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Want more storage space underneath the bed? Have a health condition that requires a different setup? These and many more reasons require an adjustment of bed height. Luckily, there are a plethora of options out there – from DIYs and simple plastic risers to entire sets and some quite expensive ideas. We’re offering you detailed descriptions of all the choices and explanations of what each of them is ideal for.
Ways to Increase the Height of Your Mattress/Bed
Some of the easier options include:
- getting a mattress topper
- buying bed risers (small blocks that are put under bedposts)
- buying a box spring
- investing in a wedge pillow
- getting a bed wedge (a wedge that goes under the mattress)
For those who have more money at their disposal, some of the pricier options include:
- buying a taller frame
- buying an adjustable bed frame
- getting a taller mattress
- getting a loft bed kit
Finally, some of the DIY options include:
- make your own bed riser blocks
- installing shelves under the bed
- using wooden pallets
- adding wheels to the bed frame
The options are quite versatile and it really depends on what exactly you need. We’ve divided them by the manner of raising the bed, so you’ll find different guides based on how you want to raise it. Below you can learn how to:
- make the mattress taller
- elevate solely the head of the bed
- elevate the bed frame
- loft the bed
- raise a dorm bed
Who is a high bed for?
If you’re a really tall person, you’ll want a bed taller than the conventional one.
However, people with hip and back problems are the ones who really need it. They can’t afford to bend over or get anywhere near a squatting position. In order to be able to get in and out of the bed easily, they need to sleep on a tall surface.
Those with various respiratory disorders, including snoring, sleep apnea, allergies, and even those who suffer from acid reflux tend to benefit a lot from a raised head of the bed.
Next, people who live in small apartments may want to raise the height of their beds so as to have more room for storage. Finally, anyone who wants a more stylish look in the bedroom might want to try this out.
How to Make Your Mattress Higher
In cases where you only need to increase the mattress height by up to three inches or so, get a mattress topper in the size of your mattress. There are memory foam mattress toppers, but also pillow-top types filled with wool or cotton. Place the mattress topper directly on the mattress and put sheets over it. If you have a mattress protector, you can use it to increase the height just a bit more.
To raise it any more than that, you might want to get a box spring. Box springs go on the bed frame and the mattress is placed on top. Low-profile ones are about 4″ and the taller ones are 9″-12″ high.
Don’t let the height difference fool you into thinking that mattress toppers will save you money – box springs and mattress toppers tend to have similar prices, and it’s not uncommon to find a box spring that is actually cheaper than a mattress topper.
Working your way towards a taller mattress
You first need to know how tall you want your mattress to be. Then use a measuring tape to see how tall your bed is right now and how much height you need.
If you do opt for a box spring, check its weight. The combined weight of your mattress, the box spring, the bedding, and you (with a partner) mustn’t exceed the maximum weight limit of your bed frame.
How to Elevate the Head of a Bed
You may avoid having to elevate the whole bed by buying a wedge pillow. This way, you can sleep with the upper body elevated and your partner can sleep just like before.
To raise the whole mattress, get a bed wedge. It’s a foam insert that looks like a wedge pillow but is placed under the entire mattress. This way you get an inclined bed.
You can also raise the bed frame by placing bed risers only under the legs that are under your head. You should use bed risers that are six to nine inches tall.
A more expensive option is to get an overlay (mattress pad) that you put on top of your mattress. It’s also wedgy-shaped and, what is more, there are inflatable overlays if you want a temporary and easy-to-store solution.
Finally, the most expensive option – investing in an adjustable bed frame. The simpler ones can only raise the head, whereas the other ones can also raise the legs, that is, bend in the knee area. This is called a zero gravity bed.
Won’t I slip if I elevate the head of the bed?
You might. There are complaints about slipping down when a wedge pillow is used. To battle this, place a large pillow at your feet, so you have something to push against. You can also use more cotton and less silky or satin materials to increase friction and avoid sliding.
In case your entire mattress is moving around, you can use rubber mats, rug pads, Velcro, or other non-slipping materials to prevent your mattress from sliding.
How to Elevate Your Bed Frame
Bed risers
Bed risers are blocks that you put under the legs of the bed. Some of the most popular are stackable plastic bed risers. You can use just one for about a 5-inch height increase, or two for a total of 8 inches.
Plastic bed risers should be good enough for most users, but if for whatever reason they don’t seem right to you, there are also wooden risers. They are durable and offer a more stylish look compared to plastic ones.
Finally, you may opt for metal bed risers. Metal risers are the most durable option and you may even find some adjustable risers to increase or decrease the height of your bed at any moment. Some metal risers are very similar to the plastic ones in appearance, but are the preferred option for larger bed sizes, for example, King and Queen.
To install bed risers, you should raise the bed legs one by one and slide the risers under each. This should be a one-person task, but if your bed is too heavy, you should ask a family member to give you a hand and hold one corner of the bed while you’re putting the bed riser in its spot.
Some bed risers are meant to replace the legs of the bed. They are called screw-in risers and they are attached directly to the bed frame. To install them, you should remove the mattress with all bedding to make the bed lighter and easier to hold. Then remove and replace the legs one by one.
To make your room look better and to hide the bed risers and anything stored under, bed skirts are the way to go.
Are bed risers safe?
Yes, they are safe to install and use – as long as you’re doing everything as per the manufacturer’s instructions. But to be sure there aren’t any problems, you must check the weight limit before you buy bed risers. Add up the weight of all sleepers to the weight of the mattress and the weight of the bed frame. If you want to be super-precise, add the bedding weight as well and see if the total number is within the weight limits.
Make sure all risers are on the same level (don’t place them on an uneven surface) and check whether they really fit your bed well. Too loose or too large risers can be unsafe.
Make your own bed risers
If you’re a crafty type of person, here’s your new DIY project – making your own risers. Wood is the easiest and most reliable material for this.
Get four wooden blocks. They need to be the exactly same height. You can either saw them or ask the retailer to do it for you.
Add soft patches to the bottom of the blocks to make sure they don’t scratch the floor. You can use felt or thin rubber.
Measure the width of bedposts and draw a circle of that size in the middle of the top part of each block. Then drill a hole that’s about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch deep. This will secure the legs of the bed. Make sure the indent is exactly the same on all blocks.
Wheels
Some people could like the idea of wheels on their beds. Add wheels if you want to be able to move the bed around easily and to make it somewhat taller. However, when you screw on caster wheels, you will not make your bed higher by a lot. If you add a wheel stopper, you’ll prevent the bed from going all around when you don’t want it to, and it will add a bit of height as well.
To install wheels, turn your bed frame upside down and locate all the spots where you want each caster wheel to be. Ideally, you’d place 4-6 wheels symmetrically in parts of the frame where they fit. If caster rims are too wide, you’ll need a different set of wheels. Drill holes into the bed frame, and screw on caster wheels.
Bookshelves
You can take narrow bookshelves that are the same length as your mattress and place them horizontally. This will give you room for storage space underneath, but will also look neat. You’ll make something like a captain’s bed and if you attach a headboard, you’ll get an even better look.
You can either buy some bookshelves or make your own out of wooden planks. Use cross-braces to stabilize the two shelves.
Place non-slip material on each shelf, such as a shelf liner. This prevents the bed from slipping and the shelves from scratching.
On top of that, you can make a frame of planks spaced out evenly. You can also use a single sheet of plywood to serve as a platform. Or, you can just place your existing bed frame without bedposts.
The idea behind shelves is that they aren’t deep and they allow you to easily reach anything that’s on them.
To protect things from dust, you can insert baskets or cube storage bins. And that’s it. There’s your extra storage space for blankets, books, decorations, and other items.
Wooden pallets
You can place your mattress on top of wooden pallets. Pallets are quite low and they are good if you only want to raise your mattress off the floor, but it’ll still be a low bed.
To make it higher, stack two rows of pallets one over the other. The mattress will be a few inches taller and you’ll have a new bed that looks modern and interesting.
You can attach them with wood glue if you want to be sure they won’t move around, but if you like the idea of being able to disassemble the bed at any time, leave it as is.
Place a shelf liner or other non-slip materials to prevent sliding and then place the bare mattress on top.
And to make your room look super cozy, you can add Christmas lights under the bed.
Lofting the Bed
Lofting is a perfect solution to rooms that are used for sleep and work/study. A loft bed is a bed raised very high up from the floor, like a bunk bed, except that there’s no bottom bed. That space is used for a desk, a chair, or just storage.
You can buy a loft bed kit for kids and adults alike. Depending on the size and materials, it can cost from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand.
Just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when assembling the loft bed.
How to Loft a Dorm Bed
College students in dorms often have the option to raise their beds in order to have extra space in the bedroom. They may have to pay a fee per semester for having their beds raised, but it pays off.
Here’s how to loft a bed that has a tall slotted frame:
- Take the mattress off.
- Unhook the mattress foundation by tapping under the corners in the upward direction using a rubber mallet or a hammer with rubber protection.
- Make sure you have someone to hold the foundation while you loosen each corner.
- Move the foundation up to the desired height and place all four corners in slots. Then push it downwards until you hear a click on all four sides.
- Place the horizontal bar in the middle part of the wooden frame. It should also click when you slot it.
- Return the mattress on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Increased bed height gives you more room for storage, and places you higher above the floor and dust, it makes it easier to get up and get back to bed, and of course, changes the appearance of your bedroom.
Whatever feels comfortable for you. If you’re from Asia and you spent your life sleeping on a tatami mat, then floor height futons might be more comfortable than any higher bed.
If you have spinal injuries or have recently had hip surgery, your ideal bed height is several inches above your knee height. Sometimes it’s the taller, the better.
If you have breathing disorders or other health conditions (like acid reflux), you’ll benefit from a raised head of the bed. For you, yes, it is healthier to sleep on a taller bed. For others, it’s pretty much the same.
People with:
– nervous system problems (multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy)
– sleep apnea and snoring
– acid reflux
– poor blood circulation
– vein issues
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With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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