Platform beds continue gaining popularity with minimalist and modern decor styles, but since these beds use different support systems, different considerations go into finding the best mattress. From weight to function, see what you need to know about buying the best mattress for a platform bed. First, here are our top picks below if you just want to get straight to the point. Read on to get into the details about what makes some beds better than others for platform frames. With clean lines and the ability to create sleek appearance, a platform bed makes a small space look much more open or modern. Some styles also create added storage, helpful for tight spaces. A key feature of platform beds is that they do not require box springs or foundations; in fact using box springs can make a platform bed too high or unstable. The “platform” can be composed of a solid wood base, wood or bamboo slats spaced closely together, or metal slats. They do not require the use of a standard metal frame either, as the mattress is designed to sit right on the bed’s slats or platform.
Because of these unique differences, many people have trouble deciding what would be the best mattress for a platform bed. In this guide, we look at the pros on cons of different types. There are six primary types of mattresses you can buy: innerspring, memory foam, latex, soft side waterbeds, hard side waterbeds, and futon-style mattresses. Each type has distinct pros and cons for comfort and satisfaction, and for use on a platform bed. Here are the top things you should to consider when looking for a platform bed mattress: Taking the above factors into consideration, some mattress types will perform better than others. We will go over the pros and cons for each category below to help you determine which might be the best mattress for your needs. Memory foam beds are composed of poly foam cores with layers of memory foam and/or gel foam on top. Memory foam mattresses work well on platform beds, as they too are designed to work with solid support foundations. Slats should be wide, sturdy and spaced closely together or the platform should be solid.
Sturdy slats prove preferable as they allow plenty of airflow to prevent moisture buildup and overheating. Denser memory foam mattresses can be on the heavier side, so always check weight limits. Latex mattresses are composed of latex cores, with additional layers of latex and possibly wool or cotton. Some brands may use poly foams as well to reduce costs. They are meant to work with firm, solid foundations, making them a good option for platform frames. The latex cores offer solid support, meaning you are unlikely to feel slats through the bed. Since latex beds can be heavy, it is important to check the weight limit of your bed’s platform or slats. Hardside waterbeds are composed of a vinyl bladder, and can only be used on wood waterbed frames that surround the bladder on five sides. Softside beds are composed of vinyl water chambers set within a fabric and foam cover, often with layers of quilting or foam on top. Softside waterbeds can be used on regular platform beds, but require solid flat support.
The water filled chambers become quiet heavy, so weight limits are an important consideration if you wish to use this type of mattress. Innerspring mattresses are composed of interconnected or pocketed coils topped with layers of foam and fiber. They typically sell in sets with the top mattress and supporting box spring designed to flex and work with the mattress top. Innerspring beds usually are not recommended for platform beds, since they are designed to be used in conjunction with box springs. Some still might work with solid, flat platform bases but the bed may feel firmer than usual and the two parts may not feel stable due to increased height on the platform. Futon mattresses are simple beds with foam and fiber layers designed to fold for use on futon frames. They are usually lightweight and fairly thin. They can be accommodated by most platform frames. Several types of mattresses can work with a platform base, with the main differentiator being what type feels most comfortable to you.
Latex and memory foam mattresses are perhaps the best mattress options for platform beds since they are compatible with solid support foundations, though some types of spring, water and futon mattresses can also work as well. If you are unsure which type would be the best mattress for you, weigh the pros and cons and try out a variety of beds. As with any big purchase, it is wise to thoroughly research before buying. Know what’s in the bed, seek out reviews, and compare different brand and retailers, including online. Check bed warranties for any restrictions on support or bed types, as some may require specific slat spacing or use of the matching foundation. Pairing the specifications of the frame, such as height, the type of support and the weight limit, with your comfort preferences will help you choose the best mattress for your platform bed.Box spring or wood slats? March 14, 2014 Subscribe We just got a nice new mattress. It came with a box spring. We were using our old mattress on an IKEA bed (the Redalen, which I guess they don't sell anymore) with their cheap wooden slats, the Sultan Lade, as support.
All things being equal, we'd stick with the IKEA bed and slats. But are all things equal? Are there advantages to using the box spring instead of the slats?Although slatted bed frames aren't as popular in the US as in European countries, they are a unique and simple way to streamline your home furnishings and make your bedroom look clean and uncluttered. Some platform beds use wooden slats to support your mattress, so lots of the information in this buying guide will be useful if you're looking for a platform bed as well. Standard slatted bed frames are very simple pieces of furniture. They can have as few as twenty or fewer wooden slats inserted between the edges of the frame and a central stabilizing bar, which is usually thicker and sturdier and may be made of metal instead of wood. When it comes to slatted bed frames, the more slats the better. Extra slats will provide better and often even more adjustable levels of support, as well as ensure the bed frame lasts longer. Most slatted bed bases are made of a combination of wood and metal.
Slats in a slatted bed frame are made either from solid wood or a layered wood product. They are attached to a rectangular frame which sits inside and flush with the bottom of the frame intended to hold the mattress. Slats run parallel to the head and foot of the bed frame. Beech is a popular material for wooden slats, since it is a fairly stable and long-lasting type of wood. Birch is also used, although it can wear out more quickly. Bed slats aren't supposed to be perfectly rigid. Although platform bed frames are usually made of inflexible metal bars, the big advantage of wooden slats is that they do have some give and can curve downwards and adjust to fit your body and your sleeping position. This usually makes them much more comfortable than rigid metal bed frames; the flexibility of natural wood slats replaces the spring action used in innerspring mattresses and box springs, so you don't need a box spring at all. Your bed will be thinner, leaving more storage space under the bed or allowing you to have a lower bed, which makes your bedroom look larger.
Slatted bed frames should be just as comfortable as a traditional mattress and box spring combination. Some slatted bed frames have movable components which allow you to adjust them to different levels of firmness for a personalized night's rest. Others have different zones – foot zones or upper body zones, for example – where the level of firmness is increased or decreased. One final option available for slatted bed frames as well as other types of bed frames is an electronically controlled system of adjusting the firmness level or height of the mattress. This isn't just a matter of personal taste – it can be medically necessary if you're suffering from certain conditions or if you have limited mobility. This buying guide will look at a total of five considerations you should think about when you're looking for a high quality slatted bed frame. The job of a slatted bed frame is to support your back in a healthy position while helping you sleep easily and comfortably. Depending on how it's made, a slatted bed frame can help you sleep better by letting you adjust the bed frame to multiple sleeping positions.
You can multiply your options by getting a slatted bed frame that adjusts in firmness level as well. The goal of a slatted bed frame is to provide a somewhat elastic base for a sleeping individual. It needs to be able to adjust to your body shape, body weight, and the different sleeping positions you might assume during the night, as well as relieve your spine effectively. Two options available on some slatted bed frames which greatly increase comfort are frames with movable slats and slatted bed frames with multiple zones of different levels of firmness. This feature is intended to allow some parts of your body like wide shoulders or hips to sink in deeper than narrower waist areas, for instance. The goal is to allow your spine to lie relaxed in the most natural position possible without creating pressure points. The same thing is true for the neck and shoulder area, which is one place people experience a large amount of tension. Your slatted bed frame should ideally relax the neck by allowing it to rest in a supported, natural posture.
Movable slats offer additional comfort. These slatted bed frames are divided into multiple sections and allow the user to raise the foot or head end of the bed as needed. Elevating your feet can have a positive effect on your veins by relieving pressure. The same thing is true for your upper body. Your angle of inclination should be a maximum of 45 degrees to allow you to sit up comfortably and read in bed, for instance. Some slatted bed frames offer more adjustment options than others; choose extra adjustable sections for the most comfort possible. For the best possible night's rest, it's important to be able to adjust the firmness of your slatted bed frame for different regions of your body. This is especially true for the areas around your hips and shoulders, since they exert the most pressure on the slatted bed frame itself. If you have a high quality frame, it will be well-made and reinforced in these areas. Manufacturers might do this by connecting slats together with extra materials to provide additional stabilization in some areas.
Some slatted bed frames also have sliding adjustment pieces which connect slats together. They make the bed firmer when they're moved towards the middle of the bed, and less firm when they're towards the edges of the bed. You can move them inwards or outwards to find the most comfortable level of firmness for you and adjust your bed to meet your needs. Manufacturers use different kinds of wood to make slatted bed frames. The most common are ash, beech, and birch woods, which differ in how long-lasting and sturdy they are. Beech wood is an especially good choice since it is so stable and can stand up to such heavy loads. But it's not only the type of wood used in making a slatted bed frame that determines its quality. The number of slats a frame has is also important, as well as how thick they are, especially if they are made with layers of glued wood. Heavier individuals will need more slats, and thicker slats to get the same level of support. If slats are made of layers of wood glued together, heavier people need more layers to ensure their beds will last a long time and provide great sleep.
The width of the slats can also have a big effect on how comfortable your bed will be. Basically, the narrower individual slats are, the more you need to provide support. A large number of thin slats, however, offer excellent comfort, since they are able to adjust uniquely to your body's shape. Fewer, wider slats simply might not be able to cradle your body as you change positions during the night, since there is too much empty space between them. A high quality slatted bed frame should have at least 25 slats, and some have many more. There shouldn't be more than about an inch and a half of space between bed slats for the best pressure relief. A high quality slatted bed frame will only really shine, however, when it's combined with a good quality mattress. A latex foam or memory foam mattress can adjust perfectly to your body if it's placed on a slatted bed frame with a large number of thin slats. If the slats are too widely spaced, the foam might sag between them and be less comfortable overall.
The main goal of buying a foam mattress is to let your bed adjust to your spine; well made slatted bed bases are the perfect way to support all the unique contours of your body. Slatted bed bases made of lots of narrow slats also have another big advantage: they allow good air circulation under your bed and increase the life of your mattress. Another feature to look out for are the caps on the ends of your slats, which are there to ensure the slat stays in place and is allowed to bend and flex. Rubber and silicone are great materials for this purpose, since they sit flexibly inside the rails on the side of the bed frame. Plastic caps are less flexible and can even break with heavy use. Don't buy a bed frame with slats that are nailed in place; you'll lose the frame's flexibility and the biggest advantage of a slatted bed frame. The big draw of all electronically adjustable bed frames is that they let you modify the head or foot end of the bed and change your sleeping position just by pressing a button.