Best Japanese Bed Frame Options to Complete Your Minimalist Lifestyle

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Buying a high-quality mattress may help improve sleep. However, you’ll need the right bed frame to reap its full benefits. The bed frame holds the mattress in place and provides ample support to prevent it from sagging. When shopping for bed frames, consumers shouldn’t only look into the quality of support — the bed base height should be considered too. Although a high bed base offers extra storage space, a low bed base brings more comfort and improves the look of a bedroom. For those seeking a low bed base, a Japanese bed frame is an excellent choice.

Why Japanese Bed Frames Have a Low Bed Base

If you try searching for Japanese bed frames online, you will notice that most have a low, minimalist design. This is because the Japanese believe that the closer your body is to the floor, the easier it is for the earth to absorb your energy, helping you relax and fall asleep faster. This is also why Japanese people traditionally sleep on the floor. Now because of Western influences, most modern families use low bed frames with a futon mattress on top.

Another reason is the geographical features of Japan. Most areas are mountainous, and the flatlands are often used for agriculture, forcing people to build and inhabit small homes. Even in cities, places are overpopulated and filled with many tiny flats. The small land area and lack of space have them adopting a minimalist lifestyle by furnishing their homes with low bed frames, small coffee tables, folding sofa beds, and legless chairs.

Types of Japanese-Style Bed Frames

Japanese beds are not just limited to traditional tatami mats. Nowadays, you can find many modern bed frames with a minimalist Japanese design. These include:

Low Platform Japanese Bed Frames

A low platform bed frame is the most popular type of Japanese-style bed. Since one of the distinct elements of Japanese interiors is the incorporation of natural elements, these low platform bed frames are often made from wood. Wood is easy on the eyes, making spaces appear relaxing and calming. This may be why many people are attracted to wooden Japanese platform beds. Although, of course, there are some low platform beds made from leather and linen. These furniture pieces often have a natural hue to capture the beautiful Japanese aesthetic.

Futon Bed Frame

Earlier, we mentioned how Japan has many tiny flats all over the country. This has led the people to use the living room as sleeping quarters. For this reason, foldable futon bed frames have become popular. It is similar to a convertible sofa bed, except the futon is used both as a seat cushion and mattress. Meanwhile, regular convertible sofa beds have a hidden mattress underneath the frame and separate seat cushions. Another difference is that futon bed frames are light and don’t have armrests, unlike sofa beds.

Tatami Bed Frame

If you want to experience sleeping on a traditional Japanese futon, you may want to invest in a tatami bed frame. It is made from wood with a tatami mat or pad nestled around the wooden bed frame. The tatami mat provides a firm base for futons, thus ideal for Japanese people who are used to sleeping on the floor. For Westerners, this might sound uncomfortable, but sleeping on a futon with a tatami mat underneath can help straighten the back. It prevents you from experiencing body pain and aches while sleeping.

Ashitsuki

Ashitsuki is a mattress with removable legs attached underneath. This Japanese bed is an affordable option as it is smaller compared to Western beds such as Alaskan king beds. Plus, it offers the same comfort and firmness as a Western mattress. The Ashitsuki mattress will be a great choice if you want some bed height, but do not want to spend much on a luxurious bed frame.

Best Japanese Bed Frame Options

Below are some of the best Japanese bed frames you can buy from Amazon.

1. [Acacia Aurora] Japanese Wooden Bed Frame

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Japanese furniture looks attractive because of its use of natural wood materials. Take a look at this Japanese Wooden Bed Frame from Acacia Aurora. It’s simple, but it looks gorgeous, thanks to its rustic, weathered wood finish. Plus, this Japanese platform bed is made from acacia wood, which has a beautiful natural grain. Not only that, but acacia is also a type of hardwood that is highly durable and water-resistant, so rest assured that it will last for a long time.

2. [Signature Design by Ashley] Wooden Platform Bed Frame

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Japanese-style bedrooms look simple yet serene as most are decorated with plants and wooden accents. Infuse a relaxing Japanese aesthetic vibe in the bedroom with this Wooden Platform Bed Frame from Signature Design. Made from engineered wood, this zen bed frame has an exquisite wood tone finish that will go well with almost any bedroom decor. Moreover, bed frames made out of engineered wood don’t expand and contract, unlike solid wood furniture.

Read more: How To Hide Bed Frame

3. [Nexera] Alibi Platform Bed

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The Nexera Alibi Platform Bed might not have an intricate metal headboard and some decorative posters, unlike a mid-century canopy bed, but it still looks elegant with its minimalist design and walnut laminate finish. This Japanese wooden bed also has hidden central support that creates an illusion of a bed floating above the ground. This gives an airy effect to your bedroom, making it look more spacious.

4. [ZINUS] Metal Japanese Platform Bed

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Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Consider choosing a bed frame with a low profile design — just like the ZINUS Metal Japanese Bed Frame. This bed frame reduces the anxiety of possibly falling out of bed, helping you relax and fall asleep faster. Aside from having a low profile design, this Japanese low bed frame also has durable wooden slats that allow the mattress to breathe. This helps prevent mold from growing on the mattress.

5. [ZINUS] Metal & Wood Japanese-Inspired Bed

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Aside from adding natural wooden accents, you can create a relaxing bedroom by furnishing it with round, curvy furniture. The ZINUS Japanese-inspired bed is a great choice as it has a metal frame with rounded edges. Modern platform beds such as this give off a calming feel, making bedrooms more comfortable and inviting. Just like most Japanese furniture, it has a low-profile design that captures a clean, minimalist vibe.

6. [GREATIME] Classic Low Profile Platform Bed

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People who don’t like low bed frames complain about the lack of storage space underneath. This could become an advantage for some homeowners who want to reduce clutter in their bedrooms. With a low-profile platform bed (such as the one above), you won’t be able to hide anything underneath it, so the bedroom looks neater and more organized.

Although this low-profile platform bed isn’t made of natural wood, it still captures the unique Japanese aesthetic vibe. It has a low bed base design and uses a neutral color palette (black, dark brown, and white).

Read more: How To Upholster A Bed Frame

7. [EMOOR] Platform Bed Frame for Japanese Futon

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For those who want to experience sleeping on a traditional Japanese futon, but don’t like sleeping on the floor, consider purchasing the EMOOR Platform Bed Frame. Made from natural solid wood, this Japanese platform offers firm support to a futon mattress. Not only that, but it also has closely-spaced wooden slats that help mattresses breathe and release moisture. This helps keep your body cool while sleeping during hot summer nights.

8. [DHP] Metal Futon Bed Frame

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The minimalist concept behind Japanese furniture is based on the ideology of “having less is more”. This is why you’ll notice many modern Japanese-inspired rooms have little to no furniture and are filled with only the bare essentials. If you want a similar interior style, start furnishing your living room with a couch-to-bed futon frame such as this Metal Futon Frame from DHP. Convertible furniture pieces such as this are great for minimalist Japanese interiors as they help you save space. Plus, it has a low-profile design, similar to modern Japanese bed frames.

9. [Nirvana Futons] Tri-Fold Wood Futon Frame

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Here’s another foldable Japanese couch-to-bed frame. The Nirvana Futons Tri-Fold Futon Frame can be folded into 13 adjustable positions! You can use this as a bed, lounger chair, and even a loveseat! Furthermore, since it is made from solid hardwood, this can be used as an accent piece to add a natural touch to a Japanese-inspired room.

FAQ About Japanese Bed Frames:

• Read more: What Are Bed Frame Slats

  How tall should Japanese-style bed frames be?

Japanese bed frames with a low profile style usually measure only about 7 to 8 inches high. However, you don’t have to necessarily follow this exact bed frame measurement to achieve a minimalist Japanese bedroom. You still have to consider the available space and of course, your personal needs. Do you need extra storage space? Or perhaps you need a high bed base because you are tall? Just make sure to choose those with a neutral color finish to incorporate a Japanese aesthetic vibe into the bedroom.

• What’s the average cost of a Japanese-style bed frame?

The cost depends on the material used. But to give you an idea, its price can range from $200 up to $3,000 (or more). Of course, those with additional features (such as headboards and foldable frames) are more expensive.

• Does a Japanese bed frame need a headboard?

Not necessarily, but if you don’t want your pillows to keep on falling from your bed, a headboard is a must. However, Japanese bed frames with headboards are not ideal for small bedrooms as they are bulky.

Minimalist interiors have a serene and relaxing atmosphere as it involves reducing clutter in the room and adding natural accents. To achieve this interior design, begin by furnishing your bedroom with a Japanese bed frame. Most have a low-profile design and are made from natural wooden materials, so they are ideal for minimalist-style bedrooms. Although other modern Japanese bed frames are made from synthetic materials, they still can be used in modern minimalist interiors as they usually come in neutral-colored shades. Just go back and review our product recommendations above to get to know some of the best Japanese bed frame options!