Bedroom Sizing Guide: Will a Double Bed Fit?

Before purchasing a double bed, the most important step is ensuring it will fit comfortably in your bedroom. Many Australians underestimate the space required, leading to cramped rooms that are difficult to navigate. This guide provides practical measurements and layout strategies to help you determine whether a double bed is right for your space.

Measuring Your Bedroom Correctly

Start by measuring your bedroom's total floor space. Use a tape measure to record the length and width of the room at floor level, not at chest height where the walls might bow slightly. Note the position and swing direction of doors, including wardrobe doors, as these affect usable floor space significantly.

Mark the location of windows, power outlets, heating vents, and any built-in features like alcoves or bay windows. These elements influence where you can position the bed and what frame styles will work. A headboard placed over a power outlet, for instance, may block access for charging devices.

Creating a Simple Floor Plan

Sketch your room to scale on graph paper or use a free online room planning tool. Include all doorways with their swing arcs and window positions. A standard Australian double bed is 138cm by 188cm, but remember to add the frame dimensions. Most frames add between 5 and 15 centimetres to the mattress size, while headboards can extend up to 20 centimetres beyond the bed's length.

Essential Clearance Guidelines

Clearance around the bed is crucial for daily comfort and safety. The following measurements represent minimum recommendations for practical bedroom use.

Bedside Clearance

Allow at least 60 centimetres of clear space on each side of the bed where someone sleeps. This provides room to get in and out comfortably and space for a bedside table. If only one person uses the bed, you can position it against a wall on one side, but ensure the accessible side has the full 60-centimetre clearance.

Foot of the Bed

Maintain at least 90 centimetres between the foot of the bed and any wall, wardrobe, or furniture. This allows comfortable passage without feeling cramped. If your wardrobe is at the foot of the bed, factor in the door swing and the space needed to access hanging clothes.

Doorway Access

Bedroom doors need at least 80 centimetres of clearance to open fully. Consider whether the door swings into the room and plan your bed placement accordingly. Many homeowners find that positioning the bed away from the door's swing arc creates a more comfortable flow through the space.

Bedroom Layouts That Work

The optimal bed position depends on your room's shape and features. Here are common layouts that Australian homeowners find practical and comfortable.

Centred Against the Main Wall

Positioning the bed centred on the largest uninterrupted wall creates a focal point and allows equal access from both sides. This classic arrangement works well in rooms measuring 3.5 metres by 4 metres or larger. Leave space between the headboard and window to reduce drafts and noise disturbance.

Corner Positioning

Smaller bedrooms often benefit from placing the bed in a corner, with one side and the headboard against walls. This maximises open floor space in the room's centre, making the space feel larger. Consider this layout for rooms under 10 square metres, accepting that one person will need to climb over the other to access their side.

Angled Placement

In rooms with awkward dimensions or multiple doorways, positioning the bed diagonally can solve layout challenges. This approach uses otherwise dead corner space and creates an interesting visual effect. However, it does consume more floor area overall, so it's best suited to larger rooms.

Accounting for Other Furniture

A bedroom typically contains more than just a bed. When planning your layout, reserve space for essential furniture pieces and their clearance requirements.

• Bedside tables: Standard bedside tables measure 40 to 60 centimetres wide. Ensure they fit between the bed and wall with room to access drawers.
• Wardrobe access: Hinged wardrobe doors need their full width plus standing room. Sliding door wardrobes are more space-efficient in smaller rooms.
• Dresser or chest of drawers: Allow drawer depth plus 60 centimetres for standing and access when drawers are fully extended.
• Desk or vanity: If you work or prepare in the bedroom, allocate at least 120 centimetres width for the furniture plus a chair.

When a Double Bed Won't Fit

Sometimes the measurements simply don't work. If your bedroom is smaller than 2.5 metres in any dimension, a double bed may create an uncomfortable living environment. Signs that your room is too small for a double bed include:

• Less than 45 centimetres clearance on either side of the bed
• Inability to open wardrobe doors fully
• The bed blocking window access for emergency egress
• No room for any additional furniture
• The entry door hitting the bed when opened

In these cases, consider a king single (107cm x 203cm) which offers generous sleeping space for one person while consuming less floor area. Alternatively, look into space-saving furniture solutions like wall beds or loft beds that free up floor space during daytime hours.

Visualising Before You Buy

Before committing to a purchase, use painters tape or newspaper to mark out the bed's footprint on your floor. Live with this outline for a few days, walking around it as you would the actual bed. This simple exercise reveals traffic flow problems and space constraints that measurements alone might miss.

Many furniture stores now offer augmented reality apps that superimpose their products into photos of your room. While not perfectly accurate, these tools provide a helpful visual reference for scale and proportion. Some retailers also allow bed frames to be returned within a trial period if they don't suit your space.

Making the Most of Your Space

A double bed in a well-planned room feels spacious and comfortable. In a poorly planned room, the same bed creates constant frustration. Take time to measure accurately, consider your daily routines, and plan for furniture placement before making your purchase. Your future self will thank you for the extra effort every time you navigate your bedroom with ease.