Get rid of the boxspring altogether - There's no need for it on a platform bed.

I don't think you even need a box spring, looks to high any way. Will the mattress sit on the slats?

that bed in the first picture (although the second one too) looks ridiculous.

First I would get a low profile box spring, that will help with the height issue of your entire setup, and then also be less noticeable.

Also, i thought with a lot of platform beds you were supposed to skip the box spring? To me it just looks stupid. That second photo too, platform bed, box spring (can't tell if it is low profile since that mattress looks thin too...) mattress, then giant featherbed? How many layers do you need?

Why do you need a box spring mattress on a platform bed?

Garnet Hill as some box spring covers.

I also use fitted sheets for this! Bedskirts have always annoyed me and I love how clean and neat a fitted sheet looks.

I too use a fitted sheet on my box spring in my low profile bed. And, while I know I'm in the minority, I LOVE the height of my bed. I love the feel of "climbing" into it every night, and I love being able to sit on it and have my feet not touch the floor.

I get that for many people they like the low scale of platform beds, but if I could, I'd create a princess bed where I would never feel the pea!

A bit off topic, but it seemed the tall bed lovers needed a voice.

I'd get rid of the boxspring altogether and use slats instead.

I also use a fitted sheet over my boxspring (currently, I don't have a bedframe). It's cheap and it works just fine.

I will echo the others - I don't think you need a boxspring at all, and it even looks kind of silly to have one.

Nice bedspread!

when you're over 6 feet tall, it takes a lot of bed for you to not touch your feet on the ground when they hang off the edge...

i am all for tall beds, i don't want to climb down into a bed, however, the top one just looks wrong, the bed to side table height ratio is all off.

I am a high bed advocate as well- being 6 ft tall, I like to not be crouching into bed, but I also agree that with that platform bed, the boxspring looks silly, and not even the nicest sheet or cover will improve it. Just get rid of it.

Hi,

I would toss the box spring. Platform beds have wooden slats that will support the mattress just fine. IF, for some reason, your bed is missing the wooden slats, you can purchase a piece of plywood to add to your bed for support.

Hope that helps,

kham19

I got rid of my boxspring when I purchased a platform bed. Problem solved.

I was going to write you probably don't need a box spring with your bed, but looks like everyone else beat me to it. We have the Colette bed from C&B http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1012&f=1480 it's sort of the same, and they said it doesn't require a boxspring.

I do love that duvet cover! Where is it from?

I thought platform beds obviated the need for a box spring? That bed looks like kind of like a layer cake.

Another vote for getting rid of the boxspring! Personally I find them very uncomfortable, as well as ugly and unnecessary. It's better for the mattress to rest directly on a slatted base, allowing air circulation. Most Europeans probably wouldn't have a clue what a boxspring even is. And in the UK, an old fashioned divan bed is essentially a boxspring on legs, with a a mattress on top. It's much more common now to have a mattress on a slatted platform base. But I think the idea of a bed base, plus a boxspring, plus a mattress (plus potential extra layers of featherbed) is peculiarly American!

"I do love that duvet cover! Where is it from?"

I'd bet it's Pottery Barn...

If you travel even semi-regularly, or you live in NY or any other area with bedbugs, I strongly suggest investing in a bedbug-proof mattress encasement for both the mattress and the box spring. They fit under your sheets, so they're not a pretty solution for hiding the box spring, and they're not cheap.

Although I'm *extremely* frugal by necessity, I'm about to invest in mattress encasements for both mattress and box spring because it's a small price to pay compared with all the horror stories friends' and acquaintances have shared about bedbugs requiring them to throw out 75% or more of their furniture and start from scratch...

I agree. Platform beds don't need boxprings. They're designed to support just the mattress... If you don't find a mattress alone comfortable enough, a better solution might be to add a waffle foam top - it's incredibly comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud, and that's why it's used in care homes... and it's very thin. I have to get a slightly bigger fitted sheet for the mattress/wafflefoam combo - the kind for fat mattesses - but the single fatter mattress looks a lot better than a mattress on top of a box spring. If you want a tall bed, then I'd sell the platform.

I don't see the issue in using a box spring, even on a platform bed. To each their own. And the fitted sheet seems like a genius idea, compared to spending at least 60$ on a specific "box spring cover". Why? Go to Target and get a cheap fitted sheet. It's not like you're ever going to touch it, so the thread count doesn't have to be high, right?

Laura
http://www.grafxnerd.net

As a McRoskey Mattress lover and former emloyee, I understand completely. I have a traditional mattress and boxspring setup and have some advice for platform living...

If you have a non-flexible boxspring, consider going without and laying a slab of plywood over the slats on the platform. Low profile elegance in a jiffy (and supportive too). If you need the boxspring, I advise a fitted sheet as others recommend. Use twisty screws like this to tailor the look: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=10995680&RN=404

You can find any color you desire and change it with your sheeting! So much more fun! The white diamante boxspring covers at Garnet Hill are also a nice simple solution.

i happen to think the bed is fine as is... box spring and all. and i was actually planning the same box spring update this past week since targets sheets were on sale. what stopped me was my husbands dislike of having to lift our huge bed all on his own, im pregnant. one day, i say!

Platform beds are made to be used without a boxspring.

However I love my boxspring.

Up to you if you want to keep the box spring, but IKEA does make some real good slats that are comfortable. I think they are $40-$60 a piece and you'll need two. If the box spring works better for you, contrasting fitted sheets are a great way to go.

Can the Ikea Slats be used with non-Ikea beds? I hate my boxspring and have always wanted to get rid of it but not sure that my traditional bed frame has enough support to keep the mattress from sagging.

What's with the "most Europeans" meme? What do I care how Hans, Gretel, Ivan or Maria make up their respective beds? Are "most Europeans" now the touchstone of all things decorative? Not all European beds are of the platform variety.

I don't like platform beds myself, as they're so low, and I'm tall. I cover mine with a fitted sheet, pulled taut. Getting a bed skirt and tucking it in seems like an exercise in futility on a daily basis.

I don't think there is anything wrong with using a box spring on a platform bed (aesthetically or practically) if you prefer the extra height (and it seems awfully wasteful to toss it into a landfill or spend the money on a whole new bed if you are happy with this one) but personally, I think the contrasting colors make the bed look a bit too busy. I would probably opt for matching all the linens for a cleaner, simpler look.

Blogger speaking! We know we don't need the box spring, but like the height and I love the contrast that the taupe fitted sheet gives.

The duvet cover is from Pottery Barn, about two years ago. It's a twin duvet though, which is why it doesn't fall right and why it doesn't match--we have a matching quilt coming in the mail that will help make the bed less busy. One little piece at a time when you're newly married.

Good idea with the bedskirt pins, attic.

Since the question was asked, "Are there any other box spring ideas out there?", another answer is DIY.
Fabric, a sewing machine, a few straight seams = custom box spring cover.

Good grief I never thought of that until i read it here. I went in to look at my box spring and there it is ...unsightly as can be. Will zip out tomorrow and buy a co ordinating sheet. Nice idea....I learn so much from this site!

I've been thinking of just finding a cute fabric I like to go with my color scheme and staple it around the edges of the box spring, If I ever want to change it I can always just rip it off.

To those who ponder the purpose of the box spring, there was an article a few yrs back in Dwell about a hotel in Marfa Tx - the owner had to nix the idea of platform beds for the mod decor because of all the porking (not my term) that goes on in hotel rooms. The box springs help the mattresses last longer, she said.

For some of you, this might be important - you void warranties for mattresses if you don't get the boxspring for it. They are to be sold in sets - don't use the boxspring and that mattress has/gets a fault and you just more or less scr*wed.

Do you guys think I can get rid of my box spring now that I have the narrow-leg bed frame from West Elm? I was using a cheap metal frame (under $30 from K-Mart), but now I finally have a good quality bed frame. It has 2 half-width slants, too (which I've never had). My bed looks ridiculously tall now (sort of like the first pic in this post).

Can I safely get rid of my box spring too?

Forget about using a top sheet. Haven't used one in years. For our Eastern King we bought two twin-size light down duvets. We use percale duvet covers in the summer, German flannel in the winter, and launder the covers every week along with the pillowcases and bottom sheet. It's infinitely easier and more personalized than stuffing into the envelope of a made up bed with top sheet and blanket. In the a.m., fold your twin duvets in half lengthwise, and top with a pretty quilt, arrange your pillows, front them with shams and decorative pillows, put a complementary color throw across the foot. We used a pretty French floral quilt that reverses to a stripe, a gorgeous Oleana wool throw, and a mix of pillows including a huge French linen feed sack with a stripe. For the yummiest night's sleep, top your mattress with a dual control heating pad, and over that a natural wool mattress pad. Buy high quality down pillows and make them last by using pillow protectors under the pillowcase. Silk pillowcases are better for a woman's skin too.... happy sleep!