A 4x6 bed design is the compact double: four feet across and six feet long, built around a 48 x 72 inch mattress. It belongs in a room of nine feet by ten, a student who wants room to sprawl, a guest room that also holds a desk, or a diwan in the hall that sleeps two at a pinch.
Some people write it the other way round, 6x4 or 6*4, and the same frame comes in a 4 by 6.5 length for taller sleepers. One step up is the 5x6 bed, a 60 inch wide frame that gives a couple more room without the floor a full king needs.
For bigger sizes, go back to the double bed hub. For a 3 ft frame, see the single bed page.
4 by 6 Bed Design with Box Storage
Small rooms gain the most from a box under the bed. These three show lift-up, hydraulic and drawer versions of the 4 by 6 bed design with box.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildTeak, light melamine
- StorageLift-up box
A teak frame with a lift-up box suits a compact parents' room. The plain headboard keeps it easy to dust.
Tell your carpenterFit stay hinges or a light gas strut so the lid does not fall while you reach inside.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildPly, white laminate
- StorageHydraulic lift
A light 4 by 6 lid needs only a modest piston pair, so it opens with one hand. Great for a narrow room against the wall.
Tell your carpenterPick gentle pistons for this small lid; heavy ones built for a king make it fly open.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildPly, oak grain laminate
- Storage2 side drawers
Two long drawers on the open side hold daily clothes. The other side sits against the wall to save floor.
Tell your carpenterLeave a clear 3 ft beside the drawers, and pick soft-close channels for quiet nights.
5x6 Bed Design for Couples in Smaller Rooms
A 5 by 6 bed takes a 60 inch mattress, the same width as a queen, with a 72 inch length. It suits couples in rooms too tight for a king.
- SizeQueen 60 x 72 in
- BuildSheesham, walnut PU
- StorageLift-up box
Curving the sirana top gives a small room a gentle focal point. The box holds bedding for the whole family.
Tell your carpenterConfirm the 60 x 72 mattress is in stock before building; 75 inch lengths are more common.
- SizeQueen 60 x 72 in
- BuildPly, beige fabric
- StorageHydraulic lift
Beige cushioning makes the headboard good for leaning and hides daily marks. The hydraulic base makes storage easy.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a removable fabric panel so it can be cleaned without taking the bed apart.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildMS tube, black powder
- StorageNone, open legs
An iron 6x4 frame bolts apart into a few pieces, so it moves easily between rented flats.
Tell your carpenterSee that slats sit on a mid rail propped by its own foot, and that spare nuts come in the bag.
4x6 Diwans and Single Bed Design 4 by 6 for Small Rooms
A 4x6 also works as a wide single or a diwan that sleeps two. See the diwan bed page for more seating beds.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildSheesham, natural polish
- StorageLift-up box
A wide diwan seats four in the day and sleeps two guests at night. Takiya bolsters prop your back while seated.
Tell your carpenterAim the seat near knee level and choose a firm mattress, so guests sit upright like on a sofa.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildPine, clear matte coat
- Storage2 foot drawers
A 4 ft wide bed gives a student room to spread out books and still leaves space for a desk along the wall.
Tell your carpenterAsk for drawers at the foot if the long side is against the wall.
- SizeDouble 48 x 72 in
- BuildRubberwood, teak stain
- StorageNone, open legs
Cane on three sides turns the bed into a sofa by day. It suits a study cum guest room.
Tell your carpenterAsk for removable cane panels and bolted side rails strong enough to lean on.
4x6, 4x6.5 and 5x6: Sizes Compared
| Name | Mattress, inches | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 4 by 6 | 48 wide, 72 long | One adult, guest rooms, compact couples |
| 4 by 6.5 | 48 wide, 78 long | Tall single sleepers |
| 5 by 6 | 60 wide, 72 long | Couples in smaller rooms |
| 5 by 6.25 | 60 wide, 75 long | The usual queen |
Measure the mattress you will use first. Makers vary by an inch or so, and the frame must match it.
Will a 4x6 Fit My Room?
Outside dimensions for a 4x6 run near 52 by 78 inches once a thin sirana is fitted. One long side can sit against the wall in small rooms, leaving the other side for walking. Our size tool on this page takes your room numbers and shows what fits.
- 8 by 10 ft room: 4x6 against one wall, drawers at the foot.
- 9 by 10 ft room: 4x6 centred, or a 5x6 against a wall.
- 10 by 10 ft room: 5x6 centred with a slim side table.
Rooms bigger than that can take a queen with ease.
What to Ask For
Give the carpenter the mattress size in inches and its thickness. Say which side touches the wall. Workshops usually cut box walls and lid from MR plywood around three quarters of an inch, that is 18 or 19 mm. For a hydraulic lid, a 4 by 6 needs a lower piston rating than a king. Approve the laminate or polish on a sample first.
Questions people ask
What is a 4x6 bed in inches?
It holds a 48 by 72 inch mattress, sold as a double. Rails make the outer size a touch bigger all round.
Is a 4 by 6 bed enough for two people?
It works for two in a pinch or for a compact couple, giving 24 inches each. For daily use by two adults, a 5x6 or queen is more comfortable.
What is the difference between 4x6 and 5x6 bed design?
The 5x6 is a foot wider and takes a 60 inch mattress. It needs about a foot more room width but sleeps two adults much better.
Is 6x4 bed design the same as 4x6?
Yes. It is the same bed, written length first. Always give the carpenter mattress width and length in inches to avoid mix-ups.
Which storage is best on a 4 by 6 bed design with box?
If one long side is against the wall, a hydraulic or lift-up lid uses the full box. If both sides are open, drawers are handy for daily clothes.