Bed Frame Dimensions: Inner Size, Outer Size and Base Fit
Short answer: a bed frame has two separate measurements: the inner size (the space the mattress sits in) and the outer size (the space the frame takes up in the room). For a double bed frame that takes a 160 × 200 cm mattress, the outer size varies by model between 200-310 cm wide, 225-243 cm long and 96-142 cm high. In other words, a "160 bed frame" does not take up 160 cm; it is between 40 cm and 150 cm wider than the mattress size. Plan the room not by the mattress size but by the outer size on the product page.
Bed frame outer sizes: a chart from real models
The figures below are the actual sizes of bed frames currently on sale at Selishome. All of them take the same mattress, 160 × 200 cm, but the space they occupy in the room is very different from one to another:
| Model | Mattress size | Outer width | Outer length | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grande Storage Bed 160 | 160 × 200 cm | 200 cm | 243 cm | 110 cm |
| Viral Storage Bed | 160 × 200 cm | 220 cm | 236 cm | 96 cm |
| Electra Storage Bed | 160 × 200 cm | 240 cm | 240 cm | 97 cm |
| Velux Storage Bed | 160 × 200 cm | 250 cm | 230 cm | 105 cm |
| Massimo Storage Bed 160 | 160 × 200 cm | 310 cm | 225 cm | 142 cm |
↔ Scroll the table sideways to see all of it.
The source of the difference in the table is design. On narrow models the body wraps around the mattress by 20 cm on each side. On wide models the headboard turns into panels that extend beyond both sides of the mattress, or into a plinth on which the bedside tables sit; the width then reaches 240-310 cm and the bed frame effectively becomes a single piece of furniture the width of "bed frame + two bedside tables".
Practical conclusion: for a 160 bed frame, plan not 160 cm of wall but at least 220-250 cm of free wall. Add 40 cm at the foot end too, because the length of the frame is not 200 but 225-243 cm.
Bed frame inner size: which mattress goes in which frame?
The inner size is the net space the mattress will sit in, and it is exactly the same as the mattress size. If a bed frame is sold as a "160", its inner space is 160 × 200 cm; if a 150 mattress is put in it, a 5 cm gap is left on each side and the mattress slides.
| Bed frame name | Inner size (mattress) | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 × 190 / 90 × 200 cm | Child, teenager, guest room |
| Small double | 120 × 200 cm | One person who likes space |
| Double | 150 × 200 cm | Two people, narrow room |
| Wide double (standard) | 160 × 200 cm | Two people, the most common size |
| King | 180 × 200 / 200 × 200 cm | Two people + a large room |
↔ Scroll the table sideways to see all of it.
The standard inner size on Selishome bed frames is 160 × 200 cm; models such as Granada, Massimo, Opera and Grande are also made in a 180 × 200 option, and some in a 200 × 200 option. For all the sizes and which one suits whom, see the bed size chart, and for the in-between 120 size see our article on small double bed sizes.
Can a bed base be put inside a bed frame?
Yes, but only if the bed frame was made without a built-in base. Two different products get mixed up here:
- Storage bed frame: the base is inside the body, the platform lifts and the space beneath opens up for storage. You do not buy a separate base for this frame, because it already has one. You only put the mattress on top.
- Frame without a base: consists of the body and headboard and has no base in its floor. A separately bought base or the mattress alone goes inside it. If you have a solid base, you can carry on using your old one.
If you are going to fit a base, the only critical point is size: the outer size of the base must equal the inner size of the frame. A 160 × 200 cm base fits a frame with a 160 × 200 cm inner size; the filler on the inner edge of the body takes up the 1-2 cm tolerance. The body height of the base determines the final height of the mattress: if you put a 28 cm mattress on a 35 cm base, the mattress surface rises to 63 cm from the floor, which may exceed the top of the frame's side panel. So when fitting a base, also look at the side panel height of the frame.
We made a detailed comparison of the storage and non-storage setups in terms of storage, cleaning and moving in storage bed or normal bed. If you want to see the two types side by side, the sizes on the Rams Non-Storage Bed and Grande Storage Bed pages make a good comparison.
How high should a bed frame be?
Three different heights are discussed for a bed frame, and they are usually mixed up:
- Headboard height (total height): from the floor to the highest point of the headboard. On real models it varies between 96 cm and 142 cm. Headboards approaching 140 cm set up a strong focal point in the room but press down on the wall in rooms with low ceilings.
- Height of the mattress top: base body + mattress thickness. The range in which sitting down on the bed and standing up is most comfortable is 55-65 cm. This keeps your knee level with your hip.
- Clearance under the frame: on frames without a base and with metal legs there is a 10-20 cm gap underneath; a broom and a robot vacuum pass through, and the room looks airier. Storage beds do not have this gap; storage volume takes its place.
It is good for the top surface of the bedside table to be close to the height of the mattress top; if the difference exceeds 10 cm, the bedside lamp ends up either too high or below eye level. We gathered the differences between bedside table, chest of drawers and dressing table sizes in our article on bedside table, chest of drawers and dressing table.
Will the bed frame fit the room? Walkway allowance calculation
After finding the outer size of the frame, clearance is added around it:
| Where | Minimum | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| One long side of the frame | 60 cm | 75 cm |
| The other long side of the frame | 50 cm | 70 cm |
| Between the foot end and the wardrobe | 70 cm | 90 cm |
| Wardrobe door swing (hinged) | 90 cm | 100 cm |
↔ Scroll the table sideways to see all of it.
These allowances are not theoretical: on a frame with an under-bed base, the platform lifts towards the front, so space is needed at the foot end for the base to open. When a gas-strut base opens, the platform rises until it is roughly upright; if less than 70 cm is left at the foot end, you have to walk around the side of the frame every time you open the base.
In rooms of 10-12 m², which wall the frame goes against determines the whole plan; for layout examples prepared with exact centimetres, see our article on how a bedroom suite fits in a small room, and for the minimum size of the room see how many m² should a bedroom be. You can compare models with their outer sizes in the bed frame category.
Four mistakes made when measuring
- Taking the mattress size for the bed frame size. This is the most common mistake: a customer who says "I bought a 160, I have 170 cm of wall" meets a body 220 cm wide.
- Forgetting the headboard thickness. Padded headboards stick out 15-25 cm from the wall; that is why the length of the frame is 25-43 cm longer than the length of the mattress.
- Not allowing for the skirting board. The skirting board at the foot of the wall pushes the body forward 2-3 cm. Measure from the front face of the skirting board, not from the wall.
- Not measuring the room diagonally. If the two diagonals of the room are not equal, the walls are not square; a 250 cm body fits on paper but not in reality.
We explained the correct way to measure step by step in how to measure furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the sizes of a bed frame in cm?
The inner size is the same as the mattress size: 90 × 190/200 for a single, 120 × 200 for a small double, 150-160 × 200 cm for a double. The outer size varies by model; for frames that take a 160 × 200 mattress, the outer width is 200-310 cm and the length 225-243 cm.
Can a bed base be put inside a bed frame?
It can in a frame made without a base. The outer size of the base must equal the inner size of the frame: a 160 × 200 base fits a 160 × 200 frame. In a storage bed the base is part of the body, so you do not buy a separate one.
What does a bed frame without a base mean?
It is a frame consisting of a body and headboard with no storage base in its floor. A separate base or the mattress itself goes inside it. It usually stands on metal or wooden legs and leaves an easy-to-clean gap underneath.
Why is the outer size of a bed frame bigger than the mattress size?
The side panels wrapping the mattress, the padded headboard and the foot-end block add size. It takes up 20-25 cm extra at the sides and 25-43 cm in total at the head and foot. On models where the headboard turns into a plinth for the bedside tables, the width can exceed 300 cm.
How many m² should the room be for a 160 bed frame?
With the frame, a 60 cm walkway on one side and 70 cm clear at the foot end, you need a room of at least 10-11 m². If a wardrobe is also going into the same room, 12 m² is more comfortable.
How high should a bed frame be?
Sitting down and getting up is most comfortable when the height of the mattress top is 55-65 cm. Total height with the headboard varies between 96 and 142 cm; in rooms with low ceilings, headboards under 110 cm look more balanced.
Can a mattress be placed directly on a bed frame without a base?
It can if there is a slatted or grid system in the floor of the frame. If there is no flat floor or support, the mattress does not get air and develops damp on its underside; in that case a base or a slat system is needed in between.
