Are Bed Risers Safe? How To Choose The Right Bed Risers
Last Updated on Mar 13, 2023
Bed risers are wooden, plastic, or metal structures placed under each foot of your bed to raise your bed height. They add some storage space under your bed, and also makes it easier to climb in and out of the bed.
But, are bed risers safe? Yes, bed risers are perfectly safe if you place them correctly under your bed and fix them tightly.
This blog will take you through tips to keep your bed risers safe and show you when they can turn unsafe. Thus, you will be able to choose the perfect bed riser for your bed after reading it.
When Are the Bed Risers Unsafe?
If the bed riser is well made and installed properly, it is super safe. However, there might be some unintentional mistakes in its placement. Let’s look at some scenarios when your bed frame risers can prove to be unsafe.
Installing the Bed Riser Incorrectly
Not installing the bed riser properly will make the base unstable. For instance, if your bed riser has screws, you need to tighten them. Otherwise, they might come off, causing an accident anytime.
It is better if there are two people while installing bed risers. You can ask a friend or family member to help you. One of you will raise the bed, while the other will install the riser. But if you don’t get someone to help you, you can use a carjack to raise the bed frame.
Too Large Bed Risers
If your bed riser is too wide, the foot of your bed will not fit properly. Thus, the bed’s legs will stay loose and might move while you sleep. So, make sure you measure the diameter of your bed’s legs before purchasing risers. That will make them fit perfectly.
Uneven Floor
Rough and uneven ground will cause you trouble while installing bed risers. That’s because it won’t stand straight and provide stable support. So, your bed frame might tilt and move a lot when you lie down.
Extra Weight on the Bed Riser
Every riser has a specific weight-bearing capacity. If you overload it, it won’t be stable and might even break down.
The weight carrying capacity of a riser depends on its material and how it is attached to the bed frame. Naturally, metal risers would be more sturdy than wooden ones.
The manufacturer generally lists down the weight carrying capacity of the entire set of risers. However, it’s crucial to remember that the riser will not only hold the bed frame. It will also carry the weight of your mattress, bedding, and the people sleeping on it.
The thickness of the bed’s legs also affects the pressure on the bed risers. Thicker legs will distribute the pressure more evenly than pointed ones.
Types of Bed Risers
You can have different types of risers for your bed. Let’s take a look at the three most common types.
1. Screw-In Bed Risers
Screw-in bed risers allow you to screw them to the bed frame to raise bed height. You can unscrew the original legs and replace them with these risers.
You will get them in wood, steel, and plastic. However, it is better to go for steel risers as they are more sturdy.
Make sure you screw them properly to provide stable support to your bed. Otherwise, they might pop out of place and cause accidents.
2. Stackable Bed Risers
Stackable bed risers are one of the safest bed risers. Plus, they are super easy to install. You just need to place one under each leg of the bed.
Stackable risers increase the height of your bed by a couple of inches only. However, there are higher options available too.
Make sure you go for metal risers if you want to add extra height to your bed. Plastic risers might crack and break under too much pressure.
3. Adjustable Risers
Adjustable risers come in eight pieces instead of four. One set of four risers acts as the base, and the other set fits into the base pieces. This second set allows you to change the bed height according to your requirements.
Plastic adjustable risers are super affordable. However, they can collapse under too much weight. So, it is better to use metal adjustable risers if you don’t want to collapse in your sleep.
Check out our blog to get more tips and tricks on how to raise a bed.
How to Choose the Right Bed Risers for Your Bed Frame?
Let’s see how you will choose the right bed risers. Here are some important considerations to make before purchasing.
1. Bed Size
The larger the size of your bed, the sturdier your riser should be. That’s because larger beds will exert more pressure on the riser.
If you have a queen or king-size bed, make sure you look for strong and durable materials for your risers. It is better to avoid plastic risers as they will be unable to bear the weight. Wooden risers may be a good fit. But steel risers are the strongest.
2. Bed Height
The type of bed frame risers you choose also depends on the height you want to achieve. A higher bed is super helpful if you suffer from conditions like arthritis. It makes it easier for you to climb in and out of your bed.
However, you must remember that high bed risers will make your bed frame less steady. That’s why it’s better to go for screw-in risers as they will allow you to tightly fix the screws to secure your bed frame.
You can also opt for adjustable risers that will let you change the bed height according to your convenience.
3. Weight Carrying Capacity
All materials do not have the same weight-bearing capacity. Plastic risers are quite fragile and might collapse under too much weight. Wooden risers are a better option. However, metal risers are the safest bed risers as they can bear the maximum weight, and don’t collapse even under extra pressure.
Find the Right Bed Height
Finding the right bed height is crucial if you want to get in and out of it without any trouble. Here are some factors to consider while choosing the height of your bed.
1. Age
Age impacts your mobility. As you grow older, your joints stiffen. So, the bed height should neither be too high nor too low. Too high beds will make it tough for you to climb in and out of it. And too low beds will put unnecessary strain on your joints.
2. Mattress Type
You have to consider the thickness of your mattress while choosing your bed height. Some mattresses tend to sag over time. So, you will need a higher bed to compensate for the decrease in height. However, if your mattress is thick enough, you will need a bed frame of medium height so that it is not too high to climb in and out.
Read our blog to know more about your ideal bed height.
Bed Risers Safety for Different Types of Beds
You must ensure your safety while raising bed with bed risers. After all, you don’t want your bed to collapse in the middle of the night.
Let’s look at how you can make your bed safe and sound while installing risers. We will consider different types of beds.
Bunk Beds
If you have a bunk bed, make sure you choose the right size riser and then fit it properly. Choose a riser with a deep insert so that the leg of your bed fits perfectly in it.
Bunk beds weigh more than usual beds. So, it’s crucial to make sure your riser has the capacity to bear the weight. Solid wood or metal risers are a perfect fit for your bunk bed.
It is, however, better not to add too much height to your bunk bed. It can become a cause of concern when small children sleep on the upper bunk. Falling off the bunk might lead to serious accidents.
Platform Beds
Platform beds are lower than bunk beds. So, you can use tall bed risers without any worries.
You should, however, fix the risers properly so that they are stable. Otherwise, they might move and cause unnecessary disturbance in your sleep.
Adjustable and stackable risers are perfect for platform beds. However, they should be made of sturdy materials like wood and steel.
Are Stackable Bed Risers Safe?
The safety of stackable bed risers depends on the material they are made of. If they are made of low-density plastic, they might collapse under the weight of your bed. So, it’s crucial to choose sturdy materials like metal or wood. Even high-density plastic can support the weight of your bed.
You also have to consider the width of the bed legs while installing stackable risers. If the legs are too thin, they will put too much pressure on the risers, causing them to break. Moreover, the legs should fit tightly in the riser. Otherwise, the structure might become wobbly and slip off when you hop into your bed, causing a serious mishap.
Are DIY Bed Risers Safe?
DIY bed risers might be fancy and cost-effective but are not safe. That’s because there are several risks involved when you make your bed risers.
It is difficult to ensure that all the risers are of the same height. If they are not, you will not get a stable bed.
It is also hard to know how much weight your DIY bed riser can support, which makes them even riskier. What if they collapse when you are sleeping with your partner and kids?
Sometimes, people make bed risers with cinder blocks and bricks. However, that is not a wise idea as the legs of your bed might slip off, injuring you and your loved ones.
So, it is a better idea to buy a sturdy bed riser than trying to make one by yourself.
How to Make Bed Risers Sturdy?
Here are some tips to make your bed risers sturdy and safe.
- Place a non-slip rubber mat beneath the bed frame risers. It will prevent the risers from slipping, giving them a better grip over the ground.
- Screw the risers tightly so that they do not slide off.
- Take care that the bed legs fit perfectly on the risers. If there are any gaps, you can fill them with rubber or cement. But that would affect the aesthetic value of your bed legs.
- If your bed riser has two parts, you can consider gluing the top part to the bottom one. That will ensure the legs stay attached securely.
Are Adjustable Beds an Alternative to Bed Risers?
If you are looking for bed riser alternatives, adjustable beds are a great option. They let you use a remote to adjust the height of your bed according to your convenience. Moreover, you can choose any angle to incline your bed. That means you can raise the head and foot of your bed separately.
Adjustable beds work like a pro if you have sleep apnea or acid reflux. When you raise the head of your bed, your head stays elevated, preventing your throat’s soft tissues from blocking your airway. Thus, it gives relief from snoring.
Even in acid reflux, you can ease your symptoms by keeping your head up. It will ensure your stomach’s contents stay in place.
Bed risers can also help you elevate your legs while sleeping. Thus, they are far more advantageous than bed risers. If you try to elevate one part of your bed with bed risers, it will make your bed too unstable.
Is Lofted Bed a Better Option than Bed Risers?
If you are wondering how to raise a bed without using bed risers, lofted beds are an excellent option. They are like bunk beds but without the bottom bunk. Instead, the bottom bunk acts as a storage space.
Lofted beds can help you save space in small apartments. At the same time, you can also raise your bed height without using risers.
If you are looking for a new bed frame, you might consider checking our bed frame buying guide.
Conclusion
Now, you no longer have any doubts about how to use bed risers and how do bed risers work. Thus, it will be easier to choose the right bed risers. Moreover, you have learnt the tricks of ensuring your bed risers are safe. So, go ahead and raise the height of your bed according to your convenience.
