Quick answer
As a rule, leave at least 600 mm (24 in) of walking space on each side of the bed you get into, and 700 mm (28 in) at the foot if there is a walkway there. A double bed works comfortably in a room from about 2.6 x 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in square), a king from about 2.8 x 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in square), and a super king from about 3.0 x 2.8 m (9 ft 10 in x 9 ft 2 in). Add wardrobe depth and door swing on top.
Room size by bed size
Minimum means access on both sides is tight but usable. Comfortable means you can walk, make the bed, and open drawers without squeezing. Bed names differ between regions, so both are listed.
| Bed | Mattress | Minimum room | Comfortable room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single / US Twin | 900 x 1900 mm (3 ft x 6 ft 3 in) | 2.1 x 2.4 m (6 ft 11 in x 7 ft 10 in) | 2.4 x 2.7 m (7 ft 10 in x 8 ft 10 in) |
| Double / US Full | 1350 x 1900 mm (4 ft 6 in x 6 ft 3 in) | 2.6 x 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in x 8 ft 6 in) | 3.0 x 3.0 m (9 ft 10 in x 9 ft 10 in) |
| UK King / US Queen | 1500 x 2000 mm (5 ft x 6 ft 7 in) | 2.8 x 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in x 9 ft 2 in) | 3.0 x 3.2 m (9 ft 10 in x 10 ft 6 in) |
| Super King / US King | 1800 x 2000 mm (6 ft x 6 ft 7 in) | 3.0 x 2.8 m (9 ft 10 in x 9 ft 2 in) | 3.4 x 3.2 m (11 ft 2 in x 10 ft 6 in) |
A bed frame usually adds 50 to 100 mm (2 to 4 in) around the mattress, and a headboard can add another 50 to 120 mm (2 to 5 in) at the top. The room figures above already allow for a normal frame.
The clearances that decide comfort
| Situation | Clearance |
|---|---|
| Walking space beside the bed (access side) | 600 mm (24 in) minimum, 750 mm (30 in) comfortable |
| Space at the foot of the bed (if a walkway) | 700 mm (28 in) |
| Room to open a wardrobe door | Door width plus 100 mm (4 in) |
| Bedroom door swing | Keep the door's full arc clear of the bed |
Making a small bedroom work
- Put one long side of the bed against a wall to free the most floor, accepting one-sided access.
- Choose a divan or storage bed so you do not need separate drawers taking floor space.
- Use wall-mounted lights instead of bedside tables when a nightstand will not fit the clearance.
- Prefer sliding wardrobe doors, which need no swing clearance in front.
Test it on your real room
Upload your floor plan to Layoutr, set the scale, and drop the exact bed size onto your room to see the real clearances, including the wardrobe and door swing. Free to use, no account required.
Try Layoutr freeFrequently asked questions
Will a king bed fit in a 3 by 3 m (10 by 10 ft) room?
Yes. A UK king or US queen mattress is about 1500 to 1520 mm (5 ft) wide and 2000 to 2030 mm (6 ft 7 in) long. In a 3.0 by 3.0 m (10 by 10 ft) room that leaves roughly 700 mm (28 in) on each side and at the foot, which is comfortable access on both sides.
How much space do you need around a bed?
Leave at least 600 mm (24 in) of walking space on any side you get in and out from, and 700 mm (28 in) at the foot if there is a walkway there. If a side sits against a wall, you can drop that side to zero, but only one long side should touch a wall for comfortable use.
What is the smallest room for a double bed?
A double or full bed (1350 to 1370 mm / 4 ft 6 in wide, 1900 to 1900 mm / 6 ft 3 in long) fits a room from about 2.6 by 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in by 8 ft 6 in) with access on both sides. Push one side to the wall and you can manage in about 2.0 by 2.6 m (6 ft 7 in by 8 ft 6 in).
Does the room size include the wardrobe?
No. The room sizes here cover only the bed and the walkways around it. Add the depth of a wardrobe (usually 600 mm / 24 in) plus its door swing or drawer pull, and the space for any desk or drawers, on top of these figures.
Should the bed go against a wall in a small room?
In a small room, placing one long side of the bed against a wall frees up the most usable floor. You lose two-sided access, which is fine for a single sleeper or a child's room but less ideal for two people who both need to get in and out at night.