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Platform Bed Mattress
A platform bed mattress is merely a mattress you place on a platform, rather than box springs. The platform provides a different kind of support than springs do, so make sure it gives you the feel you want. The mattress construction becomes more important in a platform bed arrangement, so shop carefully.
Platform beds have become quite popular in the last few years. These beds use a platform instead of a box spring to support the mattress. Since you will spend about 1/3 of your life in bed, you want it to be as comfortable as possible. Learning about your mattress options will allow you to find the right mattress for you so that you will be as relaxed as possible.
Platform bed mattresses are not special mattresses. They are simply regular bed mattresses used without the box spring foundation. You have to keep in mind that since you are placing the mattress on a platform this will make the mattress that you choose feel firmer when you use it. Consequently, you may want to buy a mattress that is slightly softer than you normally want so it will be comfortable to sleep on.
Softer mattresses abound in a variety of styles. Some of the most common types of mattresses include the innerspring mattress, air mattress, waterbed mattress, and various types of foam mattress. Any of these can be used on a platform as long as you do your homework first. You may want to choose one of these options with a pillow-top so that it will be cushiony and soft. The platform will make the mattress feel firmer than it is, so you want to choose a mattress that is very soft and cushioned. Here are brief explanations of each type of mattress:
- Innerspring mattress: This mattress's inner construction is of springs. It's the most common mattress available. Many different degrees of firmness are available.
- Air mattress: Air compartments make up this mattress. The compartments can be customized by changing the amount of air in them to make the mattress as firm or soft as you like.
- Waterbed mattress: Water is the support element in these mattresses. There are numerous styles ranging from a large bladder filled with water to a conventional-looking mattress which are filled with water pockets. They are very comfortable and the new mattresses are almost waveless.
- Foam mattress: Foam mattresses include latex foam, memory foam, and traditional foam. Width, thickness and density varies, giving buyers a multitude of choices to fit their support needs and budget. Personal preference and health concerns are key to determining which one you want for your platform bed mattress.
Finding the platform bed mattress that is right for you is your goal. One-size-fits-all doesn't apply to mattresses. The mattress that is right for you is a purely personal choice. Try out many different mattresses to find the one that works for you. Keep in mind a mattress on a platform will feel firmer than one on a box spring, so pay attention to how the store has the mattress set up. If you have the luxury of moving mattresses to platforms do so, giving you the best scenario for analysis.
Platform bed mattresses are not difficult to find. Visit your local mattress store and ask them for assistance in finding the mattress that is right for you.
Comments
Thank you!!! Was wondering if I had to find a special mattress and none of the furniture sites explained that it was just a mattress without a boxspring. You just saved me from pulling my hair out and having to buy a wig.
Sarah at May 17, 2008 07:49 PM
Surprisingly shopping for a mattress for a platform bed has been a very confusing experience mainly because the mattress retailers don't understand what a platform bed actually is and try to steer you away from purdchasing a matress without the box spring. One told me I would need to put a piece of plywood on top of the slats to not void any manufactures warranties. Others tell me that using the plywood would prevent the matress from ventilating properly. Others tell me if the slats are not close enough the mattress may conform and droop between the slats. I am at a point that I dont know what to purchase. Room and Board (where we purchased the bed) sell their own mattresses which they say are "made" for platform beds. I feel like I have to go with them or possibly pay the consequences down the line. Why is this so difficult? I can't be the only person who have come across this situation??? PLEASE HELP!
joe at May 21, 2008 02:27 PM
Joe, in my opinion and experience shopping for any kind of mattress can be a confusing experience. You always have to sift through the sales hype and the truth, and that's not an easy task. Most stores where you buy a mattress want to sell you a set because that gives them a better commission, and because many mattresses and springs are made to work together to give you the best support and sleep.
Putting a mattress directly on slats could void a warranty because the mattress may not be rigid enough to support itself between the slats. I'd like to think there is enough surface area in my mattress that ventilation isn't an issue -- even in humid areas.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by platform bed, but if it's literally a platform -- plywood or solid flat surface, I'd think any mattress would work with that. If it's a slatted frame you are talking about the particular frame and mattress would combine to make a success or failure of the purchase.
My latex mattress is on boxes to support the latex, but the boxes are slats covered in fabric to make them easy to port, pretty, and less likely to rip my skin or clothes. But in my guesthouse I'm using an old waterbed frame, minus the sides, for my standard inner-spring mattress and find it very comfortable. Come to think of it my guestroom also has a platform bed with a standard inner-spring mattress -- a Murphy Bed.
There, does all that help? Or are you more confused than ever? :~)
The Mattress Lady at May 21, 2008 04:09 PM
Thanks for the advice. I think I will stick with the one from Room and Board as its too stressful to deal with this. I just hope they make a good product. In your experience do you know any quality issues with thier mattresses? I did some searching on the web but came up empty.
Also, just to clarify, the bed we bought has slats and they are spaced around every 4 to 6 inches or so.
Joe at May 22, 2008 08:27 AM
I don't have experience with Room and Board's products. I'm sure if you Googled them you'd get comments, especially any negative ones.
I'm guessing the slats on the frame you have will work fine with the mattress, especially if they are closer to 4" apart than 6".
The Mattress Lady at May 22, 2008 10:33 AM
I am having the same problems as Joe has described. I am interested in a "platform bed" which has wood slats as the base and does not require box springs.
I was told by the salesperson that a mattress with "built in support" is the only option for the bed. It was too coincidental that the store she worked at sold such a mattress.
I am under the impression that my current mattress (innerspring with pillow top and bottom) will work, but I don't want to buy a new bed if I am going to have to end up buying a special mattress specific for that bed.
Can I use a innerspring mattress with double pillow tops in a bed with wood slat mattress support?
Katy at August 4, 2008 11:46 AM
If you have a solid piece of wood under the mattress you can use it without box springs for sure. If you are talking about slats of wood that are spaced apart, you can sure try using the mattress directly.
The problems to watch out for are that the slats aren't spaced too far apart so the mattress gets support and that the mattress is rigid enough on its own that it won't slump through the slats.
I have a mattress directly on a Murphy bed and it's quite comfortable that way.
TheMattressLady at August 4, 2008 11:58 AM
