Skip to Content

Maximizing Space: Using Trundle Beds Effectively

From being a storage unit to being a supplementary bed for the occasional sleepover during those slumber parties, trundle beds can be exceptionally useful to have around.

They are very efficient in regard to space-saving since they only take up the space of a regular bed and are great for hosting guests too. However, trundle beds won’t be such an easy asset if they won’t fit under your bed.

Can You Put a Trundle Under Any Bed?

Sectional Sofa

Technically yes, you can put a trundle under your regular bed. However, it will depend on how low your bed’s frame is.

The frame of the main bed must have enough clearance between it and the floor to fit the trundle beneath it. Thus, you won’t be able to fit a trundle under a bed that only has a couple of inches off the floor underneath it.

Keep in mind that trundles come in full or twin sizes. That means if you have a twin bed, you won’t be able to put a full-sized trundle beneath it. So, it also depends on the size of the main bed.

How Much Room under a Bed do you need for a Trundle?

For a trundle bed to slide under another bed, the space clearance under the main bed must provide enough room to accommodate the trundle and the mattress.

Subject to the manufacturer, the trundle frame can be as low as six inches. Factor in another six inches for the mattress and the minimum height of the primary bed will be 12 inches.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about trundle beds is that the convenient rolling storage can be used in a variety of ways. Essentially, trundle beds hold a mattress to provide additional sleeping space that can be tucked under a regular bed.

What’s the Difference between a Trundle and a Daybed?

Although options can save space, daybeds and trundle beds are different. A daybed generally refers to a bed that can be used for lounging or napping while trundle beds are often viewed as any other bed- it’s only that underneath the primary mattress is another mattress that you can pull.

Since trundle beds feature a smaller second bedroom with a thinner mattress, they’re perfectly suited for kids’ rooms. Not only because they make it easier for kids to sleep, but also because kids generally love trundle beds.

Daybeds, on the other hand, are a type of sofa that is spacious enough and designed in a manner that can be used for both sitting and sleeping, making them ideal for both kids and adults.

Trundle beds come in a variety of sizes. There are single beds (which can be turned into either a double or a king-size bed), or you can find double trundle beds, which usually have huge storage space underneath. The price of the trundle beds varies depending on the size and the style you’re looking for.

If you’re wondering if you can pop up a trundle bed, there are pullout trundle beds that come with fixed frames so that they remain at a lower level than the primary bed when they are pulled out.

Designs have evolved over the years and modern types of trundles now come with spring-loaded, which allows them to lift to the same height as the main bed.

Advantages of a Trundle Bed

Sectional Sofa

Trundle beds are a great piece of furniture in any home because they have multiple uses- from being an easy place to sleep for your child’s friend to a convenient storage unit.

Great for Hosting Guest

In comparison to other beds for guests such as futons and air mattresses, trundle beds are convenient, comfortable, and easy to use, especially if your kids have sleepovers.

Utilizes Small Spaces

If you live in a small space such as an apartment or studio, trundle beds are a smart piece to have around. A trundle bed sleeps, two people. Plus you store one beneath the other, so you don’t have to worry about having an additional room for friends and surprise guests.

Also, if you don’t need the extra sleeping space, you can simply store even more belongings where another mattress would normally go.

Multipurpose

Another excellent trait of trundle beds stems from their versatility. Subject to the style of your trundle bed, you can use it as a daybed or chaise lounge during the day as well as a sleeping space at night. Furthermore, trundles can be used as a storage space for items such as toys, clothes, blankets if they are not being used as a second bed.

Cost-Effective

No doubt that trundle beds are cheaper than two spate beds. Although the upfront cost is a bit higher compared to a regular bed, it’s a more economical option as it sleeps, two people. With a trundle bed, you don’t need to have a whole room to decorate or furnish. So they save you money too.

Downsides of a Trundle Bed

Although trundle beds are excellent in certain situations, they also have their own limitations.

First, trundle beds have a low weight capacity and can only support roughly 250 pounds. That means they’re not ideal for larger adults due to the risk of them breaking. Not forgetting the annoying issue if the wheels on the trundle do not lock. The bed may not stay in place.

The next thing is that trundle beds require a thin type of mattress, which may not provide adequate spinal support or cushion for adults with back pain. Kids, however, are light enough to enjoy sleeping on a thin mattress.

People with low mobility or chronic pain may find it difficult to squat down or get up from a trundle bed, given that these beds are mostly low to the ground.

 The Bottom Line

When it comes to trundle, it turns out that generally, they can fit under any bed. Just as long the bed’s frame has enough clearance between it and the floor, and you’ve got specially-sized sheets for the secondary matters, you should be good to go.