Platform beds: home trends - Best of the West

Sunset, Feb, 2004

They had Americans lying low in the 1950s, and with the renewed interest in modern furniture, platform beds are back. They're perfect for a contemporary interior and can accommodate a multitude of styles. But there are a couple of things to consider before you buy.

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GET DOWN: Platform beds are lower to the ground, typically 14 to 25 inches off the floor. In small rooms with low ceilings, that can make the room feel more airy. But are you comfortable with a low perch?

GO EASY: To complement the minimalist style of platform beds, their coverings should feature patterns that are small and spare and should be thin enough to tuck under the mattress for a tailored and compact look.--M.J.B.

DESIGN: Max Geiser and Brian Ogan, The Magazine, Berkeley (510/549-2796)