Trundle Bed Canada: Types, Sizes and What to Look For

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Trundle beds solve a specific problem: sleeping two people in a space designed for one. A spare bedroom that doubles as a home office, a child's room that needs to host overnight guests, a basement rec room without a dedicated guest area. The trundle frame stores under the main bed and deploys when needed.

They have been around for centuries and the core design has not changed much. What has changed is the variety of frame styles, the pop-up mechanism for matching bed heights, and the growing availability of solid wood and upholstered versions. Here is what to look for when buying one in Canada.

Pop-Up vs Pull-Out Trundles

Pop-Up Trundle Beds

A pop-up trundle uses a spring or scissor-lift mechanism to raise the secondary mattress to the same height as the primary bed. When raised, two mattresses sit side by side at matching heights, effectively creating a surface the width of two single beds. This is the better choice when two adults or older children will be using the beds, since a floor-level mattress is uncomfortable and impractical for anyone who finds it difficult to get up from low positions.

The mechanism adds cost and weight. Pop-up trundles typically cost $100 to $200 more than equivalent pull-out designs. The lift mechanism requires occasional maintenance and can fail over time, particularly in lower-cost designs where the springs or hinges are light gauge.

Pull-Out Trundles

A pull-out trundle rolls out from under the bed on casters and stays at floor level, typically 8 to 12 cm from the ground when the mattress is on it. Simpler mechanically, lighter, and less expensive. For children under 10 or for occasional use by adults who do not mind a low sleeping position, a pull-out works fine.

The limitation is obvious: a mattress 8 cm from the floor is uncomfortable to get in and out of for most adults. If the trundle is intended for regular use or for adult guests, the pop-up version is worth the extra cost.

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Sizes and Mattress Requirements

Almost all trundle beds use single (twin) mattresses. Single is 38 by 75 inches (97 by 190 cm) in Canada and the United States. Some larger frames accommodate double (full) trundles, but these are uncommon.

The most important size consideration with trundles is mattress thickness. The trundle must fit under the primary bed frame when stored. This limits the trundle mattress to:

A standard single mattress is 8 to 14 inches thick. Most modern mattresses are too thick for a trundle. You will need a specifically designed trundle mattress or a thin foam mattress in the 5 to 8 inch range. These are available from Canadian retailers and are generally less expensive than full-thickness mattresses, but the thinner profile means less cushioning and less support for extended use.

Frame Types and Materials

Metal Frames

The majority of budget trundle beds use steel or iron frames. Welded steel is strong and durable, but lighter-gauge steel with inadequately welded joints develops squeaks and structural looseness over time. When evaluating a metal trundle frame, check the joint quality at the corners and leg connections. A well-welded steel frame at $350 will outlast a poorly welded one at $500.

Solid Wood Frames

Hardwood (maple, oak, birch) trundle frames are heavier but significantly more durable and stable than metal. They do not develop squeaks the way metal frames can, and they respond better to Canadian humidity cycles that cause wood to expand and contract seasonally. Solid wood trundles are more expensive, starting around $600 to $800 for a quality frame, but they last 15 to 20 years with normal care.

MDF and Engineered Wood

Medium-density fibreboard trundles are the budget option in the $200 to $400 range. Adequate for light use in a child's room, but they chip at the edges, warp in humid conditions, and do not hold hardware (bolts, screws) as well as solid wood. Not recommended for daily use or for frames that will be moved frequently.

Who a Trundle Bed Is Right For

Trundle beds work best in these specific situations:

• Children's bedrooms for sleepovers: The most common use. A child's room with a standard bed and a pull-out trundle handles overnight guests without requiring a permanent second bed.
• Guest rooms that double as offices: A daybed with a trundle converts a study into a room that sleeps two when needed, with both beds out of sight when not in use.
• Basement rec rooms: A secondary sleep option in a finished basement that does not have a dedicated bedroom.
• Smaller apartments: In a one-bedroom or studio where a guest occasionally stays, a trundle stored under a platform bed takes no permanent floor space.

Where trundles are not the right answer: if someone will sleep on the trundle more than a few nights per week, a proper secondary bed with a full-thickness mattress is better for sleep quality and long-term spinal health. Trundles are optimised for occasional use.

Trundle Bed Options in Canada

Trundle beds are widely available in Canada through IKEA, The Brick, Wayfair Canada, and local furniture stores. IKEA's HEMNES and BRIMNES ranges include pop-up trundle options in the $400 to $800 range. For solid wood options in Southern Ontario, Lakewood furniture (which we carry at Mattress Miracle) includes hardwood beds in maple, oak, and pine that accommodate trundle frames.

For mattresses to pair with a trundle frame, we carry thin foam and coil options at our Brantford showroom. Call ahead at (519) 770-0001 to describe your frame's clearance height and we can confirm what thickness options are available.

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Shop: Trundle Beds at Mattress Miracle