Japanese Platform Bed Frames: What to Consider While Buying Them?
The Japanese culture is known for its health-friendly advances, especially in the world of furniture. Its classical bed designs significantly reflect the values of simplicity, grace, and the Zen viewpoint of harmony with nature. A perfect blend of these values is evident in its Japanese platform beds.
The conventional and modern designs of Japanese beds are usually low in height, near to the floor, and simple in terms of decoration. Further, these designs revolve around the principle of judicious space use due to which most beds consume a small footmark while maximizing sleeping space.
Japanese beds usually are made with narrow foot rails, side rails, wooden or metal frames, and with or without headboards. All these components together render an appearance of simplicity and harmony.
If you are looking to buy Japanese frames, it is worth understanding the essence of Japanese beds. Once this is done, you need to consider the important factors that help in selecting the most suitable Japanese frame.
Overview of Japanese Bed Frames: Feasible and Reliable Design
Most Japanese beds have a bed frame featuring slats or a hard panel for sustaining a futon or a mattress. It does not need an extra box-spring due to which there is no issue of creaky springs. Further, such frames and beds are also affordable.
Japanese bed frames are available in different designs. As a result, a frame from some companies would be available at an economical rate. Frames available at a moderate or high price tag are typically made of wood. However, they can even be of some other material such as cardboard or coated metal.
Although suitable for any type of mattresses having a standard size, these frames tend to fit a few types better, such as memory foam mattresses requiring a flat surface. A bed with such a frame immediately creates a highly relaxing atmosphere.
Platform bed frames typically have even slats of wood or latticed metal, which can easily support a mattress such that there is no need for a base or foundation. Reinforced bars with support for the center are often used for King and Queen sizes.
Apart from the design, the height of such bed frames is typically lower than the normal beds. A few will also come with a footboard. To upkeep the Japanese tradition and yet ensure style and coziness, considering a futon mattress is essential.
Questions to Ask before Buying a Japanese Style Bed Frame: General Considerations
Before you go ahead and look for different bed frames, it is worth to ask some questions to yourself and get the exact answers. Doing so will help you compare the frames of different brands and styles. Here are the questions to answer.
- What is the weight of those who will be sleeping on the bed? If the sleepers are lighter in weight than those who are heavier, a low-profile arrangement is ideal to have a comfortable experience. It is important for you to know that a few frames weigh lower than others in the competition. So, weight is one factor based on which you will be comparing frames.
- How much should be the space between the floor and bottom rail as well as mattress height? This will help you choose a frame with the right dimensions.
- Do you have a preference for the frame material? Well, this would be a personal choice to make. It is essential here to know that metallic frames are more economical than the wooden ones.
- What will be the duration for which you will use the Japanese frame? This will help you compare the lifespan of different frames available. The average lifespan of frames is analogous. However, solid frames are more durable than those having slats.
- Does upholstery matter? You will find frame types for upholstered and non-upholstered beds. However, the latter ones are more affordable.
- What is the budget? If you wish to save significantly, a platform or a panel model is more economical than other frame types.
- What should be the warranty for the bed frame? It is vital to know that most frames have a warranty of one to five years. At the same time, a few frames have no warranty. It is recommended to avoid investing in such frames.
- What are the frame requirements prescribed as per the warranty of mattress? Well, this is something that you should know before looking for bed frames. Not all frames tend to fulfill these requirements. Thus, it makes sense to cross-check them prior to investing in them. Following are the major requirements:
- Twin and Full mattresses must have frames with a minimum of four legs, while King and Queen mattresses must have frames with a minimum of five to six legs.
- Slatted frames must feature slats whose width is a minimum of two inches. Further, the space between them should be in the range of two to four inches. Those with bigger sizes must possess a bean with center support.
Special Considerations for to Buying the Right Japanese Bed Frames
Following are considerations specific to Japanese bed frames:
- Japanese style beds typically have an external platform surrounding the frame. In other words, this platform will give you space for placing some useful items such as lights and alarm clocks, even after the mattress covers the frame. If you like this, consider buying a big enough platform.
- Did you know many people with back pain choose a Japanese bed? This is because Japanese beds are back-friendly. However, this is only possible if the mattress is supportive. So, avoid buying a Japanese style frame and putting an old mattress on it.
- Pay attention to the height. The nearer the chosen frame is to the ground, more will be the space for shelving. A ground-level setup gives more space above and is ideal for your health. This is because of less scope for the dust to disturb the respiratory system.
Conclusion
A Japanese bed frame is not just for support and decoration; it is also for good health. Thus, do think over the aforementioned considerations before investing in one such frame.
