Bedroom Layout Clearance Calculator
Before buying a bed or planning your room layout, it helps to know how much usable floor space you'll actually have left over. Enter your room dimensions and choose a bed size below to see the remaining floor area.
Work out the floor space left after your bed
Enter your room dimensions and pick a bed size.
After a double (135 x 190cm) bed, your 14.0m² room has approximately:
11.4m² remaining
For comfortable movement, aim to keep at least 60cm of clear space on the sides of the bed you need to walk around.
Recommended products
A few well-reviewed bedroom furniture pieces.
- Pine
- Small double bedrooms
£84.99
Pros
- Solid pine frame with slatted base for ventilation
- Low-foot, low-profile design suits small rooms
- Underbed storage space, no box spring required
Cons
- Some flat-pack panels are heavy to manoeuvre upstairs
£50.99
Pros
- Metal handles with anti-bowing drawer runners
- Compact footprint fits box rooms
- Melamine finish resists spills, stains and scratches
Cons
- Handles need tightening after a few months of use
- Velvet
- Bedrooms needing extra storage
- Dark Grey
£239.99
Pros
- Gas-lift ottoman base doubles as under-bed storage
- Plush velvet upholstered headboard
- Reinforced wooden slats rated for daily use
Cons
- Premium price point
- Requires floor space to lift the base fully
Frequently asked questions
How much clearance should I leave around a bed?
Aim for at least 60cm of clear space on any side of the bed you need to walk around, and a bit more if you'll be regularly making the bed or moving furniture past it.
Does upgrading from a double to a king size bed make a big difference to floor space?
Yes — a king size bed takes up noticeably more floor area than a double, so it's worth checking the remaining space carefully before upgrading, especially in a smaller room.
Should I include bedside tables and wardrobes in this calculation?
This calculator only accounts for the bed itself, so remember to subtract extra floor area for bedside tables, a wardrobe or a chest of drawers when planning your final layout.
What if there is very little remaining floor space after the bed?
If space is tight, consider a smaller bed size, built-in or wall-mounted storage instead of freestanding furniture, or positioning the bed against the longest wall to free up a more usable open area.
How this calculator works
The calculator multiplies your room length by width to get the total floor area in square metres, then subtracts the footprint of the bed you choose. The bed footprint is calculated from standard UK bed dimensions: single (90 x 190cm), double (135 x 190cm), king (150 x 200cm), and super king (180 x 200cm). The result is the remaining floor area in square metres.
The calculator also reminds you to keep at least 60cm of clear space on any side of the bed you need to walk around. This is a minimum for comfortable movement and making the bed — if the room is tight, consider positioning the bed against the longest wall to free up a more usable open area. Remember that this calculator only accounts for the bed itself, not other furniture like wardrobes, bedside tables or a desk.
Standard UK bed sizes and footprints
| Bed size | Dimensions | Footprint | Remaining area in 12m² room | Remaining area in 16m² room |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190cm | 1.71m² | 10.29m² | 14.29m² |
| Double | 135 x 190cm | 2.57m² | 9.43m² | 13.43m² |
| King | 150 x 200cm | 3.00m² | 9.00m² | 13.00m² |
| Super King | 180 x 200cm | 3.60m² | 8.40m² | 12.40m² |
Worked example: A 4m x 3.5m bedroom with a king size bed
A bedroom 4m long and 3.5m wide has a total area of 14m². A king size bed (150 x 200cm) has a footprint of 3.0m², leaving 14 - 3 = 11m² of remaining floor space. That's enough room for a bedside table on each side, a small wardrobe, and a clear walkway around the bed.
If you upgraded to a super king (180 x 200cm), the footprint increases to 3.6m², leaving 10.4m² — still comfortable, but you'd notice the difference if you also need a desk or dressing table. In a smaller 3m x 3m room (9m² total), a king bed leaves only 6m², which is tight for anything beyond a bedside table and a narrow wardrobe.
Common mistakes when planning bedroom layout
- Forgetting to account for door swing. A bedroom door typically swings inward and needs about 1m of clear space in front of it. If you place a bed or wardrobe where the door opens, you won't be able to open the door fully.
- Not checking the actual bed dimensions. A 'king size' bed from one retailer might measure 150 x 200cm, while another might be 152 x 200cm or even 160 x 200cm. Always check the exact product dimensions, not just the label.
- Ignoring built-in wardrobes. If the room has fitted wardrobes, they're part of the layout but don't eat into the remaining floor area in the same way as freestanding furniture. However, their doors still need clearance to open — typically 60-90cm in front of a hinged door.
- Assuming a smaller bed always feels cramped. A well-placed double bed in a small room can feel more spacious than a king bed that blocks the natural traffic flow. Sometimes a smaller bed with better furniture placement creates a more comfortable room than a larger bed that dominates the space.
What to look for when buying bedroom furniture
Bed frame style affects how much space the bed actually occupies. A standard divan base with drawers on one side adds about 5-10cm to the width compared to the mattress size. A sleigh bed or upholstered frame with a tall headboard can extend 20-30cm beyond the mattress at the head, which matters if you're placing the bed against a wall with limited clearance. A platform bed or storage bed with drawers underneath can add useful storage without increasing the footprint.
Wardrobe depth is often overlooked. A standard freestanding wardrobe is typically 60cm deep, but sliding door wardrobes can be 70-80cm deep. Built-in or fitted wardrobes are usually shallower (around 55-60cm) because they're designed to fit between walls. Measure the available depth in your room before buying — a deep wardrobe in a narrow room can make the space feel cramped.
Finally, think about multi-functional furniture. In a small bedroom, a bedside table with a drawer, a desk that folds away, or an ottoman at the foot of the bed that opens for storage can all save space. A dressing table doesn't have to be a separate piece — a wall-mounted shelf above a chest of drawers can serve the same purpose in half the floor area.
More questions answered
How much clearance should I leave around a bed?
Aim for at least 60cm of clear space on any side of the bed you need to walk around, and a bit more if you'll be regularly making the bed or moving furniture past it.
Does upgrading from a double to a king size bed make a big difference to floor space?
Yes — a king size bed takes up noticeably more floor area than a double, so it's worth checking the remaining space carefully before upgrading, especially in a smaller room.
Should I include bedside tables and wardrobes in this calculation?
This calculator only accounts for the bed itself, so remember to subtract extra floor area for bedside tables, a wardrobe or a chest of drawers when planning your final layout.
What if there is very little remaining floor space after the bed?
If space is tight, consider a smaller bed size, built-in or wall-mounted storage instead of freestanding furniture, or positioning the bed against the longest wall to free up a more usable open area.
What's the difference between a king and super king bed?
A UK king size bed is 150 x 200cm (5ft x 6ft 6in), while a super king is 180 x 200cm (6ft x 6ft 6in). The super king is 30cm wider but the same length, so it gives each person an extra 15cm of width — useful for larger adults or if you share with children or pets. The super king footprint is 3.6m² vs 3.0m² for a king.
Can I fit a king size bed in a small bedroom?
It depends on the room shape and what else you need to fit. A 3m x 3m room (9m²) with a king bed leaves 6m² — enough for a narrow wardrobe and a small bedside table, but not much else. If you need a desk or dressing table too, a double or small double might be more practical. Always measure the room and draw a rough plan before buying.
Should I measure the room myself or rely on estate agent floor plans?
Always measure the room yourself. Estate agent floor plans are often approximate and can be misleading — walls are rarely perfectly straight, and built-in features like wardrobes or sloped ceilings can reduce usable space. A 10-minute measuring session with a tape measure gives you accurate dimensions and prevents expensive mistakes.
What bed orientation works best in a narrow room?
In a narrow room, placing the bed with the headboard against the longest wall usually works best. This leaves a wider clear area for walking and other furniture. If the room is very narrow (under 2.5m wide), a single bed or a small double placed lengthwise along the wall might be the only option that leaves enough clearance to move around.