Your new is just around the corner
Sign up for insight into the latest design trends from our newsletter
You're on the list
By signing up, you agree to receive email marketing.
DESIGN 101
Sleep Well: A Breakdown of Bed Types and Sizes
When it comes to designing a bedroom, one of the most important features is the bed itself. But there are many styles and sizes of beds. How do you know which one is right? Here’s the breakdown of everything you need to know about choosing a bed.
Types of Beds
Each type of bed offers different benefits and features. The best fit depends on your room size and aesthetic, your sleep and storage needs, and your personal preferences. Most bed types also come in a variety of colors and materials.
Platform Beds
Platform beds typically sit lower to the ground and feature a flat or slatted platform for the base. This often removes the need for a box spring, since the mattress is fully supported by the base. However, some people choose to use a box spring anyway to make the top of the bed sit a little higher.
Storage Beds
Some beds come with extra storage built into the base or headboard. Storage beds are great for small bedrooms or studio apartments where every inch of floor space counts. Some beds have drawers or cabinets underneath the mattress, while others include shelving built into the headboard. You can also use headboard storage in place of a nightstand by using it to hold things such as your glasses, bedtime reading, alarm clock, or evening medications.
Sleigh Beds
When you think of a typical bed, you probably imagine something similar to a sleigh bed. This bed style features a tall headboard and shorter footboard which both curve away from the mattress to create a sleigh-like silhouette.
Trundle Beds
Featuring a second bed that pulls out from underneath, a trundle bed is great for kids, guest bedrooms, or anywhere you might like a second bed without taking up too much floor space. Some trundles include a mechanism to lift them up to the same height as the main bed, while others simply wheel in and out, but remain close to the floor.
Day Beds
Day beds are a cross between a bed and a sofa. Instead of separate head and footboards, a day bed has three raised sides to create the silhouette of a couch with the bed as the seat. These make for a great dual-function piece in small rooms where both a bed and separate seating might take up too much space.
Canopy Beds
The canopy bed is often associated with luxury. It features a tall frame or posts from which fabric or drapery can be hung. This allows the bed to be enclosed for privacy, or it can simply add some softness to the room. Because canopy beds are much taller than most beds, make sure your ceiling is high enough before investing in one.
Wingback Bed
On a wingback bed, the headboard is typically soft or tufted, with wings that stick out on either side in a similar fashion to a high-backed armchair. This creates a cozy, enclosed atmosphere perfect for snuggling up with a book before bed. The softness of the headboard makes it a good style for a calming bedroom that will help you relax and sleep well.
Loft Beds & Bunk Beds
A loft bed is elevated, leaving room underneath for other furniture such as a desk, dresser, or shelves. This frees up more floor space and is a major benefit in tight quarters.
A staple of summer camps and dorm rooms, bunk beds are a great space saver in any room meant for multiple sleepers. Bunk beds typically feature two beds stacked on top of each other, with a ladder or steps to reach the top bunk. Some bunks also come in triple or quad versions to fit even more people. Most bunks have two twin-size beds, but some can also have a twin over a full or even two full-size beds for larger bodies.
Different Bed Sizes
Beds come in a variety of sizes. The right size for you depends on your space needs and your sleeping arrangements, including whether you’re sharing a bed.
•
California King
The California king bed is the largest standard bed size. A California king mattress measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. It’s a little narrower than a standard king, but several inches longer, making it ideal for taller people.
Shop now•
King
A king mattress is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. King beds are great for couples who like a little more space, or families who co-sleep in the same bed. However, many single people also enjoy the luxury of the extra room in a king bed.
Shop now•
Queen
The queen-size bed is the most popular size. This is what you usually encounter in hotel rooms. Queen mattresses are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, and they are usually a comfortable size for a typical couple or a single sleeper who likes some extra space to spread out. Queen beds also work well in a guest bedroom since they’re versatile enough to suit almost any type of guest.
Shop now•
Full
Full beds are only slightly smaller than queen-size beds, with mattress dimensions of 53 inches wide and 75 inches long. Full-size beds are popular among teens and single adults because they provide a little more space than a twin. However, most couples would find a full bed a little cramped.
Shop now•
Twin
Twin-size beds are the most common size for children and teen bedrooms because they don’t take up much space. A twin mattress measures 38 inches wide by 75 inches long, but there’s also a twin XL size that adds an extra 5 inches of length for taller bodies. College dormitory bunks often use twin XL mattresses.
Shop nowBox Springs & Foundations
Many mattresses require some kind of support underneath to keep the middle from sagging and becoming uncomfortable. There are mattress supports for different types of mattresses.
When do you need a box spring?
Technically, you only truly need a box spring when the bed frame or foundation won’t support the mattress on its own. However, there are some benefits to using a box spring even with a supportive frame. Box springs offer extra shock absorption which protects the inner coils in a spring or hybrid mattress. They also provide some extra height on low-sitting frames such as platform beds. Box spring support is also more evenly distributed than the slats on a bed frame, meaning you’re less likely to feel it through thinner mattresses.
Kids Beds
Kids’ beds are a little different from adult beds. They typically include safety features to keep little ones from rolling out. Children’s beds are often suited to smaller spaces since young kids may have smaller bedrooms or need more room for toys and books.
•
Cribs
A crib is the best bed for an infant. It’s fully enclosed on all sides with narrow bars or slats. This prevents the baby from falling out of bed but still leaves gaps through which the child can breathe if they roll up against the sides. A standard crib mattress is 27 ¼ inches wide by 51 ⅝ inches long. The mattress should fit snugly against the sides.
Shop now•
Toddler Beds
Toddler beds usually use the same size mattress as a crib, allowing the crib mattress to be reused. A toddler bed often has protective railings along the side, but there are openings, usually near the foot, that allow the child to get in and out of bed on their own. This is a good transitional bed for children learning to sleep and wake independently.
Shop now•
Storage/Bookcase Beds
Storage and bookcase beds, much like adult storage beds, offer drawers or shelves built into the bed frame. These are ideal for storing toys, books, clothing, or extra bedding, especially in small bedrooms.
Shop now
Choose the Right Bed for Your Space
The right bed can make any bedroom feel complete. Different beds may offer storage, space, or style benefits. Take the time to make sure your bed will fit your space and aesthetic, and you’re sure to sleep like a baby.