Floating Bedroom Design

A new twist on a basic design idea, floating beds are an eye catching focal point. Most often associated with modern interior design, they can be a fresh addition to your home, no matter what your style.

Backer street bedroom with floating bed — Instead of a large headboard, the artwork above this floating bed is the focal point. By opening up the space around the bed, it's easy to admire the plush rug as well as the parquet floor pattern.

These beds take advantage of a platform-type bed, most often with added underlighting, to make it seem as if the bed is floating. The means of support are not readily visible.

Floating bed with bathroom behind — In this modern and masculine design, the decorative crossbar under the head of the bed is lit from underneath, which highlights the bed's lack of visible support.

While most beds consist of a mattress and a box spring set on a frame of some type, the platform bed uses a sturdier frame and eliminates the need for the box spring. The origin of the platform bed is hard to pinpoint. From the earliest days of man, people starting looking for ways to put distance between themselves and the cold, hard ground when they slept. The first known descriptions of platform bed construction were found in ancient Egypt, according to Wikipedia. Over time the concept evolved over time, until the modern box-spring was invented in the 1860s.

Contemporary bedroom with platform bed and black wallpaper — Installing a floating bed in a larger space plays up the modernist and openness of the room. Here, the patterned wall keeps the bedroom from feeling too stark.

Floating bed design — Here's an example of a floating bed without a headboard. Because the space is more compact, the lack of a headboard or posts give it a more open feel. Even without under lighting, the bed seems to float.

Regular platform beds have always been available, but their popularity surged in the 1970's. While this might be tied to increasing acceptance of modern interior design, it's also the period when water beds became popular in the United States. These beds use a water-filled liner as the mattress, which is nestled inside a wooden frame – a riff on the platform.

Floating bed with LED light under — With no supports visible at all, this basic floating bed fits well in the minimalist decor that has an Asian flair.

Brown modern bedroom with floating bed — Dark wood, built in nightstands and textured bedding add up to a very masculine look for this floating bed.

Contemporary bedroom featuring a floating bed — A floating bed makes a big statement in a small room, making it seem more spacious.

Taylor Smith Architects Bedroom Design — A masculine design doesn't have to feel cold. Here, honey-colored wood highlights this warm, yet very masculine bedroom where the floating bed is the focal point.

Floating platform bed with led — A bit lower to the ground than some other designs, this floating bed is more of a transitional design. The upholstered wall gives the room a softer feel.

LED light for platform bed — A floating bed can also add to the elegance of a bedroom. Here the wider platform box set closer to the floor is highlighted by the under lighting. The neutral palette and textured linens keep the decor serene and peaceful

Fast forward to 2015 and designers have made creative use of advances in LED lighting to revamp the platform bed and really make it seem to float. While interior designers could always have used underlighting, rope lights and today's small, cool LED bulbs made it easier to create innovative designs. Even DIY enthusiasts can build a floating bed.

Minimalist asian inspired bedroom — With no headboard and a modern room design, this particular floating bed provides the soft touch for the bedroom. The lack of a headboard makes the striking artwork the focus of the room.

Lucite legs for bed — A floating bed does not always need to be anchored to the wall. You can fully see the floor support at the head of the bed thanks to the design of the headboard section. At the foot end, minimalist supports allow the appearance of floating,

Black and white bedroom floating bed — This very modern black and white floating bed unit is a good example of a floating bedroom system. The bed's platform, attached nightstands, and extended headboard wall are all one unit. Perfect for a modern room design.

Designers achieve the illusion of floating with a variety of methods. Some floating bed platforms are anchored to the wall and held up with a single support leg. Other types rest on a smaller box platform that is not readily visible when looking at the bed from around the room. Still others use Lucite legs that are set back from the corners to add to the illusion of floating.

Dark wood bedroom floor with suspended bed — In this setting, the modern horizontally paneled wall acts as the beds headboard, accented by the attached shelving that acts as a nightstand. Fabric pendants keep clutter off the shelving and a whimsical armchair helps warm up what might otherwise be a stark setting.

Large floating bed with black bedding — Floating beds are particularly well suited to an eclectic room setting, allowing colorful bedding and accent furniture to be the focus.

While a floating bed is indeed part of many minimalist and modern bedrooms designs, it can be the focal point of any interior design style. As with any piece of furniture, the material you choose for the platform and the headboard dictate the design style. Natural or rustic-looking wood frames and headboards can make a floating bed fitting for a more traditional bedroom. If you have a more modern style bedroom, choose sleek, polished surfaces like lacquer or laminate. For a more feminine look, upholstered headboards and platforms can soften the design. Want a more masculine look? Incorporating leather in the platform or headboard can amp up the look of the bed.

A floating bed is a focal point for the bedroom, and its advantages bed are much the same as a basic platform bed.

Support and stability

Most bed frames holding up your box spring and mattress are metal, with four to six legs, and a few cross bars for support. Because there is no box spring to support the mattress, a platform bed must have more cross supports, or even full panel support, making it studier. If you toss and turn at night, a platform bed is more stable and is less disturbing to your sleeping partner.

Styling

The lower profile of a platform or floating bed can really open up a space, especially if a bedroom is small. Choosing a style that lacks posts and even a headboard can save space and make for a cleaner design. More traditional looks can incorporate upholstery or mission-style frames and headboards.

Cost savings

Thanks to the platform style, floating beds eliminate the expense of a box spring. If you're on a budget, you can get a new look at less cost. Or, the savings can go toward investing in a higher quality, new technology mattress, or a fancier platform style.

If you're thinking of doing a bedroom refresh, switching out your current bed for a floating bed design is an easy way to update your bedroom.