Beds

Topic Index | Bed Plans

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Bed Design Guidelines

1. A lower bed makes a room look larger than a higher bed and creates a less formal appearance.

2. Most beds are designed so that the top of the mattress is 16" to 24" from the floor.

3. For maximum comfort, the bed should be 6" to 8" longer than the height of the person that will be using it.

4. To provide clearance for bed covers, allow 1" extra length and 1/2" to 1" extra width for the bedframe.

5. Mattress and boxspring dimensions often differ from the "standards" so measure them before designing the bedframe.

6. The top of the headboard should be at least a foot above the top of the mattress. If a footboard is planned, aesthetics are enhanced by making it shorter than the headboard.

7. Most beds are designed with knock-down joinery to simplify moving and storage.

8. Make allowances for wood movement if using solid wood for the headboard. One approach is to oversize the mortises in the bed posts where the tenons on the headboard attach. Another approach is to cut a double mortise/tenon and allow one tenon to float by not gluing it in place.

9. Most headboards, footboards, and sideboards are made from 4/4 or 5/4 material. The use of thicker material is generally not necessary.

10. Give consideration to a platform bed rather than a conventional bed with a boxspring. This approach can save money, enable the use of narrower stock for the sideboards, and provide greater clearance under the bed (boxsprings are often set close to the floor to put the mattress at a suitable height).

Adult Bed Specifications
Height to top of mattress	16"-24"
Best mattress height for sitting	17"-18"
Best mattress height for changing sheets	24"
Acceptable toe room for platform beds	6"-8""

Bunk Bed Specifications
Overall height	60"-87"
Height to top of lower mattress	16"-24"
Height to top of upper mattress from top of lower mattress	30"-45"

Crib Specifications
Mattress height adjustment	31" to 39"
Spacing between slats	2-1/4"
Height-floor to top of crib	48"

Cradle Specifications
Width x Height	22" x 36"
Height (top)	22" average
Height (swing type)	40" average

Bedroom Storage Specifications
Hanging space for long coats and dresses	58"-64"
Hanging space for jackets and shirts	32"-36"
Clothing storage unit depth	24"
Drawer depth (shirts sweaters towels)	16"-20"

Standard Dimensions of Adult Mattresses

Mattress	Width	Length
Bunk	30", 33"	75"
Single	36"	75"
Twin	39"	75", 80", 84"
Double	54"	75", 80"
Queen	60"	80", 84"
King	76"	80", 84"

Standard Dimensions of Juvenile Mattresses

Mattress	Width	Length
Bassinet	18"	36"
Bassinet	22-1/4"	38-3/4"
Junior crib	23"	46"
Junior crib	25-1/4"	50-3/4"
6-year crib	27"	51"
6-year crib	31-1/4"	56-3/4"
Youth bed	33"	66"
Youth bed	36"	76"

Standard Thicknesses of Mattresses and Boxsprings

Type	Thickness
Inner spring	5-1/2" to 6-1/2"
Foam	4" to 7-1/2"
Boxspring	5-1/2" to 9"
Futon	3" to 6"

Standard Dimensions of Bedroom Furniture

Item	Height	Width	Depth
Dresser (bureau)	29"-37"	36"-48"	18"-24"
Chest of drawers	42"-56"	32"-40"	18"-22"
Double dresser	26"-34"	60"-72"	18"-22"
Night table	16"-25"	18"-28'	16"-22"
Blanket chest	16"-20"	32"-54"	14"-22"
Lingerie chest	50"-54"	22"-24"	16"-18"

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