Types of Bed Platforms

When buying a new bed, it is often unclear how it is made. Also, sometimes there are no clear understanding what are bed platform types, and when each one is better than another? Fortunately, we've developed an easy filter system so at least on our website you can use filter for slat or full platform bed filter to easily shop exclusively for the bed type you'd like. Let's explain a little better what are main platform types and how they differ.

Slat Platform

Slats are designed to hold a box or bunkie board, i.e. additional support is required

Let's start with most basic bed platform type - Slat type of platform.

The wooden planks of same width and length that come between 2 bed rails are usually called 'slats'. Those are attached to extra inner rails that are also attached to outer rails. Slat platform system is the most basic since usually it only contains 3-6 slats. As a matter of fact, this number of slats is usually insufficient to support a mattress by itself (exception - really thick solid mattresses), and box spring or Bunkie board (same as box but thinner) is required. Box spring is usually solid, so when it is placed on slats, the weight of the mattress is evenly distributed.

Slat-system is usually the least stable by itself, but don't hesitate to shop for these beds: with a box spring the bed stays very stable. These beds are designed with weight / box / mattress even distribution in mind. Alternatively, you can purchase or make additional slats that would go alongside the bed, this way mattress can be used without a box. Most slats however are placed quite low so very high mattress or typical mattress + box height is meant to be taken into consideration. Slat system is usually the most affordable system available, but in general it is meant for people who prefer higher beds.

Modern Platform

Typical platform would fully support any mattress, including memory foam

This type of bedroom platform is called full platform or simply 'platform' and used in majority of good modern beds. It is solid, Scandinavian type platform that appeared first in Northern Europe, particularly in Sweden. This type of platform usually uses metal frame that is divided in the middle alongside the bed length - and it has a series of shorter wooden slats pre-installed to it. In addition, the frame itself is usually connected to the outer frame of the bed with 4-12 bolts. This platform often also has the support legs that are installed to the middle of the frame - this way the weight is not only distributed to the frame of the bed, but directly to the middle of the floor. It is quite obvious this platform type is very strong and virtually absolutely unmovable.

This type of platform is very commonly used in a world today. It does not require a box spring, and the beds with these types of platforms are usually lower than slat beds.

Most beds that feature lift-up storage use same platform type as well as can be seen here. Metal frame + flexible wood planks construction is a perfect design to make sure this can almost never be broken or bent.

Lift-style storage platform beds use same platform

Solid Platform

Solid platform is rock-solid but slightly misses 'flex' of Scandinavian type platform

Sometimes, platform beds of modern style use a solid platform instead of slats of any kind (or some extended pieces of platform that covers support area fully or almost fully is used). This platform type is also very solid and requires no extra support for the mattress. However, this type of platform means extra limitations for the mattress - in some cases mattress can be easily moved or slip on this platform, and most people would prefer their mattress to be unmovable. That, of course depends on mattress and bed edges. Besides despite the overall feel that this platform type might be 'the strongest' it's not always the case, since it may lack a certain versatile flexibility and movement suppressing ability regular metal / planks platform has.