Platform bed
Encyclopedia
A Platform bed, also known as a cabin bed, is a bed
the base of which consists of a raised, level, usually rectangular horizontal solid frame, often with a section consisting of rows of flexible wooden slats or latticed
structure meant to support just a mattress
. This platform provides adequate, flexible support and ventilation for a mattress by itself, eliminating the need for a box-spring
or a second mattress as a foundation.
was not invented until the mid 1860’s. Since the basic definition of a platform bed is "a bed which uses only a mattress," all incarnations of the bed up to that point would necessarily functionally be considered platform beds. While we generally think of the modern platform bed as having a solid surface for sleeping; rope, leather and wooden or bone slat bases were all used as supports for early mattresses.
Platform bed development was closely intertwined with the evolution of the modern bed. Earliest man most probably slept on the ground. It would have been cold, hard and offered no protection from crawling insects or small animals. Readily available piles of leaves and branches could be covered with animal pelts which provided superior warmth and comfort to sleeping on the ground probably inspiring the first thoughts of a raised dedicated sleeping space. The basic platform bed concept was born from this and has developed ever since in numerous styles and materials but always on the basic principle of raising one's sleeping surface off the ground developed by early man.
Some of the earliest existing beds/platform beds were created by the early Egyptians
who created a wooden framework glued and lashed together which have been found in many burial tombs. For instance, in the King Tutankhamen tomb a gilded ebony platform style bed was found. Studies of ancient Hieroglyph's suggest that the platform beds were revered in Egyptian culture. While common people slept on simpler constructions, the trend developed to decorate the woods surface with gilding and paints and also to use carving to enhance the beauty of this utilitarian object. Ivory, exotic woods and metal were used as inlay or even as the entire foot on the best constructions, bringing artistic design to a commonplace object. This style of platform bed, which might be more accurately described as a chaise longue or daybed
were the basic building blocks leading to today's modern platform bed. This period provides the earliest representation of platform bed construction to survive.
Platform beds which might be recognized as more accurate representations of today's platform beds were better defined as loft beds. The beds were originally situated high off the ground to allow for more living space below. Over time the beds moved closer to the ground, to their present placement.
Early twentieth century design in both Europe
and America incorporated elements that helped lead to the wide variety of platform bed styles available today. Minimalism
styles and influences in painting and sculpture quickly found their way into furniture design, offsetting the more elaborate designs found in the Victorian Era
. The Asian approach of “less is more when done artfully” and the cultural appreciation for natural materials also helped to define the basic feel, shapes and decorative elements found on today’s platform bed designs. Mission style furniture
also drew on these trends toward precise craftsmanship and a simplicity of materials which lead directly to the basic geometric building block theme still seen as crucial elements of a modern platform bed. In the 1940s futon and futon frames incorporated the platform bed ethos and continue to this day to be a popular offshoot of the platform bed idea.
Today, platform beds are generally made from wood
, metal
, bamboo
or leather
and may or may not include a headboard and foot board. Platform beds are able to support a mattress without the use of a box spring, although many beds are able to accommodate the box spring if desired.
In 1973 John Lorenc brought a design for his platform bed to Guild Furniture in New York City which was owned by Lee Strazza. Mr. Strazza built the bed and recreated it many times starting the modern platform bed trend.
but in the design of a platform bed. Transitional style
platform bed styles often reflect a more modern look but using traditional styling techniques to accent delicate modern scroll work contained within the headboard.
These copy a style found in old traditional looking frames, though like all platform beds, it is designed with slats and does not require a box spring.
Bed
A bed is a large piece of furniture used as a place to sleep, relax, or engage in sexual relations.Most modern beds consist of a mattress on a bed frame, with the mattress resting either on a solid base, often wooden slats, or a sprung base...
the base of which consists of a raised, level, usually rectangular horizontal solid frame, often with a section consisting of rows of flexible wooden slats or latticed
Latticework
Latticework is a framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, typically wood or metal. The design is created by crossing the strips to form a network...
structure meant to support just a mattress
Mattress
A mattress is a manufactured product to sleep or lie on, consisting of resilient materials and covered with an outer fabric or ticking. In the developed world it is typically part of a bed set and is placed upon a foundation....
. This platform provides adequate, flexible support and ventilation for a mattress by itself, eliminating the need for a box-spring
Box-spring
A box-spring is a type of bed base typically consisting of a sturdy wooden frame covered in cloth, and containing springs. Usually the box-spring is placed on top of a wooden or metal bedframe which sits on the floor and acts as a brace. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer...
or a second mattress as a foundation.
History
The actual date for the invention of the first platform bed is impossible to pinpoint due to the basic fact that the modern box-springBox-spring
A box-spring is a type of bed base typically consisting of a sturdy wooden frame covered in cloth, and containing springs. Usually the box-spring is placed on top of a wooden or metal bedframe which sits on the floor and acts as a brace. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer...
was not invented until the mid 1860’s. Since the basic definition of a platform bed is "a bed which uses only a mattress," all incarnations of the bed up to that point would necessarily functionally be considered platform beds. While we generally think of the modern platform bed as having a solid surface for sleeping; rope, leather and wooden or bone slat bases were all used as supports for early mattresses.
Platform bed development was closely intertwined with the evolution of the modern bed. Earliest man most probably slept on the ground. It would have been cold, hard and offered no protection from crawling insects or small animals. Readily available piles of leaves and branches could be covered with animal pelts which provided superior warmth and comfort to sleeping on the ground probably inspiring the first thoughts of a raised dedicated sleeping space. The basic platform bed concept was born from this and has developed ever since in numerous styles and materials but always on the basic principle of raising one's sleeping surface off the ground developed by early man.
Some of the earliest existing beds/platform beds were created by the early Egyptians
Egyptians
Egyptians are nation an ethnic group made up of Mediterranean North Africans, the indigenous people of Egypt.Egyptian identity is closely tied to geography. The population of Egypt is concentrated in the lower Nile Valley, the small strip of cultivable land stretching from the First Cataract to...
who created a wooden framework glued and lashed together which have been found in many burial tombs. For instance, in the King Tutankhamen tomb a gilded ebony platform style bed was found. Studies of ancient Hieroglyph's suggest that the platform beds were revered in Egyptian culture. While common people slept on simpler constructions, the trend developed to decorate the woods surface with gilding and paints and also to use carving to enhance the beauty of this utilitarian object. Ivory, exotic woods and metal were used as inlay or even as the entire foot on the best constructions, bringing artistic design to a commonplace object. This style of platform bed, which might be more accurately described as a chaise longue or daybed
Daybed
Daybeds are used as beds as well as seating. They can be made out of wood, metal or a combination of wood and metal.A cross between chaise longue, couch and a bed....
were the basic building blocks leading to today's modern platform bed. This period provides the earliest representation of platform bed construction to survive.
Platform beds which might be recognized as more accurate representations of today's platform beds were better defined as loft beds. The beds were originally situated high off the ground to allow for more living space below. Over time the beds moved closer to the ground, to their present placement.
Early twentieth century design in both Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and America incorporated elements that helped lead to the wide variety of platform bed styles available today. Minimalism
Minimalism
Minimalism describes movements in various forms of art and design, especially visual art and music, where the work is set out to expose the essence, essentials or identity of a subject through eliminating all non-essential forms, features or concepts...
styles and influences in painting and sculpture quickly found their way into furniture design, offsetting the more elaborate designs found in the Victorian Era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. The Asian approach of “less is more when done artfully” and the cultural appreciation for natural materials also helped to define the basic feel, shapes and decorative elements found on today’s platform bed designs. Mission style furniture
Mission Style Furniture
Mission furniture is a style of furniture that originated in the late 19th Century. It traces its origins to a chair made by A.J. Forbes around 1894 for San Francisco's Swedenborgian Church. The term mission furniture was first popularized by Joseph P...
also drew on these trends toward precise craftsmanship and a simplicity of materials which lead directly to the basic geometric building block theme still seen as crucial elements of a modern platform bed. In the 1940s futon and futon frames incorporated the platform bed ethos and continue to this day to be a popular offshoot of the platform bed idea.
Today, platform beds are generally made from wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
, metal
Metal
A metal , is an element, compound, or alloy that is a good conductor of both electricity and heat. Metals are usually malleable and shiny, that is they reflect most of incident light...
, bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
or leather
Leather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
and may or may not include a headboard and foot board. Platform beds are able to support a mattress without the use of a box spring, although many beds are able to accommodate the box spring if desired.
Contemporary
Many platform beds have a contemporary style that usually feature clean lines, neutral elements and solid color characteristics. These typically reflect European styles which usually include low features with straight bold lines. Some styles incorporate microfiber and leather padding on a headboard for use as a backrest when sitting in bed.In 1973 John Lorenc brought a design for his platform bed to Guild Furniture in New York City which was owned by Lee Strazza. Mr. Strazza built the bed and recreated it many times starting the modern platform bed trend.
Traditional and Transitional
Traditional platform beds are modeled after the Arts & Crafts era of furniture. These beds produce the traditional look and feel of that early mission style furnitureMission Style Furniture
Mission furniture is a style of furniture that originated in the late 19th Century. It traces its origins to a chair made by A.J. Forbes around 1894 for San Francisco's Swedenborgian Church. The term mission furniture was first popularized by Joseph P...
but in the design of a platform bed. Transitional style
Transitional Style
Transitional Style in interior design and furniture design refers to a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, midway between old world traditional and the world of chrome and glass contemporary; incorporating lines that are less ornate than traditional designs, but not as severely...
platform bed styles often reflect a more modern look but using traditional styling techniques to accent delicate modern scroll work contained within the headboard.
These copy a style found in old traditional looking frames, though like all platform beds, it is designed with slats and does not require a box spring.