IKEA KURA Bed: Age, Dimensions, Weight Capacity & Important Tips

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iLoveKURA

September 22, 2026

On September 15, 2026

The IKEA KURA bed is designed so that it can be used in different ways and adapted to different stages of childhood. In the low configuration, the sleeping surface is close to the floor. When the structure is turned over, KURA can be used as a loft bed – with additional space for playing or relaxing underneath the sleeping area.

As the child gets older and the way the bed is used changes, important questions arise: What age is the IKEA KURA suitable for? From what age can a child sleep on the upper level? What are the dimensions of the bed, which mattress fits it and what should you know about the maximum weight capacity?

In this guide, we have brought together the most important information on age, dimensions, mattress, weight capacity and the safe use of the IKEA KURA in one clear overview.

IKEA KURA – Age, Dimensions, Mattress and Weight Capacity

What age is the IKEA KURA bed suitable for? This is one of the most common questions parents ask. KURA can be used in two different configurations. In the low configuration, the sleeping surface is close to the floor. When the structure is turned over, it becomes a loft bed. For use as a loft bed, IKEA recommends a minimum age of 6 years, as loft beds involve an increased risk of falling.

The most important dimensions and specifications of the IKEA KURA bed:

Sleeping area: 90 × 200 cm
Overall dimensions: 209 × 99 × 116 cm
Height of the space under the bed: 83 cm
Maximum load: 100 kg
Maximum mattress height according to IKEA: 12 cm

The height of the mattress is particularly important. With a loft bed, this is not only about comfort: the higher the mattress, the less protective height remains above it.

A good children’s bed should suit more than just the child’s age. It should be able to change with their needs. And that is exactly what makes the IKEA KURA so special.

KURA Grows with the Child – But New Questions Arise with Age

We already know: A good children’s bed should be able to adapt as the child’s needs change. And that is one of the particular strengths of the IKEA KURA.

But if KURA is so versatile, why do so many parents keep asking the same questions over the years?

Will the IKEA KURA still be suitable for my child in a few years?
When can the KURA be turned over and used as a loft bed?Is my child ready to sleep on the upper level?
Is the safety rail high enough?
What changes if I choose a higher mattress?
How can I make practical use of the free space under the KURA?
Can a second sleeping space be created under the IKEA KURA?
Where can bedding, toys and other items be stored when there is little space in the children’s room?
Can I change the function of the KURA later without having to buy a new bed?
How can the KURA be adapted to the needs of an older child?

The needs of a three-, six- or ten-year-old child are not the same. That is exactly why it is worth asking these questions not only when buying a children’s bed, but again as the child grows.

The answers to these questions can be found in the next section.

What Should Parents Look for in Fall Protection?

The IKEA KURA can accompany a child for many years.
Thanks to its reversible design, the way the bed is used can be adapted to the child’s age. However, there is no specific age at which a child automatically becomes “too big” for the KURA. What matters are the child’s height, individual needs and the way the children’s room is used.
The high configuration of the KURA is intended for children aged 6 and over.
IKEA specifies a minimum age of 6 years for using the bed in the high configuration. For younger children, the sleeping surface should be used in the low configuration.
Age alone does not determine whether a child is ready to sleep on the upper level.
Parents should consider whether their child can use the ladder safely, does not treat it as play equipment and understands the rules for sleeping in a loft bed. There is no reason to rush the change simply because the child has turned six.
The height of the safety rail should always be considered together with the mattress height.
What matters is how much protection remains above the mattress surface – not only the overall height of the fall protection. The choice of mattress therefore has a direct impact on protection against falling out of bed.
A higher mattress reduces the effective height of the safety rail.
The higher the mattress surface, the less protection remains above it. With the IKEA KURA, the manufacturer’s specified maximum mattress height of 12 cm should therefore be observed.
The space under the KURA does not always have to serve the same purpose.
It can be used for playing, reading or relaxing, provide storage space or create room for an additional sleeping option. Its function can change as the child’s needs change.
An additional sleeping space can be created under the KURA.
One option is the pull-out NestUp Sleep sleeping solution. It is designed for a 90 × 180 cm mattress with a maximum height of 10 cm. When the additional sleeping space is not needed, it can be pushed back under the bed.
The space under the bed can also be used for storage.
Pull-out drawers provide space for bedding, toys and other children’s belongings without taking up additional floor space in the room. This can be especially practical in smaller children’s rooms.
A new bed does not have to be purchased every time the child’s needs change.
The KURA itself can be used in two configurations, while the space around the bed can gradually be adapted. An additional sleeping space, storage or play area can be added when it is actually needed.
The KURA can also be adapted to the needs of an older child.
A play corner can later become a place for reading or relaxing, while childlike decorations can be replaced with more neutral elements. This means the entire bed does not have to be replaced simply because the room and the child’s interests change.

GOOD TO KNOW

IKEA KURA at a glance

90 × 200 cm
Mattress size for the IKEA KURA bed

max. 12 cm
Maximum mattress height according to IKEA

from 6 years
Use of the IKEA KURA in the high configuration

100 kg
Maximum static load

90 × 180 cm · max. 10 cm
Suitable mattress size and maximum mattress height for NestUp Sleep

One Bed, Many Stages of Childhood

As a child gets older, their needs change – and so do the requirements for their room. What is a place to play today can later become storage space, an additional sleeping space or a cosy corner for reading and relaxing.

The IKEA KURA provides a versatile foundation for this. Not every family needs the same solutions and not everything has to be planned from the beginning. It is much more important to adapt the bed and the space around it when the child’s needs actually change.

The most important thing is not how many possibilities a children’s bed offers – but whether it can adapt to your child’s needs. That is exactly where the strength of the IKEA KURA lies.