With the availability of hundreds of different options, bed frame shopping has become more confusing than ever. However, knowing the pros and cons of every type of bed frame can help you select the best bed frame for your bedroom.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons of platform beds to see if they’re a good fit.
What Is A Platform Bed?
Basically, any bed frame with a built-in support system for a mattress is known as a platform bed. This type of bed has metallic and wooden bases that eliminate the need for box springs or bunkie boards. Typically, these bases are slatted or have tiny holes to promote airflow for increasing the life of your mattress.
Platform beds are pretty modernistic and visually appealing. Some of them have headboards and footboards, while others take minimalism to heart.
Most platform beds are low-profile, and their height ranges between 6 and 18 inches. Another noticeable thing about platform beds is that they offer a lot of under-bed storage, which is quite beneficial for people living in small spaces.
Where To Find Platform Beds With Storage?
You can find platform beds with storage in many furniture stores, IKEA, and online stores. If you are unsatisfied with a ready-made platform bed, you can hire some professionals to make a custom platform bed for you.
There’s also the DIY route to consider if your bed doesn’t have built-in storage. Shoving suitcases and boxes is one way to do it, though not a very elegant option. It’s a better idea to buy under-bed storage. These options are available at many online stores, bix box stores, and furniture retailers.
You could buy conventional storage bags like these and arrange them under the bed. If you want to go frugal, perhaps using boxes from your online shopping could be a good idea. Slap a label on it for convenience, and you’ve got a quality storage option for cheap!
Pros Of Platform Beds – The Highlights To Consider
Honestly, there are more pros of platform beds than there are cons. We have discussed some of the most prominent ones here.
1. Eliminating The Need For A Mattress Support
Mattress support like box springs and bunkie boards are a must with almost every type of bed frame. They can cost you anywhere from $200 to $1000, and there isn’t any guarantee of finding the right-sized and perfectly comfortable mattress support for your mattress.
Buying a platform bed will free you from the worry of spending extra cash and putting effort into buying mattress support, which will make shopping for a new bed a little less hectic.
2. Increases The Life Of Your Mattress
A platform bed can extend the lifespan of your mattress by increasing the airflow. The foundation or base of platform beds is either slatted or has tiny holes, which allows the mattress to breathe and avoids trapping moisture.
It reduces the risk of getting fungus and excessive bacterial growth, which results in increased longevity of your mattress. More ventilation and airflow for the mattress also mean better comfort for the sleeper.
3. You Get To Choose From Hundreds Of Different Designs
Like traditional beds, platform beds also come in hundreds of different designs. They are available in multiple sizes, providing buyers with a variety of choices. You could very well find a platform bed that suits your exact preferences and taste.
4. Aesthetically Pleasing For Many People
A platform bed is only 6 to 18 inches above the ground, and its appearance makes it look better and minimalist than most traditional beds.
This increases its aesthetic appeal, and that’s the main reason why many people buy platform beds in the first place. However, it all comes down to one’s personal preference.
5. Offers Extra Storage Space
Many platform beds have built-in cabinets and cupboards, which enable the users to store their essentials. Even if your platform bed does not offer such storage facilities, it will have a considerable amount of under-bed space that you can use for storage.
Cons Of Platform Beds
1. Their Low-profile Can Be Bothersome For Some Folks
While it is true that short-heightened platform beds can increase the aesthetics of your bedroom, we can’t ignore the fact that their height makes it a tad bit difficult to get up and lay down.
It isn’t an actual problem for people who are perfectly fit and have no health issues, but it can really bother people with physical disabilities or illnesses.
To sum it all, platform beds are not recommended for people with medical problems concerning their bones or any other conditions that can make getting up and laying down a challenge for them.
2. Moving Platform Beds Around Is Nothing Less Than A Struggle
Unlike ordinary beds, it is nearly impossible to disassemble a platform bed. It leaves you with no choice other than to move your platform bed around in a single piece.
Therefore, getting a platform bed isn’t the best idea if you intend to move in the near future or have a job that sees you changing cities frequently.
3. Platform Beds Aren’t Suitable For People Wanting A Lot Of Storage Space
One of the disadvantages of having a platform bed is that it can’t offer under-bed storage of more than 5-16 inches. While that is more than enough for many people, it might not be enough for folks who want to store big and bulky trunks under their beds.
Platform Bed vs Box Spring
Both platform beds and box springs are excellent mattress supports, and perhaps that’s why many people tend to get confused while choosing between the two.
However, you can avoid all the fuss by knowing their advantages and disadvantages. Allow us to explain them to you!
1. Pricing
You see, platform beds are bed frames, whereas box springs are mattress supports that you can use with or without a bed frame. It means that you won’t have to invest in a mattress after buying a platform bed, but you will probably have to put your money in a bed frame after purchasing a box spring.
Hence, platform beds are more economical than box springs.
2. Height
Bed height plays a major role in determining the level of comfortability of your bed.
No doubt that the shortness of platform beds increases their aesthetic appeal. However, it also makes them uncomfortable and completely unsuitable for people with serious medical conditions.
So, you should go for a traditional bed frame with a box spring if you think a short-heightened bed will interfere with your comfort.
3. Storage Space
Some people prefer using a box spring without a bed frame. If you are planning on doing the same, know that it will snatch all the under-bed storage from you.
4. Longevity
Most box springs don’t last for more than a decade because their metal coil starts deteriorating after a few years.Box springs don’t have a proper ventilation system, which leads to fungal and bacterial growth and reduces their lifespan.
On the other hand, platform beds have slatted bases, which gives them a longer life and increases their durability. Typically, metallic platform beds last for longer than wooden ones.
What Are Japanese Platform Beds?
Japanese platform beds are very popular, and their unique feature is their focus on minimalism. Traditionally, these beds are very short and measure only 6-10 inches above the ground.
However, these are the features of authentic Japanese platform beds. Some of the newer Japanese platform beds also have cabinets and cupboards. This approach is good for usability, but it’s also a departure from the traditional and authentic design of Japanese platform beds.
The driving forces of the design are simplicity, minimalism, and openness. As such, these beds often are simply platforms made with solid wood and raised a few inches above the ground. Some might have a slatted design to accommodate modern mattresses and their need for ventilation.
For a bed made of solid wood, without the pervasive use of screws or joinery, there is minimal scope of the bed becoming squeaky with time. Slatted beds do run the risk of sagging, especially if the slats are without adequate support.
This is a rare problem and usually seen in cheaper models. If your platform bed runs into this issue, consider placing a box spring on the slats. This reduces further damage, but also changes the conventional low-height aesthetics of Japanese platform beds.
Making A Decision With The Pros And Cons Of Platform Beds
In comparing the pros and cons of platform beds, we see the pros have a better standing. These are very useful beds that are available in tasteful designs and a useful approach. Their low height can often create a pleasing sensation of open space.
Besides, there’s a touch of practicality as well, with the availability of under-bed storage options and more.