Top 3 Reasons Size Matters When Purchasing an Adjustable Bed

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Get Smarter On Architecture and Design

Get the 3-minute weekly newsletter keeping 5K+ designers in the loop.

Enter your Email to Sign up

Side-bar-footer-forum

Adjustable beds bring a great deal of value to the sleep experience.  They often have desirable features such as adjustable positioning and massage.  There are many reasons one would want to include an adjustable bed in the home.  Once you have found the ideal model, the next decision will be what size to get.

1. The Capacity of the Bedroom Makes a Difference

When furnishing the bedroom, there are several items to include and a limited amount of space for them.  Outside of a bed, many people use the bedroom for clothing storage.  Sometimes this is done using a chest of drawers, a dresser-mirror combination or an armoire.  This is why the size of the bed is so important when setting up the bedroom space.  The biggest bed may not leave adequate room for other items, making the room feel too small.  A smaller bed may not be suitable for the number and size of those who will sleep in it.

Now, there are many bed sizes to choose from and even more things to consider when making your selection.  How many people will share the bed and how much space each will need in the bed are just the first two.  Another thing to think about is the size of the bedroom and the other large items that will be included in the room.  Then, comes something that many people tend to overlook…how the bed will fit through the doorway.

2. Dimensions and Weight Impact Set Up

Some bed sizes are able to be moved quite easily, as they are smaller and more lightweight.  These include adjustable beds in the Twin, Twin XL and Full sizes.  The most common size of doorway is around 30 inches wide, though some vary between 24 and 36 inches.  Doorway height is pretty standard at 80 inches.  So, for these smaller size adjustable beds, the widest being 54 inches, turning the bed on its side allows for rather seamless entry.

To accommodate more people or larger people, or those who like the extra room, a larger bed size may be preferred.  Queen, King and California King sizes are some of the more common large bed sizes.  The King is 76” wide and 80” long which can be more of a tight fit through the doorway.  What is even more challenging is fitting this and other larger sizes through narrow or winding hallways.  For this reason, one may consider a Split King Adjustable Bed.  This size bed provides the same sleep surface as a traditional King but comes as two pieces, both 38” wide and 80” long.  Being split in two allows you to move half of the bed at a time.

3. Some Sizes Offer Extra Features

In addition to being lighter and easier to move, split adjustable beds may offer additional functionality as well.  For example, some can be set up for use so that each side of the bed can be operated separately.  Not every model comes in split sizes, but where this is an option it is something to consider.

The right size adjustable bed will meet your needs and fit in your space comfortably.  For some, what size is best may be impacted by factors such as the size of the bedroom and the size of the areas leading to the bedroom.  Be sure to think outside of the box when it comes to choosing a size, as there are more and more options available.  By doing so, you can ensure that you will enjoy all the benefits of your new adjustable bed in a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.