What Is the Best Mattress Height From the Floor?

Platform Beds

Platform beds are typically closer to the floor than other styles of beds. According to Popular Woodworking, 18 inches from the floor is one of the most common heights for a platform bed. When sitting on a platform bed, the owner will find that her knees are bent and her feet touch the floor.

Standard Bed Frames

A mattress on a standard bed frame will be 25 inches in height from the floor to the top of the mattress. When the owner sits on a standard bed, his legs will be extended and his feet will still hit the floor. This is the most common height for mattresses, according to Popular Woodworking.

Antique Bed Frames

Antique bed frames, while not as popular today, are higher than today’s typical bed frames. An antique bed frame with mattress will typically sit at 36 inches from the floor. When the owner sits on this bed, her feet will not touch the floor.

Best Mattress Height

The best mattress height will vary from person to person based on individual needs. Smart Design, Livable Homes, which drafts guidelines for easy access in the home, recommends a mattress height no more than 22 inches from the floor. The general rule is that it should be easy for the owner to get in and out of bed. This means that his feet should hit the floor and his knees should be bent, which retains good posture and increases maneuverability.

Choosing a Mattress Height

Though the consensus is that it should be easy to get in and out of bed, the reality is that it can vary greatly. It may not be easy for a 6 foot, 5 inch man to get in and out of a platform bed, but he may do well with an antique frame height. Meanwhile, a woman of 5 foot, 4 inches may not be comfortable in that same antique bed frame but may be more comfortable in a standard size bed or a platform bed.