Abstract: The bed with retractable side extension has a retractable shelf positioned below the mattress, the shelf being extendable from a side of the bed. The shelf has a face plate and a railing mounted on the face plate that moves outward with the shelf when the shelf is extended. A height-adjustable platform is mounted on the shelf. When the shelf is fully extended, the platform may be raised so that a top surface of the platform is level with the bed's mattress and an inner edge of the platform is adjacent the mattress. The platform is held in place by an adjustable support, which may releasably lock the platform in the raised position and can be unlocked to lower the platform back onto the shelf.