Average Square Footage of a Bedroom
The size of a bedroom shapes the layout, what furniture you can use, and how to remodel the space. Use this guide to the average square footage of a bedroom to get started.
Your bedroom’s shape and size are among the most important factors when you’re planning a redesign or home renovation project. They impact the furniture you can pick, the size of the rug, the materials you need, and even what style elements will look right. Learn all there is to know about the average square footage of different types of bedrooms, what factors affect the size of bedrooms, and more in our guide.
Standard Bedroom Sizes
Average bedroom sizes are relatively standardized and range between 100 and 300 square feet, but not every bedroom has the same floor plan. Older homes are more likely to have smaller bedrooms and closets, and room size will also vary across different regions and architectural styles.
The type of bedroom—such as whether it is a primary bedroom or a kid’s bedroom—will also impact the square footage. Below, we’ll examine the average square footage of different types of bedrooms and the typical bed sizes in each.
Primary Bedroom
As a general rule, primary bedrooms (previously called master bedrooms in some areas) are the largest bedrooms in a home. They typically include an en suite bathroom and a large walk-in closet. Most primary bedrooms in today’s homes are between 200 and 400 square feet (according to HomeAdvisor.com), with the attached bathroom being up to 200 square feet.
It’s helpful to break down that square footage based on the furnishings and pathways homeowners want in the room. For example, a king-size bed is 6.33-by-6.667 feet or just over 42 square feet.
If you want at least a two-foot pathway along all three sides of the bed, that drastically increases the area needed. The width increases to 10.33 feet (a 2-foot path on the left, the actual mattress width, and the 2-foot path on the right), and the length increases to 8.667 feet (the mattress plus a path along the foot).
Different pieces of furniture can share buffers or footpaths. If you want to have a king mattress without it feeling crowded, the bed’s “footprint” increases to nearly 90 square feet.
Other furniture you’ll commonly need in a primary bedroom includes nightstands (two), a dresser, and a chair or desk in a sitting area.
Guest Bedroom
Guest bedrooms are smaller than primary bedrooms and vary in size. They can also be classified as home offices, kids’ bedrooms, and craft rooms. The average guest bedroom size is 10-by-12 feet. However, spaces designated as home offices may be as small as 70 square feet.
Larger homes will often have bigger guest bedrooms. However, a standard guest bedroom can comfortably fit a full-size or queen-size bed, with a queen bed taking up approximately 5-by-6 feet, 33 square feet, or approximately one quarter of the total space.
Also consider nightstands, which are often two feet across, and dressers, which range from three to five feet across.
Kids’ Bedroom
Conventionally, kids’ bedrooms range in size from 10-by-10 feet to 10-by-12 feet (the size of a guest bedroom). These small bedrooms need more floor space but less furniture. Children’s furniture tends to be smaller than guest and adult furniture, so you have more flexibility to design the layout.
For example, a twin-size bed is 38-by-75 inches, or just under 20 square feet. An average-size desk will be 30-by-20 inches, or just over 4 square feet. This can leave plenty of space for a play area, a dresser, and additional furniture.
Younger children tend to have much smaller furniture than older children and teenagers, which leaves additional play room and open space. You can also conserve space by investing in bunk beds for children sharing a room or buying desk-bed combination furniture that uses more vertical space.
Nursery
Nurseries require the least amount of space. Furniture for infants and toddlers is very small. For example, standard crib sizes, which are regulated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and federal laws, mandate interior sizes of approximately 28-by-52 inches. That’s a footprint of just over 10 feet.
However, today’s homes typically don’t have specially built nurseries. Instead, parents convert kids’ bedrooms into nurseries with a lot of storage or play space. Then, as the child ages, the same room can hold larger replacement furniture.
Factors That Impact Bedroom Size
The room sizes listed above are relatively standardized, but it’s not uncommon to find homes with rooms of dramatically different shapes and sizes. Two factors that can make room sizes vary are the age and style of the home. If you’re building an addition, you should also consider accessibility requirements of the occupant.
Regional and architectural varieties will play a big role in the size of individual rooms. For example, older Victorian-style homes tend to have smaller bedrooms due to factors such as heating considerations, overall home size, and where people spent time when that design was developing.
However, newer American homes grew to accommodate newer real estate trends. A new home is going to have larger bedrooms with more standardized bedroom dimensions. If you’re purchasing a newly constructed home or a home in suburbs developed over the past 30 years, expect a large primary bedroom and additional bedrooms sized at 10-by-12 feet as described above.
Modern homes are bigger based on consumer demand, but building codes also play a role in bedroom size. Federal, state, and local building codes establish different requirements. For example, in Texas, bedrooms must be at least 70 square feet, have a doorway, and have a secondary exit (such as a window). Local codes may also demand that newly constructed bedrooms have a closet (which is not a factor in older homes).
If you’re building an addition or need a bedroom for someone in a wheelchair, factor ADA guidelines into the design choices. These guidelines can stipulate recommended hallway width, doorway width, and space for turning and moving wheelchairs. The ideal turning radius is 5 feet.
Consider space and safety demands for the bedroom, the connecting hallway, and the accompanying bathroom.
Space Planning Tips
Before you plan out the details of the bedroom space, you need to measure the bedroom layout. Your guest bedroom may be the standard 120 square feet. It’s typically 10-by-12 feet, but some rooms may have slightly different lengths and widths. As an example, your house might have a guest room that is 8-by-15 feet to accommodate a neighboring stairwell. Alternatively, it might have a diagonal wall or sloped ceiling.
Once you have the dimensions, plan the layout. Start with the bed and (if you haven’t purchased furniture yet) experiment with different bed sizes. Then arrange the other furniture, always leaving at least 30 inches, or 2.5 feet, around each side that isn’t against a wall.
If the space is too small, consider tall furniture, furniture with hidden storage, or multifunction or Murphy furniture. Murphy-style furniture can fold away to reduce its footprint when not in use.
Our Conclusion
Knowing the dimensions of a bedroom is a helpful start for any redesign or remodeling project. Understanding the typical dimensions of a space is also useful for picking out furniture, rearranging furniture, and deciding what to buy. We recommend leaving generous walkways whenever possible to minimize a cluttered, crowded feeling. Planning before you purchase materials or furniture can help reduce the total cost of your bedroom project.
FAQ About the Average Square Footage of a Bedroom
Is a 12-by-12-foot bedroom small?
A 12-by-12-foot bedroom is small for a primary bedroom but typical for guest bedrooms, kids’ bedrooms, and home offices. This room size easily accommodates a full or queen bed.
Is 250 square feet a big bedroom?
Two hundred and fifty square feet is a big bedroom or a medium primary bedroom. A 250-square-foot room, if it’s a square, is nearly 16-by-16 feet. This space can accommodate a king or queen bed and a roomy work desk area.
What is a standard-sized bedroom?
A standard bedroom size is 10-by-12 feet, especially in modern homes. You’ll also commonly see 10-by-10-foot bedrooms in older or smaller homes.
Is a 10-by-10-foot bedroom small?
A 10-by-10-foot bedroom is small but typical for kids’ bedrooms. It has enough space for a twin bed or, with a bit of planning, a full-size bed. However, it’s important to plan out the layout carefully in smaller rooms and consider tall furniture with vertical storage.
What is a good size bedroom for a king bed?
A good size bedroom for a king bed will be a minimum of 12-by-10 feet. However, this can feel very confined, especially if the room has low ceilings or you want additional furniture beyond a dresser and nightstands. If possible, opt for a bigger bedroom where one dimension is at least double that of the king bed.
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