Cart
0
A comfortable bed height lets you sit on the edge with your feet flat on the floor and your knees roughly level with your hips. That comes from two numbers added together: the height of the base and the depth of the mattress. Taller than that suits people who find standing up difficult; lower suits loft rooms and a pared-back look.
How do I work out my ideal bed height?
Sit on a chair that feels right to get up from, and measure from the floor to the top of the seat. That is roughly the height you want the top of the mattress to be when you're sitting on it. Then subtract your mattress depth to find the base height that suits you.
Remember that a mattress compresses a little when you sit, and that a pillow top or deep hybrid adds more height than a slim foam mattress.
Are storage beds higher than other beds?
Often, because the storage has to go somewhere. An ottoman base or divan with drawers is typically taller than a low platform bed, and a deep mattress on top raises it further. That's fine for most people, but check the combined height if you're shorter, or if a child needs to climb in unaided.
A divan ottoman base: the Mayfair Bumper Ottoman Divan Bed.
Who suits a higher bed?
If you're comparing base types, the bed buying guide sets them side by side. People with stiff knees or hips, and anyone who finds standing up from a low seat hard, usually find a higher bed easier. You push up less far. The trade-off is a slightly longer drop for small children and pets, and a bed that looks more dominant in a small room.
Who suits a lower bed?
Low beds suit loft conversions, attic rooms and any room with a low or sloping ceiling, because they give back vertical space. They also look calm and modern. The Frost Teddy Bouclé Low Bed is the Legend Beds example: a 90cm headboard on a low platform with integrated sprung slats, and no storage base, so it sits well below an ottoman.
Bed height in a room with a sloping ceiling
Three things to check under a slope:
- Headboard height against the lowest point of the wall behind it.
- Headroom when sitting up in bed, measured from the mattress top to the ceiling above your head.
- For an ottoman, clearance for the lid to swing up. A side-lift base may open under the higher part of the slope when an end-lift can't.
The side lift vs end lift guide and bedroom layout guide cover positioning in loft rooms.
Does bed height affect the headboard?
Yes. The taller the base and mattress, the less headboard shows above the pillows. If you're choosing a deep mattress for a storage bed, pick a headboard tall enough to still show above it. What height headboard do I need? explains how to measure.
Beds by height
For low, the Frost and other low-profile designs. For standard storage height, the ottoman beds and divan beds. For a bed with presence under a high ceiling, the tall-headboard designs such as the Tower Bed. Mattress depth is the other half of the height; see matching a mattress to your bed.
The Tower Bed suits a high ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal bed height in the UK?
There's no fixed standard. What matters is that base plus mattress lets you sit with feet flat and knees roughly level with your hips.
Is a high bed better for back pain?
A higher bed can make getting up easier because you don't have to push up from as low. Mattress support matters more for the back itself.
How can I make my bed lower?
Choose a slimmer mattress, remove castors if the base allows glides instead, or choose a low platform bed next time.
How can I make my bed higher?
A deeper mattress or a topper adds height. On an ottoman, check the extra weight against the lift.
Are low beds good for small rooms?
They make a room feel taller and more open, which helps a small room. The trade-off is less storage than an ottoman or divan.
