Can I convert a regular bed into a platform bed?

January 26, 2008 10:45 AM

Can I convert a traditional bed into a platform bed?

I have a regular bed that matches a bedroom set that we have. For some extenuating circumstances, I would like to lower the bed mattress several inches.

Ideally, I don't go out and buy a platform bed. But, that's looking like what I'll need to do, unless I find a way to convert an existing bed into a platform bed.

Anyone have any advice or suggestions? Has anyone done this before?

Also, if not, the business side of me thinks it might be a good idea to make a conversion kit. Does anyone else think this is a good idea?

posted by wflanagan to Home & Garden (10 answers total)

You should take a look at your bed frame. If it one of those ubiquitous (and cheap) metal frames on wheels you maybe able to remove the wheels and legs and lower it a few inches. If the legs are metal and attached you could probably take a hack saw to them easily.

These frames are cheap enough that you can replace it later on if you want.

Some felt, foam pads, or bubble wrap applied strategically will prevent you from damaging your floor or carpet...
posted by wfrgms at 10:59 AM on January 26, 2008

Oh wait... I just noticed that you're talking about a "matching" bed - which I assume means you have a head and foot board of some sort. You can potentially unbolt these from the bed frame and store them if needed. If they are wood, you could always drill new, lower, holes for each and re-bolt those to the lowered frame (although it may look a little funny.)
posted by wfrgms at 11:01 AM on January 26, 2008

I think more description of the starting bed would be helpful. Also, do you want to be able to go back and forth between the two, or is one-way (i.e. saw a few inches off the legs) acceptable?
posted by agentofselection at 11:24 AM on January 26, 2008

Response by poster: I'm looking to do something that would keep the frame in tact. As you know, most mattresses have a "foundation." Ideally, I'd just remove the foundation with something less tall, but not TOO MUCH less tall, and then put the mattress on that. I don't want to hacksaw anything if I can avoid it.
posted by wflanagan at 11:32 AM on January 26, 2008

By foundation, do you mean boxspring? If so, just remove the boxspring and replace it with solid wood slats.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 11:43 AM on January 26, 2008

Judging from some of the instructions found at various websites (www.bobvila.com, www.hgtv.com, www.instructables.com and more), it seems fairly easy to make your conventional bed into a platform.

I think you'd first want to get rid of the headboard and footboard, build a platform (i.e. a big box) out of MDF or construction-grade plywood and rest your mattress and box spring on that. Of course, if you want something more complicated, check out:
http://www.e-platformbeds.com/
http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/133781.html
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_bedroom/article/0,,HGTV_3363_1373741,00.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Twin%2FFull%2FQueen%2FKing-Platform-Bed-With-Danish-Insp/

And there's a whole lot more instructions, ideas out there in Google-land.
posted by Smalltown Girl at 11:52 AM on January 26, 2008

Cat Pie Hurts
What Cat said; except I'd use sheets of plywood cut to fit. It's a more even distro and doesn't leave the swoop between the slats in case the mattress would droop.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 1:02 PM on January 26, 2008

Best answer: As you know, most mattresses have a "foundation." Ideally, I'd just remove the foundation with something less tall, but not TOO MUCH less tall, and then put the mattress on that.

Google: low profile box spring
posted by jewishbuddha at 3:11 PM on January 26, 2008

Response by poster: Interesting. I'll check out the low profile box springs. That's a great find. Thanks!
posted by wflanagan at 8:34 PM on January 26, 2008

Seconding the low profile box spring; I picked up a set of these (for a california king) a year ago, and they seem to work well.
posted by nonliteral at 9:48 PM on January 26, 2008