Project notebook

Plan a bedroom from bed size to wardrobes and walkways

Fit the bed, bedside zones, wardrobe access, lighting, and rug into one checked bedroom layout.

Updated 19 September 2026 · Planning guidance with linked calculators

Illustrative worked example

Bed Size & Room Space Calculator checkpoint

A 4.1 m × 3.5 m bedroom is tested with a 2.0 m × 1.6 m bed, 650 mm side clearance, and 800 mm at the foot.

Inputs used

Room length4.1 m
Room width3.5 m
Bed length2 m
Bed width1.6 m
Side clearance0.65 m
Foot clearance0.8 m

Calculator result

Length spare
1.30 m
Width spare
0.60 m
Fit assessment
Fits with the requested clearance

Decision from this checkpoint

If the bed zone fits, add wardrobe door/drawer projections and bedside furniture to the plan before treating the circulation as complete.

  • Use the actual frame dimensions, not mattress labels alone.
  • Wardrobe opening space is a separate geometry check.

Tools referenced in this project

Choose the bed size only after measuring the room

Record the clear room dimensions and the positions of doors, windows, radiators, switches, and built-in storage. Compare candidate bed sizes using their actual frame dimensions rather than mattress names alone. Headboards, upholstered frames, storage drawers, and footboards can make the installed footprint larger than the mattress size.

Reserve usable access around the bed

Check the routes needed to enter the room, reach wardrobes, open drawers, and make the bed. A layout can technically fit while still being frustrating to use. Use the Furniture Clearance Calculator to compare clearances and pay particular attention to pinch points between a bed corner and a wall or storage unit.

Check wardrobe doors and drawer projection

Wardrobe depth is only part of the space it uses. Hinged doors, drawers, sliding panels, and handles all need different operating clearance. Mark the opening arc or drawer projection on the plan. If a new wardrobe is being ordered, verify the manufacturer dimensions and skirting or ceiling constraints before finalising the location.

Plan lighting around use rather than symmetry alone

Bedside reading, dressing, general room lighting, and circulation may need different light positions. Use the Room Lighting Calculator as a starting point and compare it with the actual bed and wardrobe layout. Make sure proposed fittings do not conflict with doors, tall furniture, or the location of a ceiling fan if one is present.

Finish with the rug and a full-size floor test

Choose the rug only after the bed position is fixed. Tape the proposed rug edges and furniture footprints on the floor, then walk the routes and open all storage. A final floor-level check is especially useful in bedrooms because small clearance losses on both sides of the bed can make the whole room feel tighter than the plan suggests.