What is the Best Bed Height?
- The ideal bed height for an individual is determined by their height, age, and comfort. The top of the mattress should be at knee level, ensuring ease of getting in and out of bed, especially for older individuals or those with joint pain.
- Different types of beds have varying standard heights, such as platform beds with an average height of 18 inches, traditional beds at around 24 inches, and antique beds standing at 36 inches.
- Adjusting bed height is possible through the use of bed risers to increase height or the addition of a thinner, low-profile box spring to reduce height.
While many people don’t necessarily think about the height of their bed, this is an important aspect of your long-term sleep comfort. The ideal bed height for each person depends primarily on how tall they are. In this article, we take a closer look at different bed heights and how you can determine the best bed height for you.
What Factors Affect Ideal Bed Height?
Someone’s ideal bed height depends on three main factors: height, age, and comfort. Height is a factor because the top of your mattress should be at about the same level as your knees. As people get older, it’s hard to stoop down or lift themselves into bed, so bed height becomes more necessary for their overall comfort.
Height
Since each mattress should hit everyone at about their knee level, tall people generally require taller beds. There are a couple of ways to know if your bed is the right height for you:
The first way is to stand at the side of the bed. From here, see if the top of your mattress is about even with your knees. If it is, your bed is the right height for you.
The second way to tell if you have the proper bed height is to sit on the very edge of your bed. Place your feet flat on the floor and see if your lap is level with your hips. If your knees dip below the level of your hips, the bed is too tall. However, if your knees are lifted above your hips, the bed is too short.
Age
Children and young adults usually don’t have any problem climbing into a tall bed or lowering themselves into a low bed. However, as we get older and develop joint pain, climbing into a bed gets harder and harder.
This is why the right bed height is especially important for older or injured sleepers. Before you commit to a new bed, practice getting in and out of it to make sure it is the right height for your sleep needs. You should also make sure you have a good mattress for seniors with a responsive surface.
Some adjustable beds for seniors even have customizable heights, so older individuals can play around and discover what works with their needs.
Comfort
Like all other aspects of the most comfortable mattresses, what matters most is what helps you sleep well and get out of bed easily. Each person has unique sleep needs, and their best bed height is whatever helps them feel safe getting in and out of bed.
What Are Typical Bed Heights?
Most bed types have standard heights. These are helpful to know when you are looking for a new bed frame—it can make it easier to find one that suits your height and sleep needs. Here are a few standard types of beds and their average heights.
Platform Beds
A platform bed is a popular, modern-style bed frame that is usually relatively low to the ground. The entire platform height (frame and mattress) is about 18 inches tall.
The platform is designed to replace a box spring and goes exceptionally well with memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. The even, solid surface works with these bouncy materials to provide firm support. This sleek frame is best suited for short to average-sized sleepers who don’t have joint pain.
Traditional Beds
This type of bed is the most common and is usually inexpensive. Standing 24 inches tall, this bed is around knee height for the majority of sleepers. It usually requires a box spring, which is one reason why it stands taller than the platform bed. The surface of the bed frame is often made of metal or wooden slats, providing the sleeper with healthy support.
We should note that box spring isn’t right for memory foam mattresses and other modern types such as hybrids. Only traditional innerspring mattresses benefit from a box spring.
See our guide on foundations and box springs to better understand what support your mattress needs.
Antique Beds
Antique bed frames are large statement pieces that stand taller than either of the frames listed above. At 36 inches tall, this frame demands attention. An ornate headboard and footboard draw the eye even more. The height of this bed frame makes it best suited for tall sleepers; sleepers who are older or petite have a hard time climbing in and out of an antique bed.
How to Adjust Your Bed’s Height
Sometimes it takes a while for a sleeper to realize that their bed is not the right size for them. The good news is there are easy ways to adjust your bed’s height by a couple of inches, such as bed risers.
If your bed is too short, an easy way to make it taller is by adding a memory foam mattress topper. Toppers sit on the surface of your mattress and can be anywhere from 2 to 8 inches thick.
Beds that are too tall are a bit more complicated to adjust, and we do not recommend keeping your mattress on the floor permanently. So here are a few ways to make your bed shorter:
- Buy a thinner, low-profile box spring.
- Take the castors or wheels off the legs of the bed frame.
- Invest in a lower bed frame.
For those in the market for a new bed, Amerisleep Upholstered Bed Frame is an excellent option. This sleek modern frame is 13 inches tall (not including the height of the mattress). It offers a touch of classic design with a headboard, but otherwise its construction is quite modern.
Stylish light beige fabric covers the frame, giving it a polished look. The beige covering is offset by espresso-finished legs. Planks of hardwood create the surface of this frame, providing your mattress with sturdy support. There is no need for a box spring with this hardy frame.
The Amerisleep Upholstered Bed Frame ships free and is backed by a 1-year warranty. You can purchase it in full, queen, and king sizes.
AMERISLEEP UPHOLSTERED BED FRAME
- Backed by the protection of a 1-year warranty
- Gentle, neutral colors fit into most bedroom styles
- Works with all types of mattresses
FAQs
Does the height of a mattress matter?
The height of your mattress matters for two reasons:
- Mattress thickness contributes to the overall height of your bed, which is essential for the sleeper’s comfort and health.
- A thinner mattress won’t provide enough support for the sleeper.
A mattress should be at least 8 inches thick so it can support your body and help keep you in a neutral position (a neutral position is when your neck, spine, and hips are aligned and your weight is evenly distributed). However, many find 12 inch mattresses provide the pinnacle of comfort.
How can I increase the height of my bed?
A mattress topper is an easy way to increase the height of your bed. Most toppers are 2-8 inches thick, so you simply need to find the right-sized topper and place it on the surface of your mattress. They also act as a comfort layer if your mattress feels too hard.
How tall can bed risers make my bed?
Bed risers can increase the height of your bed by up to 12 inches. Risers are sturdy plastic blocks that you can place under the legs of your bed frame or at the corners of your platform bed. If you don’t have much storage space in your bedroom, bed rises are a great way to add extra space under your bed.
Are 30 inches too high for a bed?
This entirely depends on your height. As long as the top of the mattress is level with your knees, 30 inches is an acceptable height for a mattress. Unless you are a tall person, a bed over 32 inches high is probably too tall.
Can bed height affect how well I sleep?
The height of your bed doesn’t have a direct effect on your sleep quality. However, a bed that is too tall or too short for you can make it hard or even painful to get in and out of bed. This is especially true for older or injured sleepers.
What Height Should Your Next Bed Be?
Before you purchase your next bed frame, measure from the bottom of your foot to the top of your knee. Compare that measurement to the height of the bed you are considering. Older or injured sleepers should consider investing in an adjustable bed frame. The ability to move the mattress into a sitting position makes getting in and out of bed much easier.
The most important part of buying a new bed frame is making sure you find one that is comfortable. Be sure to get a bed frame that is a good height for you and accommodates your unique sleep needs.
