How to Measure a Kids’ Bedroom Before Buying a Bed: A Practical NZ Checklist

A children’s bed may technically fit between two walls but still make the room difficult to use. A wardrobe door may no longer open properly, a bunk ladder may block the main walkway, or an under-bed drawer may have nowhere to extend.

That is why it is important to measure the whole room, not just the space where the mattress will sit. A simple plan made before ordering can help you choose a bed, storage and study furniture that work together in everyday family life.

This practical guide explains how to measure a kids’ bedroom before buying a floor bed, Single or King Single bed, bunk, loft bed, storage cupboard, table or chair.

Quick answer: what should you measure?

Before choosing any furniture, record:

• the room’s usable length and width
• the ceiling height
• the position of doors, windows and built-in wardrobes
• the direction in which each door opens
• skirting boards and other wall projections
• heaters, power points, lights and ceiling fans
• the full external dimensions of the bed frame
• the space needed for ladders, drawers, trundles and chairs
• the route through which the furniture will enter the room

Do not rely only on the mattress size. A bed frame is always wider and longer than the mattress it holds.

1. Draw a simple plan of the room

You do not need specialist design software. A sheet of paper, pencil and tape measure are enough.

Draw the basic shape of the room and mark:

• each wall
• the entrance door
• wardrobe doors
• windows
• heaters
• power points
• ceiling lights or fans

Add every measurement directly to the plan. Taking a few photographs can also help when you compare different bed designs later.

If the room has an alcove, sloping ceiling or unusual corner, measure each section separately rather than treating the room as a simple rectangle.

2. Measure the usable floor space

Start by measuring the room wall to wall. Then look for anything that reduces the usable space.

Common examples include:

• skirting boards
• door frames
• radiators or heaters
• curtain tracks
• built-in shelving
• wall-mounted power points
• uneven or projecting walls

Measure at floor level rather than assuming the wall is perfectly straight. For a close-fitting bed, take the measurement in more than one place.

When looking at a product, use its external assembled dimensions, not only the mattress dimensions. You can compare the assembled sizes of our NZ-made floor beds, bunks and lofts in the KitSmart kids’ bed collection.

3. Check how the bedroom door opens

A bed should not prevent the bedroom door from opening normally. Mark the full swing of the door on your plan.

Also think about the everyday path through the room:

• Can your child enter without squeezing around the bed?
• Is the doorway clear at night?
• Can an adult reach the bed comfortably?
• Does the ladder or bed end sit directly in the main walkway?

For rooms with limited floor space, a low-profile design may feel less visually crowded. The Birch Ply Flippable Bed can begin in a low position and later be flipped to create more height underneath as your child grows.

4. Measure wardrobe doors and drawers while fully open

Built-in storage is often forgotten during bedroom planning. A bed may fit neatly beside a wardrobe while the wardrobe is closed, but block its doors once they are opened.

Measure:

• the full width of hinged wardrobe doors
• the distance required to pull drawers out completely
• the space needed to stand in front of the wardrobe
• whether sliding doors overlap or require clear access

Repeat this process for any storage furniture you plan to add. The Birch Ply Kids’ Storage Cupboard is available as open shelving or with doors, so the required access space will depend on the configuration you choose.

5. For bunk and loft beds, measure upwards as well as outwards

Floor measurements are only half of the plan when you are considering a bunk or loft bed. Measure the ceiling height and note anything projecting from above, including:

• light fittings
• ceiling fans
• sprinklers
• smoke alarms
• sloping ceilings
• curtain rails near the top of the wall

Product Safety New Zealand recommends keeping bunk beds away from windows and allowing at least two metres from ceiling fittings, fans or lights. It also advises that bunk beds are not suitable for children under nine years of age.

Read the current official guidance here: Product Safety New Zealand – bunk-bed and sleep safety.

Do not use a generic ceiling-height assumption. Compare your room measurements with the exact assembled height of the model you are considering.

Browse our Bunk and Loft Beds collection to compare different layouts and dimensions.

6. Plan the ladder position before ordering a bunk bed

The position of the ladder can completely change how well a bunk bed fits into a room.

Before ordering, check whether the ladder:

• sits at the end or along the front of the bed
• can be placed on the left or right
• blocks the doorway or wardrobe
• uses space needed for a desk or cupboard
• leaves a clear route for climbing

Our NZ Pine Bunk Bed offers several ladder-position options, including left, right or end placement. Planning this before the bed arrives is much easier than redesigning the whole room afterwards.

7. Allow space for a trundle or under-bed drawer

A trundle or storage drawer saves space only when there is enough clear floor area to use it.

Measure the full pull-out distance and check for:

• other furniture opposite the bed
• the bedroom door
• thick rugs that may restrict movement
• bedside furniture
• the ladder of a bunk bed

A trundle also needs enough room for someone to access the sleeping area once it is fully extended. If the bed will be used for regular sleepovers, test the room in both its everyday and fully-open layouts.

For more practical storage ideas, see Kids’ Room Storage That Actually Works in New Zealand Homes.

8. Mark windows, curtains and blind cords

Do not plan a bunk or elevated bed directly beside a window simply because the wall is long enough.

Mark the position of:

• window openings
• handles and latches
• curtain and blind cords
• low window sills
• shelves or pictures beside the window

Product Safety New Zealand advises keeping cots and bunk beds away from windows, shelves, pictures and ceiling fans. Blind and curtain cords should also remain out of a child’s reach.

You can read the wider room-safety guidance here: Product Safety New Zealand – keeping kids safe at home.

9. Create a clear heater zone

If the room has a portable or fixed heater, include it on your plan before placing the bed, bedding, curtains or storage furniture.

Product Safety New Zealand recommends keeping heaters at least one metre away from bedding, clothing, curtains, rugs and furniture.

This may reduce the number of suitable walls for the bed, so it is better to identify the heater zone at the beginning of the planning process.

10. Leave room for a table and chairs to be used properly

A children’s table may fit into a corner, but the chairs also need room to move. Measure the table and then add the space required to pull the chairs back and sit comfortably.

Consider:

• how many chairs will be used
• whether the table sits against a wall or in the centre
• where art supplies and books will be stored
• whether the chair blocks a wardrobe or walkway when in use

The Birch Ply Table and Chairs Set can create a compact drawing and activity area, but it should still be planned as a complete working zone rather than measured as a table alone.

11. Consider a loft bed when the room needs two functions

When a room needs both a bed and a study area, placing the two pieces side by side may use most of the available floor space.

A loft setup uses the room vertically by placing the sleep area above a desk, play space or storage zone. The important measurements are:

• room length and width
• ceiling height
• ladder access
• usable space beneath the bed
• the height and depth of the desk
• chair movement

For younger children and primary-school rooms, the Rabbit Nook Low Loft Bed with Study Set combines a low loft, study table and storage in one footprint.

12. Check the delivery and assembly route

Before ordering, measure the route from the entrance of your home to the bedroom.

Check:

• the front door
• hallway width
• tight corners
• stairs and landings
• the bedroom doorway
• available assembly space inside the room

Flat-packed furniture is easier to move than a fully assembled bed, but you still need enough room to carry the packages in and assemble the frame safely.

13. Test the proposed layout with masking tape

Once you have chosen a bed, mark its full external footprint on the floor with masking tape.

Then test the room as though the furniture were already there:

• open the bedroom door
• open the wardrobe
• walk around the marked bed
• pull out an imaginary drawer or trundle
• place a chair where the study area will be
• check whether the main route still feels comfortable

For taller furniture, use painter’s tape on the wall to mark the final height. This is especially useful when comparing a standard bed, bunk bed and loft bed.

Common measuring mistakes

• Using mattress dimensions instead of frame dimensions: the complete bed is larger.
• Forgetting the skirting board: the frame may not sit flat against the wall.
• Measuring doors while closed: always test their full swing.
• Ignoring the ladder: it needs clear and practical access.
• Forgetting drawers and trundles: measure them fully extended.
• Looking only at the floor: bunks and loft beds require careful vertical planning.
• Placing elevated beds beside windows: consider the whole surrounding area, not just the available wall.
• Choosing storage without access space: shelves, doors and drawers must remain usable.

Kids’ bedroom measuring checklist

• Room length: __________
• Room width: __________
• Ceiling height: __________
• Bedroom doorway width: __________
• Door swing marked: Yes / No
• Wardrobe opening space measured: Yes / No
• Window position marked: Yes / No
• Heater safety zone marked: Yes / No
• Ceiling lights and fans marked: Yes / No
• Bed’s external dimensions checked: Yes / No
• Ladder position checked: Yes / No
• Drawer or trundle pull-out space checked: Yes / No
• Desk and chair movement checked: Yes / No
• Delivery route measured: Yes / No
• Layout marked with masking tape: Yes / No

Frequently asked questions

Should I use the mattress size to plan the room?

No. Always use the complete assembled dimensions of the bed frame. The headboard, side rails, legs and ladder can make the finished bed noticeably larger than the mattress.

How much room should I leave around a kids’ bed?

There is no single clearance that works for every bedroom and every bed design. The important point is that the doorway, wardrobe and main walking route remain usable. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and test the proposed layout with masking tape before ordering.

What should I measure for a bunk bed?

Measure the floor area, full ceiling height, ladder access and the position of windows, lights, fans and blind cords. Compare these measurements with the exact dimensions and instructions for the bunk you are considering.

Can a trundle work in a small room?

Yes, provided there is enough clear floor space to pull it out completely and access it safely. Measure the room in both the closed and open positions.

Should I choose a Single or King Single bed?

The choice depends on the child, the room and how long you want to use the bed. Our guide, How to Choose the Right Bed Size for Your Growing Child, explains the main options.

Final thoughts

A successful kids’ bedroom layout begins before the furniture arrives. Measure the whole room, record any obstacles, and think about how every door, ladder, drawer and chair will work in everyday life.

The aim is not to fit as much furniture as possible into the room. It is to create a practical space where sleeping, storage, play and study can happen without making everyday movement difficult.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational guidance only and is not intended to constitute legal, safety, building, design or other professional advice.

It does not replace current New Zealand laws, regulations, mandatory product safety standards, manufacturer instructions, product specifications or advice from a qualified professional.

Room layouts, measurements, products and family circumstances vary, so all dimensions, clearances, age recommendations, installation requirements and safety information should be independently checked before purchasing, assembling or using any furniture.

Always follow the latest applicable laws and official safety guidance, use appropriate adult supervision and seek professional advice where necessary.

Nothing in this disclaimer limits any rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under New Zealand law.