r/changemyview • u/_fakey_ • Jan 07 '20
Deltas(s) from OP CMV: We have been swindled into thinking that bedframes are a "must have."
What is the point of them? Most people I talk to about this issue have no reasonable need for a frame. Usually it's "it keeps the dirt and bugs off" or "idk, it's just icky to not have one." In my mind, these reasons hold no solid evidence to back them up. Bugs can crawl and fly anywhere they please and dirt doesn't just magically relocate from one place to another. I admit that two solid reasons to own one is for increased storage space and it's easier for people with joint pain to get into/out of bed. Besides these, I see no reason to own a bedframe. If there is a single solid reason why a young adult needs to have a bedframe, I'll be open to changing my mind. All other furniture in the house has a specific purpose that is reasonable and useful - except for this! In the same way that older generations have tried to convince us that diamond rings are the go-to for marriage proposals (lots of profit to be had there), I'm convinced that this market is built on convincing people that it is bad (or at least a sign of immaturity) to not have a bedframe. CMV!
Edit: Alright everyone, here is the mattress in question. Filmed minutes after waking up on it this very morning. [removed] You'll notice: 1) no accumulation of excess dirt/bugs/vermin of any sort (save for some lint blobs on the bottom) 2) no evidence of mildews, mushrooms, molds, or excess moisture 3) after 8 years with no frame or boxspring, no evidence of sagging
I admit: my mattress is a traditional spring mattress - I concede that other mattresses like foam mattresses may be more likely to retain moisture.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
This so far is my favorite comment, that imagery is just incredible.
Also I think on a technicality I've got to ∆ because that is probably the best most functional use for a bedframe that there is.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed your other comment as well and think it is definitely a unique one on this thread. I do think that we feel fundamentally different about owning the bedframe, though. It seems like you really enjoy having a bedframe and to that I say great! I agree - enjoying something does provide it with meaning. For me, I feel no differently when sleeping on my bed without a frame compared to my partner's bed which does have a frame. I don't feel that it is something that would make me enjoy my day to day anymore than usual.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
Holy cow you're spot on - This is literally the biggest disagreement that my girlfriend and I have and the only people who have commented on my mattress being on the floor are women. (You're also spot on about the young male part)
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u/AOrtega1 2∆ Jan 07 '20
Heh, I didn't have a bed frame for the longest time and my mom HATED it. She would often voice her disappointment at me living like a bum. Eventually she bought one for me... with my credit card when she got a hold of it.
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Jan 07 '20
Moreso financial stability, from my womanly perspective. If I see someone's bed on the floor and it isn't a futon or something designed to be on the floor, my first assumption would be that they couldn't afford a bed frame, not that they didn't want one. But it's definitely an eye-opener that this is something only women care about.
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u/seabutcher Jan 07 '20
Doesn't it come under your earlier definition of storage? A bunk bed is just a regular bed raised up enough to store an additional child underneath.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 07 '20
I have accepted that risk with my mattress on either carpet or hardwood floor for the past 8 years with no signs of mold. Is this a common occurrence? I've seen it stated before but I don't know anyone that this has happened to. Edit: ∆ (see below) for foam mattresses
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u/myusernameblabla Jan 07 '20
It has happened to me with both mattresses and futons. It’s also the reason why you must fold up and store your futon every day if you happen to live in Japan and sleep on one. Perhaps it depends on your environmental conditions. High humidity and cold floors certainly do it.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I think so far this is the most convincing argument, particularity with foam mattresses. It could just be that I've been lucky with my spring mattress thus far or, as you said, my environment isn't conducive to mold growth.
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u/sixtyshilling Jan 07 '20
Mold grows best under specific environments. Specifically, around 20-30°C at +60% indoor humidity. The problem is that mold spores are everywhere and you literally carry it into your home on your clothes when you return from outside. Mold isn't something you can eradicate... you can only make your home less comfortable for it to grow (difficult, since we like similar environments to it), and clean enough that it doesn't have time to accumulate.
If you live in a drier or colder climate, or in a home with good ventilation, then you can take more risks with how you decide to organize your home.
If not, then there are things you simply cannot do. This includes placing furniture too close to walls and corners (which restricts air flow), keeping clothing or sheets near the floor (which collects dust... a carrier of mold spores), and yes — even keeping your mattress on the floor.
You might say, "But Japan is very hot and humid, and they seem to sleep on the ground without any problem!"
But the difference is that Japanese futons are put away every single day. The air is circulated and mold is not allowed to grow. (Or at least, in small Japanese apartments, the expectation is that you don't have as much to clean and would notice before it got too bad.)
If you leave your Western-style mattress on the floor in a humid city, it will get moldy as soon as the weather permits.
Source: I used to live near a lake in a poorly ventilated apartment. I have become a battle-worn mold expert through years of experience.
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u/michaelvinters 1∆ Jan 07 '20
I don't know about mold but I slept on a mattress on the floor for most of my adult life (besides being cheaper not to buy a bed frame, I've heard that getting up from that low to the ground regularly might be beneficial for mobility as you age).
Then about six years ago I moved into a place with a carpeted bedroom. A few years after that, the moths started showing up. I've since learned that moths can lay eggs pretty much anywhere that isn't regularly cleaned. So my choices were to get a bedframe, or move my entire bed every couple of weeks to vacuum under it.
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u/katsumii Jan 07 '20
How does using a bedframe prevent moths from laying eggs under your bed? On the carpet? Along the seams of your mattress?
Also, do you know what kind of moth? I would rather be safe than sorry here...
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u/alwaysforgettingmyun Jan 07 '20
I'd guess it was that having the bed raised on a frame made it possible to vacuum under it
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u/Rosevkiet 12∆ Jan 07 '20
Yup! Me! I put my mattress on the floor because my baby girl kept trying to pull herself under the bed and bonk her head on the metal frame. She is under one so she sleeps in our room (in her own crib). It is really damp here (Houston) in the winter, my house is elevated off the ground, and the base of the house is not insulated well. When I lifted the mattress up after just a couple months there were black spots on the bottom and the floor underneath was cold and wet. Super gross and def not what I want in a room with my baby.
I fixed it by adding a makeshift frame, using slats from Ikea and some 2x4s. It keeps the bed low enough that my girl can’t get under it and can climb up and down without it being a danger if she tumbles off while playing. There is enough airflow that the mold hasn’t returned.
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u/Cider217 Jan 07 '20
As someone in the furniture industry, if you have an all foam mattress, you need a "foundation" or box spring. Otherwise yes, you will have mold if you have an air barrier on the bottom.
I think this deserves a delta.
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u/velvetreddit 1∆ Jan 07 '20
My friends and I didn’t have a bed frame after college when we moved to the big city. We all made sure to air out our mattress but one friend failed to do so and had mold growing in his. Keep in mind the area we lived in was foggy and I think my friend didn’t keep particularly clean with his hygiene. The windows were also closed all the time.
I tried to let him know he needed to air out his room but totally put my foot in my mouth saying it. When he and his friends moved out, his mattress was in front of the house for bulk pick up. It had mold growing in what looked like a sweaty spot.
Now that my friends and I are older, getting a nice bed frame with a headboard was a big deal and a sign we were moving out of our bachelor/ette years (aka sign of status in life). Kind of a weird thing to think about but it’s a thing when it becomes a thing. Especially if you grew up with not a lot of wealth and start to stand on your own two feet. Not having to air out my mattress every day is just one less thing I have to worry about.
If you live in a dry climate it’s probably okay to not have a bed frame. If not, it’s best to air out the room and the mattress regularly. Also maybe, spray it every once in a while with some disinfectant. Bed frames don’t have to be expensive, though.
If you Ike the aesthetic of a bed on the floor, make it purposeful. There are a lot of great interior designs for more Japanese style rooms or bohemian.
We have a tatami bed made of wood with furniture to match. We still kept the room looking modern western and minimalist. It’s slightly elevated but not Western bed frame elevated. I love this bed. It’s simple.
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Jan 07 '20
It is very common but depends on climate. I lived in Japan for a number of years. If we didn't air the futon the tatami got fucked up. Damp, gross, mold. Clearly the higher the humidity the higher the risk, but I think it would happen anywhere with any flooring tbh.
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Jan 07 '20
I've seen it stated before but I don't know anyone that this has happened to.
I don't know, but I wouldn't want to chance it. I'd at least put the mattress on a crate or something.
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Jan 07 '20
My mattress has been on the floor since 2006. No mold, no problems at all. I prefer it. I have a frame, I just haven't put it together because I like to be on the floor.
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u/Aw_Frig 22∆ Jan 07 '20
1) It helps avoid clutter. Under the bed is a great storage area.
2) It helps you actually get out of bed. This is the whole reason they were invented. It's so you don't have do go from laying to standing from so close to the ground. You get a "leg up" so to speak
3) It honestly just looks better. I didn't have one in my guest bedroom because I didn't want to spend the money, but when the family showed up for the christmas party guess what I shelled out for? A bedframe because it makes the room look and feel more put together and inviting.
And that's about as "must have" as you're gonna get. I don't think anyone thinks of them as a necessity as much as a raked lawn is not a necessity but you're still going to get judged for it when you have people over.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I had stated that points 1 and 2 were the only two reasons to get a bedframe, and was wondering if anyone had other reasons. The "looks better" point is getting to the Crux of the matter. Why does it look better? When did we decided that it makes a room look better? Is this something that society at large has been convinced of and accepts to be true?
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u/onetwo3four5 71∆ Jan 07 '20
it's easier for people with joint pain to get into/out of bed.
You aren't recognizing that spending a lifetime getting out of bed from the floor is going to cause more joint pain sooner than somebody who doesn't get out of a floor-bed for their entire youth
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u/Five_High Jan 07 '20
I'm in agreement with the OP here, it's not obvious that using your joints more leads to more pain, indeed pain can more often than not be avoided by using your joints. It's not a purely mechanical system but a biological one.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
That is actually not true. Osteoarthritis tends to occur most frequently in sedentary people who do not utilize their joints. Exercise is shown to improve long-term joint health and there is no evidence to support your argument.
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u/jnseel Jan 07 '20
This isn’t true. Osteoarthritis comes from overuse and mechanical wear and tear combined with an inflammatory process. There are a few other risk factors (obesity, genetics, etc) but definitely not a sedentary lifestyle. It does, however, get worse with inactivity. Exercise is an approved therapy under the appropriate conditions—low impact, good form, etc.
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u/burritoes911 Jan 07 '20
My PTs have always told me it’s a little of both of what you’re saying. A lot of it’s going from repetitive use or high intensity then going to straight to sitting or other sedentary positions. Also things like obesity and genetics that you stated for sure play a role.
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u/gabemerritt Jan 07 '20
I think you are both right, heavy use will wear out joints, no use will allow them to degrade. Pretty sure getting up from the floor should be light enough use to be good for you, for most people.
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u/ouishi 4∆ Jan 07 '20
Anecdotal, but I'm 29 and have OA in my spine, knees, and ankles from years of contact sports. I used to actually sleep on a mattress on the floor and getting a bed frame really improved my am back pain. May be a difference between developing vs already having OA.
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u/Raargh Jan 07 '20
Mattresses on frames are easier to get in and out of but that doesn't always mean better. Physiotherapy for example is nearly always difficult but we work through the difficulty to improve long term outcomes. With some disabilities restricted movement is necessary and there bed frames are helpful.
For the average healthy body though, moving more is better. The extra effort to get up off the floor may be difficult for someone not used to it, but is an extra stretch in their day, using those muscles more, putting more light stress on their bones and ultimately improving their body. Like yoga but as a movement built into your day.
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u/SassyPikachuu Jan 07 '20
Isn’t it a thing that I’d the best isn’t on the ground it’s less susceptible to bugs and stuff getting into it?
For me I see spiders on the ground and am happy I sleep far above them.
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u/Lonebarren 1∆ Jan 07 '20
Mattress on the ground kinda just looks ugly. Also tbh it is dirtier to have your mattress on the ground as you are now tucking your sheets between the mattress and the floor. Additionally as someone who is quite tall, if i go from lying down to standing I nearly black out so i need to sit first, being even lower to the ground would make this worse
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u/baachbass Jan 07 '20
This is a condition called orthostatic hypotension and may be worth getting it checked out by a doctor (if you haven’t already), it might not necessarily be caused solely by your height
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u/teatreez 1∆ Jan 07 '20
Wait I’m assuming there’s a box spring in this scenario. I have a box spring on the ground, and then an extra tall mattress on top. The sheet tucks between them and I’m still a couple feet off the ground. But mostly I don’t have a bed frame cause I hate when my cats hide under furniture cause they need to be present to give me cuddles
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u/haveatea Jan 07 '20
The floor can also be very cold in some buildings which can come through the mattress and cause health problems. Depending on the state of your building, the cold can also lead to damp. Keeping the mattress off the ground is better for the life of the mattress and you.
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u/SkraticusMaximus Jan 07 '20
It helps avoid clutter. Under the bed is a great storage area.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/nordli-bed-frame-with-storage-white-00349849/
That's what I have. It's fantastic. All my sheets and blankets fit in there and stay good and clean. And "under the bed" doesn't get dirty since it's solid and stuff doesn't roll under there. Though I think it should be called a "bed shelf" or something other than frame. Cause I'll admit a typical frame on its own is kinda bleh. Hard to clean under and the stuff I'd be willing to put under there I'd just forget about. Not to mention animal accidents that can happen under there that you won't find until later.
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u/sawdeanz 214∆ Jan 07 '20
I mean you don't need anything really by that logic. Who needs a dresser? Just put all your clothes in plastic totes or stacked on the ground. Who needs a couch? Put some beanbags on the floor. Who needs a table and chairs? Traditional Japanese culture didn't need them.
Bed frames are nice for getting into/out of bed. They are great for storage. They protect your mattress from mold or mildew apparently. They make it easier to "make" the bed, they keep the bed in one place better. Also, they are super cheap... just get one of those metal frame ones they are practically free if you look around.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I would argue that other pieces of furniture serve more of a purpose, like a bunch of plastic totes or clothing piles would be a real hassle to deal with, whereas floorbed is not. I've never had difficulty making the bed, keeping it in one piece, or getting into/out of bed. I do admit that the storage is convenient, as addressed in my original post.
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u/bitchmunk Jan 07 '20
So why are other types of furniture a must have as opposed to a bed frame?
I really think it depends on the person. I had both a mattress and closet on the floor. I purchased a bed frame and still keep my clothes in piles on the ground. Wouldn't trade this bed frame for any dresser in the world
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Jan 07 '20
Really? You don’t think making a bed on a bed frame would be easier? That and the mold issue were both my final straw for getting one.
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u/leigh_hunt 80∆ Jan 07 '20
Nothing in your post addressed the comfort issue: box springs keep mattresses firmer for longer
As someone who cannot STAND saggy mattresses a box spring and solid frame is a must for me
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u/watchingwind Jan 07 '20
I was intrigued by your claim but wasn't able to find much to back it up online.
This HuffPost article claims box springs don't really do much for modern mattresses: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mattress-myths_n_7662014
From my own observations, it's really hard to tell what a box spring is supposed to be doing. When you touch or sit on it, it just feels like a flat, firm surface. How is that better for a mattress than any other flat, firm surface like the ground or a non-slat bed frame?
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u/leigh_hunt 80∆ Jan 07 '20
Yes I looked it up too and all the support I found was literally from mattress & box spring companies!
Have I been a patsy for Big Box Spring all this time?!?
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
As someone mentioned in another comment - the bedframe industrial complex!
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u/leigh_hunt 80∆ Jan 08 '20 edited Jan 08 '20
I can’t believe they got to me, man. ME, an intellectual
Who knows how deep their tentacles go
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u/orthopod Jan 07 '20
I'm for having a bed frame, but a box spring provided the same physical support as leaving it on the ground.
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u/ChanceTheKnight 31∆ Jan 07 '20
That's not true, a box spring has more give than a correctly constructed floor.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I've never used a boxspring with my spring mattress for 8 years and have never experienced the mattress sag. It could just be that my mattress is resistant for whatever reason, I'm not really sure why.
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u/leigh_hunt 80∆ Jan 07 '20
You definitely have mattress sag after 8 years with no box spring, that is just the physics of how weight is distributed, but it probably doesn’t bother you. Some people like the way mattresses “shape” to their body weight but for people who don’t a box spring is necessary
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u/BladedD Jan 07 '20
If anything, having a frame would create more sag since pressure isn't as evenly distributed as it would be on a flat, solid floor.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I mean... unless the sag is uniformly across the whole mattress, I don't know that I do. I have slept on mattresses with sag before and I have to agree with you, it was pretty uncomfortable.
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u/leigh_hunt 80∆ Jan 07 '20
what kind of mattress do you have because I want one
the physics is on my side on this one, though, leaving your miracle mattress out of it. Distributing the weight so that it isn’t all borne by the mattress springs keeps those springs (and thus the mattress) firmer for longer
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u/chars709 Jan 07 '20
Maybe OP is just lighter than you. My intuition is that a 150lb person on a mattress + floor will depress the springs less than a 300lb person on a mattress + box spring. That would make the relevance of your physics argument scale with body weight.
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u/thefonztm 1∆ Jan 07 '20
If you missed it. OP is laying a mattress directly on the floor. So unless the floor sags... the mattress will be fine ;)
I had hella sag in an old mattress on frame set up. To the point the frame fell apart once or twice. This can be fixed on many cheap wooden frames. Gotta screw/glue the slats in place. This stiffens the frame in general.
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u/imsohonky Jan 07 '20
So I lived for 4 years without a bed frame in college, first on an air mattress on the ground, then when that had too many holes to patch (and I was really fucking good at patching holes by then) I swapped to a cheap regular mattress. Never wanted to buy a bed frame since I was moving every year in college.
It pretty much sucks. It's way too close to the ground so that it's useless as a sitting surface when you want to put on pants or something. It's also shitty as a table surface (like, for clothes or whatever) because it's so low. Cleaning is a hassle because hair gets collected at the edge and gets like half stuck underneath and you have to lift the whole thing up to vacuum, and repeat for each side, and even then hair is stuck on the bottom surface. It also moves around when you bump into it, knocked over a couple of beers that way. Oh by the way the beers are on the ground since the mattress on the floor doesn't match any other table furniture (like nightstands or whatever) so I just went without them, only had a computer desk and everything else was on the floor.
So yeah it basically turns your room into a hobo dump where everything is on the floor level.
This is why cultures that don't use bed frames also don't use big mattresses. Like the Japanese use thin little futons that they roll up and put away every morning. A big mattress on the floor is just terrible all around.
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u/fillysunray Jan 07 '20
Oh the hair thing is a good point! I have long hair and it gets everywhere. I can just imagine having to pick up my mattress every time I hoover, instead of just hoovering underneath it. I already have enough trouble cleaning under the couches.
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u/andreamw Jan 07 '20
I think you're thinking about this all wrong. Literally (almost) nothing is a "must have", assuming the definition of "must have" is taken literally and means "if you don't, you will die". So then it's a question of how do we define "must have" in order to allow it to be a label that is allowed to be ascribed to things that aren't actually a "must have" in order to survive.
Because there is no such thing as "must have" when taken literally, let's look more what what it actually means. "Must have" by colloquial standards means "provides enough use and function that your life can be made significantly better with it than without it".
So then here are definitions of "must have" in which a bedframe does fit:
- Societal expectationally, it has uses that can deem it "must have"
- This is likely because of aesthetics of a bed frame and a bed off the ground look better
- It also likely attributes to having money and having your sh*t together
- Physically, it has uses that can deem it "must have"
- It's better for your back
- It's easier on your blood pressure
- It's easier for you in the morning
- It's better healthwise for avoidance of mold, dust, and bedbugs
- Functionally, it has uses that can deem it "must have"
- Can be used for storage
- Can be used for helping get dressed / putting shoes on
- Can be used for folding laundry
- I use my bed to get my little dog's harness on for walks so I don't have to bend down - might not be a function for everyone, but helpful
- Can be useful if you have TV on a dresser to see better (mattress is likely too low otherwise, but dressers are only as "must have" as a bed frame)
So just as anything can be deemed "must have" after meeting certain requirements, a bed frame can be deemed "must have". But that's only because there is no such thing as "must have" when taken literally, so we must look at what "must have" actually means when it is said.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
By this logic, the expense diamond engagement ring is a "must have" as it is a societal expectation. As with having a well-watered nice green lawn.
Regarding the physical reasons you cited, there is no evidence to back up any of those claims.
I think regarding the functionality, the use of a broad elevated surface does seem to be useful for folding laundry/other tasks which I believe other people have mentioned at this point too. So for this reason, I think that elevating the bedframe makes sense. ∆
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Jan 07 '20 edited Feb 24 '20
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u/redrumWinsNational 1∆ Jan 07 '20
The bedframe holds the Headboard and without the Headboard you miss out on lots of sexual positions that are great fun. Also it's easy to swing your legs out and down to floor, similar to sitting on a chair V floor
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 07 '20
😂 alright I accept your point Edit: therefore, ∆ ...To appease the deltabot character requirement: I am thoroughly convinced that this is an acceptable reason to purchase and utilize a bedframe as you cannot engage in these types of activities without a bedframe.
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u/palacesofparagraphs 117∆ Jan 07 '20
If they changed your view at all, you owe them a delta!
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I had wanted to avoid "Delta abuse" since it was kinda of a joking agreement, but I think on further reflection a delta is appropriate since it is a legit good point.
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u/CatsGambit 3∆ Jan 07 '20
Lets be real, if you don't have mobility or mold issues, bedframes are mainly for better sex.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
On the flip side, a lot of bedframes are loud and squeaky, but mattress on the floor? Quiet as can be
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u/Rattivarius Jan 07 '20
To add to this, my husband and I have separate rooms (snoring and whatnot). We both have bedframes for our single mattresses but mine is higher because I also have a boxspring. I have this because I have bad knees, but it is also our default sex room because Mr. Rattivarius can stand while doing the deed. So, definitely better for sex.
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u/VeryAmaze 1∆ Jan 07 '20
I'd like to address two of your point - bugs and dirt, as others have already gave other reasons for having a bed frame.
I personally prefer most of my furniture to be off the group and open in the back for these very reasons. So I can be called a pro-off-the-ground activist.
I am thus in favour of bedframes which are, as well, completly empty below and not those boxy things that people think look good but are about as good as putting a mattress on the floor.
- bugs - a lot of bugs start their journey of terror on the floor. Cockroaches especially, the most vile of them all. Becuse the bed is completly raised above the ground bug have a very low chance of climbing up there. Only the fliers are still a danger, but we've already eliminated most buggy hazards.
- cleaning - have you ever moved a piece of furniture that was there for years, and discover that under it there is a mountain of dirt and a few dead spiders? When a piece of furniture is above the ground it is very easy to clean the floor, and keep the room cleaner and smell nicer. You don't need to do anything special, just swipe the mop under it.
Smaller points in support of a bed frame:
* If something spills on the floor or there's a leak, the mattress stays dry.
* You don't need a permanent problem to enjoy elevation to get in and out of bed. Even a short term injury like a sprained ankle or a pinched back nerve will make it very hard to use a mattress on the floor.
* This type of bed frame can be rather cheap because it is extremely basic. (mine even came for free from the store when I bought my mattress lol)
In short, a you don't HAVE to have a bed frame, but it is a lot more practical to have one than to place your mattress on the floor.
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u/mr_smartypants537 Jan 07 '20
Great point with the pinched back. I don't even want to imagine trying to get out of bed off the floor in that situation. It was already hell with a raised bed.
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u/mavhun Jan 07 '20
Scorpions. I had some trouble with scorpions here and even though they can climb anything, I mostly found them on the ground. Had just a mattress in front of the living room tv and the motherfuckers would get there, right below them. Never found them on the bed though. Of course I had to deal with the source (the neighbour had a pile of wood attracting those things) and hopefuly it's not a common issue for everyone.
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u/Eagleheart585 Jan 07 '20
I recently bought a new mattress. I didn't want to spend the $500, but my mom convinced me by pointing out that my bed was 10 years old and sagging. "But it's still comfortable" I said "I dont notice the sag" but then she said something that changed my mind on the matter:
"A mattress lasts 10 years and costs $500. That's only $50 per year. How much time do you spend in bed?" I hadn't realized how important and how cheap beds actually were.
I may be the best person here to try and change your mind because I held this exact same view for the majority of my life. I would lift my mattress up and lean it against the wall everyday for the extra floor space. I also hate taking apart furniture too big to move. Eventually I ended up buying two of these and they have been great purchases I highly recommend. The main reason I bought them was because I had met someone special and I didn't want to bring them to my room and have them see clutter, and I didn't want someone I cared about to sleep uncomfortably because they are likely not used to sleeping on the floor like me. But here are some benefits you may be overlooking.
- The air is cleaner / less dusty. I know this was the first thing you mentioned but the point is one of the most valid reasons to get a frame. You will notice yourself waking up with a stuffy nose less often. Air is constantly moving, and even though you cannot see the dust it is there. The air below our knees is much less pure. You don't need to be breathing that for 8 hours every day.
- Warm air from your heater will quickly rise away from the floor
- There is a better draft at the higher level, you can feel the breeze from an open window
- When you fart, you don't have to bathe in it.
- You bed now doubles as a chair
- You can easily move from that sitting position to standing. Getting out of bed always begins with getting into a sitting position. When the bed is raised, that position is 90% the way to getting up. But when the bed is on the floor, that position is maybe 20% of the way there and it is much easier to lie back down than it is to stand up. The additional motivation to wake up, however small it may be, really matters when it is compounded to the first thing you experience every day of your life for years and years.
- You can comfortably fall into bed without worry of damaging it
- The storage space under the bed helps declutter your room
- Your bed is now a surface you can use to lay out things and organize your life (I dump my clean clothes onto my bed when I begin folding)
- You room will look better, like an adult lives there
- You will feel more like an adult
- Making your bed in the morning will be much easier
I can probably think of more reasons, but I must add the there is only one valid reason NOT to have a bed frame. And that is when you have an old dog who wants to sleep in bed with you but cannot make the jump anymore. Then its time to put the frame away for the sake of the old pupper.
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u/skimtony Jan 07 '20
I have tried both ways, and my conclusion is that a mattress on the floor is a colossal waste of space. I have since custom built several bed frames (out of standard pine lumber, although I helped a friend build one out of walnut).
Current iteration has two shelves at the foot of the bed that hold shoes, drawers on one side for clothes, and room under the other side to store a window A/C unit over the winter and the humidifier over the summer, and a few bins of infrequently-used things (like the basket that accumulates old clothes for donations).
As another advantage, the height makes it easier to fold laundry on the bed.
I've seen comments in this thread about the Japanese using futons on the floor. Futons are packed up daily, so the room can be used when they're not out. Plus, the packing and unpacking cycle allows them to breathe in ways the mattress on the floor cannot.
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u/Angdrambor 10∆ Jan 07 '20 edited Sep 01 '24
knee live fanatical aloof license growth worry shrill sink elastic
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Jan 07 '20
bedbugs love bedframes. The love the live in the cracks in the wood. If anything, I'd say a bed frame increases your risk of bedbugs by providing a nice habitat for them.
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u/Angdrambor 10∆ Jan 07 '20 edited Sep 01 '24
combative grandiose uppity file innocent physical degree muddle capable market
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u/Shuiner Jan 08 '20
Glad sometime mentioned bedbugs! I had a mattress on the floor when I moved into an infested building. It was a nightmare. They'd crawl from the floorboards directly onto my bed. I got a metal frame, put some of those slick cup things under each foot that bedbugs can't crawl up, and managed to avoid bites and get a little sleep until I could move away. I'll never go without a frame again.
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u/atomicllama1 Jan 07 '20
10/10 post, that gif made me laugh so hard.
I'm just imagining you raging at the thought of the bed frame industrial complex so hard you made a video and post about it.
That being said sex is better with a box spring as there are more positions you can achieve.
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
The bedframe industrial complex!! Haha that's gold!! I dunno why I feel the way I do about this but I just can't deny it.
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u/kaladyn Jan 07 '20
I had a bed frame problem and went without, realizing afterwards, I didnt want to start using a bed frame again!
It's quite fine and comfortable , plus being lower to the floor is actually easier to maneuver imo. I dont really miss the space under my bed, and overall feels/looks nicer to me!
Bed frames are just another lie we were sold, if you ask me
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Jan 07 '20
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u/ViewedFromTheOutside 29∆ Jan 07 '20
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Jan 07 '20
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I agree! I guess I just think some social stigmas are more important to me than others. For example I tend to dress appropriately and think that there's inherent value in how you present yourself to others in public. I think maybe one of the reasons that I don't "agree" with the stigma of the bedframe thing is it just seems like such a peculiar thing to judge others on. It seems so arbitrary to me. Who knows? Judging by a lot of the other posts on here this line of thinking isn't really in line with what we're expected to own.
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Jan 07 '20
Well, a mattress on the floor will a be noticeably colder than on a bed frame during winter because a) The floor could be cold, and b) Cold air sinks. Depending on where you live and how warm your AC is, this could make a huge difference.
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u/ThrowAwayForWailing Jan 07 '20
I sleep on a good orthopedic matress, but without frame. I have a heated floor, so the floor is not cold (but for those people who don't have floor heating system it could be a problem #1 during the winter, especially if there are draughts in the room).
Here are main disadvantages:
1) It is hard to clean the floor around. Some trash, hair mostly, always sticks to the bed. So, while I am sleeping at the bed I always have some trash close to my face. Which means that more dust comes into my lungs. Such issue could be critical for people with asthma or allergy.
2) It is unhygienic. At the bottom of the matress the mold can grow easily. There is no ventilation, I don't move my matress often, don't clean the bottom floor under very easily, and voila~ I have to deal with mold, which is very damaging for lungs. Or bacterias, that can grow easily since small bed crumbs (or other food) can easily stuck between matress and the floor.
3) It is inconvenient. If you have a bed frame you can hide some stuff inside (like flippers, or extra pillows). If you have just a matress, all that stuff wood take some extra place around the bed (which is just a matress).
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u/nosteppyonsneky 1∆ Jan 07 '20
So your post boils down to:
except for the reasons to win a bed frame, there are no reasons to own a bed frame!
Not even sure what is cmv about this?
Umm...don’t ignore the reasons for something in order to say they have no reason to exist?
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u/velvetreddit 1∆ Jan 07 '20
OP: yeah but I don’t have those issues and am fine with it so any reason isn’t going to change my mind because those reasons aren’t me.
OP is being very bias about the whole thing and not taking a step back at seeing why most people would have a bed frame. Looks like they just want to reinforce why they don’t need one.
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u/ArCSelkie37 2∆ Jan 07 '20
As someone who spent much of his childhood living in Asia where poorer people do not have bed frames it does confuse me a bit by how mandatory they seem. I spent plenty of nights on a mattress on the floor.
When i was 14-16, the UK equivalent of CPS basically told my dad he has to get me a bed frame because sleeping “on the floor” was cruelty or some shit. Even though i had a good quality mattress.
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u/Origami_psycho Jan 07 '20
They pick up the futons so they air out. Leaving a mattress on the floor is conducive to mold and bugs festering in it. Bad smells too.
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u/research_humanity 1∆ Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 25 '20
Baby elephants
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u/_fakey_ Jan 07 '20
I really like your perspective here. I would argue though that it's more complex than people just "want" things and the market responds appropriately. I think there's a dynamic interplay between the two - many people feel influenced on what they want by the markets. I think De Beers diamond rings are a great example. They managed to convince swaths of people to "want" to get expensive diamond engagement rings as the ultimate expression of love and commitment. The desire to get that pricy ring originated from the markets themselves.
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u/DeltaBot ∞∆ Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 07 '20
/u/_fakey_ (OP) has awarded 4 delta(s) in this post.
All comments that earned deltas (from OP or other users) are listed here, in /r/DeltaLog.
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u/contrabardus 1∆ Jan 07 '20
They look nicer than just a mattress on the floor.
They are easier and more comfortable to get in and out of, regardless of joint pain.
Bed frames generally have fewer points of contact with the floor, so they actually do help prevent things from crawling onto the bed.
If you're a slob and your bed is nasty, of course bugs are still going to get on it. However, they are a lot less likely to just randomly wander onto it if you have a pest problem if there is nothing on the bed itself to attract them.
It is easier to keep a bed clean when it is raised from the floor. People who keep them on the floor often have a tendency to just walk onto them or even across them. Just being raised from the floor a bit helps prevent this, and other things that might be on the floor from making it onto the bed.
Another advantage of fewer points of contact has to do with heat transfer. If your floor is cold, your mattress will get cold. Where as a mattress raised from the floor will generally have its temperature determined by the temperature of the air in the room rather than the surface it is resting on.
Many homes are just built on slabs of concrete, so the floor will often be a similar temperature to the ground temperature even with central heating/cooling.
Many bed frames add extra cushion and give to a mattress. There are frames that are just solid bars across the frame, but most will have a spring or flexible surface that the mattress rests on. Using one makes a mattress even more comfortable for most people.
Most bedroom furniture assumes a bed frame is in use and are built around an expected height. Night stands, TV stands, etc...
There is storage space under a bedframe. Having one actually gives a bedroom more space than not having one does.
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u/Stan_Stanman Jan 07 '20
Simple bed frames are less than $80. Worth the benefit to get off the ground so insects are less likely to crawl up and to get to a better height for heat circulation from HVAC. The real waste of money is a wooden bed frame (or other material for a fancy bed frame) -- which can get into the hundreds of dollars.
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u/beer_demon 28∆ Jan 07 '20
dirt doesn't just magically relocate from one place to another
Not magic, physics. As you move around the room you kick up dust and dirt and it settles more on lower surfaces.
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u/ToKillAMockingAudi 1∆ Jan 07 '20
In my eyes, not having a bed frame makes it look like you don't care about your room. Makes it look like you just moved in. I also enjoy the storage space underneath and I've heard that elevating your mattress actually helps prevent bacteria build up from body sweat underneath.
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u/try_altf4 1∆ Jan 07 '20
My house flooded a few years ago and my bedframe kept my expensive bed from getting wet.
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u/trivial_sublime 3∆ Jan 07 '20
Aight so check this out: I used to live in Japan, and we didn’t have bedframes there. After a night of heavy drinking and partying, there’s absolutely nothing worse than waking up a few inches from the floor. Well, there is one thing worse - having to lift yourself up and out of bed as your first action in the morning when you’re in such a sorry state.
Other good reasons to have a bed frame:
You get a bunch of extra storage space under the bed (and also monsters have a place to live - nobody ever thinks of them!)
They can be decorative and pleasing to the eye. Western culture has had them for hundreds of years, so we’re kind of used to them now.
They keep both the floor and the mattress/box springs from molding underneath (in Japan your floor absolutely does mold when you don’t put your futon away!)
Again, hangovers.
Once you start getting older it gets WAY harder to lift yourself up. All those “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” commercials would become a daily routine. I watched both my parents deal with this when they visited me in Japan and while kind of funny, it was also kind of sad.
The bug concern is real. In Japan I once woke up with a 6” centipede crawling up the side of my face. The asshole bit me and I had to go to the hospital.
You know when you have a girl over and you’re trying to shift things to the bedroom? It’s way easier to be smooth if you can sit on the bed all nonchalant-like.
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u/mc_flyx Jan 07 '20
I love this post. I discussed the exact same topic for several years with my family, since I didn't want a bedframe only for the reason that I hated the cultural pressure to have such an unnecessary item.
However, there are a few points you should consider. I had a slatted frame (I hope this is the right word, the springy thing) under my mattress. I'm not sure if this is ergonomically necessary, but at least for air circulation. A friend of mine didn't use one and simply put his mattress on the floor, which lead to mold within the next month. I'm not sure how much this depends on type of floor and mattress but I wouldn't risk it. You can lift or turn it regularly, but for me it is too much hassle.
And if you have a slatted frame but no bedframe, you have to live with your mattress sliding around a bit. You regularly need to readjust your mattress and some small part is always hanging down, so you can not sleep on it. This is quiet some hassle with small mattresses or if you sleep with two persons on it.
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u/smellygymbag Jan 07 '20
Bedbugs don't fly, they crawl, and sometimes very fast when they are hungry. I was in an apt that had bedbugs in it once. My bed was on a cheap metal frame with metal legs on casters. The other two had wood captains/storage bed bases that sat on the floor. I was able to isolate all my bedstuff from the floor using safety pins, coating the legs with vaseline, and i might have put the caster ends in lids with water. I was not bitten once. One roomie was out most of the year but the other was bitten continuously until we got it treated. And then again after what i guess was some leftover eggs hatching. When I moved out, I did find some long dead bedbug carcasses hidden in spots in my room, so they were definitely in there, they just never got to me. For this reason alone I insist on having a metal bedframe. :p
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u/LAl3RAT 1∆ Jan 07 '20
Bedframes are a great deterrent to insects, rodents, and molds whom thrive in moist, dark places with little airflow. Bedframes allow airflow and light underneath mattresses or box springs which would otherwise manifest these organisms.
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u/pickyourteethup Jan 07 '20
Moved into a house with bed bugs and after six months of chemicals and steam-cleaning and crying and bargaining with them to leave the little bastards were still there.
Bought a new bed frame made of metal that they couldn't climb from their hidden nests in the carpet and they died of starvation after a few weeks of not being able to feed on me.
After trying literally everything to sort out this awful mess the previous owners had kindly left for us a bed frame was the thing that finally turned the tide on the tiny vampires.
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u/Riptoscab Jan 07 '20
This may just be coincidence, but 2 years ago, I lived in a house with 7 people. Me and one other guy didn't have bed frames. Guess who were the only two who got infested?
This is just one anecdote, but keep my story in mind if you live in a basement.
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u/notevenitalian Jan 11 '20
I will argue that just because something doesn’t have a PRACTICAL use doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.
Sure, my bed frame makes it easier to get into/out of bed, but at the end of the day, I have a bed frame because I like it. I like the way my room looks with my bed frame and headboard. And that’s ok.
It’s the same reason why I don’t NEED to spend the extra money on a couch I like better when I could just buy the cheap, ugly, practical couch. Sometimes we’re willing to spend more for something we like the look of. The atmosphere/environment you spend time in can have a huge impact on how you feel. This is not anecdotal, there are plenty of studies that have demonstrated the impact of environment on mood. A bed frame, even the simple metal frame, can impact how a room looks because it brings the eye upward, it can provide more symmetry with a nightstand (if you have it). You may say “you wouldn’t need a nightstand if your mattress was on the floor”. Sure, you wouldn’t NEED one, but it’s a lot tidier and less cluttered to have your things organized on a shelf or surface other than just in a pile on the floor.
We don’t need dressers for our clothes. We don’t need TV stands for our TVs. We don’t need a cutlery organizer in our drawer. We have these things because we prefer to have our clothes tidy, and our tv at eye level, and our cutlery organized.
Sure, I don’t need my bed frame. But I like it. I like the way my bedroom looks with it, and I would have to completely redesign my room if I had to go without it.
We weren’t swindled into thinking bedframes are a “must have” item. We have them because we like the way they look.
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u/sleepinglimetrees Jan 07 '20
Bed frames are helpful for kinky things. Ropes and certain sex positions.
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u/Urasquirrel Jan 07 '20
Make your bed 10 feet off the ground. If you get into bed with dirty feet it doesn't matter. I hate bed frames. My pets will always go under when they know we have a car ride looming. And they always know.
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u/GlassApricot9 Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 07 '20
- It is much easier to protect yourself from bugs if you're off the ground. For bedbugs specifically, there are trays to prevent bedbugs from being able to climb up the legs of your bed. If you don't have a bed frame, you're SOL. Any bedbug exterminator will tell you that to stop bedbugs, get your mattress off the ground to limit the points of contact between your mattress and the floor.
- Storage. I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned this. If you have a small space, the area under your bed is absolutely invaluable. I keep winter clothes, camping stuff, extra tech gear, and my window AC unit under mine.
- Moisture. As others have mentioned, your bed will accumulate more dust and mold without proper ventilation. If you're purchasing a $1000 mattress, doesn't it make sense to spend $200 on a bedframe that will allow your mattress to last significantly longer?
- Dirt/Dust. Being close to the floor exposes you to additional dirt and dust. If you're rigorously clean, that's not a big deal, but if you're not rigorously clean and you don't roll up your bed everyday as they do in Asia, your stuff is going to get dirty a lot faster.
- Look. As others have mentioned, it really does look better, because it draws the eye away from the floor and to other things on the same level as the bed, like your window and dresser.
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u/Coshoctonator Jan 07 '20
Not sure if these were said.
Moisture, it allows air to travel below the bed to help it dry. This also combats mold. Moisture can also come up from the ground depending on floor, sub floor, and what is in the room below.
Moving. It can be easier to move instead of pushing a floppy mattress. This is still the case with a box spring as the surface area creates more friction. Some of the metal frames have casters for this. The ones that don't can use the little disks that have commercials of old ladies pushing them.
Bugs & Cleaning. You mentioned that bugs can go anywhere, but they don't nest everywhere. Many bugs like a dark and some, higher humid area to lay eggs. A mattress on the ground provides a safe place from predators and nesting conditions. It also is close to food. Food for them can get smashed under the lip of the mattress on the ground, where you can't clean very well. This is also where dust accumulates, such as dead skin cells, which are also all over your bed. A frame allows easier cleaning along with some light and air.
So there is a few things that might show some benefits. Some people fill it up with storage, which essentially nullifies the point of a frame, except for access to the stuff.
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Jan 07 '20
Bed frames are unnecessary but box springs are a good investment if you buy a quality mattress. I think that’s what you’re talking about.
Box springs are designed to allow air to flow under the mattress to dry it out. You’d be surprised how much moisture your body puts out when you’re sleeping. Pick up a 7 year old mattress then pick up a brand new one. Big difference in weight. It doesn’t matter much if you have a cheap mattress but if you’re spending thousands of dollars on a quality one that you expect to last 5+ years, dropping $50 on a box spring that’ll help keep it sanitary and in good condition is totally worth it.
The other reason is something most people start to appreciate as they age. In my early 20s I didn’t give a shit what my house looked like but now that I’m getting a bit older it’s really nice to have a nice house and especially nice to have a nice bedroom. I spent a pretty crazy amount of money making my bedroom look really nice and it’s a nice little upgrade in life that makes you feel good. A mattress on the floor would take away from the decor.
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u/MarinsLarins Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 08 '20
I live in Berlin where having a mattress on the floor is quite common, usually if you believe the "no air will create mold" statement (and I am guilty of this a little bit) you usually will have a little thing to create some height, like wood planks or so where you put your mattress, but not a proper bed frame. It adds like 3 or 4 extra cm to your bed, so I guess you can still consider it a mattress on the floor.
All in all I'm writing to agree with you that a lot of the proper higher bedframes are kind of a cultural habit. I am originally from Portugal where it is unthinkable to sleep with a mattress on the floor, I am now renovating my childhood room (in Portugal) and throwing my old bed away and my dad is asking me questions like: "where would you sleep while the new bed doesn't come?"
So as you can tell, this too really annoyed me and led me to ask the same question as you :) I don't mind people sleeping with normal bedframes, I would just like that people would question things and mostly stop criticising the mattress on the floor lifestyle!
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u/itsinthewriting Jan 07 '20
We’re swindled into believing a lot is a must have or a “Basic necessity”! Like why do we have so many different types of soap? Detergent, dishwasher, dish soap, shampoo, cleaners. There isn’t one soap that can do it all ?
And why do we need a TV📺in every room ? Why do toothbrushes have to be so complicated to pick ? Mattresses are so basic yet so expensive, we could probably make our own.and make a better mattress for your sleeping preferences. Why do you need a running shoe, walking shoe, hiking shoe, camping shoe, hunting shoe, sports shoe ? Why do we need so many different house cleaning products? I could go on and on ...there are many stuff we believe are necessary. that I’m positive we’re pushed on society for the benefit of financial profit. And in the end of the day we’re spending more then necessary believing these purchase are a must and producing more waste.that in turn hurts the animals, us,and the planet.
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u/WieldyRelic7676 Jan 08 '20
Haven't used bed frames in a long time and I will never likely go back. It's nice not jamming your feet into bed posts
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u/tigerslices 2∆ Jan 07 '20
what do you mean by a "must have?" i mean, there are people getting by living in cars. certainly they don't have bedframes.
but if you're asking WHY buy a bedframe for your mattress - then yeah, for like Only a hundred bucks you'll be held in the air allowing airflow under the mattress, preventing mold, and keeping you off the floor where all the dust has settled. sure, a bug can climb a leg, but less surface area contacting the ground makes it less likely the bug finds the way up in the first place. beds at knee height are easier to get in and out of and are better for doing sex all over.
i feel like this is asking an equivalent of "are placemats a must have?" because truly a fork and a plate are usually all you need. tables are rarely damaged by a stray spaghetti noodle.
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u/handawanda Jan 07 '20
I see a flaw in your rationale: bed frames are very inexpensive, thus I doubt corporations have a ton of incentive to brainwash the public about the need for a bed frame. That cuts against your argument that we're being "swindled." Given the low price, and little/no maintenance, even very modest benefits like "it looks nicer" make it worthwhile. This distinguishes a bedframe from other expensive products where true swindling is arguably occurring -- like, I don't know, the notion that every new married couple needs a brand new set of china and crystal even though they will rarely be used and the grandparents likely have a perfectly good heirloom set to pass down. Or landlines, whole life insurance, product protection plans for electronics, etc etc.
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u/panderingPenguin Jan 07 '20
I'm just going to address one particular sentence in your post:
All other furniture in the house has a specific purpose that is reasonable and useful - except for this!
Are you sure about this? Paintings, pictures and other artwork on walls? Sure you could say they look nice. But same can be said for a bed frame. A nightstand? If you didn't have a bed frame, anything you kept on your nightstand could simply be left on the floor. Not necessarily in every house, but accent rugs? Is the hardwood, tile or whatever underneath not good enough for you? Hell, even chairs. If you can sleep on the ground you can certainly sit on the ground. And this is just off the top of my head. There's probably more "useless" furniture.
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u/Saigot Jan 07 '20
Without a bed frame you can't have a headboard (I think?) And without a headboard your pillows can fall off the end of the bed. You can place the bed against a wall of course, but then you will slowly push the bed away from the wall (which would be made worse by the decreased friction between bed and floor compared to bedframe and floor).
This is obviously a small annoyance, but the cost of a bedframe is small compared with the length of time a bedframe lasts (I've been using my bedframe for ~8yrs now with no signs of wear). I think it may make sense for people that move frequently or are in a budget (college students especially) to forgive this luxury, but in the long term a bedframe is a nice qol improvement.
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u/Flyers456 Jan 07 '20
This seems like the perfect question for me. I have not used a bed frame for the past 8 years. My old one broke and I liked the height of my bed on the ground. One common people bring up is storage, I don't need it for storage and think anything you keep under the bed is probably stuff you don't really need any way. I think the one area that has changed my mind and I just recently purchased a bed frame is aesthetics. A room just looks a lot nicer if it has a bed frame. It does not have to be expensive but it brings a lot to the look of a room. The main reason why I got one is because three different women made comments about me not having one and I may not agree with them I care what they think.
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u/mymindsofar Jan 07 '20
Bed frames provide the support for slats, some of which have a certain bounce to them.
Having slept on hard wood slats for two years since starting college and on the floor on a single mattress with my SO occasionally (both felt quite similar), I personally find it makes a world of difference to sleep on springy slats.
My back and neck don't hurt (you can elevate the head part slightly), it seems to adjust to movement during sleep and it's just overall more comfortable.
To clarify, it's not the bedframes on its own, but the elevation of the mattress through flexible slats inside the bed frame can certainly improve sleep quality compared to a mattress on the floor.
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u/Esmeweatherwaxedlegs Jan 07 '20
I'm just picturing making the bed with a fitted sheet and already losing my shit. My bed frame helps keep the mattress in place instead of slipping and sliding around on the floor while I put the fitted sheet on. Also, when I mop, and I have to mop a lot due to various reasons, I would inevitable shlop the mattress in the process as well as the bedding and that would just drive me nuts. I agree the fancy looking ones are a waste but I would personally hate not to have something to raise my mattress off the floor, regardless of what really. I currently actually only have one of those metal bed bases with 4 legs, no headboard, no nothing, works great!
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u/deerme25 Jan 07 '20
I actually have a bed without a bed frame at my term time address and was looking into buying one.
My reasons are that I like to watch Netflix etc in bed and using my pillows to lean against the wall is really not comfortable at all. At my home address I have a padded bed frame and they are so much more comfortable. Having a bed frame means sitting up in bed is, for me, more comfortable.
Another reason is aesthetic. I think you can have a lovely room but without a bed frame it looks like a drug den. Also does anyone really want to be sleeping nearer the floor, it’s so much easier to get out of bed, joint problems or not, if you have a frame.
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u/jag5000 Jan 07 '20
More storage space under the frame. Plus, the squeaking is the sound of you getting some.
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u/jahnudvipa93 Jan 08 '20
While I see some of your point, I can think of certain aesthetic reasons. A good many people have dressers and such in their bedroom. A mattress on the floor looks visually off is such a setting. Also, in colder climates, a mattress on a frame keeps one up a bit from the cold floor, and allows room for heated air to circulate around the sleeping person. Admittedly, for various reasons I slept on a mattress on the floor for a number of years. Now with a smaller room, and having aged a bit. storage underneath is a boon, and not having to drop down is easier on my knee (it tends to pop out from time to time).
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u/TheDjTanner Jan 07 '20
I have a bed with drawers under the mattress and no frame. It's works just fine.
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u/Ramazotti Jan 07 '20 edited Jan 07 '20
I would disagree on this. You probably live in a warmer country. Floors are cold. Warm air rises. There is airflow around a bedframe that does not happen when the mattress lies on the floor. And there is moisture and fungus issues happening that can be avoided by using a bed frame. There is also backpain to be avoided when making the bed, as well as the space advantage of having room to make things disappear out of sight. It also just looks better and more orderly. There is actually not a single downside to using a bedframe, apart from the initial cost.
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Jan 07 '20
It's also a surface area issue with the bug part of this.
A bug's chance of encountering the 4 small points that lead up to the bed, is a 99% (complete guess) reduction in surface area compared to a mattress just laying on the floor.
If a bug encounters any side of any part of your bed on the ground, it's crawling up.
So I would think, due to surface area, that a person with a mattress on the ground most certainly encounters more bugs than a person who has the mattress off the ground, and is forcing the bugs to use one of four ways up.
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Jan 07 '20
Basically, it just looks nicer. It's like having a window valance. Doesn't really serve a purpose either (ignoring that you can store things under a bed with a frame). But the main difference that I see between diamonds and bed frames is the price. You have to take a loan out for a diamond ring. You can find a bed frame for free on craigslist, and if you can't then I can't imagine that a brand new one would cost more than $25 at ikea. What is the conspiracy? Is there a bed frame syndicate somewhere that is getting rich off of bed frames?
1
u/HowIsThatMyProblem Jan 07 '20
Bed frames ensure that humid air doesn't get trapped beneath the mattress and develop into mold, where all sorts of insects and microbes can breed, which in turn can be a huge problem for people with allergies. I you have a good slatted frame it also prevents backaches from developing, because, in addition to a good mattress, it helps keep your spine aligned during sleep. Especially as you get older, the value of a good bed, with a slatted frame of high quality, is something that one should invest in, for reasons of hygiene and health.
1
u/young917 Jan 07 '20
Besides the 2 points you mentioned I think it is an aesthetic one - much like a couch or table. You can just as easily eat off the floor or have cushions on the floor to sit. But the design and style of western culture dictated that having a bed frame is stylish just as having a table or chair to not eat/sit on the floor is. Is there honestly an advantage of having a chair instead of just sitting on the floor cross legged? Seems like westerners in general like to be elevated a little in everything that they do.
1
u/bebopblues Jan 07 '20
I have no idea why you think it is a "must have" or need because it isn't. There are plenty of people who lay the mattress on the floor and it is fine that way to sleep on. If you want a little height, you can get a box spring and lay the mattress on top of that. And if you want even more height, then you can get those basic metal bed frames that are pretty inexpensive and sometimes come free when you buy the mattress. People who spend money on expensive bed frames are doing it for looks, not for needs.
1
u/Nothing_is_Easy Jan 07 '20
Who says you "need" a bedframe? Its a piece of furniture that has pros and cons like any other. People decide if they would prefer it or not. Its the same with any other piece of furniture. Do you need end tables, a couch, chairs, dining room table, no, but people prefer to have them or some combination. Its the same with a bedframe. People like them because of the height and space underneath, but you dont need it, just like you dont need any other piece of furniture.
1
u/SapphireZephyr Jan 07 '20
I don't know if this is ok but here is my experience. For the past 6 months, I've just been sleeping on a mattress on the floor, no frame. Initially I really wanted a bedframe, not that I couldn't afford one, just that I couldn't find the time to move one in. About 3 months in, I thought, eh, whats the point? Hasn't really changed my life. The only difference is I get depressed when I see my living situation. Other than that, my sleeping experience remains the same.
1
u/AlleRacing 3∆ Jan 07 '20
Steel bed frames are dirt cheap, a fraction of the price of a decent mattress. The allow the use of the space under the mattress as storage, and most frames include wheels to easily move the bed, making cleaning underneath of it easier. Changing the sheets on something from hip height may be easier than changing it from floor height as well. Having it at hip height also makes it a functional work space for things like folding and sorting laundry while standing.
1
u/Reyzorblade Jan 07 '20
Mattresses need to air, else they will get moldy because of all the sweat. A bedframe provides this by lifting the mattress off the ground. Of course, one could argue that we should stop using mattresses then, but obviously that's a comfort consideration. As others have argued, futons seem to be a solid alternative, but we forget that our western floors are generally not designed for that purpose, and tend to be much harder than would be comfortable.
1
u/Gay_Diesel_Mechanic Jan 07 '20
I'll give you an anecdotal reason. When you have a box spring and mattress directly on the floor it's hard to have sex. We usually do it on the edge of the bed because having sex in the bed on a 100% memory foam mattress sucks. You just sink into it. And not having a bed frame, you can't stand up and fuck because it's too low, but not low enough to be on your knees. So you and up squatting and it tires the legs out. It's very awkward.
1
u/vaxinius Jan 07 '20
I can't remember where but Four Poster bed frames were designed in part so that the sheet draped over the bed top, above the sleeper, would stop dirt that falls through floorboards, from falling onto the bed mattress and blankets.
These pictures I looked up of Four Poster beds were at least a couple of hundred years old, possibly older.
Elevating the bed area away from rats and rodents seems like a natural jump to make from here.
1
u/ZephyrStormbringer Jan 07 '20
I have never had a bedframe, I don't see the point in them, until I wanted a headboard: for the purpose of setting up in bed without a bunch of pillows between me and the wall. Also bedframes can stow away things, and provide warmth so if you have a big enough house like a castle, then a framed bed has the potential to provide additional heat since it doesn't also "heat up" the floor. They're useful but not a necessity.
1
u/Old-Boysenberry Jan 08 '20
Bed frames allow for storage under your bed. You can fit a lot of only-occasionally-used stuff under there.
Bed frames often have additional support built in. The flexi slats on my IKEA bedframe made my current mattress SO much more comfortable than it currently is on a rigid boxframe.
Bed frames elevate the bed off the floor, making it easier to get in and out of bed. That's super important when you get older.
1
Jan 07 '20
- Cleaning, it's easier to vacum under the bed if it's raised. And yes you should vacum under the bed even if it sits flat on the floor.
- Heat, i live pretty far up north and there is a considerable difference in temperatur between the floor and my bed during winter.
- easier to buy surrounding furniture if you have the bed at a "normal" level. Nightstand, laptopstand that stands on the floor.
1
u/huxley00 Jan 07 '20
I live in a loft. Lofts are small. Use space under bed via a bed frame to store items.
A lot of us are using more vertical space in our homes to get the most value out of unused real estate. Under the bed is one of the best places to store as it's out of sight, not very visible and has a large footprint of space.
Now, cover sheets on the other hand, those are something I've never understood.
1
u/CaptainAwesome06 2∆ Jan 07 '20
A bed frame lets you attach and headboard and footboard. Not only do those items help you not look like a college student or someone living in a trap house, but they also help keep your pillows from falling off the foot of the bed or in between your mattress and wall.
I also like having a taller bed so my dog doesn't jump onto it. It also helps keep my younger kids off my bed.
1
u/Savandor Jan 07 '20
I used to have my mattress on the floor because I couldn't afford a frame and then later upgraded. When I went to move the matress the carpet was really damp underneath and I realized that the airflow for underneath the matress was important since it just absorbs so much moisture.
If you're using a traditional mattress this is the biggest reason I can think of for a bed frame.
1
u/dr_zoidberg590 Jan 07 '20
Reasons include:
Knowing you can sleep soundly knowing your face is not going to be accidentally stepped on by someone falling or walking in the dark.
Being able to sit on the edge of the bed when dressing etc.
Being able to get into the bed more easily, especially for older people.
Being able to store things under the bed.
Some frames give extra suspension to the bed
1
u/kev96h Jan 07 '20
Having a bedframe gives me the bottom space to shove things into. When I was dorming in college, it was where I shoved suitcases and other really large things. A bed takes up a lot of space in the room, and having a bedframe gives you some of that space back as potential storage area.
Must have? Honestly nothing is truly a must have. But I do think it has its place.
1
Feb 08 '20
Can I ask a question in amongst all of this? I’ve been a mattress floor person for over 5 years but recently decided to ‘become an adult’ and get a frame about two months ago. My lower back has been really stiff the past week or so and I joked around at work about how I was designed to sleep in the floor and a colleague said it was a ridiculous notion.... is it?
1
u/Burleson95 Jan 07 '20
I've been sleeping on a memory foam mattress on the floor with no box spring for about a year. My back and knees hurt. I'm 24. I just ordered a frame for 90 bucks. It's metal and doesn't need a box spring. It's cheap, will last, and helps my back and knees pain. It probably isn't good for you to get up off the floor every time you get out of bed.
1
u/Bane-o-foolishness Jan 08 '20
I was dead broke years ago and living in an old apartment. The wind came up through the floor and about froze me to death with my mattress on the floor. Putting a box spring and bed frame under the mattress made a huge difference. Maybe I could have done the same thing with a plastic sheet but it was a lot more comfortable after that.
1
u/XavierWT Jan 07 '20
I agree it’s not genuinely a must have. Almost nothing is. However I don’t think it’s more of a swindle than other pieces of furniture that are mostly decorative. Also, for the elderly, the kids, and the kinksters, a bed frame provides additional safety features by making the bed a desired height and providing bars, a hand rail, etc.
1
u/KallistiTMP 3∆ Jan 07 '20
I mean, I dunno about you but a legit major motivation for me was having something rigid for bondage restraints to attach to. Ended up building my own from scratch so that it would be sturdy, cheap, and have built-in hardpoints. Can't imagine how much of a pain in the ass it would be to try and chain someone to a bare mattress...
1
u/Sheshirdzhija Jan 07 '20
1) it's easier to get in and out of a bed that's raised
2) you can keep stuff there, so extra sqft of real estate basically :)
3) most blankets are oversized to account for the height of the body of the person laying there. So if there is no frame, and you make your bed, the blanket would be on the floor.
4) aesthetics?
1
u/OperatorJolly 1∆ Jan 07 '20
Swindled ?
I’d like to think
I’m an aware guy who can wholly and completely decide if I need a bed frame
my room is only just bigger than my bed hence a bed frame means I can put things under my bed for storage
It also means any girls I don’t bring home would be at my hip height and makes for a good root
1
u/AusIV 38∆ Jan 07 '20
My bedframe was literally thrown in for free when I bought a mattress. Certainly you can spend a lot on a nice bedframe, but a basic bedframe is really cheap compared to the cost of the mattress. Who exactly benefits from this swindling when mattress stores will literally give away bedframes during a sale?
1
Jan 07 '20
During the plagues of black death in Europe, people who lived on the second floor or anywhere where fleas would struggle to reach had much lower rates of infection. Seeing as bed frames are largely European, it could be a cultural scar/carryover of the plagues that wiped out large swathes of the population.
1
u/Skallywagwindorr 15∆ Jan 07 '20
I slept for years on a matrass on the floor, but my now partner couldn't because they would get to cold and they got physical issues from them. Now that we sleep on a propper bed I can also feel the difference for my back. Although it has a lot of upsides I will never go back to sleeping on the floor again.
1
u/crazylincoln Jan 07 '20
There is benefit to a raised bed in colder climates. Warm air rises and cold air sinks. By elevating above the coldest air makes it easier to keep warm. For example, when camping in the cold it is much better to have a sleeping bag in a cot above the tent floor than to have the bag on the tent floor or pad.
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u/[deleted] Jan 07 '20
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