Typical Clearance Under a Day Bed

The Measurements

• The drop measurement of a day bed is from the top of the day bed’s spring base to the floor. The standard drop measurement of a day bed is 14 inches, so the height of the space under the bed may be at least 12 inches. Since some day beds sit higher than others, this measurement varies. The standard width measurement of the space is 39 inches, and the standard length is 75 inches. This means that the under-bed area offers 23.7 cubic feet of space. This is about the size of a spacious car trunk.

  The height of the daybed is set at a level that makes entering and leaving the bed easy for the average-sized person. It is because of this height requirement that the extra space beneath the bed becomes available.

A Trundle Bed

• A trundle bed offers a way to double the sleeping space of the day bed. It is stored underneath the day bed and is pulled out when it is needed for use. The two types of trundle beds are the drawer trundle bed and the pop-up trundle bed. The drawer type is a box frame on wheels that houses a twin mattress. This type stays at the same level as it was underneath the day bed. The pop-up type is on wheels as well, and it can be used in its low position or raised to the same height as the day bed.

Under-bed Storage

• The free space beneath the day bed lends about 18-square feet of storage space to the room. Bins, bags and boxes can be housed under the day bed and concealed with a dust ruffle. But for a neater, uniform presentation, a large, single under-bed storage unit will store the items without looking cluttered.

  Using the measurements of the space under a day bed, cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood a few inches shorter and narrower than the measurements. So, for a 39-inch-by-75-inch space, cut a 36-inch-by-72-inch piece of wood for the base.

  Measure the height of the wheels and subtract them from the height of the space under the day bed. Subtract another 2 inches from the height measurement, and use this number as the height of the four walls of the under-bed storage unit.

  To complete the construction of the unit, cut two pieces of wood for the two short ends of the base, apply wood glue and screw them into the base, and then cut two more pieces for the length of the base, including the thickness of the two short side walls. Glue and screw these together. Screw the wheels in underneath, screw pull handles on the side, and paint or stain the under-bed storage to match the bed or the room.

Permanent Cabinetry

• Fill up the empty space beneath the day bed with permanent cabinetry. Extra drawers for clothes, cabinet units with doors for storing bulky items, or a combination of both, will increase the storage space of the room without taking away any extra floor space. Match the cabinetry to the exact color of the day bed, or select a complementary color to tie it in with the other finishes in the room.