A Guide to Platform Bed
Plans -
by Elizabeth
Morgan
Do you want to try your hand
at building a platform bed? For those of you who don’t
yet know what a platform bed is, it’s an exciting, old way of
sleeping that incorporates a simple, elegant frame and a single
mattress. Its lines have been used in Europe, Scandinavia, and
Japan for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Platform beds
can be made of wood or metal. If
you’re looking to build a platform bed, you’re probably
thinking about wood.
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Characteristics of
Contemporary Platform
Beds
Elizabeth Morgan
A platform bed is any bed
without a box spring. They have
a low profile, for a spacious
feeling in the room, and often
utilize simple lines,
celebrating the quieter moments
in life - such as spending time
in your bed reading, writing,
holding your loved one, or, of
course, sleeping and
dreaming.
Platform beds have been around
for thousands of years. In
fact, beyond the pile of
leaves, platform beds could
well be the oldest kind of bed
in existence. In modern times,
we have augmented the art of
simplicity in a number of ways.
One of those ways is in the art
of contemporary platform bed
design. In this context,
"contemporary" simply means
designed by living artisans or
manufacturers. Therefore, the
term is a very broad and
nebulous one.
Among the more commonly found
characteristics of contemporary
platform beds are sleek,
straight lines; gently swooping
curves; solid, easily
discernible finishes and
colors; simple, tasteful
flourishes and other artistic
flairs; the use of high-tech
foam as a mattress material;
and other characteristics.
Modern platform beds are made
of one of two main types of
material: wood and metal.
High-end wood platform beds are
all-natural wood, with no
cosmetic stains or overlays.
They are usually made out of
cherry, redwood, or other wood
of comparable quality. Middle-
to lower-end models usually are
made of a middle-quality wood,
with overlays that make the bed
frame resemble cherry, teak,
rosewood, mahogany, maple, dark
walnut, pecan, honey oak and
other types of quality
wood.
Modern platform beds that are
made out of metal are usually
tubular or sheet steel. These
beds are sturdy, and can be
shaped in an almost unlimited
array of forms and
flourishes.
About the Author
Platform Beds Info provides
detailed information about
contemporary, Japanese,
discount, and wood platform
beds and platform storage beds,
as well as platform bed frames
and plans. Platform Beds Info
is the sister site of
Futons Web.
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Platform beds can be extremely simple. The extremely
simple platform beds have no headboard or footboard, and
certainly no canopy. They incorporate slats, which, in effect,
replace the need for a box spring, since, because they are
sturdy yet somehow slightly flexible, support the single
mattress on top. The result is that you get a good night’s
sleep, are very comfortable, and yet don’t end up with back
pains or numb muscles in the morning.
It’s ever better for your back than sleeping on the floor. And
now, with the rapid proliferation of memory foam, your platform
bed can be even more comfortable and healthy. Memory foam is a
gel-like polymer that accepts your shapes and bones, but
supports it fully. (It was first used in hospitals, and is now
a popular mattress and pillow material.)
Platform bed plans can be more complex too; you can add
headboards, footboards, canopies, even extra flourishes and
storage units. You can build the storage units as one with the
bed frame, or you can create rolling drawers supported by
castors, so that the drawers are modifiable and easily
maneuverable throughout your bedroom.
It’s not the most difficult job in the world for a handyperson.
If you want to build a platform bed, you can order platform bed
plans from any of a number of plans retailers. Woodworking
clubs, furniture enthusiast groups, and other organizations can
give or sell you plans. You can also buy plans online.
About the author:
Platform Beds Info
provides detailed information about contemporary, Japanese,
discount, and wood platform beds and platform storage beds, as
well as platform bed frames and plans. Platform Beds Info is
the sister site of Futons
Web.
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