Sleep, that restful and relaxing time that is vital to your health, is best with the right bed, mattress, bedsheets, and pillows. If you’re like the average individual, then you spend approximately a third of your life asleep. So, if you’re going to end up spending that much time in bed, why not make sure you pick the most comfortable bed?
Whether you’re in the market for new bedroom décor, or you’ve decided to replace your traditional bed, you might want to consider a platform bed. Picture the most comfortable bed in the world, what comes to mind? If it’s a cabin bed, you’re in good company. Because, while sheets and pillows do help you get a good night’s sleep, the bed frame and the mattress you choose are as crucial as cozy blankets and bedsheets in sending you off to the land of dreams.
The type of bed you have is undoubtedly an essential piece of the slumber puzzle. Choose the wrong bed frame, and you’ll end up trading peaceful winks for restless tossing and turning.
What Is A Platform Bed?
Whether you’re looking for the best bed for your bedroom, your guest room, hotel, motel, or kid’s room, platform beds are an excellent choice. But what exactly distinguishes a cabin bed from the rest? Well, a platform bed is a type of bed frame (also referred to as a European or cabin bed) that features sturdy built-in mattress support and does not need a box spring. Platform beds have a raised base with carefully set latticed structures or slats to support just the top mattress.
This kind of bed can also be lofted to create a roomy space below it, a popular option among college students and those living in small or tiny homes. Platforms beds make excellent alternatives to traditional bed frames – not only are they more affordable, but they also provide firmer support because the mattress rests directly on the base.
Solid Or Slatted Base? Which Is The Right Base For My Platform Bed?
If you’re in the market for a platform bed, then you’ve probably bumped into cabin beds with solid surfaces and others with bed slats. So, which type of base is the best for your bed?
Slats are a series of connected bars – usually made of wood – that lie across the width of the bed frame. These slats work in conjunction with your mattress to provide support. Typically, there are two types of slats:
– Solid Slats: These are often made of wood (pine), with each slat running across the width of the frame to create a firmer bed. Solid slats are ideal for those who prefer a firmer bed.
– Sprung Slats: These are made of flexible wood with an upward-facing arch. Sprung slats help create a more cushioned bed, which means they also help reduce the strain on your mattress. Cabin beds with sprung slats will often feature two rows of slats that are connected by a support rail at the center. These upward-facing curved slats respond to your weight to offer more flexible support. Sprung slats are ideal for those who don’t like a really firm bed.
Solid base platform beds have just that: a solid support surface for your mattress without slats. Below is an overview of what both slatted and solid base cabin beds beds have to offer:
Solid Slatted Base
– Can accommodate different types and mattress sizes
– Breathable
– Most affordable as compared to a majority of traditional bed frames
– Offer excellent weight distribution
– Some are adjustable
– Offers firmer support compared to a sprung slatted base
– Popular with hybrid mattress choices
– May sit too low
– May not have extra storage
Sprung Slatted Base
– Offer a cushioned and comfortable support
– Breathable
– Offer excellent weight distribution
– Good with different mattress sizes
– A sturdier bed frame structure
– Respond to individual weight
– May not have extra storage beneath them
– May sit too low
Flat Solid Base
– May have extra space beneath them
– Can accommodate different mattress sizes
– May extend past the mattress edges to create a sleek design
– Popular with memory foam mattress
– Provide firm support
– Low breathability which means moisture and allergens may build-up
Do you sleep hot? Do you like a firm or soft sleeping surface? These are the questions you must ask when choosing a base for your cabin bed. For instance, if you sleep hot, then a breathable base could be the secret to a cooler night’s sleep. If you need to create extra space in your bedroom, then it makes sense to go with a solid base for your cabin bed.
Reasons To Love Platform Beds
Many people today are opting to go with platform beds and for a good reason. Platforms beds have a ton of benefits, including:
1. Affordable
While platform beds have a lot to offer, perhaps the most notable benefit is their affordability. Most cabin beds are easy to construct and require minimal materials. Plus, since a box spring or any other mattress foundation is nor required, you can save when buying a platform bed and concentrate your money and get a high-quality hybrid mattress. Besides, the absence of uncomfortable springs means better rest for you.
2. Aesthetic Appeal
Another significant benefit of platform beds is their aesthetic appeal. Everybody loves an aesthetically appealing bedroom. You aren’t going to pick a drab looking bed frame and damp it in your bedroom, are you? European beds will blend with different decors and even room paintings. So, if you’re looking to upgrade the appearance of your bedroom to reflect your modern or sleek lifestyle, then cabin beds could be an excellent choice. Not to mention, they help your bedroom space feel and look bigger.
3. Variety
Platform beds come in a variety of styles, from basic models without headboards to dazzling designs from a contemporary space. Not to mention, platform beds are constructed from different materials, including fabric, leather, wood, and metal. That means you can’t miss finding a style that blends with your décor. European beds don’t narrow your choice to one or two finishes or designs.
4. Mattress Protection & Support
When you’ve spent your hard-earned money to get a new mattress, you’ll want to make sure that your bed frame offers the best support. European beds not only make the bed more stable but also protects your mattress. Thanks to slats, you can rest easy knowing you won’t have to worry about mold issues. Plus, slates make sure that your mattress won’t sag. The sturdy platform ensures that your mattress has adequate support, which is suitable for heavier individuals and people who toss and turn a lot in bed.
5. Extra Storage Space
Not many people have the privilege of living in spacious homes. Luckily, a European bed can help solve your space problems and even make your bedroom look bigger. Many platform beds have built-in storage drawers under the mattress platform. Some leave plenty of space below the base, which can help you reduce the amount of clutter in your bedroom. Such spaces can be used to for keeping a suitcase, boxes, and things you use less often.
What To Watch Out For
Unfortunately, many issues surrounding platform beds have to do with sleep comfort and storage. For instance, slatted cabin beds with additional space may affect airflow capabilities. That means you should always pay attention to the space between the stored items and the bottom of the platform.
Also, a flat base doesn’t help the mattress with weight and pressure distribution, which can be a problem for heavier individuals. Luckily, there is an easy way to combat this issue: pick a mattress that can distribute pressure and support your weight on its own.
Which Is The Best Mattress For A Platform Bed?
Can I use any mattress for my European bed? This is a question that many shoppers find themselves asking when buying platform beds. Well, yes, you can use any type of mattress for your cabin bed from hybrid mattresses to memory foam mattresses to classic coil mattresses. Often, people complain of poor mattress comfort, only to learn later that it was the mattress-bed combination that caused the issue. Make sure that you’re getting the right mattress for your cabin bed.
Do you prefer a firmer bed for a good night’s sleep? If so, then we recommend you choose a solid slatted bed or a flat base European bed. If you like a soft and gentle surface, a sprung slatted could be an excellent pick. Choosing a platform bed or a mattress for your platform bed is the last thing you want to experience buyer’s remorse from. When shopping for a cabin bed or mattress, it’s important to know and understand the qualities of each. Depending on your needs, you will find one type perfect for you.
If you have any questions regarding cabin beds, or maybe you want to know how to go about choosing a mattress for your king size platform bed, we can help.