Platform Beds – Origins & Explanation of What They are

Platform beds are an interesting category of furniture as much of the world use these beds but just aren’t aware of it. In North America however it is quite a different story in that many people aren’t quite sure what a platform bed is or what it does. In this article we’ll answer the question of what is a platform bed, the types and varieties that are available and a little history about the origins of platform beds.

The simple definition is platform beds are beds designed for use with only a mattress. These beds contain their own built in foundation which provides support for your mattress or bed system. Where as traditional mattress and box spring units rest on metal frame which sits just off of the ground, platform bed foundations are usually around 12” from the ground.

The earliest platform beds can be traced all the way back to the late Neolithic ages. In Orkney Scotland UK a settlement called Skara Brae was uncovered by archeologists that dates back to 4000 B.C. The discovery revealed stone furnishings such as stones arranged into what appears to be an early dresser. The most interesting discovery was that of large stone slabs. These would have served as the platform of the bed where bracken, ferns and animal skins would have been used as early bedding. Due to the box shape these slabs were arranged in it would suggest that these may have been the earliest known platform beds to use a solid foundation for sleeping. This history of beds gives us a glimpse into how these beds have had to change through the edges and might give explanation to the expression "like sleeping on a stone floor."

Today platform beds are offered in a wide variety of styles, materials and designs. Manufacturers aren’t using stone slabs but they are using materials such as steel, hardwoods and other modern building materials to create high quality well constructed platform beds. The majority of platform bed designs incorporate what are called slat systems. These are typically 2” wide slats that are banded together with a polypropylene material or banding and spaced out to cover the foundation of the bed. Another popular foundation is using wood panels that are solid across the foundation which eliminate gaps and create one continuous surface. All of these foundations share the same purpose and that is support the mattress.

In this article we’ve examined what platform beds are. Platform beds are beds designed to accommodate a mattress only and have their own built in foundation. We examined the early beginnings of platform beds into what they have evolved into today. Most current platform bed systems will use either wood slats or will use solid panels to create a foundation capable of supporting most mattresses. Whether you’re shopping for beds which use a mattress/box spring combination or if you’ve decided to channel your inner Neolithic cravings for a solid foundation bed hopefully understanding what platform beds are will now help you in search.