How to Measure Up for Grey Bunk Beds: A Simple Sizing Guide

To measure up for a grey bunk bed, you need four figures: the floor length and width available, the ceiling height at the point where the bed will stand, the clearance needed for the ladder, and the route the flat packed parts will take into the room. Compare those figures with the external dimensions of the bed, not the mattress size, and leave comfortable space above the top mattress for a child to sit up. With these measurements noted, choosing the right frame becomes straightforward.

Grey bunk beds come in a wide range of sizes and heights, from low designs for younger children to tall frames with storage beneath. Our grey bunk beds UK sale range covers many of these options. This guide walks you through measuring step by step, so the bed you choose fits your room properly the first time.

What You Will Need

• A metal tape measure, ideally at least five metres long.
• A notepad or your phone to record measurements.
• Masking tape for marking the floor.
• A second person, which makes measuring ceiling height much easier.

Measure in centimetres, as most UK furniture dimensions are listed this way, and round down rather than up to build in a little tolerance. The same approach works for any piece in our modern bedroom furniture UK range.

Step One: Choose the Position First

Before you measure anything, decide where the bunk bed will go. The best position is usually in a corner, along the longest wall, away from the window and radiator. A corner gives the frame support on two sides and keeps the middle of the room open.

Check the wall for sockets, switches and light fittings that would sit behind or above the frame. A socket at low level can usually stay accessible, but a wall light near the top bunk will need to be relocated or avoided.

Step Two: Measure the Floor Space

Measure the length of the wall from the corner to the nearest obstruction, such as a door frame, wardrobe or radiator. Then measure how far out from the wall you can go before reaching another obstruction or a walkway you need to keep clear.

Next, compare these figures with the external dimensions of the bunk bed, which are always listed in the product details. External dimensions include the posts, rails and any overhanging trims, so they will be larger than the mattress. A bunk designed for a UK single mattress of 90cm by 190cm will typically be a few centimetres larger in both directions.

Use masking tape to mark the outline of the bed on the floor. This simple step shows you immediately how much space will be left and whether doors and drawers can still open.

Step Three: Measure the Ceiling Height

Ceiling height is the most important measurement for any bunk bed. Measure from the floor to the ceiling at the exact position the bed will stand, not just in the middle of the room. Older homes in particular can have ceilings that vary across the room, and loft rooms often slope.

Then compare the ceiling height with the overall height of the bunk bed. Remember that the top sleeper will be lying on a mattress that sits on the top bunk base. You need enough space between the top of that mattress and the ceiling for a child to sit up without bumping their head. As a practical check, add the stated maximum mattress depth to the height of the top base, and see how much space remains.

Ceiling heights in UK homes vary considerably with the age and type of property, so never assume your room matches a typical figure. If the space above the top mattress looks tight, a low or mid height bunk is the safer choice.

Step Four: Check Ladder and Access Space

Ladders come in three main types, each with different space needs.

• End ladders sit within the length of the bed and need little extra room, which suits narrow spaces.
• Side ladders fix to the long side and need clear floor space in front of them.
• Angled ladders and staircases project into the room. Staircases often include storage, but need the most space.

Leave a clear area at the foot of the ladder so it can be used safely, particularly at night. Check that no door, drawer or furniture swings into that space.

Step Five: Allow for Drawers and Trundles

If the bunk has under bed drawers or a pull out trundle, measure how far these extend when fully open. Add that depth to the bed’s width and mark it on the floor too. A drawer that only opens halfway because it hits a wardrobe is frustrating to use every day.

Step Six: Think About Windows and Radiators

The top bunk should never sit directly beside or below a window that a child could reach. Check how far the window is from your chosen position and whether the window can still be opened fully. Radiators should not be blocked by the frame, as this reduces heating and can dry out timber over time.

Step Seven: Measure the Delivery Route

Most bunk beds arrive flat packed, but some parts, such as long side rails, can be over two metres in length. Measure the width of your front door, hallway, stairwell and bedroom door, and check any tight turns on the stairs. This is especially important in flats, terraced houses with narrow staircases and loft rooms reached by a compact stair.

Grey Bunk Bed Sizes at a Glance

• Small single bunks take 75cm wide mattresses and suit box rooms and younger children.
• Standard single bunks take 90cm by 190cm mattresses and suit most children’s rooms.
• Single over double bunks take a single above and a 135cm wide double below, needing the floor space of a double bed.
• Low and mid height bunks suit rooms with modest ceilings and younger sleepers.

Choosing the Right Mattress Depth

Every bunk bed is designed for a maximum mattress depth so the guard rail on the top bunk remains effective. This depth is often shallower than a typical adult mattress. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance, and choose mattresses in the exact size the frame specifies. Our mattresses UK sale range includes options suitable for bunk beds.

Planning the Rest of the Room

Once the bunk outline is marked on the floor, it becomes much easier to see where other furniture could go. A small bedside table beside the lower bunk can work well if it does not block the ladder, and our children’s bedside tables UK include compact sizes for this purpose. If you are adding a chest of drawers, our guide to standard chest of drawers dimensions in the UK explains typical widths and depths to plan around. For context on how room heights differ between older and newer homes, our article on UK ceiling heights by property age is helpful reading before you choose between a standard and a low bunk.

Common Measuring Mistakes

Even careful measurers can be caught out by a few details that are easy to overlook.

• Measuring at skirting level only. Skirting boards, picture rails and window sills can reduce the usable space by a few centimetres. Measure at several heights.
• Ignoring coving. Decorative coving where the wall meets the ceiling can clash with a tall frame pushed into a corner.
• Assuming walls are square. Older homes often have walls that are not perfectly straight. Measure at both ends of the wall, not just once.
• Forgetting the door swing. A bedroom door that opens inwards needs a clear arc, and the bed must sit outside it.
• Overlooking carpet and underlay. Thick carpet can make a heavy frame settle unevenly, so check the bed is level once assembled.

Writing down every figure and sketching a simple floor plan, with the door, window and radiator marked, makes it much easier to compare different bunk beds afterwards.

A Quick Measuring Checklist

• Floor length and width at the chosen position.
• Ceiling height at that exact spot.
• Clearance for the ladder and any drawers or trundle.
• Distance from windows, radiators and light fittings.
• Width of doors, hallways and stairs on the delivery route.

At Furniture in Fashion, we list full dimensions for our bunk beds so you can compare them directly with your own measurements and choose a grey frame that fits your room comfortably.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much space should there be between the top bunk and the ceiling?

Enough for the child on the top bunk to sit up comfortably without touching the ceiling. Measure from the top of the mattress, not the base.

Should I measure the mattress or the bed frame?

Measure your room against the external frame dimensions, which include posts and rails. The mattress size tells you which mattress to buy.

What if my ceiling slopes?

Measure at the exact position the bed will stand and consider a low or mid height bunk, placing it under the highest part of the ceiling.

Do grey bunk beds come in different sizes?

Yes. You will find small single, standard single and single over double designs, as well as low and full height frames.