What is the Height Off Floor of IKEA Beds? (5 Essential Facts)

Setting a goal here: I want to give you the most useful, detailed, and clear info about the height off floor of IKEA beds. If you’ve ever wondered how high an IKEA bed sits from the floor or what that means for your room’s look and feel, you’re in the right place. I’ll share some facts, personal tips, and data that will help you pick the perfect bed height for your space.

What is the Height Off Floor of IKEA Beds?

Simply put, the height off floor of a bed is the distance from the floor to the top surface where your mattress sits. For IKEA beds, this varies depending on the model, frame design, and type of bed (like platform beds, storage beds, or loft beds). This measurement affects not just how your bed looks but also how easy it is to get in and out of and how much storage you have underneath.

When I first started installing beds for clients, I noticed many people didn’t realize how much difference bed height makes. Some want beds low to the ground for a minimalist vibe, while others want a higher bed so they can store boxes or keep pets comfortable underneath.

Why Does Bed Height Matter?

You might ask, why should I care about bed height? Isn’t it just about the mattress? Actually, no. Bed height affects comfort when getting in and out of bed, affects safety especially for kids or older adults, influences how much storage you get underneath, and even how your room feels visually.

Think about the last time you got up in the morning. Did you feel comfortably supported by your bed’s height or did you have to awkwardly push yourself up? Bed height can make a difference there.

How IKEA Designs Impact Bed Height

IKEA is known for its variety — from simple slatted frames to complex storage beds and tall loft beds. Each design has its own standard height because it serves a different purpose.

For example:

• Platform beds focus on sleek design, often sitting closer to the floor.
• Storage beds prioritize drawers or compartments beneath, so they sit higher.
• Loft beds are designed to save floor space by raising the sleeping area far above the ground.

Understanding these differences helps you pick a bed that fits your lifestyle and space.

5 Essential Facts About IKEA Bed Heights

1. Height Affects Comfort and Accessibility

I remember helping my aunt pick her first IKEA bed. She was in her late 60s and had some knee pain. She wanted something easy to get in and out of without feeling unstable. After testing several options at IKEA, she settled on a standard bed frame that sat about 20 inches off the floor. It felt just right for her — not too low to strain her knees while sitting or standing and not too high to feel unsafe.

Why does this matter? Beds that are too low can make standing up tough, especially for people with mobility issues or joint pain. On the other hand, very high beds might require extra effort to climb into or step stools, which can lead to accidents.

My tip: Measure your own knee height while sitting on a chair or stool. Ideally, when seated on your bed’s edge, your feet should rest flat on the floor and your knees form roughly a 90-degree angle.

This simple measurement can help avoid discomfort later. You don’t want a bed that feels like sitting on a throne or squatting down low.

2. Storage Opportunities Depend on Bed Height

One thing I always point out to clients is how much they can gain from smart storage under their bed. If you live in a small apartment or just want to keep clutter away, IKEA’s storage beds are a perfect solution.

Models like MALM or BRIMNES are designed with built-in drawers beneath the mattress platform. These frames tend to be taller—around 24-28 inches off the floor—to accommodate the drawer height comfortably.

For example, the MALM storage bed frame sits about 25 inches (64 cm) off the floor. This height allows for large drawers that fit clothes, linens, or even bulky items like blankets.

If you’re tight on space or want to avoid bulky dressers, a higher bed with storage underneath can be a game changer. However, keep in mind that taller beds might feel less cozy or require you to climb in.

From my experience: Clients who choose storage beds often say they never want to go back to a regular frame because of the extra space they get without adding furniture.

3. Mattress Thickness and Bed Height Go Hand-in-Hand

One factor people often overlook is mattress thickness when figuring out total bed height. IKEA offers mattresses ranging from thin foam models around 6 inches thick to thick pocket spring mattresses over 10 inches.

If you have a low-profile bed frame (say around 14 inches), stacking it with a thick mattress (like 12 inches) might push your sleeping surface up to 26 inches off the floor — which some find too high.

Matching mattress thickness with frame height is key. Too tall feels awkward; too low feels cramped.

Here’s some data from IKEA specs:

When combined with frame heights between 14-24 inches (35-60 cm), total mattress top heights range roughly between 20 and 34 inches (50-86 cm).

Personal Story

Once a client bought a sleek HEMNES platform bed frame (about 16 inches tall) with a very thick foam mattress (11 inches). When she set it up at home, she realized her total sleeping surface was around 27 inches — much higher than expected.

She found it hard to get into bed comfortably and complained it made her room feel off-balance visually.

After some advice, she swapped her mattress for one closer to 8 inches thick. The total height dropped to around 24 inches — much more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

4. Children’s Beds Have Different Height Needs

For kids’ rooms, safety is always top priority. IKEA’s children’s beds like SLÄKT or KURA are designed lower — usually around 12-16 inches off the floor — so little ones can climb in easily and reduce injury risk if they fall.

I’ve assembled many of these beds for clients with young kids. One mom told me she loved how low her daughter’s SLÄKT bed was because bedtime became less stressful — no worries about falling from a tall frame.

Loft beds for kids are taller but come with guardrails and ladders designed for safety. Still, parents must supervise closely with these elevated designs.

5. Assembly and Floor Type Influence Final Bed Height

Since all IKEA beds require self-assembly, small differences in how parts are put together can affect final height slightly. A tighter fit or extra screws might raise the bed by half an inch or more compared to loosening components.

The type of flooring also plays a role in how stable and comfortable your bed feels at certain heights:

• On carpeted floors, taller beds might sink slightly into soft pile carpet.
• On hard floors (wood, tile), beds sit firm but can slide if not secured properly.
• Uneven floors may cause wobbly beds at higher heights.

When assembling beds for myself or clients, I always recommend using a carpenter’s level tool during setup to ensure evenness. This is especially important for tall storage beds or loft beds where stability matters most.

Deep Dive: How to Choose the Right Bed Height for Your Needs

With all these facts in mind, you might still wonder how to pick the perfect height for your IKEA bed. Here’s my step-by-step approach based on years of experience:

Step 1: Measure Your Room Space Carefully

Start by measuring your bedroom ceiling height and floor dimensions. If your ceiling is low (under 8 feet), very tall loft beds might feel oppressive.

Also check how much clearance you want between your mattress top and ceiling — ideally around 18-24 inches for comfortable sitting up in bed.

Step 2: Consider Who Will Use the Bed

Think about who will sleep there:

• Older adults or people with mobility issues tend to prefer beds around knee height (18-22 inches).
• Kids benefit from lower beds (12-16 inches).
• Teenagers or adults who like extra storage might want taller frames (24+ inches).

Step 3: Factor in Mattress Thickness

Decide what type of mattress you’ll use and check its thickness range. Combine that with your chosen frame height to see if total height feels right.

Step 4: Think About Storage Needs

If you need storage drawers under your bed, look for IKEA’s storage beds like MALM or BRIMNES models that offer built-in options with heights around 24+ inches.

If you prefer open space under the bed for boxes or baskets, make sure clearance suits these items.

Step 5: Test Comfort Before Buying

If possible, visit an IKEA showroom and sit on different beds at various heights with mattresses similar to what you plan to buy.

Ask yourself:

• Can I sit comfortably with feet flat on floor?
• Is it easy to get in/out?
• Does it suit my bedroom style?

Experience-Based Tips

I want to share some personal insights from years of working with customers installing IKEA beds:

• Avoid buying just based on looks: A beautiful low platform bed might not be practical if it’s too low for your needs.
• Don’t forget pets: If you have cats or dogs that like sleeping under your bed, consider their comfort when choosing height.
• Use risers cautiously: If you want to raise a lower frame by adding risers, make sure they’re sturdy and even; uneven risers cause wobble.
• Pay attention to assembly instructions: Follow IKEA’s instructions carefully—missing screws or incorrect assembly often leads to uneven bed heights.
• Check for flooring compatibility: On very soft carpets, taller beds may feel less stable; consider placing furniture grippers under legs.

Case Study: Small Apartment Solution

Once I helped a client who lived in a tiny studio apartment with limited floor space but high ceilings. She wanted storage without cluttering her room with extra dressers.

We chose a MALM storage bed frame at about 25 inches tall paired with an 8-inch mattress. This gave her plenty of under-bed drawer space for clothes and linens without feeling bulky because of her high ceiling (over 9 feet).

This setup worked perfectly for her lifestyle and space constraints — showing how right height combined with smart design creates functional living areas.

Additional Data Insights From IKEA Product Lines

Looking at IKEA’s current catalog gives useful insights into how they design their beds in terms of height:

This range highlights how IKEA tailors their designs by function — lower frames for minimalism and kids; taller frames for storage or loft purposes.

What About Other Brands? How Does IKEA Compare?

From my experience working with other furniture brands, IKEA tends to offer more affordable options with good design flexibility but less customization on height compared to custom-made frames.

Some boutique brands offer adjustable leg heights allowing fine-tuning of total bed height after purchase — something IKEA frames don’t typically support easily without risers.

If you want precise control over height beyond what IKEA offers, custom options might be worth exploring — but at a higher cost.

Final Thoughts From Me

Choosing the right height for your IKEA bed isn’t just about style; it’s about comfort, safety, storage, and how your room feels overall. I’ve seen people pick beds too low and regret it because they struggled getting up at night. Others picked tall beds but didn’t think about their mattress thickness or room size.

If you keep these facts in mind and measure carefully, you’ll end up with a bed that fits perfectly into your life. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want advice tailored to your specific room or needs—I love helping people create spaces they enjoy every day!

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