How much Space will I get
Above and Underneath the Mattress?
We custom build each bed to your exact
specifications so we can make it fit any
ceiling height and mattress thickness.
For terminology purposes, we refer to the Long Sides of the bed as the Font and Back of the bed. Most pictures of our beds are showing the Front view of the bed.
The short Width of the bed is referred to as the Ends of the bed.
We custom build each bed to your specifications so we can make it fit any ceiling height and mattress thickness.
The amount of space you will get Underneath the Upper Mattress depends on your Ceiling Height, Mattress Thickness
and the amount of space you request Above the Mattress.
Enter your specifications below and press Calculate Space Underneath.
The system will calculate the amount of Space Underneath the Loft Bed and the Space Between the Bunks.
A typical home mattress is 8" thick.
For the Minimum Space Above the Mattress we recommend 30" which meets the Consumer Products Safety Commission and most College's Guidelines.
Leg Heights: Standard for 8' ceilings, Extra Tall for 9' ceilings and Super Tall for ceilings greater than 9'.
All values below are in inches. 8' = 96" 9' = 108" 10' = 120".
Please contact us if you need a custom size built.
Standard Legs are for ceilings up to 8' (72" Max Leg Height). Extra Tall Legs are for ceilings up to 9' or when adding additional safety rails (84" Max Leg Height). Super Tall Legs are for ceilings greater than 9' or when adding additional safety rails (92" Max Leg Height). Please contact us if you need legs taller than 92".
Leg Height: We cut the legs to the proper height based on your ceiling height, mattress thickness and the number of extra safety rails requested.
For the Super Tall Legs the bed may be slightly top heavy and we require you to also use our Corner & Rung Braces to further stabilize the bed.
We can also drill the legs for multiple heights.
Safety Rail: We position the top of the Safety Rail 5" above the top of the mattress to meet the Consumer Products Safety Commission Guidelines.
If you order additional Safety Rails to go 10" or 15" above you will need to order the next size taller legs.
If the extra safety rails cause the legs to be taller than 92", we will lower the mattress to make the legs 92".
Leg Height = Space Underneath Upper Mattress + 2" (bed slat thickness) + Mattress Thickness + Safety Rail Height above the mattress.
Bunk Beds: For Bunk Beds we leave 4" of space underneath the lower rail and the lower mattress starts at 10" from the floor.
Please let us know if you would like this to be higher or lower. We can set it as low as 1/2" from the floor.
Bed Frame Detail Measurements
If the bed is going to be tight between two walls, please remember to measure Baseboard-To-Baseboard and not Wall-To-Wall.
Square & Round Top Legs: We offer Square Top and Round Top Legs. The Round Top Legs adds a nice decorative look and is very popular with loft beds for kid's bedrooms.
If you order the Double Bookshelf which goes above the top of the mattress it will be Half-Rounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much space will I get above and underneath? We custom build each bed to your exact specifications, so it depends on your ceiling height and mattress thickness.
We normally set the space above the mattress to 30" unless you request something different. For most people 30" space above is adequate and
it follows the Consumer Products Safety Commission Guidelines.
For example, the loft shown above has a 6" mattress and there is 58" of space underneath the bed slats. The student in the picture is 5'-9" tall and when sitting down,
has about 6" of space from the top of his head to the bed slats. From the top of the mattress there is 30" of space to the 8' ceiling above.
I have a young child, can I have it drilled for multiple heights, lower to start then move it up as he grows? Yes.
After checkout there is a box where you can enter custom specifications. For example, you may say: Please drill for space underneath at 45" and 58".
Please note that safety is always a concern when using loft or bunk beds. With the typical space above at 30", it is difficult for a child to stand up.
If you lower the frame to have more space above, this may give your child enough space to be able to stand on the bed.
Children must never stand up or jump on the bed as they could easily fall over the side. If you do want the frame lowered we recommend you add
additional safety rails to go 20" or 30" above the top of the mattress for additional safety.
Diagram of end of bed.
The above diagram shows an example of the exact placement of the rails, slats and mattress.
This example shows a 96" ceiling with an 8" thick mattress and has 56" underneath.
If you are planning on placing something tall underneath and need to know the exact space you can use this diagram as an example.
The space underneath is to the bottom of the bed slats, how much space is underneath the bed rail?
The bottom of the bed rail is roughly 3" below the bed slats. See above diagrams.
Can you lower the loft or can I use a custom size mattress? Yes and yes. We have a High Rise Platform Bed that has 30" of space underneath.
If you need the regular loft a little shorter we can cut it down to any size you need.
If you have an odd size mattress or are confined to a tight space, we can custom build your loft to your specifications. Please contact us with any custom specifications.
Bed Slats & Solid Platform Bunkie Board
All beds include Bed Slats (with a 3” gap between them) to support the mattress.
We also have a Solid Platform Bunkie Board available that attaches to the top of the bed slats.
If you are using a traditional innerspring mattress you may place your mattress directly on top of the bed slats without a Box Spring, Solid Platform or Bunkie Board.
The Solid Platform Bunkie Board may be needed if you are using a foam mattress, thin mattress, older uncomfortable mattress, futon mattress, air mattress,
a mattress that requires a solid base or you just want a solid platform underneath the mattress to get a firmer mattress feel.
This may also be used if you don't want to see the bottom of the upper mattress when sitting or sleeping underneath or
if you want a solid separator between the top and bottom mattresses.
It is also much easier making the bed with the Solid Platform as the bed sheets will not fall in-between the bed slats.
Check with your mattress manufacturer to see if they require you to have a box spring, bunkie board or a totally flat Solid Platform
surface to keep the mattress warranty active.
The Solid Platforms are multiple pieces of 1/8" MDF Sheets that covers the entire mattress area.
What is the Total Mattress Thickness on the order form for? It is the total thickness of the mattress, box spring and mattress topper.
We use this information to calculate the amount needed for your mattress and to make sure the safety rails are at the proper height.
Note, you do not need to use a box spring, bunkie board, plywood or MDF board to support the mattress.
The mattress will lay on top of our mattress foundation bed slats (see left photo) which is included with each bed.
Our mattress foundation gives you 1,000 lbs. of Weight Capacity.
What is the Space Above Mattress to Ceiling? It is the minimum space you want between the top of the mattress and the ceiling.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission Guidelines and most colleges recommend 30". On the order form, we ask you How Much Space Do You Want Underneath?
If you select Maximum (which is the typical answer) we will position the mattress to give you a minimum of 30" above. You may also enter a custom value on the order form.
How much space do I need if I want to sit underneath? It depends on how tall you are but we recommend a minimum of 52" underneath.
Sit at your chair and measure yourself to see how much space you need. Remember that kids grow fast, so estimate their height during their teen years.
Can I go closer to the ceiling to get more space underneath? Yes. Basically, we can position the mattress platform at any height,
so for every inch you gain underneath you lose an inch above.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends a minimum of 30" of space from the top of the mattress to the ceiling.
If you want more space underneath you can go closer to the ceiling.
We recommend you test it out first to make sure you feel comfortable being closer to the ceiling.
We recommend you lay down on your current bed face up and place a sheet of cardboard 30" above your mattress.
Then move it down to 29", 28" and so on until you get the right amount of space to make you feel comfortable.
We don't recommend going closer than 24" though, but it is totally up to you.
Safety Rails 5" Above Top of Mattress.
We position the top of the Safety Rail 5" above the top of the mattress, which follows the Consumer Products Safety Commission Guidelines.
If you order additional Safety Rails to go higher you will need to order the taller legs. This photo above shows the standard safety rails going 5" above the top of the mattress.
Safety Rails 10" Above Top of Mattress.
This customer's photo above shows the safety rails going 10" above the top of the mattress.
It also shows the optional Vertical Front Ladder which may be installed either on the left or right.
