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How to Make Your Bed Higher: 4 Easy Ways

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There are probably a few reasons why you want to make your mattress higher. It could be that you're having difficulty getting in and out of bed, or your bed frame might just be lower than you prefer and you want to lift it up a bit. Maybe you don’t even need a higher bed and are looking to incline your mattress for more comfort while you’re sleeping and lounging.

Sometimes people go to extreme lengths to make their beds higher. They might buy bed risers to put under each leg of the bed frame, purchase box springs, or buy a Bunkie board to raise their mattress height. Some people even go so far as to attach screw-on casters with a locking mechanism and wheels to their bed frame or even perch their bed frame on cinder blocks to create the height they need. What a hassle!

But there are easier solutions than bed risers, box springs, Bunkie boards, cinder blocks, screw-on caster wheels, or having to drill holes for wheels to make your bed higher. Let's look at four easy ways to raise your bed like a boss! These methods can work for a memory foam mattress, a hybrid mattress, or even the typical innerspring mattress.

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Use a Mattress Topper

One of the easiest ways to make your bed higher is by buying a mattress topper. Leesa's mattress topper offers two inches of our signature memory foam, delivering plush comfort and stability. A simple mattress topper also acts as a mattress protector. So, what's not to love?

Some benefits of using mattress toppers include:

  • Extra cushioning

  • Enhanced warmth during the winter

  • Improved circulation

  • Less pain in the back or joints

  • Improved sleep quality

  • Reduced stress levels

  • Protecting your mattress

Mattress toppers and mattress protectors are always a good idea, whether or not you're trying to make your bed higher. But if you only need to raise the height of your bed by a little bit, a mattress topper should do just the trick.

Use a Mattress Foundation

Adding a mattress foundation is another great way to increase your bed's height. Leesa's platform bed provides 15 inches of height to your bed. Place the bare mattress directly onto the foundation — and voila — a taller bed, as well as the sleek modern look of birchwood legs and gray upholstery

Another option is to use Leesa's flat base foundation placed on top of our bed frame to make your bed higher, a full 14.5 inches off the floor. Instead, you could place box springs on top of the Leesa bed frame and your mattress on top to increase your bed height. Bear in mind that different bed bases have various carrying capacities. If you or a family member is heavy, check out carrying capacities before buying a new foundation or mattress base.

Use a Bed Wedge

Sometimes you don’t need to make your bed higher; you need it to be inclined. For example, a bed wedge might be a great option if you suffer from acid reflux, or respiratory conditions, or enjoy the feeling of your upper body being elevated.

Bed wedges are placed on the bed frame under the mattress, propping up the head of the bed. The trouble is that using a bed wedge can cause discomfort for your sleeping partner. So, consider an adjustable bed frame instead. 

Switch to an Adjustable Bed

Suppose you and your sleep partner have different sleeping positions. Leesa's adjustable bed base can accommodate two twin XL mattresses, letting one partner sleep with the bed raised while the other is entirely prone. Or you can put your existing (or new) Leesa mattress on your adjustable bed base. In that case, adjustable bed frames are a much more elegant solution than a bed wedge for respiratory disorders such as sleep apnea, asthma or health conditions like acid reflux or GERD. Either way, you'll be able to make your bed higher at the touch of a button and without the hassle of a bed wedge. Also, when looking at adjustable beds, people often swallow hard at the cost. But an adjustable bed is an investment in your convenience, comfort, and health. 

What is the Best Bed Height?

Get your measuring tape, and let's determine your best bed height. Even a few inches can make a huge difference in how you sleep and feel in the morning.

  • Measure the length between your knee and the bottom of your foot.

  • Subtract the height of your bed now, adding another inch for bedding.

  • The result: the proper height for your bed.

Since the average person requires a bed height of about 25 inches, you can estimate how many inches to add to your bed frame. Taller beds often reduce difficulty getting in or out of bed and can be especially helpful for anyone with chronic pain.

There's a caveat to the best bed height, especially if you're a senior or a person with a physical disability. The 25-inch guideline changes because that bed height might be too tall for someone doing a single-person wheelchair transfer to a bed. The best bed height for a frail senior, someone with spinal injuries, or someone with a physical disability is between 20 and 23 inches.

What are the Benefits of a Higher Bed Height?

Why would you want to make your bed higher? Some of the benefits of making your bed higher include the following:

  • Getting into and out of bed easily, especially if you're tall

  • Freeing up some extra storage space

  • Aesthetics

Ease of Movement

If you're tall, a taller bed makes all the sense in the world. You want to sit comfortably on the side of the bed with your feet touching the floor. And you want to get up from the bed quickly or easily crawl into bed for a good night's sleep without stubbing your toe on bed risers or a caster wheel.

Storage Space

If you live in a small space or without a lot of storage, having a taller bed frees up room for under-the-bed storage. That extra space can hold boxes of seasonal clothing, tubs of gift wrap, and all things you'd ordinarily put in a closet.

Aesthetics

A taller bed may blend into the room's overall look if your bedroom has a high or vaulted ceiling. Likewise, if you like antiques, many old bed frames are built higher off the floor than modern frames.

Shop Leesa Mattresses

Whether you're shopping for a new mattress, equipping a guest room, or simply looking for workarounds to raise your mattress, Leesa has you covered. We offer bed frames, platform beds, adjustable bed frames, simple foundations, our award-winning mattresses, the best mattress topper ever, linens, mattress protectors, pillows, and unique cushions. So raise your bed, style, and entire sleep experience with Leesa.

FAQs

How to raise the mattress on a platform bed?

Getting a mattress topper is an excellent way to raise your mattress a couple of inches when you have a platform bed frame. Leesa offers one that will not only elevate you but it will also increase your comfort as you sleep. If you’re looking for a more significant change, consider bed risers. Choose your favorite plastic, wooden, or metal risers and place them under your bed legs to give you the added height you need.

How to install bed risers to make your bed higher?

The first step to installing bed risers is buying the right ones. Various types and sizes are available in wood, plastic, or metal. Plastic is usually the cheapest, but wood and metal are the most durable. Once you’ve chosen the type and size best suits your needs, you’ll want to move your mattress to rest on a nearby wall to maneuver the frame easily. Getting a friend or neighbor to help you with this may be a good idea! Coordinate with your companion to lift each leg of the bed frame and slide the risers beneath, fitting the legs into the grooves of the risers. Make sure each connection is secure before giving your friend a high five and sliding your mattress back in place!

How can you make bed risers look better?

It depends on your taste and your bedroom design. A simple way to camouflage bed risers is by using bed skirts. This is also a great alternative to disguising a standard bed frame. If you have vivid colors in your bedroom, you could get colorful plastic risers. If your bed has wooden legs, you can stain wooden bed risers to match the legs or your floor if your bedroom has hardwood or laminate flooring.

What are the alternatives to bed risers?

Depending on how much you need to raise your mattress, you can opt for a mattress foundation on a Leesa bedframe, plywood platforms, a memory foam mattress topper, screw-on wheels, or even an adjustable bed frame.

How to make your bed higher without a box spring?

It depends on how much higher you want to make your bed. Platform beds don't require a box spring, if you only need to add one-and-a-half inches. A Leesa mattress topper will do the trick.

Why are Japanese beds so low?

Long cultural tradition is the main reason why the Japanese sleep on a thick futon mattress laid over a tatami mat and rush grass. They believe it is better for your back, but the tradition probably evolved for practical reasons since Japanese homes are small, and the region sits on four tectonic plates, making earthquakes common. Having a low-profile bed reduces the chance of damage from a strong quake.

Is it OK to put a mattress on the floor?

Leesa recommends putting a mattress on some sort of base, whether its slats or some other foundation. Having air circulation under and around your mattress keeps it comfy longer and protects it from potential water damage. Be good to your back and your mattress by using a mattress base.

How can you raise a platform bed?

To raise this kind of bed, you can buy bed risers specifically made for this type of bed frame.