Metal Platform Beds - the Contemporary Alternative

Metal platform beds are quickly becoming a nice alternative for people wanting the function of a bed with a platform foundation for their mattress but one that gives a more modern contemporary industrial look. In this article we'll take a look at the construction of metal beds and how they can also offer you the same look and function of their wood bed counterparts.

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Wood platform beds have almost become the norm in platform bed circles and these vary greatly from the type of lumber used, hardware, designs and finish offerings. From import woods like rubber wood to more domestic ones like oak and maple you'll see quite a selection in these beds. Wood platform beds can blend well with many home decors but sometimes wood furniture isn't always the best solution for spaces that need something more. Many designers are starting to find that metal platform beds can solve many of the design issues presented by natural wood products which typically introduce varying wood patterns and color variances which can make it tough to design with against other wood furniture.

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Metal platform beds are most often made from steel. One such company called Amisco specifically uses North American cold rolled steel in it's products. With steel a powder coat finish can be applied over the top of the steel in a uniform fashion that makes the finish one that's solid color without the variances you'd find in real wood products. Although quite beautiful, the variances in color and texture in wood products can make it tough when designing with other types of furniture. Because metal finishes are more uniform in color and can be made in a wide assortment of colors it makes it easier to introduce other pieces that can blend or compliment with existing or new furniture.

The foundations of metal platform beds vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The manufacturer we mentioned previously in this article uses a system of steel crossbars that go width wise across the bed and connect down to the side rails using nylon clips that are secured with steel screws. Masonite paneling is installed over the top of these steel crossbars to creates a solid foundation. Other manufacturers may use a steel rack system that incorporates beech wood or other types of wood slats over the steel frame work. This can be compared to wood beds as most wood platform beds use some sort of wood slat system that goes over the bed rails.

The look of metal beds stays consistent with smooth un-textured surfaces. Many metal platform beds are constructed from 2 or 3 inch steel tubing which allows for bending and creating interesting and unique designs that can't be achieved in wood. Scrolling designs and unique bends as well as fascinating shapes can be creating from the bending of steel and when applied into the designs of metal platform bed headboards and footboards the result is uniquely stylish and appealing.

Metal platform beds offer a well built foundation. With the smooth features of steel they can have a color applied that is consistent and uniform allowing for many different combinations of colors. They also offer unique and stylish designs because of the bending of the metal that is now possible with today's technologies creating designs that were never before available in home bedroom decor. These many possibilities with metal frames makes them a great alternative to wood platform beds and perhaps gives them an edge when it comes to modern, contemporary styled furniture. If you're looking for a bed frame with these features than metal platform beds may be the bed for you.

Metal Platform Beds - the Contemporary Alternative

Jon Rancia invites you to visit http://www.platformbeds.com for more information about wood and metal platform beds. Platform Beds are an emerging product category offering high style and finishes sure to enrich your lifestyle. Thanks for reading.

Copyright Jon Rancia. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Modern Bedroom Furniture Ideas - Platform Beds

I grew up with traditional looking furniture in my parent's home. It blended in well with their own home décor of wall hangings, art and other home accents. When it was time to move out onto my own with my wife and start my own family, I was hoping for furniture that could help reflect my own taste and style as well as my wife's. We liked furniture with clean lines and contemporary design. So we began our search for modern bedroom furniture.

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Modern furniture presents you with some interesting choices in the way of bedroom décor. The most modern concept in beds is referred to as a platform bed. These beds incorporate the idea that your bed doesn't require an old bulky box spring but can instead be more open by having a foundation built into the bed that consists of slats or panels. These will provide ample support for your mattress and will help to open up the look of your bed.

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Bedroom furniture made with modern styling can incorporate many new design elements to better make use of their unique designs. Modern platform beds may feature lift up storage which allows you to lift up the supporting frame and mattress on your bed to reveal storage beneath. Because platform beds don't use box springs it allows for more space beneath the bed. This space helps to accommodate storage areas as well as under bed storage drawers which essentially give you a chest of drawers beneath your bed.

Many modern platform beds present more space beneath the bed since they don't use box springs. This will help to open up the look of your bedroom with a less cluttered look.  Still, other platform bed models will present lower profile designs which open up wall space. These beds will feature side rails or headboards which stay lower to the ground because the bed's design and the absence of box springs. You'll also find that modern platform beds still incorporate traditional materials such as wood or metal into their designs. However newer model features may integrate glass as well as fabric or upholstery into bed designs.

Other modern design elements in platform beds include integrated tables that float or align with the headboard of your bed. This provides a more unique design that creates a contemporary look for your bedroom by introducing new design elements into your décor that aren't static. Other case goods like dressers, chests and mirrors also can be made with a modern flair which will bring together your bedroom with matching pieces.

Platform bed structures feature your typical side rails, headboard and footboard. The primary difference with beds made for mattress/box springs is that those beds use a wood or metal support system that consists of 2-4 cross pieces with minimal support across. Mattress/box spring beds are designed with the intent that a box spring be placed over the top of the frame which is typically close to the ground. Platform bed frames will sit higher up off the ground and will feature slat support systems with around 10 or more slats and center support rails or legs. Some platform beds may incorporate masonite or solid paneling as well.

Modern bedrooms start with the bed. Platform beds are a great way of achieving a cleaner, contemporary look by having a more open design beneath the bed. No box springs are needed with platform beds and these beds feature a built in foundation of slats or panels.  These designs also give way to integrating under bed storage, glass headboard designs or even fabric or upholstery around the bed or in the headboard. Add matching case goods with these beds and your bedroom will feature contemporary styling that will blend in with your modern décor. Consider a platform bed when designing your new bedroom.

Modern Bedroom Furniture Ideas - Platform Beds

P.Pendleton is a furniture professional who writes for several online furniture websites. He continues to work with other furniture professionals in promoting new trends in modern bedroom furniture and platform beds.

© Copyright P.Pendleton. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Fresh New Bedroom Decor Ideas - Platform Beds

Your bedroom décor is ready for a change. It has enjoyed the mattress and box spring combo for many years now but you're looking for something different, new and fresh. Aren't all beds the same though? You'd be surprised to know that there are many branches of sub-categories of beds that exist today that came about because of people like you and me that needed something more specific for our space than just a simple metal frame on the floor. In this article we'll take a look at just one of these sub-categories of beds referred to as the platform bed.

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Platform bed designs have actually been around for some time. The platform bed is defined as a bed that has its own platform foundation built into it for use with only a mattress. These beds typically offer a lower profile than other beds and often have space beneath the bed that allows for the use of drawers or drawer systems or other unique features not available with conventional beds. Which now leads us into the foundation for platform beds.

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The foundation of these beds can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The most common is called the slat roll or slat system. These are a series of wood slats that are strapped or banded together with a polypropylene material that allows for proper spacing. The rails of the platform bed will have a ledge or shelf built into them that the slats rest on. Another form of foundation would be solid panels. These also rest on a ledge but provide the advantage of a solid surface without gaps for mattress manufacturers who require their mattress be on a solid surface.

Platform bed frames are available in a wide variety of designs and styles. Many are available in solid wood construction. Domestic platform beds that are made in the United States will be made from common woods such as oak, maple, ash, cherry and hickory just to name a few. Typically most import beds you'll find are made from rubber wood which is close in characteristics to maple in its tensile strength and durability. Rubber wood may sound like its rubbery but the sap that comes from this tree is used in many products such as rubber and latex.

You'll also find these beds made from metal. Metal platform beds can be made in traditional, transitional and modern bed designs. With metal you can create anything from intricate ornate styled headboards to smoother designs. Metal can also be finished in a wider variety of finish styles and colors. These beds will usually use a steel cross bar system as the foundation and some styles may make use of masonite panels over the top of the cross bars to create a solid foundation.

Since there is no box spring unit used with these beds, the platform that the mattress rests on is made higher. This means that there is ample space beneath the bed to incorporate other design elements into the bed. These may be anything from integrated under bed storage systems to bed lift systems that reveal storage. Manufacturers can get pretty creative when given additional room to work with and platform bed frames offer an interesting canvas to create new ideas in bed design.

In this article we've examined a sub-category of beds referred to as platform beds. Platform bed frames are defined as being made to accommodate just a mattress and have their own foundation built in. They're available in a variety of woods as well as metal with a wide selection of stains of finishes. Whether you need traditional or contemporary platform bed frames come in almost every flavor. So if your bedroom is ready for a fresh start, consider adding a platform bed into your room's look for a new and different take on a good nights sleep.

Fresh New Bedroom Decor Ideas - Platform Beds

P.Pendleton is a furniture professional with over 15 years experience in furniture production, distribution and sales. He continues to work with other professionals to promote platform bed models and modern beds.

© Copyright Phil Pendleton. All rights reserved worldwide.

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