Beds and Bedding

Platform Beds

Posted on Wed, Sep 8, 2010 by Benny in Beds

Platform beds are a type of bed composed of an elevated solid surface. The elevated surface is designed to hold a mattress even without mattress foundation or box spring. Platform beds have firm cushions supported by solid paneling or slats, which provide the functions of mattress foundations.

Usually made of metal or wood, platform beds can also accommodate a mattress foundation if desired even if they don’t actually need mattress foundations to support mattresses. Some platform beds come with headboards and footboards, though others do not.

Brief history of platform beds

Platform beds evolved from loft beds, which are beds elevated from the ground so that the space below them could be used for other purposes. In these spaces, people usually put desks, tables, play mats, or another bed. This type of beds began to evolve until the elevated beds became lower and nearer to the ground.

Types of platform beds

Platform beds come in several varieties, having different styles and designs. Among them are contemporary platform beds, traditional platform beds, transitional platform beds, Japanese or Asian-style platform beds, and storage platform beds.

Contemporary platform beds are characterized by solid color, clean lines, and neutral elements. Incorporating European taste, contemporary platform beds are usually low and adorned with straight bold lines. Some contemporary platform beds have headboards with leather padding and microfiber. These headboards are usually used as backrest or back support when sitting on bed.

Traditional platform beds, on the other hand provide a feel of the Arts and Crafts furniture era. They have a traditional stance, having an air of early mission style furniture.

Transitional platform beds use traditional styles but are designed to look more modern. These traditional styles are used to give accent to the modern scroll in the headboard.

Both traditional and transitional platform beds copy traditional-looking bed frames, though they don’t really need a box spring to be able to hold a mattress but slats and solid panels.

Japanese or Asian-style platform beds have designs derived from Japanese or Asian art and culture. Japanese style platform beds are usually used with Japan’s traditional tatami mats.

Finally, storage platform beds are specially designed platform beds with a storage space beneath the bed frame or under the side rails. Usually, the footboard of the bed has drawers for storage of clothes or other objects. Some storage platform beds have retractable headboard units for deeper storage space.

Tags: Platform Beds