Your peaceful slumber is rudely interrupted by the loud BEEPBEEPBEEP of your alarm clock. Half awake, you roll over to turn off the alarm only to realize – too late – that you’re lying on the edge of the bed. It’s at this point you learn gravity has a harsh way of reminding you of the importance of bed height.
Many factors go into bed height, such as the height of your mattress, whether or not you use box springs, and the type of bed frame. Depending on your preference, you might want to sleep a little closer to the ground, or you could enjoy being a little higher up as though you’re sleeping on the clouds. Regardless, there are some things you should know about your ideal bed height.
What Factors Affect Ideal Bed Height?
There are three key factors that go into the ideal height of your bed from the floor: your comfort, your age, and the height itself.
Comfort
How comfortable are you sleeping a couple of feet off the floor? When you were a kid, if your friend had bunk beds, you always wanted the top bunk. As an adult, though, sleeping that high off the floor might not be as appealing.
Age
Your age also plays an important factor in bed height. As we get older, it might be easier to have a bed height that's closer to the floor. Being closer to the floor means it's easier to get into and out of bed. It also means that a fall from that height wouldn't be as catastrophic.
Height
The average bed height today is around 25 inches. That's just about the height where you can sit on the side of the bed and have your feet firmly on the floor. This obviously depends on how tall you are but at just an inch over two feet, your feet probably won't be dangling off the side of your mattress. Still, it's important to purchase a mattress and base that's best suited for your body type.
What Are Typical Bed Heights?
It should come as no surprise that different beds can lead to different bed heights. We've already mentioned bunk beds, but what about other types of beds?
Platform Beds
Platform beds are a fairly common type of bed frame. Most platform beds are typically built about 18 inches off the ground. They also are built in such a way that you don't necessarily need a box spring to support the mattress. If you add a taller mattress, such as a pillow top mattress, the bed height could easily climb to three feet – and that's without the box spring. This is something to keep in mind when buying your next mattress.
Panel Beds
Panel beds are probably the most common bed frame. These are frames that have rails along the sides that hold a box spring as well as the mattress. These frames don't have much in the way of bed height, so even if you have a tall mattress, you won't be sleeping in the clouds. Keep in mind, however, you will need a box spring with this type of bed, so that will add to the overall bed height.
Antique Beds
Antique beds are usually the highest bed frames, with a bed height of around 36 inches – and that's without a mattress or box spring. By the time you add support and a mattress, the bed height could top four feet or more off the ground. Sure, they're nice beds, but you might need a step ladder to get into bed. Of course, if that's your idea of perfection, just be careful getting in and out of bed!
Keep Bed Height in Mind When Shopping for a Mattress
Comfort and cost are the top two things on the minds of every mattress shopper. Many times shoppers don't think about bed height, but it's important to consider these things along with comfort and cost:
- Do I need a box spring? If so, do I want a standard profile or low profile set?
- Do I want a pillow top, knowing it will increase the bed height?
- Do I want an adjustable base that's closer to the ground?
Regardless of what you want or need, the team at Mattress Warehouse is dedicated to helping you, with the knowledge to answer any of your questions. Be sure to visit one of our stores today.