
How to Extend a Bed? A Complete Guide

- Benefits of Extending: Increases sleeping space and comfort while saving money.
- Assess Your Needs: Measure your current bed to determine the required extension length.
- Extension Methods: Options include bed frame extenders, DIY wooden extensions, and mattress extenders.
- Required Tools: Use a tape measure, screwdriver, drill, and appropriate materials (e.g., lumber, screws).
- Installation Process: Remove the mattress, install extenders, or build a frame, and ensure stability.
- Footboard Addition: Choose a compatible footboard and ensure secure attachment.
As our lives change, so do our living spaces. Upgrading a bed frame to fit a new mattress or to change its style doesn’t have to mean purchasing a new one. With some DIY skills, you can extend your current bed frame to meet your needs, saving money and adding a personal touch to your bedroom. Learning how to extend a bed involves careful planning, precise execution, and a touch of creativity. Whether you’re accommodating a larger mattress or adding stylish elements like a footboard, this guide will walk you through the process.
Why Extend Your Bed?
Extending your bed offers several benefits:
- Extra Space: The most obvious benefit is the extra room to sleep. Taller people or those who like to sprawl out will love the extra length. If you find your feet hanging off the edge or you wake up feeling squished, an extended bed might just improve your sleep.
- Comfort: A longer bed means you can sleep more comfortably without feeling confined to a small part of the mattress. This added comfort can lead to better sleep, which is essential for overall health and well-being.
- Increased Value: Extending your bed frame can make your existing mattress feel like new, potentially delaying buying a new one. This saves you money and reduces waste, as you can keep your current mattress in use for longer.
- Customization: Bed extensions allow you to create a sleep space tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Whether you want a king-size bed or just a few extra inches, customizing your bed makes your bedroom feel more personal and comfortable.
Your Needs
Before you start, you need to assess your current bed and figure out how much longer you need it to be. Measure your bed frame and mattress and note the length and width. Don’t rely on the manufacturer’s dimensions, as these can sometimes be slightly different from the actual product. Knowing your bed’s exact dimensions will help you choose the right extension method and materials.
What do you want to achieve with the extension? A few extra inches or a bigger length increase? Do you have DIY skills or prefer a solution requiring minimal assembly? Answer these questions, and you’ll be able to choose the best approach for your situation.
Choose the Extension Method
There are several ways to extend a bed, each with its own pros and cons. The right method for you will depend on your specific needs, skills and budget.
- Bed Frame Extenders: Bed frame extenders are pre-made kits that lengthen your bed frame. They’re easy to install and don’t require advanced DIY skills. These extenders bolt onto your existing frame and provide a solid base for the extra mattress length. They’re great for smaller changes like converting a twin to twin XL or a full to queen. But it may not be available for all bed types and can be more expensive than DIY options.
- DIY Wooden Extension: Building a wooden extension allows for more customization and can be cost effective if you have basic carpentry skills. You’ll need to create a frame that matches the width of your bed and attaches to the existing frame. This method requires planning and precise measurements to ensure stability and a seamless connection to your current bed.
- Mattress Bridge: A mattress bridge is a foam wedge or insert that fills the gap between your existing mattress and a smaller additional mattress. It’s a common tool for converting two twins into a king bed but can be used to connect other sizes together. This is the simplest and least permanent option. Great for temporary solutions or if you’re renting and can’t modify the bed frame. However, a mattress bridge may not provide the same level of support as other methods and can shift during sleep. Still, it can smooth out the appearance of a split king mattress.
- Mattress Extenders: Mattress extenders are specifically designed foam pieces that attach to the end or sides of your existing mattress to increase its length or width. These are usually made from high-density foam that matches the thickness of your mattress, so it’s seamless. They often come with a cover that helps secure them to your mattress and provides a unified look. While these foam extenders can increase the usable surface of your bed, they may not provide the same level of edge support as your original mattress. There’s also a limit to how much you can reasonably extend the bed before it fails to hold up – you can turn a full bed into a queen fairly easily but a queen into a king is much more difficult.
Materials and Tools
The materials and tools you’ll need will depend on the extension method you’ve chosen. Here are some common items you may need:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Screwdriver (flathead and Phillips head)
- Drill with various drill bits
- Saw (if doing a DIY wooden extension)
- Level
- Wrench set
- Safety glasses and gloves
- Lumber (if building a wooden extension)
- Wood screws
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Paint or varnish (optional)
- Bed frame extenders (if using a kit)
- Extra slats or support boards
- Foam insert or wedge (for mattress extension or bridge)
- Longer bedding
Extending the Bed Frame
Now that you have your materials, it’s time to actually extend your bed frame. This is the most important part of a stable base for your extended bed.
Using Bed Frame Extenders
Remove your mattress and any slats or supports from your bed frame. Follow the instructions to attach the bed frame extenders to the foot of your bed. Most extenders bolt onto the existing frame, but the method may vary. Once the extenders are in place, add any extra support slats that came with the kit. Double-check all connections to make sure they’re tight, and the extended frame is level. Then, test the frame before putting your mattress back on.
DIY Wooden Extension
For a wooden extension, build a frame that matches the width of your existing bed and the length you want to add. Use sturdy lumber and reinforce corners with brackets for extra support. Make a plan to attach this new frame to your existing bed. This may be bolts, brackets or a combination of both. Make sure the connection is secure and can withstand the weight and movement of sleeping. Add support legs to the extended part to prevent sagging. Sand any rough edges, paint or varnish if you want and add slats or a solid panel to support the mattress. Always prioritize stability and safety in your design and construction.
Final Touches
Now that your bed frame is extended, there are a few more things to do to make it comfortable and safe.
- Bedding: With your longer bed you’ll need to rethink your bedding. Get a larger fitted sheet that fits the new length of your mattress. You may need to get a longer comforter or duvet to cover the extended bed properly. If you can’t find extra long bedding, consider using flat sheets tucked in at the foot of the bed as an alternative.
- Stability and Safety: Take time to check the stability of your extended bed. Lie on the bed and move around to test for any wobbling or creaking. Make sure all connections are tight and secure, and tighten any loose bolts or screws. Check the extended frame is level, make sure the mattress is fully supported across its whole length, and test the bed by applying pressure to different areas. Make sure there are no sharp edges or protruding hardware and double check all legs are in firm contact with the floor.
Adding a Footboard
Extending a bed frame to add a footboard involves both structural changes to the frame and careful integration of the footboard so it matches the existing design and enhances the bed’s functionality and looks. This will transform your bed into a focal point in your bedroom. Here’s how to do it:
- Choose a Footboard: Get a footboard that matches or complements your bed frame’s material and style. The size should be for the width of your bed frame once extended.
- Prepare the Footboard: If the footboard isn’t pre-drilled or doesn’t come with mounting brackets, you’ll need to prepare it for attachment. Measure and mark where the brackets or bolts will go, make sure they align with the bed frame’s end.
- Measure and Mark the Bed Frame: Determine where the footboard will go on the bed frame. This is usually at the end of the frame but may vary depending on the frame and footboard design. Mark the bed frame for drilling. Make sure the marks are level and aligned with the attachment points on the footboard.
- Attaching Mounting Brackets or Hardware: If your footboard requires brackets for attachment, attach these to the bed frame using screws or bolts. Make sure they are secure and in the right position to align with the footboard.
- Modify Frame if Necessary: Sometimes, you may need to extend or modify the bed frame’s end to fit or support the footboard. This may involve adding extension pieces to the frame or reinforcing the area with extra material.
- Align and Attach: With the mounting brackets or hardware in place, align the footboard with the bed frame and attach using screws, bolts or another suitable fastening method. Make sure it’s tight and won’t move.
- Check Stability: Once attached, give the footboard a gentle shake to test its stability. It should feel solid and not wobble or shift.
- Add Support if Necessary: You may need to add support legs depending on the footboard’s design and weight. These legs will help distribute the weight more evenly and prevent strain on the frame.
- Reinforce Connections: If you have any concerns about the connection, consider reinforcing the attachment points with extra brackets or hardware.
- Final Touches: Fill any visible screw holes with wood filler (for wooden frames) or use caps for metal frames. Sand, paint or stain as needed to match the rest of the bed. Do a final check of the bed frame and footboard to make sure everything is secure and meets your expectations for both looks and function.
FAQs about How to Extend a Bed?
Is it cheaper to extend my bed or buy a new one?
Extending your bed is usually cheaper than buying a new one especially for custom sizes. The cost will depend on your method and materials. But if your bed is old or in bad shape, buying a new bed might be a better long term solution. Even if your bed is decent, a full mattress replacement is usually more comfortable and better than DIY extension solutions.
Can mattress size be increased?
A mattress’s size and surface area cannot be increased permanently or structurally. Mattresses are made to standard sizes, and altering the core of the mattress is not possible. However, temporary solutions, like adding mattress extenders or bolsters, can increase the usable surface area of a mattress.
Will extending my bed voids its warranty?
Modifying your bed frame or mattress will void the mattress warranty. Manufacturers can’t guarantee the performance or durability of their product when used in ways they didn’t intend or test for. However, some companies may have more lenient policies, especially for removable accessories that don’t permanently alter the mattress. Always check your warranty terms before you proceed with any extensions. Contact the manufacturer to discuss your options.
How do I make my extended bed safe to sleep on?
Safety starts with proper construction, using strong materials, and secure attachments. Check all connections regularly, make sure the frame is level, and test for stability by applying pressure to different parts of the bed. If you’re not sure of your DIY skills, consider hiring a professional or a commercial bed extender kit.
Can I extend a bed with a headboard and footboard?
Yes, but it’s more complicated. You may need to modify or replace the footboard to accommodate the extra length. If you’re using a wooden extension, consider designing it to match your headboard and footboard for a uniform look.
Can I extend a memory foam mattress?
Because of their solid construction, memory foam mattresses are harder to extend. A mattress foam extension or topper is usually the best option for these mattresses. Alternatively, you might need to buy a new, longer memory foam mattress to fit your extended frame.
Conclusion
Extending a bed is a fun project that can refresh your bedroom without the cost of buying new furniture. Whether you’re accommodating a larger mattress or adding a footboard, the key is careful planning, precise execution and a dash of creativity. By following these steps, you’ll have a bed that fits your space and needs and a sense of accomplishment in DIY home improvement. With the right tools, materials, and mindset, extending your bed can improve your sleep and overall bedroom satisfaction. So what are you waiting for? Start your bed extension project today and enjoy a longer and more comfortable bed tailored to you.