Platform Bed vs Box Spring: Which Should You Choose

Nothing beats the joy of retiring into a comfortable bed after a long day. Sleep or not is a choice for anyone to make; everyone must sleep. However, the type of bed you choose is likely to dictate your sleep comfort level. When selecting the type of bed to take home, the two most common types of beds to choose from are the platform bed and the box spring bed. Well, if you have not interacted with the two types of beds occasionally, differentiating the two kinds of beds can be a big challenge. The article seeks to make you understand the difference, the strengths, and the weaknesses of each of the two-bed types. If you’re deciding between a Platform Bed vs Box Spring, it’s crucial to weigh their respective features and benefits before making a choice.

Platform Bed vs. Box Spring: Which Should You Choose
Image Source: BeaudoinBeds

Platform bed vs box spring pros and cons

Platform Beds

A platform bed is a raised wooden bed frame with slats on top. The slats on top are meant to eliminate the need for a box spring, making it a popular choice. Between the two options, a platform bed is more commonly chosen. While most frames are made of wood, some are made of metal for stronger support.  Assembling a platform bed is much more straightforward than a box spring. Unless you are going for a solid wood-made platform bed, standard platform beds are generally cheaper than box spring beds. Perhaps the price is the reason for its popularity. So, the question arises: Is a platform bed or box spring better?

Platform Bed: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • A platform bed provides an additional storage option in your bedroom.
  • Comfortably supports memory foam mattresses
  • Provides for proper air circulation hence keeping the bed cool
  • No additional box spring required after purchase
  • A considerable number of styles to choose from in the market

Cons

  • It is in one piece, therefore difficult to move it around
  • Requires a high-quality mattress which may not be affordable for everyone
  • Too for some people

Storage

Platform Bed Storage
Image Source: Getlaidbeds

Well, if you live in a small room in the city where space is a big problem, a platform bed provides an excellent storage idea for you. You can store some of your belongings you would not want to expose at the bottom of your platform bed. Some platform beds have a single drawer, while others have several drawers. When comparing the benefits of a platform bed vs box spring and considering the question of “platform bed or box spring better,” it’s important to note that although some box spring beds can also have a shelf at the bottom, they are small and only meant to keep small valuable possessions such as watches, money, or even useful documents.

Comfort and Mattress Protection

The right mattress can cost you thousands of dollars. You would not want to spend such a fortune only for your mattress to get destroyed by a wrong frame. Molds are prevalent in mattresses if not aired well. Platform beds, Are platform beds without box springs comfortable? offer perfect breathability, especially memory form mattresses. Air circulation provided by a platform bed gives no chance for the mattress to sack up any moisture. However, ensure that the slats are of the correct distance.

Read more: What’s the Difference Between a Platform Bed and a Regular Bed?

Aesthetic Appeal

No one goes to the market to look for a wrong-looking bed. Platform beds assure your bedroom of high aesthetic value without having to spend too much. The low profile gives your room modern, sleek, and classy. Well, it is also essential to mention the fact that they are stable. However, people with specific disabilities will find it hard to get out of this low-level bed.

Box Spring Bed

Box Spring Bed

A box spring bed is a wooden frame with a box spring fitted on top. The mattress will then be placed on top of the box spring. For maximum comfort, it is necessary to purchase a bed that matches the box spring. Not until the discovery of the memory foam mattress, a box spring bed existed in almost every home. Even with the development of a memory foam mattress, a box spring mattress has not lost its glory. The majority of those who love the high ground and the traditionalist prefer a box spring bed over a platform bed.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Does not allow premature mattress sagging
  • Sustains more weight than the platform bed
  • Provides for extra height
  • Appropriate for those who love traditional décor

Cons

  • Not as durable as platform beds
  • They are more expensive
  • Offers little or no storage room under the bed

Storage

Looking for extra storage space in your room? A box spring bed is not a suitable option for you. Unless you are going for a modified type of box spring bed, which is way too expensive, a box spring bed provides limited storage space. Storage space is one area a platform bed outscores the box spring bed.

Comfort and Mattress Protection

Providing adequate support for you and the mattress is a box spring’s biggest strength. The life of your mattress is sustained by the fact that the weight is distributed evenly across the bed. For people with back pain, box spring beds can provide some relief because they are flat. One cause of alarm about a box spring is that it offers little airflow for the mattress, which leads to the growth of molds. Molds can pose a severe health hazard. Although most of today’s mattresses come with features that allow you to keep fresh throughout the night, they may work if the bed does not allow for proper air circulation.

Aesthetic Appeal

If your taste is with the traditional décor, then a box spring is the bed for you. However, if you go for this type of bed, get ready to incur an additional cost. Well, if you love the height, then you wouldn’t mind any added value! Box spring beds are more popular with elderly folks and modernists.

Final Thoughts

Well, both a platform bed and a box spring bed have strengths and weaknesses depending on your point of view. The fact that a platform bed has no additional cost explains why it is more popular among people. Also, platform beds are more aesthetically appealing. A box spring bed, on the other hand, is more traditional; they also need to be flapped once in a while to avoid sagging. When comparing the pros and cons of a platform bed frame vs box spring, it becomes evident that platform beds are not only affordable, but they are also suitable for memory foam mattresses. When it boils down to making a choice, I would recommend a platform bed solely for storage.

You may also want to read our article about Best King Platform Bed Frame Near Me: Reviews and Buying Guides

Contents
  • 1. Platform bed vs box spring pros and cons
    • Platform Beds
    • Box Spring Bed
  • 2. Final Thoughts