How to measure a room for a wall bed before ordering

Prepare a plan and photographs

Draw a simple room plan and label the dimensions. Photograph the wall straight on, then take wider shots from the corners to show adjacent furniture, doors and walkways.

Measure the wall

• wall width at floor level, midway up and near the ceiling;
• ceiling height at several points;
• skirting depth and height;
• distances to corners, openings and built-in furniture.

Mark obstacles

Mark sockets, switches, radiators, pipes, air conditioning, ventilation, door trims and other fixtures on the plan. For each one, record its distance from the nearest corner, height above the floor and projection from the wall.

Check the open position

Measure the clear space in front of the wall and make sure the bed will not collide with a door, desk, wardrobe or another object. Check the remaining walkways separately with the bed fully open.

What to send the designer

• a dimensioned plan;
• photographs of the wall and room;
• ceiling height and room width;
• skirting and obstacle dimensions;
• your preferred sleeping area size and configuration.