Low beds

Why a low bed?

Usually, it is about the appearance of the room. A low bed is less conspicuous, and you notice this in the entire space. It therefore fits well in a Japandi or Scandinavian-style bedroom, or in a room where you do not want any additional large furniture. The idea originates from Japan, where people have traditionally slept on a futon on the floor or on a low wooden frame. A practical side effect: anyone who occasionally rolls out of bed does not fall far. This applies to toddlers who have just moved out of their crib, but also to restless sleepers.

Platform bed, floor bed, or futon bed?

These words are used interchangeably. Here’s how it works: a platform bed is a bed where the mattress rests directly on the slatted frame, without a box spring or high base. A floor bed is a platform bed that stands almost on the ground, like the Dock and the Senza. And a futon bed is a low bed with a futon mattress on top. So, all the beds on this page are platform beds. With a futon mattress on it will be futon beds.

With or without a headboard

Most low beds are a bare frame: Dock, Senza, Japan, Elan, Kanso, and the three Tojo models. If you want something to lean against, there are three options. The Peek has a 65 cm high headboard with two holes where the included lights hang. The Latch is constructed from wide pine planks, and the headboard and nightstands are made from the same planks. The Social has detachable backrests and side tables that you can place on either side of the bed and move again later.

A low wooden bed: pine or beech

Karup Design beds are made of solid pine, FSC-certified, with wood from Sweden and Estonia. You can choose between untreated wood (natural), clear lacquered, carob brown, or black. The Japan model is also available in blue, green, terra, and orange. Tojo is a German brand that has been building its beds in the same way for years, using layered beech wood in a natural finish. You can read more about the wood and maintenance on our website. wooden beds.

Height per model

There is no fixed rule for this, so we chose one ourselves: a bed is low if the top of the frame does not exceed 25 cm. The lowest bed frame here is the Dock by Karup Design, 11 cm on 4 cm legs. The heights are measured without a mattress.

This is what to look out for

Look at the external dimensions, not just the mattress size. A Karup Japan for a 140 x 200 cm mattress is actually 148 x 228 cm. The Kanso and the Senza are exactly 200 cm long, making them the most compact choice for a small room. Ensure the floor is level: a frame on 4 cm legs will wobble on an uneven floor, and you cannot adjust that. You do not vacuum under the Dock. You do under the Kanso, as there is 16 cm of space there, and you can have drawers slide in for bedding. And the lower the bed, the more strain you put on your knees when getting up. If in doubt, choose a model of 20 to 25 cm or come into the showroom Just lying down for a bit.

Order and delivery

You can order each bed by size, from 90 to 180 cm wide, and at Tojo up to 200 x 200 cm. You decide whether to include a futon mattress and which one. You have a 30-day cooling-off period, and our lowest price guarantee applies to these beds as well. If you are unsure about the size or model, please call or email us.

Frequently asked questions about low beds

Can I put a regular mattress on a low bed?

Yes. All models have a slatted base, so a cold foam or pocket spring mattress sleeps just as well on it as a futon. Please note: a thick mattress makes the sleeping surface significantly higher, and the mattress needs to be able to ventilate.

Is a low bed bad for your back?

No. How you lie is determined by the mattress, not by the height of the frame. What does differ is getting up: you get up differently from 11 cm than from 25 cm.

How high is a low bed with a mattress?

Calculate the frame height plus the thickness of the mattress. Futon mattresses are 13 to 20 cm thick, so with a frame of 11 to 25 cm, you end up between 24 and 45 cm. On a Japanese bed with a 15 cm futon, you lie at approximately 35 cm.

What sizes do low beds come in?

The Karup models are available in 90, 120, 140, 160, and 180 x 200 cm, but not every model is available in every size. Tojo goes up to 200 x 200 cm.