A king bed offers luxurious sleeping space, but cramming one into a too-small bedroom creates a cramped, uncomfortable environment that defeats the purpose. Before investing in a king bed frame, you need to carefully assess whether your room can accommodate one while still allowing comfortable movement, essential furniture, and visual breathing room. This guide walks you through the measurement process and helps you make an informed decision.
In This Guide
Understanding King Bed Dimensions
The Australian king mattress measures 183cm wide by 203cm long. However, the bed frame adds to these dimensions, and different frame styles add different amounts. When planning, you must account for the complete frame footprint, not just the mattress.
What Frames Add to Mattress Dimensions
- Minimal platform frames: Add 2-5cm to each dimension, for a total footprint around 188cm x 208cm.
- Standard frames with headboard: Add 5-10cm to width and 15-30cm to length (headboard depth), approximately 193cm x 230cm.
- Sleigh beds and statement frames: Can add 15-25cm to each side and 30-50cm to length, potentially reaching 213cm x 250cm or more.
- Storage beds with drawers: Need clearance for drawer extension, typically requiring an additional 50-60cm on sides where drawers open.
Always use the frame's external dimensions from the manufacturer's specifications, not the mattress size. If you're buying online and dimensions aren't clear, contact customer service before purchasing. Assumption errors at this stage are difficult to correct after delivery.
Minimum Room Size Requirements
Interior designers and furniture experts generally agree on minimum room dimensions for comfortable king bed placement. These minimums account for the bed plus essential clearances, but don't include space for additional furniture.
Absolute Minimum: 3.7m x 3.7m (approximately 14 square metres)
At this size, a king bed fits with basic walking clearance around two sides and the foot. You'll have room for minimal bedside tables (45cm wide maximum) but limited options for other furniture. This works in a dedicated sleeping room but feels cramped for multi-function master bedrooms.
Comfortable Minimum: 4m x 4.3m (approximately 17 square metres)
This size accommodates a king bed with generous 75cm clearance on both sides and the foot, standard bedside tables, and space for a modest dresser or chest. The room feels balanced, with the bed proportionate to the space rather than overwhelming it.
Recommended: 4.5m x 5m (approximately 22 square metres) or larger
At these dimensions, a king bed sits comfortably with full clearance, matching bedroom furniture, and space for seating or a dressing area. The room functions as a true master suite rather than just a place to sleep.
Key Takeaway
If your room measures less than 3.7m in either direction, a king bed will dominate uncomfortably and may not allow basic accessibility. Consider a queen (153cm x 203cm) instead, which requires about 30cm less width and often works better in Australian homes.
How to Measure Your Room
Accurate measurement is essential for planning. Here's a systematic approach to measuring your bedroom:
Step 1: Create a Rough Sketch
Draw a simple floor plan of your room, including the position of doors, windows, wardrobes (especially sliding versus hinged doors), and any permanent features like columns or alcoves. This becomes your working document for planning.
Step 2: Measure Wall Lengths
Using a tape measure, measure each wall from corner to corner, recording the measurements on your sketch. For accuracy, measure at floor level where furniture actually sits rather than at eye level where walls might not be perfectly vertical.
Step 3: Mark Obstructions
Note the position and dimensions of elements that affect furniture placement:
- Doors: Mark swing direction and the arc they travel when opening. You can't place furniture in the door swing path.
- Windows: Note sill height and whether you want the bed beneath windows or avoiding them.
- Wardrobe doors: Hinged doors need clearance to open fully; measure the open door projection.
- Electrical outlets and switches: These influence bedside table placement if you need accessible charging.
- Heating/cooling vents: Avoid blocking these with furniture.
Step 4: Calculate Usable Space
Subtract door swings, wardrobe clearances, and required walkways from the total room dimensions to determine actual usable floor space for the bed.
Planning Your Layout
With measurements complete, you can explore layout options. Most bedrooms have one or two logical bed positions, determined by window placement, door locations, and room proportions.
Ideal Bed Placement
The bed should ideally sit with its headboard against a solid wall, visible from the room entry (feng shui practitioners call this the "command position"). Avoid placing the bed directly in line with the door opening, or where the foot of the bed faces the door directly if possible. Access should be available from both sides for couples.
Clearance Guidelines
- Minimum walking clearance: 60cm on each side allows passage but feels tight.
- Comfortable clearance: 75-90cm allows easier movement, especially for making the bed.
- Optimal clearance: 100cm or more allows comfortable movement and space for bedside furniture.
- At the foot: Maintain at least 90cm for walking and dressing; 120cm allows for a bench or seating.
Use painter's tape or newspaper sheets on the floor to visualise the bed footprint before purchasing. Live with the tape outline for a few days, walking around it during normal activities. This reveals clearance problems that measurements alone might not make obvious.
Essential Furniture Considerations
Beyond the bed itself, most master bedrooms need:
- Bedside tables: Standard tables are 45-60cm wide. Floating shelves work when floor space is limited.
- Dresser or chest: These typically measure 120-180cm wide and 45-55cm deep. They require front clearance for opening drawers.
- Wardrobe access: If your room has a built-in wardrobe, maintain clear access to its full width.
When a King Doesn't Fit
If measurements reveal that a king bed won't fit comfortably, you have several alternatives worth considering:
Queen Size
At 153cm x 203cm, a queen mattress is 30cm narrower than a king while maintaining the same length. This often provides the crucial extra space needed for comfortable room flow. Modern queen frames offer the same style options as king frames, so you don't sacrifice aesthetics.
Room Modifications
Sometimes small changes create needed space. Replacing hinged wardrobe doors with sliders, using floating bedside shelves instead of tables, or relocating a rarely-used dresser to a hallway can provide the extra centimetres that make a king bed work.
Minimal Frame Styles
If you're borderline on space, choosing a low-profile platform frame without a footboard and with a slim headboard minimises the frame's footprint. This can save 20-30cm in each direction compared to traditional frames, potentially making the difference.
A bedroom should feel like a restful retreat, not a crowded storage room for an oversized bed. Be honest in your assessment, and prioritise comfort and function over the prestige of having the largest bed. A well-proportioned queen in a balanced room provides better sleep and daily experience than a king that dominates and cramps the space. For more guidance on making the right bed frame choice overall, see our complete beginner's guide to king bed frames.