The Platform Bed

      
   Zen Platform Bed                                              Cherry Platform Bed

Everything You Need to know about Platform Beds
www.charlesprogers.com

       The term Platform Bed refers to a bed that is specifically designed to use only a mattress and not the mattress and boxspring combination that most beds use. While early pallet beds had the same general characteristic of today's plaform beds  i.e. just getting off the ground; today's beds are highly stylized in their simplicity. As with the influences and materials, overall platform bed designs vary widely. Whether made of wood, metal or a combination of materials, most platform beds tend to be simple in appearance with a clean, spare low profile. Most platform beds sit lower to the floor than traditional beds. Generally a platform bed rests at 16" to 24" inches to the top of the mattress depending on the mattress thickness. 

     Many mattress manufacturers will tell you that using a boxspring is crucial to making your mattress last and will void the warranty if one is not used; this is just a technique to require you to buy a boxspring, a very profitable item for them. In reality, a well designed platform bed will allow the mattress to be properly supported and can actually improve sleeping comfort by eliminating the sag and give that many poorly made boxsprings can have.

    Materials for platform beds, like the platform bed styles themselves, have many varieties. An excellent modern look is the natural wood and steel detailing of a bed like the Cherry Platform Bed from Charles P. Rogers of New York. Highlighting the bold wood grain, clear finished solid American Cherry combines with a beautifully executed steel base for a very modern and serene look . Their Zen Platform Bed has an entirely different appeal.  Japanese influences are clearly seen giving a much more Asian contemporary appearance and feeling. Solid and thick hardwood planks, clever joinery and deep dark finish  give substantial materials a stylish, contemporary look at a reasonable price.

    Be sure when shopping for a platform bed that the room it is large enough to take the style. Many platform beds have a wide shelf or lip that surrounds the mattress and will take up more room in person than in a picture. Be sure to get overall dimensions to make sure it will fit yet retain it's interesting look. If your room is small, there are also platform beds that have the same basic space requirements as more traditional beds. Check out the Barcelona Bed at Charles P. Rogers for a good example. Make sure to also calculate the height your mattress will be at. Get down low and insure your ok with having a lowered perspective on the room.

    Finally, when choosing a platform, look for solid wood construction  to prevent unsightly wearing that will happen with cheap particle board /paper combinations.  The lip surrounding your bed will get trafficked on much like a table top and thin veneers are likely to chip, peel or just make you room look cheap.

A platform bed can truly alter the feel of a room. Changing to a simple yet sophisticated platform bed can bring increased comfort, serenity and bring you a whole new prospective to the same old room. Here's to looking down on you!