Panel Bed vs Platform Bed: Differences & How to Choose

If home is where the heart is, the bedroom is one of its innermost chambers. And selecting the perfect bed frame plays the essential role of providing unwavering support—to your mattress, your comfort levels, and your personal preferences for rest and rejuvenation.

Panel and platform bed frames are distinct choices that have important implications for design, as well as sleep. Most importantly, each needs to be fitted to a compatible and complementary mattress to ensure you get the support you need each night.

These bed frame types differ in several ways, from how they’re built to the aesthetic they channel. Below, we break down their key distinctions to help you choose the perfect bed type for your space.

What is a Panel Bed?

Panel beds are a classic style of bed frame designed for box spring-supported mattresses.¹ They’re most recognizable by their built-in headboards, footboards, and side rails, which also serve to prop up a mattress. Keep in mind that most modern mattresses do not require a box spring.

Measurements and Mattress Compatibility

Panel beds tend to be higher than platform beds, since they’re designed to make room for both a box spring and a mattress.

Depending on your chosen design company, you can probably find a panel bed for any size of mattress. This includes²:

• Twin beds – 38 inches x 75 inches
• Twin XL beds – 38 inches x 80 inches
• Full or Double beds – 54 inches x 75 inches
• Full or Double XL beds – 54 inches x 80 inches
• Queen beds – 60 inches x 80 inches
• King beds –66 inches x 80 inches
• California king beds –72 inches x 84 inches

So long as you have a compatible box spring, a panel bed can fit most any standard mattress size. Check out our bed frame size chart to learn more.

Comfort and Support

Panel bed frames can be uniquely supportive pieces that enhance not only the comfort of a bed, but the longevity of your mattress.

There are two main reasons why people favor panel bed frames:

1. The box spring – The box spring is considered a highly supportive element, and many sleepers prefer this element to a foam or latex mattress.
2. Bed height – For some sleepers, the height of panel bed frames can improve mobility and make getting in and out of bed much easier.

Style and Design

Panel bed frames are considered a more traditional choice. Historically, this style of bed frame preceded the modern platform bed frame, and they often have the aesthetics to match.

While old-school panel bed frames were made of wood—and often carved with ornamental artwork and details—many contemporary designs have a more modern, sophisticated feel. Today, you can find panel bed frames in a range of styles, from stately and classical to muted and modern.

If you’re leaning toward a panel bed frame but haven’t found the perfect one yet, consider partnering with a company like James & James that can handcraft a custom wood bed frame to bring your vision to life.

What is a Platform Bed?

The defining feature of a platform bed is that it doesn't require a box spring for your mattress.³ Instead, it’s built with a surface—either solid or slatted—to give your mattress support.³

Measurements and Mattress Compatibility

Like panel bed frames, it’s possible to find a platform bed that can conform to most any standard mattress:

• Twin
• Twin XL
• Full or Double
• Full or Double XL
• Queen
• King
• California king

Not only can you use a platform bed frame for most mattress sizes, but you can also venture into many different mattress types. Excellent options to explore include:

• Memory foam mattresses
• Hybrid (foam and spring) mattresses
• Latex mattresses

Comfort and Support

Platform beds can be just as comfortable as panel beds, so long as your chosen mattress is to your liking. Some sleepers prefer their bed to sit at a lower height, which makes them feel more grounded and supported. Secondarily, some sleepers feel platform beds enhance weight distribution across the entire mattress and platform surface.

Style and Design

Due to its structural minimalism, platform beds tend to have a more simplified design. They’re a go-to bed frame for lovers of sleek, streamlined aesthetics without compromising the comfort of every bedroom’s centerpiece.

Moreover, platform beds tend to sit lower to the ground because they don’t require a box spring. Their modest height lends an understated, unfussy look reminiscent of the Scandinavian hygge aesthetic.⁴

Panel Bed Pros and Cons

If you’re considering a panel bed for your bedroom, it’s helpful to account for some basic advantages and drawbacks that could factor into your decision.

Pros of Panel Bed Frames

Panel bed frames offer several advantages that make them a popular choice for many sleepers and bedroom styles:

• Classic Look: Panel bed frames boast a timeless, traditional style that makes them a versatile and time-honored design choice for any bedroom.
• Extra Layer of Cushioning: With a box spring component, panel beds provide an additional layer of give, enhancing comfort for some sleepers.
• Ease of Access: Panel beds, thanks to their height, may be easier to climb into for taller individuals or those with mobility concerns, simplifying transitions in and out of bed.

Cons of Panel Bed Frames

While panel bed frames have their benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• Space-Consuming: Due to their loftier height, panel bed frames may take up more space compared to platform beds, making them less ideal for smaller bedrooms.
• Extra Parts Required: Panel beds often include a box spring, which can increase costs and require additional effort for assembly and arrangement.
• Difficult to Move: The extra parts and weight of panel beds make them heavier and more cumbersome to move, which can be a drawback for those who frequently rearrange furniture.

Platform Bed Pros and Cons

Platform bed frames have their own perks and pitfalls. Here's a closer look to help you decide if a platform bed is the right fit for your space.

Pros of Platform Bed Frames

Platform beds bring a variety of benefits that cater to modern bedroom designs and functionality:

• Suave Look: If your dream bedroom embodies sleek, contemporary furniture and décor, platform beds are an easy way to put minimalism at the heart of your space.
• No Extra Components Needed: Platform bed frames don’t require a box spring, simplifying your bedroom setup. This can reduce costs and the energy it takes to achieve your ideal design.
• Extra Storage Space: Many platform bed frames come with built-in storage options like drawers, making it easier to reduce clutter and create a sleep-friendly oasis.
  
  

Cons of Platform Bed Frames

However, platform beds also come with some potential drawbacks to consider:

• Firmer Sleeping Surface: Without a box spring, platform beds may feel firmer, which some sleepers find less comfortable compared to panel beds.
• Harder to Access: Platform beds sit lower to the ground, which can make getting in and out of bed more challenging, especially for those with mobility limitations.
• May Require a Specific Mattress: While they don’t require a box spring, platform beds may need a compatible mattress, potentially adding to the cost and complexity of your purchase.

Panel Bed vs. Platform Bed: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing your ideal bed frame structure can feel like a weighty decision, but addressing the basics can help you come to a sound decision. Start by reflecting on your:

• Personal preferences – When it comes to the bedroom, your comfort comes first. Since bed frame and mattress styles work together, it’s important to consider what mattress type is most conducive to getting your best night’s rest.

For instance, memory foam mattresses are considered the most supportive for sleepers who struggle with joint or muscle pain.⁵ In this case, a platform bed type might be ideal.

• Budget – Innerspring mattresses are still by far the most popular type on the US market—and they also tend to be the most affordable.⁵ That said, you may not reduce costs if you need to purchase a box spring as well as a new bed frame.
• Bedroom size – If you’re working with a smaller bedroom, a platform bed may save you space for its smaller size and (in some cases) additional storage options.

Finally, consider your desired aesthetic. While platform bed frames are bedfellows of modernism, panel bed frames are associated with time-honored tradition. That said, both frame types can be stylized according to personal aesthetic preferences when you work with a bespoke furniture design company.

Ultimately, you have final say on your priorities for your bedroom. The bed frame designer you select can help you arrive at a solution that fits the bill and exceeds your expectations.

Customize Your Comfort with James & James Furniture

You shouldn’t have to make compromises when it comes to your bed. If you’ve got your heart set on a specific vision, we at James & James want to create the piece you’ll keep and pass down for generations.

From the bed frames you’ll come home to the shelving where you’ll store memories in the making, it’s our artisans’ dream to craft you something that’ll turn your house into a home. Start bringing your vision to life by browsing our wood bed frames and custom solid wood bedroom furniture collections today.

Sources:

1. Architecture Lab. Platform Bed vs. Panel Bed | Differences & Similarities. https://www.architecturelab.net/platform-bed-vs-panel-bed-differences-similarities/
2. Casper. Mattress Sizes and Bed Dimensions Guide. https://casper.com/pages/mattress-size-comparison-guide
3. Sleep Foundation. What Is a Platform Bed? https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-bed-frames/what-is-a-platform-bed
4. Scandinavia Standard. What is the Meaning of Hygge? https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/what-is-hygge/
5. The Spruce. 15 Different Types of Mattresses and How to Choose One. https://www.thespruce.com/types-of-mattresses-5181298
6. Homes and Gardens. Decluttering a bedroom can improve sleep – experts reveal why. https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/decluttering-a-bedroom-can-improve-sleep