Bed risers can be of great help to people who are unsatisfied with the height of their beds. However, don’t worry if you are unwilling to buy them, as this article has cheap and effective bed riser alternatives.
Many people put a lot of effort into researching the features of the bed they want to buy before finally investing their money into it, but they often forget to consider the height of that bed.
It can become a problem later on since bed height can either improve or worsen one’s experience with the bed. Most of the time, this problem is with the bed being short. So, let’s jump into bed riser alternatives without any further ado!
9 Best Bed Riser Alternatives + How To Set Them Up
Here are a few readily available items that you can use for making your bed higher off the ground!
1. Raise Bed Frame Using Cinder Blocks
Cinder blocks are a quick and cheap bed riser solution because one cinder block costs no more than a dollar or two.
Using Cinder Blocks For Increasing The Height Of Your Bed
You’ll need 10-15 cinder blocks to cover the area occupied by a full-size bed, and you will require more if your bed is larger than that. So, to raise bed frame, you have to determine the number of cinder blocks you will require for your bed.
After doing so, take small adhesive grip liner pieces and stick them to one side of the cinder blocks. This step will ensure that your bed does not come in contact with the rough surface of cinder blocks.
The last step is to place your cinder block on the sides or middle of your bed.
How To Enhance The Appearance Of Cinder Blocks
Many people are reluctant to use cinder blocks for raising their beds just because of their rocky appearance. However, you can paint the cinder blocks to make them look better.
2. Metal Chains
Metal chains are the best option to go for if you want to give your bedroom a modernistic look while lifting your bed a few inches above the ground.
How To Use Metal Chains For Lifting Your Bed Above The Ground
First off, find an appropriate place where you would like to position your bed, then drill two holes on each side of your bed.
After that, you will have to drill four holes in the ceiling of your room and connect them with the holes in your bed frame with the help of four metal chains.
Get Professional Help
Although you can drill holes and hang your bed from your bedroom ceiling by yourself, we will strongly recommend you to hire a professional for this job. We are advising you to get professional because metal chains can detach easily and cause damage if you don’t attach them properly.
3. Wheels
As weird as it may sound, you can actually use wheels to increase the height of your bed. They will not only make your bed a few inches taller, but they will also make it mobile, which is excellent for anyone who requires a portable bed.
How To Attach Wheels To The Feet Of Your Bed
There are many different types of wheels, and each has a unique method of installation. The most suitable ones for your bed are screw-on wheels and poster wheels.
Before installing either of them, you’ll have to get rid of the mattress and flip your bed upside-down.
Wheels Aren’t Suitable For Big Beds!
Wheels are perfect for increasing the height of a full-size or a twin-size bed, but they can’t support the weight of a queen-size or a king-size bed. It’s best to check out other options if you are looking for bed risers for a large-sized bed.
4. Wooden Pallets
There can not be a better option than wooden pallets if you want to raise the height of a bed without a bed frame. The best part is that wooden pallets have a rustic appearance, which can elevate the look of your room.
Using Wooden Pallets For Increasing The Height Of Your Bed
Stack wooden pallets on top of one another and glue them together, then place your bed on top of it. You can also construct a headboard using the leftover wooden pallets, and here is how you can do so.
We know that this is not a quick solution to the problem, but it is a fun project that can help you create your own sturdy bed frame on a budget.
5. Mattress Topper
Buy a mattress topper if you are uninterested in doing all the hassle to make your bed higher and want to opt for a simpler solution instead. We know that it won’t give you extra storage space underneath your bed, but it can add ideal height and firmness to your mattress.
Where To Buy Mattress Toppers From?
You can find mattress toppers at any mattress store, but you can also order them from Amazon. However, be sure to read the size chart properly before ordering a mattress topper online.
6. Bookshelves And Dressers
If you have a few extra bookshelves and dressers lying around your house, now can be the time to use them. They can make your bed tall while giving you plenty of space for storing books and other items.
Using Bookshelves And Dressers For Increasing The Height Of Your Bed
Take 2-3 bookshelves or dressers and place them where you want your bed to be, but make sure they are equally spaced. After doing so, use cross braces to secure everything in place, and then put a shelf liner on the top of your dressers or bookshelves.
Although using a shelf liner is optional, we’ll highly recommend it, as it will protect your bed from getting scratched by rubbing against the dressers or bookshelves.
The last step is to place your bed on top of your newly-created bookshelf bed riser.
7. Lofting Kit
Using a lofting kit is one of the easiest ways to add 10-12 inches to the original height of your bed. This solution is recommendable to people who want extra storage space under their beds.
Installing Lofting Kit
Installing a lofting kit isn’t easy, and that’s why we will recommend hiring a professional for this task. Also, lofting kits are far above the ground, and they usually come with ladders and railings. So, any error in their installation can result in dire consequences.
8. Bed Wedges
If you are looking for ideas to increase the height of your bed just because of a medical condition, consider buying bed wedges. It is a body positioning pillow that you can use to lift the head of your bed.
The Best Part About Bed Wedges
Unlike other solutions on our list, bed wedges don’t get attached to your bed. That’s why they are the best solution for anyone who is looking for a temporary solution.
Where To Find Bed Wedges And How Much Do They Cost?
You can find a bed wedge for your bed on Amazon, and it can cost you anywhere from 30 bucks to 150 dollars. Here is a link to one of the cheapest yet most durable bed wedges that you can buy online.
9. Zinus Abel Metal Mattress Foundation – The Best Bed Risers For Platform Beds
The Zinus Abel Metal Mattress Foundation is recommendable to anyone looking for bed risers for platform beds. It comes in a well-packaged box with every tool and nut inside.
Notable Features OF Zinus Abel Metal Mattress Foundation
After buying the Zinus Abel Metal Mattress Foundation, you won’t have to invest in a box spring or any other mattress support because it provides enough support to your mattress. Its structure is 14-inches long, which means that it offers 12 inches of under-bed storage.
Moreover, it comes with a five-year warranty and easy-to-follow instructions.
Bed Risers Worth Buying
Even though all of our bed riser alternatives work, they require a lot of effort, and that’s why bed risers are worth investing in. So, here is a list of the best bed risers for a quick look.
1. Utopia Bedding Adjustable Bed Furniture Risers
The Utopia bed risers are made of plastic, and they can offer a permanent solution on a budget. They come in three different sizes and are sturdy enough to support more than 1300 pounds.
Pros
- Sturdy and Durable.
- They come in Different Sizes.
- Highly affordable.
- Can support 1300 pounds.
Cons
- Made of plastic.
2. Yunnix Bed Furniture Risers
Although the Utopia bed risers are pretty durable, they have a triangular shape, which means they can wobble on a slippery surface. However, you won’t face the same problem with the Yunnix Bed Furniture Risers, as they have a rectangular shape and a non-slip design.
Pros
- Non-slip design.
- Economical price.
- They can support upto 1300 lbs.
- They have a layer of rubber at the bottom to protect the floor against accidental damage.
Cons
- These bed risers only come in one size.
3. Hold N’ Storage Bed Risers with Power Outlet
Buy the Holdn’ Storage Bed Risers with Power Outlet if you want bed risers that can do a little more than just supporting your bed. It is because they have two power outlets and two USB ports.
Although these bed risers are made of plastic, they can bear a little over 1200 lbs. Moreover, they can provide you approximately 5 inches of under-bed storage.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- They do more than just supporting your bed.
- These bed risers can support upto 1200 lbs.
- They are made of durable plastic.
Cons
- They are only available in one size.
How To Raise a Bed with Bed Risers
Learning how to raise a bed with bed risers is worthwhile. Bed risers are the simplest and easiest to access method for raising your bed.
Considering some of the alternative methods, bed risers might be the healthier and safer choice.
Bed risers are designed with the sole purpose of increasing the height of a bed. So, they’re easier to install and work better than most other options. As we see with the few products listed here, bed risers can also include additional options to make your life easier.
When you choose bed risers, here are a few things to consider:
- Material: Bed risers are generally available in metal, plastic, and wood. Metal and wood are usually the better choices, though more expensive than plastic.
- Height: How high do you want your bed to go? Most risers are available in the range of 1-12 inches.
- Weight requirements: Can your bed risers handle the weight? Be generous, rather than being exact with these requirements. Remember you have to account for the weight of the frame, the mattress, and occupants of the bed!
Steps To Raising A Bed With Bed Risers
Installing bed raisers is the job for more than one person. It will require a lot of energy and strength as you lift the bed and put risers in position one-by-one. If more people are available, the process will get easier.
Remove the mattress and anything else that might add weight to the bed. This makes the job easier and helps reduce the risk of damage to the bed (or frame).
Now’s the time for some real action! Lift a corner of the bed and push a bed riser into position. Once there, gently lower the bed until it fits snug on the riser. Ideally, you have some help with this part. One person lifts the bed, while the other places the bed riser into position.
Once the first riser is in place, repeat the process for other bedposts. With each bedpost, check (and double-check) that the bed and riser are in a perfect and stable fit.
Place the mattress on the bed, make your bed, and enjoy the raised bed!
A Quick DIY Bed Riser Recipe For You
A bed riser, at its heart, is a simple recipe to lift the bed further off the ground. You can use any of the alternatives listed here or buy quality bed risers from the market.
Or, take the route of a craftsman and make your own DIY Bed Riser. It requires some basic knowledge of crafting and a few tools that are easily available for most people.
What You Need For DIY Bed Riser
- A wood fence post (2 foot) – you can get it from Lowes or Sears.
- Power drill.
- Large drill bit (1 inch).
- A hand saw.
- A foil, felt, or your choice of material to decorate the bed riser.
The Steps To Building A Bed Riser By Yourself
Wait, why do I need a fence post?
We’re making our bed risers from wood. A fence post is economical and easily available. It will allow some uniformity in the process. If you can get hold of blocks of wood up to 6 inch in height, that might work too.
There is no exact reason why you should stop at 5-7 inch height of the wood blocks. Generally speaking, heights greater than this will make the bed feel wobbly and might even risk injury or damage to property.
Let’s get started with the steps.
Step 1: Determine The Height Of The Riser
Once you’ve decided the height of the bed riser, cut the fence post into four equal parts. Each of these parts should be equal in height. These will become the core of our DIY bed risers.
Remember not to get too generous with the height. In my opinion, just about 5-inches is enough.
Step 2: Get Drilling
Time to get that power drill and large drill bit in action. Drill to somewhere between half-inch to three-fourths inch on each wood block.
Take care that the indent is of equal depth in each block. This should also be large enough to hold the bed frame leg. Yet, it shouldn’t be so wide that it gives the frame leg room to wiggle around.
You want the hole to be a snug fit for the bed frame leg. So be conservative, rather than being generous with the width.
Step 3: The Finishing
Remove the mattress and any bedding from the bed frame. Raise the bed one corner at a time and push the wood blocks under the frame leg. Repeat for all corners.
However, there is an option for a detour here. Before you place the DIY bed risers, how about giving them a nice finish?
You could paint it, wrap it in foil or felt, or use any other method to take away the bland wood look. There are plenty of options here, it all depends on how creative you want to be!
How To Make Your Bed Higher Off The Ground
Are you wondering how to make your bed higher off the ground? If yes, then reading our article will help you find the solution to your problem. It has everything you need to know about increasing the height of your bed, including the best bed risers and bed riser alternatives that are out there.