How to Make Your Bed Higher 

Mattress sizes and bed frame dimensions are standardized in the United States. But did you know there’s no market standard for bed height? That’s because the best bed height for you might be terrible for someone else. 

The best bed height depends on your personal comfort, storage needs, and aesthetic preferences. Comfort is the biggest factor, and the most comfortable bed height depends on your height, size, and mobility. 

Considering raising your bed to new heights? We put together this guide with reasons to raise your bed, practical bed-raising tips, and safety considerations to keep in mind.

Why elevate your bed? 

There are three main reasons to raise your bed: mobility, storage, and aesthetics.

Better mobility

Bed height matters for people with many short-term and long-term medical conditions. For some people, the strength needed to get up and out of a low bed is just too much.

In other cases, a movement disorder or the use of a mobility aid can affect the best bed height.

“For someone recovering from back, hip, or knee surgery, dealing with a lower limb fracture that limits bending, or experiencing severe arthritis, an elevated bed may make getting in and out easier,” says Lori Diamos, licensed physical therapist and founder of PT Pearls. 

She adds that a high bed minimizes the space needed to transition from sitting to standing for someone who uses crutches or a walker. 

Extra storage

Storage is another practical reason to raise your bed. The bed is the largest piece of furniture in most bedrooms—even some homes—and so raising it enough to use that entire square footage for storage is a major benefit if you’re short on space.

It’s very easy to find underbed storage options at big-box stores or online retailers. Options include clear plastic totes, canvas dustbags for storing shoes or off-season clothes, wire mesh baskets, and rolling storage boxes with wheels.

Of course, you can also use any storage container that fits under your newly raised bed.

Aesthetics

Some people simply prefer the look of a high bed. Higher bed frames can look grander or more imposing. Or, if you have a large statement headboard, a higher bed might look more proportionate.

There’s no hard-and-fast rule about which bed or mattress height looks most aesthetically pleasing. Consider your preferences and your bedroom’s aesthetic, then follow suit.

Safe methods to raise your bed

There are several safe ways to raise your bed if you don’t have an adjustable-height bed frame. Methods include using risers to lift the bed frame or mattress toppers or box springs to lift the sleeping surface.

“Risers can range from just a couple of inches to upwards of eight inches. Some offer one fixed height, while others are adjustable,” Diamos says.

Before using any bed-elevating strategy, think carefully about how high the bed should be. Diamos says a safe bed height ensures that a person can “comfortably and safely lower themselves onto the surface without ‘plopping.'” 

She says a good rule of thumb is to start with the bed at or slightly higher than your knees. This helps keep your knees near a 90-degree angle and your feet on the floor when you’re sitting on the edge of the bed. 

Of course, the safest bed height can change depending on your health condition. Diamos says wheelchair users in particular must be mindful of how they transfer from the chair to the bed. In these cases, raising the bed too high (higher than the wheelchair seat) can make it impossible to use a sliding board for transfers. 

Once you’ve figured out an elevated height that is comfortable and safe for any mobility concerns, it’s time to raise the bed.

Bed risers: heavy-duty plastic, wood, and adjustable metal options

Bed risers are blocks made to be placed under the legs or four corners of the bed frame. They can be made of heavy-duty polymer (plastic), wood, or metal. Some are adjustable.

“When using risers, especially for larger beds, it’s important to consider the entire support system,” Diamos emphasizes. “If your bed frame has additional center support legs, those need to be properly supported as well so the middle of the bed doesn’t become unstable or unevenly loaded.” Center posts are common with king beds and some queen beds.

Diamos says that if you’re using bed risers to make your bed higher, it’s a good idea to check the frame manufacturer’s guidelines and the risers’ weight capacity. Safety first.

Adding a mattress topper, box spring, or bunkie board

Adding height to your bed frame can raise the sleeping surface for mobility or aesthetic reasons. It will not add underbed storage, though.

Mattress toppers add plushness and a little height to your sleeping arrangement. They’re usually only a few inches thick. Still, a mattress topper is an easy, safe way to raise your bed slightly. Simply unroll the topper over the mattress and start sleeping on it.

Box springs are wood or metal boxes with springs inside, while bunkie boards are flat foundations. Both can be placed between the bed frame and mattress to add height and bulk to your sleeping setup. 

In general, box springs will add the most height to your bed. Bunkie boards and mattress toppers add similar height, but bunkie boards may be heavier (depending on the material). 

Check your bed frame’s overall weight limit with any of these options. Consider the combined weight of whoever sleeps in the bed, plus the mattress and height-adding accessory.

Weight capacity and safety considerations to avoid collapse

“Risers can affect bed stability,” Diamos warns. “You want to make sure you’re choosing a riser that fits the size and shape of your bed frame legs, whether they’re square, round, or on casters.”

Look up the bed frame’s maximum weight allowance, then make sure you don’t exceed it when combining the weight of the boxspring, mattress, bedding, and sleepers. 

As noted above, it’s also important to offer center support for larger beds.

Styling your elevated bed with drop bed skirts

If you want to raise your bed but don’t like the look of extra under-bed space or a box spring, you’ve still got options. 

Bed skirts and wraparound covers are commonly used to hide metal bed frames. But bed skirts (also known as dust ruffles) can also hide the mechanics behind your new bed setup.

FAQs

What’s the safest way to make a bed higher?

It depends on your bed setup and reason for raising the bed. A mattress topper is safest for solo installation since it requires no heavy lifting. In all cases, the safest height is one that puts your knees at a 90-degree angle, feet on the floor, when you sit on the edge of the bed.

How high should a bed be for easier mobility?

It depends on your height and whether you’re using a mobility aid such as a walker or wheelchair. In general, it’s easier to get in and out of bed when the top of the mattress is slightly above your knees. 

Do bed risers affect bed frame stability or weight capacity?

They can, yes. It’s important to check the bed frame manufacturer’s instructions (and warranty, if applicable) before using bed risers.