What Is an Average Height for a Box Spring & Mattress From the Floor?

Historical Perspectives

• According to the Better Sleep Council, the first beds appeared during the Neolithic period 10,000 years ago, but it wasn't until the time of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt that the bed moved up off the floor. The frame and mattress set up came along in the 18th century and, in the 19th century, came the coil spring mattress. However, no standard height for a box springs and mattress ever emerged. Instead, depending upon the bed, there were some general consistencies in height with some box spring and mattress sets. Your best bet for finding a mattress/ box springs combination that suits you is to test several until you find the right one.

Platform Beds

• At time of publicaition, the average bed frame stands about 7 ½ inches from the floor, three inches taller than the low boy style that was popular about 1990. However, while this amount of space gives you plenty of foot room and allows you to store some items such as shoes under the bed, it does have its drawbacks. If you need more storage space under the bed, a platform bed with drawers may offer you an additional 18 inches of space under the bed. In this scenario, the average bed height with frame, mattress and box springs will go from about 17 inches to 27 inches from the floor when you substitute the platform for the standard bed frame.

Specialty Beds

• Queen Anne or Victorian style beds tend to stand higher from the ground than other types of beds. The frames of these beds usually range from 5 inches to 18 inches in height. Therefore, the height of these beds can range from 14 inches to 23 inches or more if you figure in a box springs height of 9 inches. Again, there are variables. Some box springs measure as little as 4 inches and mattress heights can vary as well.

Other Considerations

• Because no standard bed height exists, the Better Sleep Council recommends using the E.A.S.E. Method when you're looking for a new bed. The "E" in this equation asks you to evaluate your current mattress. The "A" allows you to arm yourself with knowledge about your bedding needs. The "S" suggests that you shop around for the best mattress and the final "E" tells you to ensure quality.

  Keeping this in mind, remember that a mattress/ box springs set that measures 16 to 24 inches represents the average height of most beds and gives you the most comfortable sitting height. If you have a bad back and bending is an issue, then gravitate toward the 24-inch bed; it'll make changing the sheets easier for you.