Bed sizes and space around the bed

As you may know there are different standard bed sizes around the world.  Are human heights that different country to country?  There's tall and short people everywhere but go figure.

Anyway I cover US / Canada and UK  bed sizes here.  If you have a bed from Ikea (even if you bought it in one of the places covered here) it may be slightly different that either of these but the clearance information will still be relevant.

This page forms part of the bedroom design series.

Which bed size are you interested in?

US & Canada bed sizes and clearance

• US Bed Size Chart

• Space around a US crib bed
• Space around a US single / twin bed
• Space around a US double  / full bed
• Space around a US queen bed
• Space around a US king bed
• Space around a US California king bed
  

UK & Ireland bed sizes and clearance

• UK and Ireland Bed Size Chart

• Space around a UK crib bed
• Space around a UK cot bed
• Space around a UK single bed
• Space around a UK double bed
• Space around a UK king bed
• Space around a UK super king bed
  

How big is the bed?
How much space around the bed - side of the bed and end of the bed?

These bed dimensions are based on mattress size.  If you have a bed frame that sticks out from under the mattress then you'll need to add to these total dimensions depending on the size of your bed frame.

US / Canada Bed Dimensions and Clearances

North American Bed Sizes Chart

You can get scaled versions of these bed sizes in the free floor plan symbols file.

Allow a minimum of 30 inches around each side of the bed and at the end of the bed. 

For a more elegant and luxurious feel leave a minimum of 36 inches around each side and at the end of the bed.

You might of course have a single or double against the wall, and a crib against the wall with no clearance at the ends.

If you have an XL single or full XL you'll need to add 5" on to the bottom of the bed clearances.

If you want to put a bench at the end of the bed you'll need to add the width of the bench to the total dimensions shown here.

North American Crib Bed Size and Space

US crib dimensions and clearances

27” x 52” (crib)
87” x 82” (min clearance)
99” x 88” (better clearance)

Against the wall
57” x 82” (min clearance)
63” x 88” (better clearance)

North American Twin Bed Size and Space

US twin bed dimensions and clearance

39” x 75” (bed)
99” x 105” (min clearance)
111” x 111” (luxurious clearance)

Against the wall
69” x 105” (min clearance)
75” x 111” (better clearance)

North American Double or Full Bed Size and Space

US double / full bed dimensions and clearances

54” x 75” (bed)
114” x 105” (min clearance)
126” x 111” (luxurious clearance)

Against the wall
84” x 105” (min clearance)
90” x 111” (better clearance)

North American Queen Bed Size and Space

US queen bed dimensions and clearances

60” x 80” (bed)
120” x 110” (min clearance)
132” x 116” (luxurious clearance)

North American King Bed Size and Space

US king bed dimensions and clearances

76” x 80” (bed)
136” x 110” (min clearance)
148” x 116” (luxurious clearance)

North American California King Bed Size and Space

US California King bed dimensions and clearances

72” x 84” (bed)
132” x 114” (min clearance)
144” x 120” (better clearance)

UK Bed dimensions and clearances

UK & Ireland Bed Sizes Chart

Allow a minimum of 75cm around each side of the bed and at the end of the bed.

For a more elegant and luxurious feel leave a minimum of 90cm around each side and at the end of the bed.

You might of course have a single or double against the wall, and a crib against the wall with no clearance at the ends.

If you want to put a bench at the end of the bed you'll need to add the width of the bench to the total dimensions shown here.

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