Platform bed or traditional bed?
 

I am contemplating a new bed and trying to decide between a traditional bed with mattress and box spring or a platform bed. I have never had a platform. I would be grateful to anyone with experience who can help me decide. Are they equally comfortable? Pros and cons? Any advice? Thanks to anyone who cares to share!

When you ask about a "platform" bed are you thinking about one of those beds where you can raise or lower your head or feet? Or like a futon on a platform? I love futons but my husband doesn't. I currently have a bed and boxspring bed but it will need replacing soon. I suspect a bed with the ability to raise the head and/or feet is in my future. My parents had one and loved it.

No, not an adjustable bed, just one with a platform with a mattress and no box springs. Seem to be tons of them when I look at bedroom furniture.

I’m wondering if there is any way to try sleeping for several nights on a platform bed. To me they just don’t look very comfortable, but I’ve never had any other than the traditional mattress and box springs. OK, I’m an older dog (74) but I just didn’t see what the big deal is without a box springs. let us know if you can fund a place to give the platform a try - not just a lay down in a store but actually at least one night.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

Back when the son was young he had a platform bed. It had drawers underneath and a regular mattress. Anyone who ever slept in that bed called it the “magic bed”.

We have platform beds in all of our guest rooms and they are very comfortable. Guests often compliment us on how well they sleep. We ordered them online (Wayfair, I think). We have replaced all mattresses in both of our homes (7 bedrooms total) with 10" Tuft and Needle mattresses, which are shipped to the house. It's the mattress that makes the difference, I find. Whether it's on a box spring or platform doesn't seem to matter. Platform beds are less expensive and eliminate the need to buy a box spring.

If you decide to buy a platform, pay attention to the clearance under the bed and the height of the mattress, so you know how high the top of the mattress will be. If we ever replace our bedroom set, I suspect we'll buy a platform bed for ourselves too.

We had a platform bed a few years ago. The only problem we had was that it was too low to the floor. We are both tall and sometimes it was a struggle getting out of the bed. If we had been younger it would have been ok.

Because of limited space in our Greenwich Village apartment my husband and I opted for a platform bed which also gave us much-needed drawer space. We got a queen size double height (four deep drawers on each side, two over two, and a large storage space also on each side). We used it together for 40 years and I'm still using it. Every ten years or so we'd get a replacement mattress. I can honestly say I love my bed. We both loved it and never considered getting anything else even when we bought our current apartment which has very large rooms. Google "mattress for platform bed" (I just did) and there's tons of info to check out. Good luck with your search. My vote - go for it!

We have a platform bed that looks like the old water bed bases. It has drawers on both sides, great for storing extra blankets and whatever. We bought box springs and a mattress for it. The bed is higher than normal but not so high that it's difficult to get in. It's actually easier to get in and out than the lower beds.

DH built us a a platform bed frame almost 20 years ago. It also has storage drawers underneath and we love it. The additional storage is wonderful. All box springs sag with time and use. A platform does not. I truly believe that it adds to the life of a mattress. I also agree with the others who said to take note of the combined height of the platform and mattress. Our first mattress had a pillow top on both sides and, while very comfortable, was a tad high for me.

We have a nice queen sized mattress inside my old waterbed frame with the drawers underneath.

You do want to look at the height of the platform and get something comfortable to you. Whether something is too high or too low or just right is up to the person. My mother likes her bed up high and has a step stool thing. I like to be able to sit comfortably at the edge of mine with my feet on the floor.

We had a platform bed years ago and they did not sleep that well. There is no "give" to a platform bed and I needed more ability to get my bed to "breath" for me.

I have a traditional looking bed that needs no box springs. The mattress sits on top of the solid frame. Deep and long drawers at the foot board. Floor space underneath. I bought it because it will hold the two independent adjustable mattresses if we decide to go that route later and I am ready for that now. It is very comfortable. It really depends on the mattress.

Salespeople told me that they really don't make mattresses much anymore that require a box spring underneath. Newer mattresses usually have several layers of stuff inside them, different foams, ect. I got a temper pedic one with one of the movable bases so I can raise my head a bit as I have gastric reflux. I love it. I also opted to get the one with the "cooling technology cover" as foam mattresses can be hot to sleep on. I paid more for this mattress then I ever did before. I have been sleeping on it for about 4 years now and it is the most comfortable mattress I have ever slept on. I have fibromyalgia and my pressure points don't hurt, I also have a bad shoulder and again, it is comfortable for me. I did try it out in the store for about 15 minutes but you really can't tell until you have tried it for a few nights. I had bought one with firmer support first thinking that was what I needed, but it came with an exchange provision, and I did trade it back in for the one mentioned above as it just was not comfortable. Oh, and I also measured the height from the floor when I got it as I did not want to have use a step to get into the bed.

This is a very interesting thread for me. We have an old bed (circa 1980) that is the perfect height for us and for the dogs. The frame, however, looks awful. I went bed shopping once and all the beds were so tall and I'm not! I didn't want to have to use a step stool to get into bed and I would have had to lift the dogs onto the bed as the ramp wouldn't have been tall enough for them to get up on their own so I didn't buy one. The platform bed idea would be great. If the covid recession and resulting oil recession ever goes away and I have money again, I'm going to have to shop for one.

We bought a king size platform bed three years ago when we moved into our condo and we like it. We have a 100% latex mattress that we've had for 12 years on it and it's really comfortable! The bed has two drawers in the end and it's a little bit higher than I like, but not too bad. I do like not having box springs.

The only problem we've had is with the wooden slats squeaking on the wooden frame. I understand that can be a problem with them. I bought some bees wax and put it on the frame where the slats rest on it and covered the top of the slats with flannel before we put the platform back on and voila! No more squeaks!

I love my platform bed.

we had one before we moved, and it was great. very comfortable. i'd get one again if i found one i liked.

Our mattress is 13" thick and sits on a platform my husband made.Very comfy.

A lot of the newer mattresses require air flow underneath or you void the warranty.

I've never owned a box spring that wasn't anything more than a wooden box covered with fabric. So, in essence, a platform. Someone once told me that some models used to have actual springs in them, but when was the last time you saw one of those in a store?

I have slept on both and it's not the platform or the box spring, it is always about the mattress. Get the absolute most comfortable mattress you can afford and whichever frame you choose. One thing I don't like is the platforms that have the base come out even with the edge of the mattress. I run my heels into them and that isn't pleasant.

I love my platform bed, but the key to it is a good mattress like Barb said. We like latex foam as it gives when you move, but isn’t as soft as memory foam. I always feel trapped on a memory foam mattress!

Pam, how does the latex foam compare to memory foam as regards to heat retention? And does latex require a breathable base?