Platform beds are
bedA bed is a piece of furniture used as a place to sleep.Beds usually consist of a mattress placed on top of a box spring inner-sprung base...
s whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to support just a
mattressA mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed on top of a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown...
. Platform beds provide firm cushioning and with the support of slats or solid paneling, they eliminate the need for a box spring or a mattress foundation; they give adequate support for a mattress by itself.
The first platform beds were better defined as loft beds. The beds were originally situated high off the ground to allow for more living space below.
Platform beds are
bedA bed is a piece of furniture used as a place to sleep.Beds usually consist of a mattress placed on top of a box spring inner-sprung base...
s whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to support just a
mattressA mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed on top of a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown...
. Platform beds provide firm cushioning and with the support of slats or solid paneling, they eliminate the need for a box spring or a mattress foundation; they give adequate support for a mattress by itself.
History
The first platform beds were better defined as loft beds. The beds were originally situated high off the ground to allow for more living space below. Over time the beds moved closer to the ground, to their present placement.
The beds are generally made from
woodWood is an organic material; in the strict sense wood is produced as secondary xylem in the stems of trees . In a living tree it transfers water and nutrients to the leaves and other growing tissues, and has a support function, enabling woody plants to reach large sizes or to stand up for themselves...
or
metalA metal is a chemical element that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat, forms cations and ionic bonds with non-metals. In chemistry, a metal is an element, compound, or alloy characterized by high electrical conductivity. In a metal, atoms readily lose electrons to form positive ions...
, and may or may not include a headboard and foot board. Platform beds are able to support a mattress without the use of a box spring, although many beds are able to accommodate the box spring if desired.
Contemporary
Many platform beds have a contemporary style that usually feature clean lines, neutral elements and solid color characteristics. These typically reflect European styles which usually include low features with straight bold lines. Some styles incorporate microfiber and leather padding on a headboard for use as a backrest when sitting in bed.
In 1973 John Lorenc brought a design for his platform bed to Guild Furniture in New York City which was owned by Lee Strazza. Mr. Strazza built the bed and recreated it many times starting the modern platform bed trend.
Traditional and Transitional
Traditional platform beds are modeled after the Arts & Crafts era of furniture. These beds produce the traditional look and feel of that early
mission style furnitureMission Furniture is a style of furniture that originated in the late 19th Century. It traces its origins to a chair in a San Francisco Church. The term mission furniture was first coined by Jose McHugh of New York. The word mission references the Spanish missions throughout colonial California...
but in the design of a platform bed.
Transitional styleTransitional Style in interior design and furniture design refers to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, incorporating lines that are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely basic as contemporary lines...
platform bed styles often reflect a more modern look but using traditional styling techniques to accent delicate modern scroll work contained within the headboard.
These copy a style found in old traditional looking frames, though like all platform beds, it is designed with slats and does not require a box spring.
Japanese or Asian Influence
Some platform beds have adopted Asian influences
. Some are used in conjunction with traditional Japanese
tatamimats are a traditional type of Japanese flooring. Traditionally made of rice straw to form the core , with a covering of woven soft rush straw, tatami are made in uniform sizes...
mats.
Storage Platform Beds
Some platform beds have drawers underneath the frame as storage space, which may be located beneath the side rails or may include drawers incorporated into the footboard of the bed. Many other storage platform beds offer retractable storage headboard units which offer deep storage.