Raising a Platform Bed: Step-by-Step Instructions

2023-01-13 00:05:22 - Patrick Gruce Patrick Gruce is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the tech and media industries, offering unique insights on the intersection of technology, media, and legal/regulatory issues through his background in journalism and law.

There are many options for elevating the head of your bed; choose the one that best suits your needs and those of your sleep partner. Practical concerns and the bedroom's aesthetic should also be taken into account. There are a variety of methods you can use to increase the height of your platform bed.

  • Setting up bed-frame risers
  • Installing casters or wheels on each leg
  • By putting a bed wedge under your mattress, you can get some extra support while you sleep.
  • Putting a topper on a mattress

This article dissects each approach into its component parts.

Before deciding on a method for bed-raising, it's important to think about why you want to do it. The most common reasons for lifting a bed are comfort and convenience, especially for those who are taller or have mobility issues. If you suffer from acid reflux or sleep apnea, you may find that incline sleep therapy is helpful.

It could be that you want a higher platform bed so that you have more room for storage or so that you can use nightstands that are at eye level with you. Another reason to raise the platform is that some people find the visual impact of a low bed unappealing.

If you are an elderly person or have difficulty getting in and out of bed, the elevation method you choose should help create a stable sleeping platform. When a bed lift is improperly installed, the platform can collapse, resulting in shin or foot injuries.

If you have a back injury or other mobility issues, the last thing you need is for your bed to slide out from under you as you get in because the wheels don't have brakes.

Illustration of a Nurse Massaging Elderly-Lady's Legs

There should be a symbiotic relationship between the bed lift and the room's aesthetics. Wedge mattresses and bed toppers are not usually a concern for bedroom aesthetics, but bed risers on wheels or metal can make your bed look clinical or industrial.

If you have a platform bed, you can use the area under the mattress for extra storage. The bed's platform feet can be raised with bed risers to create the extra space needed for suitcases, decorative pillows, and drawers. Aside from seasonal clothing, shoes, and bed storage containers, your platform bed can also be used for storing other items.

In comparison to purchasing a new, taller platform bed, raising your existing bed is more cost-effective. Nonetheless, you should check that the approach you take has the lowest total cost. Think about durability when purchasing wheels, risers, toppers, and wedges to avoid frequent replacements.

It may be worthwhile to spend more on a bed-raising system if doing so will improve the bed's aesthetics, functionality, or longevity.

Find a way to elevate your bed so that you're comfortably sleeping at the ideal height. Before purchasing a riser, wheels, or foam product to aid your mobility if you are tall or have difficulty getting around, find out what mattress surface level will work best for you.

Boxes or posts in the shape of cubes called "bed risers" can be attached to the underside of the legs of your bed in order to raise it. Depending on the nature and size of the product, the required quantity will vary.

The legs of the platform can be completely replaced by some risers, while others are adjustable. Powering your electronic devices is a breeze with the USB ports found on high-end lifters.

The use of platform bed lifters can raise the entire bed off the ground without changing its level, but these beds are not recommended for incline sleep therapy. Bed risers are a great option for those who have trouble getting in and out of bed, whether because they are particularly tall, elderly, or have a medical condition that causes them to lose mobility.

Advantages of Using Bed Raisers

Using bed risers or a bed platform is a simple and secure way to get your bed to the ideal height. These items are highly modifiable and typically require little to no DIY expertise to set up. Bed lifters are a great investment for a number of reasons, including making it easier to get in and out of bed, improving the aesthetic value of your bedroom, and expanding your storage options under the bed.

Bed lifts aren't suitable for everyone.

Bed risers raise the entire bed off the floor, making it level with the floor. The risers can make getting in and out of bed a bit of a hassle for your shorter partner. If this is the case, try placing a mattress pad or wedge under just your side of the bed.

Bed risers are only usable with a bed that already has a frame, as they either attach to the legs of the platform bed or replace the legs entirely. A mattress topper, foam wedge, or sturdy platform placed beneath the base mattress can be used to elevate a bed that does not have legs, like a box spring bed.

Considerations for Weight and Height Restrictions

Different types of bed risers can increase the height of your platform bed by different amounts. Beds can be raised by anywhere from two to twelve inches with the help of a riser set; the height can be adjusted by adding or removing pieces.

In order to guarantee one's safety, the bed's stability, and the riser's durability, one must take into account the user's weight. A typical cheap bed riser set can support up to two thousand pounds. A higher quality bed riser set can support up to ten thousand pounds.

Think about the following as you calculate your weight restriction:

  • Both of you and your partner
  • The bedding that you use on your bed frame
  • Comforters, pillows, and mattress pads included.
  • Infants and animals

Illustration of a Couple Jumping on a Bed

Putting up a headboard and bed risers

You may only need four bed risers, one for each leg, if your headboard is also a platform. But if your headboard isn't integrated into your platform, you'll need two extra pieces to bring the height of your headboard's feet up to that of your bed's base. Make sure the set you're considering has sufficient risers to accommodate your headboard and each platform leg before you commit to a purchase.

How to Properly Set Up Bed Raisers

It is especially important to correctly install bed risers when fitting multiple pieces to each leg, as this will prevent the platform from buckling or shifting. For proper installation, most sets include directions from the manufacturer.

There is no need for special skills or equipment, and the installation of bed risers can be completed in as little as ten to thirty minutes.

How to Find the Best Bed Raise for You

Bed risers, in contrast to foam wedges and mattress toppers, have no effect on sleep quality and serve only to facilitate nighttime access. Even so, you need to check that the set you buy is compatible with your platform and any other specific needs you may have.

Below, we'll go over the various riser types and materials so you can pick the perfect set for your goals.

The bed risers that screw into the bed frame are pillar-shaped and secure to the frame with threaded rods or other fasteners. These risers are, essentially, longer versions of the legs that support your bedframe; you'll need to take the legs off your bed before installing the risers.

Bed risers that screw into the underside of your mattress will need to have the right load capacity and be installed properly. In order to attach the risers to your frame, you may have to make adjustments such as drilling new holes or installing attachments. Choose a riser with a large diameter for the most support.

Wooden risers are the most common type of screw-in riser. Rubber and plastic are two other examples.

Because of their sleek design, platform beds work best with this style of bed riser. A more solid choice, like stackable bed lifts, would be preferable for bunk beds.

Elevating struts for beds

Adjustable bed lifters resemble stacked cups, upside-down, and grow in size from the top to the bottom. The bed's legs slide into slots in the smaller, top risers, and those risers slide into the larger, bottom risers. The large, flat undersides of the bottom pieces are what really make this thing stand firm.

Beds can be raised a total of eight inches with the use of a standard adjustable riser set, which typically consists of a three-inch and a five-inch piece. Not all sets adhere to these standards, so it's possible to find one that works for you by looking around.

You won't need any tools or fasteners to set up a set of adjustable risers because they snap together tightly.

Mattress Boosters

Because of their similarities in design, stackable and adjustable lifters are frequently misunderstood. The primary distinction between the two types of risers is that stackable risers don't feature interlocking pieces. Alternatively, you can purchase a stackable riser set, which consists of four identical pieces and can be stacked for easy storage.

Bed risers are stackable and can add anywhere from two to six inches to the height of your mattress. This style of riser is the most cost-effective option, and it's readily available in a wide range of materials like plastic, metal, and wood.

Risers Can Be Made From a Variety of Materials

The cost, longevity, and overall value of bed risers are all impacted by the materials used to make them. Material choices for bed lifters range widely, with metal, wood, and plastic being the most common. Sets with rubber pieces provide more grip. In this article, we will go over some of the top options for riser construction.

Metal

This material risers are available in all styles, and they work great with metal frames. Metal bed risers are long-lasting, won't rust, and won't break if you bump into them.

These parts can hold the most weight, so they're ideal for heavier people who like to sleep on a bed. Powder coating provides extra protection and gives metal risers a more professional look.

Plastic

Cheap and easily adjustable risers are typically made of plastic. Plastic risers can only support a small amount of weight before they begin to sag and break, and they aren't nearly as sturdy as their wooden or metallic counterparts. These items are universally attractive and easy to replace because of their low cost.

Wood

As far as aesthetics and durability go, wooden bed risers are your best bet. These fittings are perfect for wooden platform beds, and the screw-in lifters made of wood make assembly a breeze compared to that of metal or plastic. Your wooden bed risers have the potential to outlast even your platform bed with regular care and polishing.

Illustration of a Man Installing Wheels to His Bed

Raising your bed's height is as simple as adding wheels to its legs for a platform bed. Putting wheels on your bed also makes it more mobile, which is helpful when you need to rearrange furniture or clean the room.

Perhaps not everyone would benefit from having wheels installed on their bed frame. Bed skirts are a great way to cover unsightly wheels and give your mattress a finished look. You won't get the support you need while recovering from an injury or dealing with mobility issues from a bed that keeps shifting position.

Think about how much work it will be to mount the wheels and how much height they'll add to your bed before making a final decision. Your bed's wheels should ideally lock in place so it doesn't roll away.

Bed wedges, which are triangular in shape, are placed under the top of the mattress to provide support for the upper body. Because of the elevation, getting in and out of bed is not any less of a struggle. However, the bed's inclined design can help those with sleep-related problems (such as obstructive sleep apnea[1], acid reflux, or breathing problems) get a better night's rest. One more way a wedge pillow can help with circulation issues at night is while you sleep.

There is a wide range of quality when it comes to wedges. Some common types of wedges are:

  • Simple wooden wedges
  • You can put hypoallergenic foam wedge pillows on top of your mattress.
  • Automated, height-adjustable wedges

If you and your partner have drastically different sleeping habits, a wedge placed on top of the mattress can help. On the other hand, a mattress wedge placed under your bed will be useful if you and your partner prefer to sleep on your stomachs.

Illustration of a Lady Trying Mattress Toppers in a Mattress Store

A mattress topper is an extra layer of foam that you can put on top of your mattress before you get into bed. If you're looking for a way to alleviate pressure or increase support while you sleep, this elevated platform might be the answer.

Mattress toppers are only four inches thick, so if you want to raise the height of your bed significantly, risers may be a better option. But a mattress topper, not bed risers, might help you get a better night's sleep and reduce your back pain.

In general, a firm mattress topper is best for back support, while a soft one is ideal for pressure relief. A firm topper is recommended for those who weigh over 230 pounds and sleep on a soft mattress. If your hips are larger than your waist, you should use a fluffy pad to help your body stay in proportion, as stated by Cleveland Clinic[2].

Check Out This Comprehensive Guide To The Top-Rated Mattress Pads

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