bed technology question

[rm]

We're looking at getting this bed: http://www.target.com/Black-Bed-Frame-Queen/dp/B00160LE8U/qid=1222873889/ref=br_1_8/601-0852730-7904930?ie=UTF8&node=368295011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

Currently we have a futon mattress that we'd like to hang onto for now (or even replace with another futon mattress).

I'm realizing that the way the bed is designed won't really support the futon. Is there something weird and random we can do to make a futon work in this thing? I keep thinking about those slats they have in some Ikea beds, the measurements look wrong. Thoughts?

Comments

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

You should be able to have a piece of plywood cut to fit the frame, then put the futon mattress on that.

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

Plywood, yes. Use two pieces stacked, perhaps, if your bed is subject to vigorous love.

We bought a memory foam mattress from overstock. Whenever you get a new mattress, I heartily recommend one over all others.

[delicatetbone.livejournal.com]

Are you anti-box spring?

[drfardook.livejournal.com]

I'd second the plywood (probably cut into halves to fit it in your door) as I priced out the slats from Ikea and they're pretty stupidly spendy if I'm remembering correctly.

The most cost conscious choice would probably be to go for the platform bed on the same page as the frame you linked.

[mobobocita.livejournal.com]

Plywood or even ropes (it's the new chic thing in bedding) to make the "box springs" that aren't as tall.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Trust me, unless you have an Ikea bed, any Ikea bed-furnishings will be the wrong size. They do things differently over in Sweden, it would seem.

Ply would probably be your best (and cheapest) bet.

[angstzeit.livejournal.com]

Hey, that bed has an Eris fish (http://home.jps.net/~blip23/PDC/pdc_religion_will_eat.htm).

[weirdquark]

Ikea bed slats do not stand up to two people doing something rather athletic on the bed. (I can forgive them when "something rather athletic" was wrestling, but not when it was sitting down somewhat violently.) Both beds in question were twin sized and not queen, but still.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I've had Ikea bed slats in Ikea beds in the past without it being problematic, except once, but that was three people. It's the mix and match branding that's striking me as a terrible idea.

[billijean.livejournal.com]

I put a futon mattress on a regular bed. The place I got the futon from sold bases just for that. It was, essentially, like a box spring, but without springs. More a pine and plywood box. It was fairly inexpensive as I recall and worked wonderfully. I used it for years and years, replacing the futon at least once. I also moved it several times. In the end, I gave it away and heard years later that it was still in use. It also added some height so that when you were on the futon, you didn't risk bruising your face or other body parts on the bedframe.

[weirdquark]

Every Ikea bed my roommates and I have ever had crapped out after a year. But even if you haven't had problems with Ikea beds, yeah, I don't see mixing and matching going well.

I'm not sure how well plywood would work with a metal frame -- you'd be balancing it on the frame and I don't know how stable it would be. Especially if the plywood was cut in two pieces -- if the support down the center isn't very wide, or if the plywood has room to shift around inside the frame, it might tip if you're moving your weight around.

My bed is a platform bed which uses plywood on top of a frame with drawers. The plywood is screwed into the frame, which makes everything stay put. So if you can find a way to attach the plywood to the frame, then you should be fine.

[tearsinger.livejournal.com]

Which one did you get? We were looking, but I was too squeamish to order such a pricey thing and not be able to return it once opened.

[marcmagus]

One would presumably attach thinnish pieces of wood to the plywood spaced such that they would run just inside of the bedframe along each side. These would keep the plywood from sliding around, without having to physically attach it to the frame itself.

[sola.livejournal.com]

Erm, i have no idea what's going on here, but my husband just said, "Tell this person about our mattress!", so here i am.


We purchase this one from Overstock; the first hing you shoudl know is that it comes in a canvas-covered roll, which weighs a bit over 100 pounds. You will have to manuver it where you want it and put it on the boxspring before you open it. After it's inflated, the added air will make it more like 150 pounds.


That said, it is absolutely, gloriously comfortable. The soft foam on top provides imeidate comfort while the firmer foam underneath conforms to your body within a few minutes. It's also very warm, and we get by with a lot less blankets in winter; we've put a cotton mattress cover on it to mitigate that in summer. It does come with its own cover, but since it's basically impossible to remove due to the weight of the mattress (even though it does zip off) a second, more easily removed and washed cover is highly recommended.


You never have it flip it, thankfully, and most modern sheets fit it very well. Some people complain of urethane foam funk, but after a couple of days, it seemed to dissapate. ALSO THE CATS DO NOT WAKE YOU UP WHEN THEY JUMP ON THE BED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. this is very, very important. heh.

[tearsinger.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much -- we were 3 seconds from buying that one and I read every review and then backed out.

The sight unseen part deterred me, and the no return once opened part.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

For folks unwilling to take the plunge on a whole mattress, I highly recommend a memory foam topper. Mine takes me down a number on the pain scale all by itself.

Also, for folks used to or preferring firmer or more supportive mattresses, a topper is often preferable to a whole foam mattress. Plus it's cheaper to replace if there's cat pee.

(Still, Overstock is a great place to get foam cheap.)

Some folks also like latex, but I have allergies.

On futon replacement - we put a nice new futon atop an older futon for extra height and support, and found it pretty good for a while. For normal healthy folks, this is probably just fine.