- Indian queen mattress ≈ 60 × 75–78 in; king ≈ 72 × 75–78 in. Buy or measure the mattress before building the bed.
- Leave 600 mm minimum (750 mm comfortable) beside and at the foot of the bed.
- Hydraulic lift-up storage holds the most; drawers suit daily items but need clear floor to open.
- Build the base in 18 mm BWR plywood or HDHMR; ventilate under the mattress in humid cities.
- Built-in storage beds ≈ ₹1,400–2,200 per sq ft of bed top (Bengaluru, Oct 2026, before GST).
In most Indian bedrooms, the bed is the biggest piece of furniture and one of the biggest storage units: quilts, suitcases and seasonal clothes often live under the mattress. A good bed design balances three things: the mattress size, walking space around it and the storage mechanism. This guide is part of the furniture design guide.
Mattress sizes used in India
| Size | Inches | Millimetres | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 36 × 72 / 36 × 75 | 915 × 1830–1905 | Kids' rooms, study |
| Double | 48 × 72 / 48 × 75 | 1220 × 1830–1905 | Guest rooms, teens |
| Queen | 60 × 75 / 60 × 78 | 1525 × 1905–1980 | Most bedrooms from about 10 × 10 ft |
| King | 72 × 75 / 72 × 78 | 1830 × 1905–1980 | Master bedrooms from about 11 × 12 ft |
Common Indian mattress sizes; brands vary by an inch or two. Buy or measure the mattress before the bed is built.
Clearances around the bed
- Sides: 600 mm minimum, 750 mm comfortable.
- Foot: 750 mm; 900 mm or more if a wardrobe opens there.
- In front of drawers: about 600 mm to pull them out and kneel.
- Bedside tables: 400–500 mm wide, top level with or slightly above the mattress top.
Storage options compared
| Type | Access | Volume | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic lift-up | Lift the mattress on gas struts | Largest | Seasonal items, suitcases, quilts | Strut rating; finger safety |
| Side drawers | Pull out | Medium | Daily-use items, bedding | Needs clear floor; drawer channels |
| Box with lift-off panels | Lift panels by hand | Large | Rarely used items | Heavy to open; dust |
| Front pull-out (foot) | Pull from foot end | Medium | Rooms with tight sides | Needs space at the foot |
| No storage (legs) | — | — | Airflow, easy cleaning, lighter look | Dust under the bed |
Materials and construction
- Base and sides: 18 mm BWR plywood or HDHMR; the mattress platform can be 12–18 mm with ventilation holes or slats.
- Hydraulic hardware: gas struts rated for the mattress weight (a queen foam mattress is often 25–40 kg; spring mattresses more), with a sturdy metal frame.
- Finishes: laminate or veneer; upholstered panels for a softer look.
- Mattress ventilation: slats or perforations under the mattress reduce mould in humid cities.
Board choices are covered in HDHMR vs plywood.
Headboards and the bed-back wall
A headboard can be part of the bed or a panelled wall behind it. Upholstered headboards are comfortable for reading; panelled walls with integrated side tables and reading lights make the bed look built-in. Use warm, dimmable reading lights at about 600–750 mm above the mattress. See wall panelling and bedroom colour combinations.
Cost
Indicatively, in Bengaluru (October 2026, before GST), built-in storage beds run about ₹1,400–2,200 per sq ft of bed top: roughly ₹45,000–75,000 for a queen hydraulic bed in laminate, more with upholstery or veneer. Price a bedroom with the room-by-room quote builder, and plan the rest of the room with the master bedroom guide.
Worked example: a queen hydraulic bed in a 12 × 12 ft room
| Part | Specification | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bed box | Fits a 60 × 78 in mattress; outer about 1600 × 2050 mm; 18 mm BWR ply, matt laminate | ₹32,000–48,000 |
| Hydraulic kit | Pair of gas struts rated for the mattress, steel lift frame | ₹5,000–9,000 |
| Headboard | Upholstered, 1600 × 1100 mm, with side panels | ₹12,000–25,000 |
| Bedside tables | Two floating units with a drawer each | ₹8,000–16,000 |
| Reading lights | Two dimmable wall lights, 2700 K | ₹3,000–8,000 |
| Total | Before GST | ₹60,000–1.06 lakh |
Indicative Bengaluru prices, October 2026. Mattress not included.
Bed heights and comfort
- Mattress top height: 450–550 mm from the floor is comfortable for most adults; higher (550–600 mm) helps older family members stand up.
- Platform height: mattress top height minus mattress thickness (typically 150–250 mm).
- Headboard height: 900–1200 mm above the floor for comfortable reading.
- Children's beds: lower platforms, rounded corners and guard rails for young children.
Mattress support and ventilation
A solid board under a foam mattress can trap moisture, especially in humid cities and in air-conditioned rooms where condensation forms. Slats (gaps of about 50–75 mm) or a perforated board let the mattress breathe. Check the mattress maker's guidance: some memory foam mattresses need closely spaced slats or a solid, ventilated base to keep the warranty valid.
Storage planning
- Divide the box into two or three compartments, so you can lift one side and reach things without emptying the bed.
- Laminate inside the box for easy cleaning; add naphthalene-free moth protection for woollens.
- Vacuum bags for quilts and winter clothing halve the volume.
- A lift handle at the foot or side makes hydraulic beds easier to open.
Bed designs for small bedrooms
| Design | Saves | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Wall bed (Murphy bed) | Folds up into a cabinet | Guest rooms, studies |
| Bed with a study table attached | Combines two pieces | Kids' and teen rooms |
| Bunk or loft bed | Floor area under the top bunk | Kids sharing a room |
| Daybed or diwan with drawers | Sofa by day, bed by night | Studio flats, living-room guests |
| Bed with headboard storage | Bedside tables | Narrow rooms |
Safety
- Choose hydraulic beds with struts sized for the actual mattress weight, so the lid neither slams nor springs up.
- Keep children away while lifting or lowering; consider a slow-close mechanism.
- Fix bunk beds and tall headboard units to the wall.
- Round off corners at child height.
Before you decide
- Have you bought or measured the mattress, including its thickness and weight?
- Is there 600–750 mm around the bed after the wardrobe opens?
- What will be stored, and how often will you reach it? Hydraulic for seasonal, drawers for daily.
- Are reading lights, sockets and switches placed for both sides of the bed?
- Is the platform ventilated, and is the base off the floor or sealed against mopping?
Plan the bed with the wardrobe, dresser and study table on one floor plan, so each piece has its clearance. The room-by-room quote builder lists cot, wardrobe, loft and dresser as separate lines with sizes you can change.
Terms explained
- Hydraulic bed
- A storage bed whose mattress platform lifts on gas struts (often called hydraulic) for access to the box below.
- Gas strut
- A sealed cylinder of pressurised gas that supports a lid or platform; rated in newtons.
- Slatted base
- A bed base of spaced timber or plywood strips that supports the mattress and lets air through.
- Wall (Murphy) bed
- A bed hinged to fold vertically into a wall cabinet.
- Diwan
- A low, sofa-like daybed, often with drawers beneath, used for seating and sleeping.
Sources, standards and method
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — IS 303 / IS 710 plywood grades used in bed bases
- National Building Code of India 2016 — minimum habitable room sizes
- Enteriors: master bedroom guide — bedroom layouts and lighting
Prices are indicative planning ranges for Bengaluru, reviewed October 2026, and exclude GST unless stated. Confirm them with current quotations; materials and rates change. Dimensions are typical good practice, not building-code requirements, unless a standard is named.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a bed be from the floor?
The top of the mattress at about 450–550 mm for most adults, a little higher (550–600 mm) for older people who find it hard to stand up from a low bed.
Which headboard is best for reading in bed?
An upholstered headboard about 900–1200 mm above the floor, angled slightly or padded, with dimmable reading lights on both sides.
Can a storage bed be dismantled when moving house?
Built-in carpentry beds are usually assembled on site and can be dismantled with care, though some joints may need re-fixing. Ask the maker to use knock-down fittings if you expect to move.
What size bed fits a 10 × 10 ft room?
A queen bed (60 × 78 in mattress) fits with about 600 mm on two sides, if the wardrobe is on the third wall and opens without hitting the bed. A double (48 in) bed leaves more room for a study table or dresser.
Is a hydraulic bed good for a heavy spring mattress?
Yes, if the gas struts are rated for the mattress weight. Spring mattresses can weigh 40 kg or more for a queen; tell the maker the actual weight so the right struts are fitted.
Which is better: a bed with legs or a storage bed?
A bed on legs is lighter-looking, easier to clean under and better ventilated. A storage bed adds a lot of space, which most Indian apartments need. Hydraulic storage keeps the clean look with storage inside.
What is the size of a queen bed in India?
The mattress is usually 60 × 75 or 60 × 78 inches (about 1525 × 1905–1980 mm). The bed frame adds 50–150 mm on each side depending on the design, and a headboard adds depth at the back.
Hydraulic bed or box storage: which is better?
A hydraulic bed lifts the whole mattress on gas struts and is easier to access than a plain box bed, where you lift heavy panels by hand. Both suit items you use occasionally. For daily items, drawers are more convenient if there is floor space to open them.
Do hydraulic beds break?
The gas struts weaken over time, typically after several years, and are replaceable. Choose struts rated for your mattress weight and a sturdy base. Keep fingers clear while closing and choose a design with a locking or slow-close mechanism if children are around.
What wood is best for a bed?
For a built-in storage bed, BWR plywood or HDHMR boards with laminate or veneer. For a solid wood bed, teak or sheesham with proper joinery. Avoid particle board for the base that carries the mattress.
How much space should be around a bed?
At least 600 mm, ideally 750 mm, on each side you get in from and at the foot; more in front of wardrobes (900 mm or more) and drawers. In tight rooms, push one side to the wall only for a single or kids' bed.