a wall, and in such instances, they can be made relatively easily without needing to access the end at all.
Bear in mind though that these are all preferred minimum sizes – your bedroom will thank you for more space to move around the furniture where this is possible.
Space each side of a double bed
A space of 60 centimetres each side of a double bed is perfect for the purposes of both making the bed and of placing a convenient bedside table or locker for each occupant.
It is worth choosing a bed size to suit this rule of thumb, as opposed to shoe-horning in one that will leave you feeling constricted.
A space of 60 centimetres each side of a double bed is perfect for the purposes of both making the bed and of placing a convenient bedside table or locker for each occupant.
It is worth choosing a bed size to suit this rule of thumb, as opposed to shoe-horning in one that will leave you feeling constricted.
Space between twin beds
A gap of 50 centimetres between the beds will allow for making each bed comfortably, as well as creating a useful space for a shared bedside table or locker.
A gap of 50 centimetres between the beds will allow for making each bed comfortably, as well as creating a useful space for a shared bedside table or locker.
Height of a headboard
A headboard is possibly a bit of a misnomer as, nowadays, you probably just want your shoulders to be supported when sitting up in bed. A height of between 30-40 centimetres above the mattress will accommodate this comfortably.
However, you might prefer to choose a taller design to suit the overall room scheme, or to create a dramatic feature.
A headboard is possibly a bit of a misnomer as, nowadays, you probably just want your shoulders to be supported when sitting up in bed. A height of between 30-40 centimetres above the mattress will accommodate this comfortably.
However, you might prefer to choose a taller design to suit the overall room scheme, or to create a dramatic feature.
Height of the headboard in an attic
In an attic room with a sloped ceiling, you’ll need an average height of 150 centimetres from floor to ceiling at the head of the bed. If you are very tall, this height may not be enough to avoid banging your head when sitting up or getting out of bed. You’ll need to add the height of the mattress off the floor to your own sitting height to determine at what height you’ll need to position the bed.
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In an attic room with a sloped ceiling, you’ll need an average height of 150 centimetres from floor to ceiling at the head of the bed. If you are very tall, this height may not be enough to avoid banging your head when sitting up or getting out of bed. You’ll need to add the height of the mattress off the floor to your own sitting height to determine at what height you’ll need to position the bed.
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Wardrobe depths
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a separate walk-in wardrobe, you’ll need to accommodate your clothes storage within your sleeping space.
A depth of 60 centimetres is best here, which allows enough space to accommodate clothes hung on a rail parallel to the doors. Where space is restricted, you could have the rail perpendicular to the door instead, so your clothes will be hung facing you. In this case, the hanging space would have to be at least 60 centimetres wide.
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How happy are you with your bedroom layout? Tell us what bothers you – or what really works – in the Comments below.
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Unless you’re lucky enough to have a separate walk-in wardrobe, you’ll need to accommodate your clothes storage within your sleeping space.
A depth of 60 centimetres is best here, which allows enough space to accommodate clothes hung on a rail parallel to the doors. Where space is restricted, you could have the rail perpendicular to the door instead, so your clothes will be hung facing you. In this case, the hanging space would have to be at least 60 centimetres wide.
TELL US
How happy are you with your bedroom layout? Tell us what bothers you – or what really works – in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more bedroom stories
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Lovely to read, however I think the writer hasn't measured the rooms in my house. We have a lovely home, but 60cm at the end of a bed - I think we have at most 30-40cm and if we want a wardrobe of any sort there's going to be less! Perhaps they could come round with a tapemeasure & some ideas!
I always enjoy that moment of wrenching the bedroom furniture about in the latest rental home of my student children, and helping them add their own stuff to maximise and personalise it. My recent parting placement of my son’s coffee machine on his bedside table has, he declares, totally made his room.....!