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Why are Platform Beds Good

Why are platform beds good

Introduction

Every person needs a good mattress to ensure a good night’s sleep, and mattress manufacturers have come such a long way coming up with styles and designs that can address every type of sleeper.

When picking a bed, there is a whole world of them to choose from, and this is where platform beds come into play.

But first, what is a platform bed exactly?

Essentially, a platform bed is a bed frame that has a flat top (platform) that may or may not be slatted for added ventilation. They are unique because they can provide adequate support to all kinds of mattresses without the use of a box spring. There are three most common types of platform beds: flat, profiled, and slatted.

One of the benefits of platform beds is that they aren’t limited to basic designs. Some may even come in eclectic and unique styles to suit your personal preferences.

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Platform Beds are good because…

Platform beds are good because they are affordable, comfortable, have a huge variety of designs and styles, provide ventilation for your mattress, support your mattress, and are aesthetically pleasing. 

Here is a list of the most noticeable advantages and highlights when it comes to platform beds. Let’s see.

  • Budget-friendly – Since platform beds don’t need box springs, they are cheaper overall than a frame and box spring combination. Plus, you don’t need any other mattress foundation besides the platform bed. If you are on a tight budget, and you are looking for the right kind of bed, then platform beds just might make your day.
  • Very comfortable – Having a good night’s sleep is one of the most important aspects of your day. The bottom part of a platform bed has a flat and firm structure that offers a stable surface for your mattress, and the solid frame supports memory foam mattresses very well. This means that your bed can support any mattress that maximizes your comfort. You may enjoy this article on what type of mattress you need for a platform bed to maximize comfort. 
  • A huge variety of designs and styles – Platform beds come in a variety of designs. There is a wide range of styles you can choose from – from bold and creative to sleek and minimalist. Traditional, modern, and Asian designs are also very popular, and new designs are constantly being made to keep up the pace with the modern world. The crucial part when buying a platform bed is choosing the one that will best fit your bedroom’s theme and space since it’s very difficult and time-consuming to replace the one you already bought. Curious about how to dress up your platform bed?
  • Good air ventilation and support – A mattress’s life depends on the surface of the foundation, construction materials of the foundation, and air circulation. A platform bed ensures proper air ventilation and support to maximize your mattress’s life.
  • Aesthetic look – Aside from being steady and supportive, platform beds are also elegant and modern looking. With contemporary designs, you can your bedrooms’ color and theme with a platform bed. Also, take a look at bed skirts which can enhance the appearance of your platform bed.
  • Easy to assemble – Everything that you need to install a platform bed comes with the shipping box. Platform beds can be easily broken apart and put together with simple instructions. The easy-to-install functionality is one of the greatest advantages to a platform bed. 

While you’re still thinking about purchasing a new bed, be sure to read our related article comparing sleigh beds vs. platform beds too. You might find that a sleigh bed will fit your space better.

Are platform beds better or worse for your back?

Platforms are simply raised wood supports that sit beneath a mattress instead of a foundation. With a low-quality or worn-out mattress, it won’t be comfortable for most people over the age of 25. (Under that age it doesn’t seem to make much difference what they sleep on.)

But, with the extra-thick high-quality mattresses that are widely available nowadays, there shouldn’t be any problems and the platform bed will not be felt.

Platform beds do not offer any significant direct benefit for your back. However, they provide excellent support for your mattress and make sure it lasts for a long time. Thus, they support your back indirectly. 

Almost any type of mattress can be used on a platform bed, but they are perfect for memory foam mattresses. They provide the flat solid surface that memory foam requires. Slats used for supporting the mattress provide air circulation and reduce the chance of mold and mildew as well as bed bugs.

Since they are close to the ground, platform beds are very stable. The solid surface provides firm support for your mattress to maintain a great night’s sleep, which is better for maintaining posture during sleep. Also, platform beds are highly recommended for people that are dealing with back pain.

Are platform beds good for side sleepers?

Sleeping on your side has a few advantages oversleeping on your stomach or back. For example, sleeping on your side can prevent snoring, it can also reduce heartburn, and boost your digestion properties.

Realizing that most of us have a preferred sleep position we turn to night after night, mattress companies have developed products that cater specifically to different styles of sleepers. And with more than half of all Americans sleeping on their side there is a great range of options built specifically for side sleepers.

Platform beds do not offer any significant advantage for side sleepers. Your comfort while sleeping is determined by your mattress. Platform beds provide great support for your mattress to ensure it lasts a long time. 

For these reasons, finding a mattress that suits the body’s curves is vital. You need to find a mattress that’s plush enough to let your pressure points sink into the mattress, while also providing even support along your side to bring your spine into perfect alignment.

What makes platform beds good for overweight individuals?

Unlike most of the other beds, platform beds can be really good for heavier individuals if the right bed frame is chosen.

Lying in your bed waiting for a good night’s rest should be a welcome thought. You should look forward to getting comfortable in your bed, but not everyone looks forward to bedtime. If you’re heavier, then you might hate going to bed because your mattress doesn’t seem as comfortable as it did when you bought it, or you’ve started to notice squeaks and creaks when you shift in bed.

Platform beds are good for overweight individuals because they can support more weight than other beds and are lower to the ground so people can get in and out of bed easily. Furthermore, platform beds can support most mattress types so you can choose a mattress that’s best for your body type. 

This means that when you’re overweight, you can tailor your mattress and bed to your specific needs, which others of average weight may not think about. For example, a soft mattress isn’t going to offer the right amount of support you need. Memory foam beds are likely to bottom out for some people, so you’ll end up feeling the support layer and feeling stuck in your bed. With a platform bed, you can buy a firmer mattress (like one made of dense foam) that doesn’t make you sink in or feel hot at night. 

Platform beds are good because they provide support your mattress even if you are overweightPlatform beds provide support for any mattress type, are lower to the ground, and can handle more weight than other bed frames.  Image from the Sleep Judge.

Are platform beds good or bad for your mattress?

Many people don’t know this, but a platform bed is actually one of the best choices for your mattress.

Platform beds are good for your mattress because they offer a flat and firm surface for the mattress along with excellent ventilation. This maximizes the life of your mattress. They can also be used with any type of mattress including memory foam mattresses.

One of the most valuable things we put on our bed frames is the mattress. We can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a new one. If you put it on a frame that isn’t right for the specific type, it can lead to mold issues or even issues with your body temperature. Many mattress manufacturers specifically mention that you should use a platform bed with their mattress

Platform beds are perfect for memory foam mattresses because they offer ventilation. By allowing air to circulate throughout the mattress, little to no moisture will remain in the bed. This will prevent growth of molds and mildew. The only thing you have to look out for is the slat size. Depending on the mattress, there should be a certain size slat and distance between them, in order to maintain stability and support.

Read more about Platform Bed Mattress Sizes here and you can learn about common platform bed mattress foundation sizes and thicknesses as well.

Platform beds also improve mattress ventilationSimple and efficient, platform beds provide excellent support for a mattress and maximize ventilation from the bottom so the mattress maintains the right temperature and doesn’t grow mold/mildew. Image from LA Furniture Store. 

Are platform beds good for seniors?

Seniors can often have a hard time picking the right kind of bed for them. Particularly seniors aged 65 and older who experience more chronic and frequent pain in their neck, shoulders, back, hips, and other sensitive areas of the body.

Standard-profile platform beds are good for seniors because they can support any mattress type (including orthopedic mattresses) and are easy to get in and out of. Avoid low-profile platform beds which look aesthetically pleasing but are more challenging to enter and exit due to their lower height.  

Make sure to choose the right mattress for your senior family member. Some mattresses conform closely to help align the spine and alleviate pain and pressure points in sleepers, but others offer little to no support and may lead to more aches and discomfort.

Many seniors also prefer mattresses that absorb minimal body heat and sleep fairly cool. And because a good night’s rest is so important to seniors, a bed that isolates motion transfer and has low noise potential will be a good option for cutting down on nighttime sleep disruptions.

Your platform bed will ensure that the mattress is in its right place so the weight distribution will be perfect. In other words, the mattress will provide comfort and pain relief while the platform bed will support the mattress.

Can platform beds improve feng shui? How?

Platform beds lack a traditional box spring. They have clean lines and are very inviting. A mattress is placed on top of a wooden or metal platform bed frame, allowing for an open area under the platform. You can even store items under the bed to minimize clutter in the room. 

Platform beds improve feng shui when used properly with other elements in the room. They have simple lines, gentle curves, and are minimalist in design so they do not disrupt your room’s existing feng shui. However, alone, they do not provide any benefit to feng shui.

To maximize feng shui in a room, think of the overall color of the items in the room and the location of all your bedroom furniture.

When you create good feng shui in your room, you can create sensual energy that is great for the soul. When properly incorporated, the bedroom will be inviting, alluring and calming, while still being an exciting place to be.

When choosing the right type of platform bed for feng shui, remember that modern platform beds are a good option. But if you want to add more feng shui to the room, focus your attention on oriental-style platform beds instead. These beds bring more of a calming effect on the space.

Keep in mind that the rest of the furniture you select for this room should be balanced with the rest of the room. Choose those wood platform beds that look like they have natural colors in them, ranging from pale colors through rich chocolate colors, for an added feng shui feature.

You also want to include quality sheets and bedding in the design since this also adds to the look and feel of the space. When you combine all of these elements together, you will have a welcoming space ideal for good energy flow.

Conclusion

People will spend one-third of their lives in bed on average. Therefore, choosing which type of bed to buy is very important. When you are having trouble deciding on whether to buy a platform or some other type, it is important to know the qualities of each. 

We hope that this article gave you some insight into what platform beds are, how they differ from other types of beds, and why they are so good for you. Now, it’s only up to you to decide which one to pick since one thing is certain, you can’t go wrong with platform beds. Make sure to also take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to move a platform bed so you can move it exactly where you want it to be.

Platform beds are aesthetically pleasingAn elegant and minimalist bedroom utilizing natural color tones for maximizing feng shui features. Image from Sierra Living Concepts.