Before Buying a Kids’ Bed: How to Measure and Plan the Room

A bed can fit on paper and still feel completely wrong once it is assembled. Perhaps the wardrobe no longer opens, the ladder sits in the main walkway, or the storage drawer stops against another piece of furniture.

The easiest way to avoid these problems is to plan the room around everyday movement, not only around the bed’s dimensions.

This guide will help you measure a child’s bedroom before choosing a floor bed, standard bed, bunk bed or storage bed. It also covers the space needed for wardrobes, desks, chairs and other furniture used throughout the day.

A simple three-layer room plan

Before looking at products, create a basic plan with three layers:

1. The room shell: walls, ceiling, doors and windows.
2. Fixed obstacles: wardrobes, heaters, power points, lights and fans.
3. Movement zones: walkways, opening doors, ladders, drawers and chairs.

This method gives you a more realistic picture than measuring one empty wall and assuming the bed will work there.

1. Record the shape of the room

Begin with a simple sketch. It does not need to be perfectly to scale, but it should show the shape of every wall.

Measure and record:

• the length of each wall
• the overall room width
• the ceiling height
• alcoves or recessed areas
• sloping ceilings
• columns, boxed-in services or unusual corners

Measure at floor level and again slightly higher up if the bed will sit close to a wall. Skirting boards, uneven walls and projecting window frames can reduce the usable space.

2. Mark every door and its opening arc

The doorway itself is only part of the measurement. Draw the full path the door follows as it opens.

Check whether the proposed bed position would affect:

• the bedroom entrance
• the main walking route
• access to a light switch
• the ability to carry laundry or bedding into the room
• an adult’s ability to reach both sides of the bed

Do the same for hinged wardrobe doors. Sliding wardrobes need less opening space, but the area directly in front should still remain accessible.

3. Use the complete bed-frame dimensions

A Single, King Single or Double mattress size does not tell you how much floor space the complete bed will occupy.

The frame may include:

• a headboard
• wide side rails
• legs or feet
• a guardrail
• a built-in shelf
• a ladder
• an under-bed drawer

Always check the product’s full assembled length, width and height. You can compare the current range on the KitSmart Australia products page.

4. Decide what the room must do besides sleep

A useful children’s bedroom often has several jobs. Before choosing the bed, list the activities that need space:

• sleeping
• getting dressed
• storing clothes and toys
• reading
• drawing or homework
• playing on the floor
• hosting an occasional sleepover

This helps you decide whether the room needs a low bed, extra under-bed storage, a bunk, or simply more open floor area.

For additional ideas, see Kids’ Room Storage That Actually Works in Australian Homes.

5. Test a low bed before filling the room with storage

A floor bed can make a smaller bedroom feel more open because it keeps the main visual line low. However, you still need to plan space for bedding, a guardrail and any future storage underneath.

The Birch Ply Flippable Floor Bed begins close to the floor and can later be flipped into a raised position. When measuring, consider both configurations rather than planning only for the first stage.

You can compare the available designs in the Floor Beds collection.

6. Measure the full opening space for drawers

Under-bed storage is useful only when the drawer can open completely.

Measure from the side of the bed to the nearest obstruction and consider:

• the opposite wall
• a wardrobe
• a desk or chair
• a bedside table
• a thick rug
• the bedroom door

Also leave enough room for someone to stand beside the open drawer and reach inside comfortably.

The Birch Ply Scandi Bed combines a Double bed with a spacious pull-out drawer and an end shelf. For this type of design, measure the bed footprint, the drawer’s working zone and access to the shelf.

7. Treat a bunk bed as a three-dimensional object

With a bunk bed, floor space is only one part of the calculation. You also need to measure the space above and around it.

Mark the position of:

• the ceiling
• lights and pendant fittings
• ceiling fans
• windows
• curtain or blind cords
• nearby shelves and furniture
• smoke alarms and other ceiling fixtures

Australia has a mandatory safety standard covering the design, construction, testing and labelling of bunk beds. Product Safety Australia also advises following the assembly instructions, using the correct mattress and checking the maximum mattress-height marking on the upper bed.

Official guidance is available here:

• Product Safety Australia — Bunk beds guide
• Australian bunk beds mandatory standard

Product Safety Australia states that the top bunk or a raised bed is not recommended for children under nine years old, while also noting that maturity and development can affect suitability.

8. Draw the ladder onto your plan

The ladder can affect the layout just as much as the bed itself.

Check:

• which side of the frame the ladder uses
• whether it projects beyond the bed
• whether the child can approach it directly
• whether it blocks the wardrobe or doorway
• whether nearby furniture could encourage unsafe climbing

The Solid Wood Bunk Bed has an adjustable lower-bed height, a ladder that can be positioned on either side, and the option to separate the frame into two individual beds. Consider each possible arrangement when measuring the room.

Browse the Bunk Beds collection for current dimensions and configurations.

9. Keep beds away from accessible blind and curtain cords

A window can make a bed location look attractive, but it may introduce other hazards.

Check for:

• loose blind cords
• curtain cords or chains
• low window openings
• handles that a child can reach from the bed
• furniture that allows a child to climb towards a cord

Product Safety Australia warns that loose blind and curtain cords can create a strangulation risk, including when children climb onto beds, window sills or nearby furniture.

Read the Product Safety Australia guide to blinds, curtains and window fittings.

10. Create a clear zone around heaters

Mark fixed and portable heaters before deciding where the bed, curtains, rug or storage furniture will sit.

Fire and Rescue NSW advises keeping everything at least one metre from a heater and using heating equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fire and Rescue NSW — heaters and open fires

Other states and territories may publish additional guidance, so check the fire-safety information applicable to your location.

11. Measure a desk as a working area, not a rectangle

A desk may fit against a wall while leaving no room to use the chair properly.

Your plan should include:

• the desk depth
• the chair when pushed in
• the chair when someone is seated
• space to stand up and move away
• access to drawers or shelves
• nearby power points and cables

For younger children, apply the same rule to a small activity table. Measure the chairs in their pulled-out positions, particularly if the table sits near the bed or wardrobe.

12. Test the five everyday actions

Once you have drawn the proposed layout, check whether someone can comfortably perform these five actions:

1. Enter and close the bedroom door.
2. Open the wardrobe fully.
3. Reach and make the bed.
4. Use the ladder, drawer or desk chair.
5. Walk through the room without stepping around obstacles.

A layout that passes all five tests is more likely to work in everyday family life.

13. Plan for the next stage, not only today

Children’s rooms change quickly. A play corner may later become a homework area, while a low bed may move into a raised position.

Ask:

• Could the bed work on another wall?
• Will a larger chair fit later?
• Can the storage remain useful as toys become school supplies?
• Could a bunk be divided into two beds if the children move into separate rooms?
• Will the layout still work when the child is taller?

For shared-room planning, read Shared Kids’ Rooms That Actually Work.

14. Measure the route into the bedroom

Do not stop at the bedroom doorway. Check the complete route from the delivery entrance to the assembly area.

Measure:

• external and internal doorways
• narrow hallways
• stairs and landings
• tight corners
• lift dimensions in apartment buildings
• the free floor area available for assembly

Even flat-packed furniture needs suitable access and enough clear space for safe assembly.

15. Make a full-size floor template

Use painter’s tape to mark the bed’s complete external footprint on the floor. Add separate taped areas for the ladder, drawer and chair.

Then leave the markings in place for a day or two. Walk through the room, open the wardrobe and follow the usual bedtime routine.

For a bunk or taller storage unit, place tape on the wall to show the finished height. A cardboard box can also help represent the depth of a desk or shelf.

Room-planning checklist

• Every wall measured: Yes / No
• Ceiling height recorded: Yes / No
• Bedroom door swing marked: Yes / No
• Wardrobe doors tested fully open: Yes / No
• Windows and blind cords marked: Yes / No
• Heaters and ceiling fittings marked: Yes / No
• Full bed-frame dimensions checked: Yes / No
• Ladder access tested: Yes / No
• Drawer opening zone measured: Yes / No
• Desk-chair movement included: Yes / No
• Main walkway remains clear: Yes / No
• Delivery and assembly route checked: Yes / No
• Future furniture arrangement considered: Yes / No
• Floor template tested: Yes / No

Frequently asked questions

Is the mattress measurement enough to plan for a bed?

No. The assembled frame is normally longer and wider than the mattress. Use the complete product dimensions, including headboards, side rails, ladders and shelves.

How can I tell whether a bed will make the room feel crowded?

Mark the entire footprint with painter’s tape and live with the temporary layout for a day. Test the doorway, wardrobe, walkway and any pull-out components.

What extra measurements are needed for a bunk bed?

In addition to length and width, record the ceiling height, ladder access, mattress-height requirements and the position of windows, cords, lights, fans and nearby furniture.

Can under-bed storage work in a narrow bedroom?

It can, provided the drawer opens completely and leaves enough room for someone to stand beside it. Measure the drawer in its open position, not only when stored beneath the bed.

How do I choose between Single, King Single and Double?

Consider the child’s age, available floor area and how long you expect to use the bed. Read How to Choose the Right Bed Size for Your Growing Child for a separate comparison.

Final thoughts

Good bedroom planning is less about filling every empty corner and more about making daily routines easy.

Measure the room as it is actually used. Include doors in motion, drawers pulled out, chairs occupied and ladders being climbed. When these working areas are planned first, it becomes much easier to choose a bed that fits the child, the room and the family’s routines.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational guidance only and is not intended to constitute legal, safety, building, design or other professional advice.

It does not replace applicable Australian laws, regulations, mandatory product safety standards, manufacturer instructions, product specifications or advice from an appropriately qualified professional.

Rooms, products and family circumstances vary. All dimensions, clearances, age guidance, installation requirements and safety information should therefore be independently checked before purchasing, assembling or using any furniture.

Always follow the latest official safety guidance and the manufacturer’s instructions, provide appropriate adult supervision and seek professional advice where necessary.

Nothing in this article or disclaimer limits any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under Australian Consumer Law.