A bed base is the piece that separates your mattress from the ground, gives it structure, and shapes how easy it is to slide into bed each night.
Where things get interesting is choosing the best bed height that works with your body and your room.
Key Takeaways
- The best bed height depends on your comfort, your room, and your daily habits, whether you enjoy the lifted feel of a taller setup or the calm simplicity of a lower frame.
- The benefits of sleeping on a high bed include extra storage and easier movement, while low bed bases create an open look that works well in smaller rooms, so the right choice depends on what fits your lifestyle.
- Think about your room size, bed size, mobility needs, style preferences, and cleaning routine to choose the height that feels natural for you.
In this guide, we walk you through the differences between high and low bed bases so you can pick the height that feels natural, supportive, and easy to live with.
By the end, you will know exactly what to look for and why it matters.
Benefits of a High Bed Base
A higher bed base gives your room a lift in both comfort and practicality. If you like a setup that feels easier to use and a bit more elevated, this style has a lot going for it.
1. Extra Storage Space
A taller bed gives you practical storage even in a tight room. You gain space for bulky items without crowding your wardrobe.
In small apartments, this can free up room you never thought you had.
2. Easier to Get In & Out of Bed
A taller base sits closer to standing height, which means less effort every time you climb in or swing your legs out. This helps if you deal with morning stiffness, sore knees, or anything that makes bending tricky. It feels smooth and natural, almost like your bed meets you halfway.
3. Less Bending When Making the Bed
Higher beds save your back during everyday tasks. Changing fitted sheets becomes less of a wrestling match, and making your bed each morning feels quicker and more comfortable. A few extra centimetres make a noticeable difference.
4. Simpler Cleaning
More height means more reach for your vacuum. Dust bunnies hiding under the mattress do not stand a chance, and you are less likely to forget what is living under there. It keeps your room cleaner with less fuss.
5. A More Elevated Look
There is something about a tall bed that adds presence to a room. It feels polished and inviting, almost like you have stepped into a boutique hotel. If you like a sleep setup that feels a touch grand, this height delivers.
Cons of a High Bed Base
A taller setup can feel grand, but it does come with a few drawbacks worth thinking about before you commit.
1. Can Make Small Rooms Feel Tighter
While high beds add storage, they also take up more visual space. The extra height sits right in your line of sight, which can make a compact room feel busier or slightly boxed in.
If you still prefer a taller setup, choosing a simple timber frame can keep the look lighter and help your room feel more open. Our own timber bed bases follow this cleaner style, which helps them sit well even in smaller rooms.
2. More Assembly for Some Frames
Many taller frames come with more pieces to put together. Wooden or metal options often have rails, slats, legs, and connectors to sort through. You can pick a one-piece frame, but those tend to be bulkier and harder to move.
If you want a smoother setup, look for a high bed base that clicks together without tools so you can get everything in place faster.
3. Not Ideal for Restless Sleepers
If you roll around or find yourself close to the edge at night, the extra height can feel risky. Falling from a tall bed hurts more than a short one. Nobody needs that surprise at three in the morning.
You can soften this concern by choosing a mattress that matches your sleep style and keeps you feeling stable through the night.
4. Harder for Kids & Pets
Young children and small pets may struggle to climb up. For some households this is a downside. For others, it might be a quiet bonus. It depends who usually ends up in your bed.
Who Benefits Of Sleeping On A High Bed Base?
A taller bed base can make everyday movement feel easier, especially if you like a setup that meets you at a comfortable height.
- Taller adults who prefer sitting and standing from a height that feels more natural.
- People with sore knees, hips, or backs who want less strain when getting in and out of bed.
- Older adults who find low furniture harder to rise from.
- Anyone living in a small space who needs extra storage under the bed.
- Sleepers who enjoy the lifted, hotel-style look of a taller setup.
- Anyone who finds bending down to a low bed tiring or uncomfortable.
Benefits of a Low Profile Bed Base
A low bed brings a calmer, grounded feel to your room. It suits people who like simple spaces and want their bedroom to look more open and relaxed.
Here are a few reasons this style might work well for you:
1. Creates a More Open & Spacious Look
Low beds sit closer to the floor, which makes your room feel wider and lighter. This works well in small bedrooms, studio apartments, or any space that feels a bit tight.
It also helps to think about your bed size because larger mattresses can still fill the room visually, even with a lower frame.
2. Minimal Style That Never Dates
A low profile bed base pairs easily with almost any bedding or furniture. It gives your bedroom a clean and minimal look without feeling heavy or crowded. Many people choose this height for a timeless, minimal setup.
3. Easier Assembly & Less Bulk
Lower frames usually come with fewer parts, which makes them quicker to set up. They also take up less physical space, so your room feels less cluttered even before you clean your bedroom.
4. Great for Kids & Pets
A lower height makes it easier for kids and pets to hop in and out safely. Whether this is a win or a small concern depends on your household.
Based on our experience, most pets think it is a win. Spike would probably say the same.
5. A Soft Sleep Feel
Some sleepers like feeling closer to the floor (but not on the floor, please). It can feel cosy, steady, and calm, especially if you prefer a room that creates a slow-down-at-the-end-of-the-day vibe. We expanded more of this in our blog post about pros and cons of low profile bed frames.
Cons of a Low Bed Base
A low profile setup has its charm, but there are a few cons worth thinking through before you commit.
1. Limited Storage Space
Low beds offer little to no room beneath the frame, so there is nowhere to tuck away winter clothes, spare bedding, or bulky items. If you rely on underbed storage, this can be a deal breaker.
You can work around this by choosing a bed base with built-in storage drawers, which gives you the function of a higher setup without the extra height.
2. Harder to Clean Underneath
Dust and dirt love settling in low, hidden spaces. With minimal clearance, reaching under the bed takes more effort, and cleaning often turns into a stretch-and-hope-for-the-best situation.
3. Tougher for Some People to Get Into
A lower height means you need to crouch or bend more, which can feel uncomfortable if you have a sore back, stiff joints, or limited mobility. The same goes for making the bed each morning, especially with larger sizes like doubles, queens, and kings.
Who Benefits From Having A Low Bed Base?
A lower bed suits people who want a calm, minimal setup that keeps the room feeling light and open.
- People who prefer a simple, grounded look without tall furniture filling their visual space.
- Anyone living in a small room or apartment who wants the space to feel wider and less crowded.
- Sleepers who enjoy being closer to the floor for a cosy, relaxed feel.
- Kids and pets who can climb in and out safely without help.
- People who dislike bulky bed frames or prefer furniture that sits quietly in the background.
- Sleepers who move often or rearrange rooms and want a bed that is lighter and easier to set up.
- Anyone who wants a style that blends easily with almost any bedding or decor.
So, Which Bed Base Height Should You Choose?
The honest answer is that it comes down to what feels right for your body and your space.
If you are choosing between the two, here are a few things to think about:
- The size of your room and how much visual space you want to keep open.
- Your comfort level when sitting on the edge, standing, or sliding into bed.
- Whether you need storage under the frame or prefer a clean, open floor.
- The overall style you want your bedroom to have.
- How thick your mattress is and how high the full setup will sit once combined.
- How easy you want assembly, cleaning, and everyday bed-making to be.
No matter which height you prefer, we offer bed bases that fit the way you live.
Choose from our eco friendly timber frames, upholstered designs, or storage bases. Every style is available from single to super king, and each one comes with a 5 year limited warranty for added confidence.
You can order our bed bases online across Australia and New Zealand, with next-day delivery available in many areas.
If you’re in Australia and want to try them in person, we have stores in selected states, where you can explore the range or use click and collect for a quick pickup.