Get the best experience from your new Sleepyhead bed by choosing a size that fits comfortably into both your bedroom and your lifestyle. Whether you need a Single, Double, or King-sized bed, organising your bedroom space is key to creating an optimal sleep environment. This simple step-by-step guide shows you how to correctly measure your room so you can confidently select the perfect bed size, leaving plenty of space to relax. The diagrams below illustrate a standard queen-sized bed within a typical master bedroom layout.
1. Draw a floor plan of your bedroom
Exactly how big is your bedroom? Measure the length of your bedroom's inside walls, doors and windows. Once you have these you can draw a floor plan which sets out the size of your bedroom and where your doors and windows are positioned.
2. Work out how much space you have
Work out how much space you will have to move about in once your bed and bedroom furniture are in place. You can work out the space by multiplying your bedroom's length and width measurements together to get the square metres. Tip: remember to consider any skirting boards that make the space a little smaller into your equation.
3. Ensure your space is balanced
Now you've got your space worked out, we recommend using the "1/3 ratio" rule commonly used by interior decorators to ensure a space is balanced. The idea is that your bed should take up a maximum of 1/3 of your bedroom space, with the walkway (including doorways) taking up 1/3, and your other furniture taking up 1/3. In our example bedroom, you could easily fit a king size bed.
4. Add your furniture
Next, add other bedroom furniture into your floor plan, including their measurements. Be sure to measure the spans of any open doors, drawers and cupboards. Measure your bed base or frame along with your mattress (this can sometimes make your bed measurements bigger), and it's a good idea to allow at least 70cm of space on either side of your bed.
5. Consider your wall space
It's also important to take a look at the height of the furniture and decorations in your room. Draw up a wall (elevation) view of your room, focusing on where your bed will go. This way you can ensure that your furniture isn't too high (or too low) for your room – consider the height of your hanging lights, picture frames, mirrors, lamps etc.
By taking a few extra minutes to measure your space, you can shop for your new bed with complete confidence. Getting the proportions right ensures your bedroom remains a calm, functional space with plenty of room to move. Once you have your measurements ready, read our Bed Buying Guide or visit your local Sleepyhead retailer to find the perfect bed for your home.