Japanese-inspired minimalism is making a major comeback. In Japan, people favor bed frames with a low profile so you can sleep close to the ground. Our team of sleep experts spent an entire week researching and testing products from all of the top brands, grading them according to strict criteria so you can make a decision for yourself.
Top Picks for Best Japanese Bed Frames
- Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame - editor's choice
- Avocado Malibu Platform Bed - best eco-friendly bed frame
- Floyd The Bed Frame - best customizable bed frame
- South Shore Platform - best for budget shoppers
- Zen Bed - best minimalist design
#1. Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame
Pros:
- Can be switched from sofa to bed
- Easy assembly
- Made with sustainable materials
- Includes pull-out storage drawers
- Highly durable design
- Available in three different finishes
Cons:
- Only comes in two sizes
- Does not come with a trial period
- Not suitable for couples and heavier individuals
Our Experience with the Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame
Praised for its high-quality construction and sleek features, the Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame truly exemplifies traditional Japanese futon design making it our top pick for this list. Aside from its stylish appearance, the Okinawa Bi-Fold Frame also features pull-out storage drawers that offer you additional storage to help make your bedroom a clutter-free space. And as its name suggests, this Japanese bed frame is multi-functional as it features two positions: folded up for a sofa, and folded down for a comfortable bed. If you're looking for a slatted wood bed frame that has a minimalist design and offers under-bed storage, you should definitely check out the Okinawa Bi-Fold Futon Frame.
Unlike a platform bed which tends to have a solid base, the Okinawa Bi-Fold is a slatted bed frame which evenly distributes your body weight and allows for plenty of airflow through the mattress. However, its slatted design makes it more suitable for average weight individuals rather than plus-size sleepers. If you weigh over 250lbs, you should opt for a Japanese platform bed with a solid base, which should be able to accommodate your body weight and provide you with better support. For the Okinawa Bi-Fold frame, we recommend that you use a mattress that’s at least 8 inches thick so that you won’t be affected by the slats on the bed’s base.
This bed frame is made with sustainably grown tropical hardwood that has been certified by the International Tropical Timber Organization. It’s also available in three different finishes: Natural, Honey Oak, and Antique Mahogany to suit a wide variety of decors. Since the only tool you’ll be needing is an Allen wrench, this bed frame should be extremely easy to assemble even without the help of a handyman. If we have one complaint about the Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame, it’s that it only comes in two sizes: Full and Queen. But overall, it’s an outstanding Japanese style bed frame that offers great value for money and convenience through its simplicity and functional design.
This product does not come with a sleep trial, but it is backed by a limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
Buy Okinawa Bi-Fold Wood Futon Frame
#2. Avocado Malibu Platform Bed Frame
Pros:
- Available in all standard bed sizes
- Sturdy construction
- 100% Eco-friendly materials
- No toxic glues or finishes are used
- GreenGuard Gold certified
- FSC-Certified
- Optional headboard
- No box spring needed
- Tools for assembly are included
Cons:
- No underbed storage
- Does not come with a trial period
- Price point may be too high for some
Our Experience with the Avocado Malibu Platform Bed Frame
Nowadays, platform beds have been rising in popularity since people have been starting to replace box springs with platform foundations. In this section, we will be talking about one of the best and most luxurious platform beds on the market, the Avocado Malibu Bed Frame. This low profile platform bed is inspired by the Japanese culture of sleeping on or near the floor, and it’s made with high-end eco-friendly materials. The Malibu’s unique and simple design evokes a sense of natural beauty that makes it easy to pair with a wide range of bedroom décor. If you’re looking for a premium bed frame with a minimalist appearance, this modern Japanese platform bed by Avocado is a great fit for small bedrooms, tiny corners, and studio apartments.
Despite being a low profile platform bed, the Malibu’s base is not made of one thick plank which is the common design for solid wood bed frames. Instead, its base consists of wooden slats that act as the foundation for your mattress. The bed’s slatted design plus its low profile promote airflow to help you sleep cooler even if you’re using a dense memory foam mattress. If you suffer from allergies, you have nothing to worry about because no toxic glues or finishes are used in this bed frame’s construction. This platform bed is extremely durable, but its high price point does not make it an ideal choice for budget shoppers.
Standing at 6.75" tall and manufactured in the U.S.A., the Malibu Platform Bed Frame is made of solid Maple from California or Oregon, or solid Walnut from Michigan. Both of these hardwoods are FSC-certified, which means they meet the "gold standard" of ethical production. Moreover, Avocado does not use traditional lacquers or varnishes, which typically contain harsh chemicals that may cause nausea and respiratory issues. Instead, they use a zero-VOC ECOS WoodShield Stain, which is organic and odor-free. The finished bed frame is GreenGuard Gold certified, meaning it meets the world’s most rigorous emissions standards for pollutants.
One caveat though, the Malibu Platform Bed only sits 6 inches above the ground, and because of its base, you won’t get much in the way of underbed storage. Assembling this bed frame is hardly a difficult task, especially if you have an extra person to assist you. Tools for assembly are included upon purchasing the product. The Avocado Malibu Platform Bed Frame comes in all 6 standard bed sizes, including a California King.
It does not come with a sleep trial, but it is backed by a 10-year warranty that covers any defects in workmanship.
Buy Avocado Malibu Platform Bed Frame
#3. Floyd The Bed Frame
Pros:
- Multiple size options
- Modular design allows for customization
- No box spring required
- Optional headboard
- Underbed storage option
- Two color options
- No tools needed for assembly
Cons:
- Price point may be too steep for some
Our Experience with the Floyd Bed Frame
As far as Japanese platform beds go, this next model is definitely one of the most versatile bed frames on the market. Its modular design allows you to add or remove panels to adjust the bed’s size to properly fit your modern bedroom or to accommodate an extra person. You also have the option of including a solid headboard in your purchase as well as underbed storage drawers, both of which require additional charges. The Floyd Bed Frame is certainly on the high-end of the price range, and it might not be a viable choice for shoppers with a tight budget. Nevertheless, if you are interested in buying a Japanese-inspired platform bed that gives the illusion of floating in mid-air, then you should check out this premium bed frame by Floyd.
Both the Okinawa and the Avocado Malibu bed frames which we’ve reviewed above have bases that feature a slatted design. The Floyd Bed Frame, on the other hand, has 2-4 large solid wood panels that are made of long-lasting birch plywood and reinforced with honeycomb cores to reduce its weight. Although it doesn’t promote the same amount of airflow as a slatted bed frame, its sturdy platform bed design gives it the edge on durability and support. It can support most types of mattresses without the help of a box spring and it has a weight capacity of 400-600 lbs depending on its size. You have the option of choosing from two different colors for your Floyd Bed Frame: a light-colored birch veneer or a dark-colored walnut veneer.
This bed frame has a fairly simple assembly process and it’s designed to be put together without the use of tools. Floyd recommends having at least two people assemble the platform bed, which should only take about 20 minutes. The completed bed frame has a minimalist appearance that’s perfectly suitable for the cozy atmosphere of a modern bedroom. This model comes in four sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, and King.
Floyd offers a 30-day return period for this platform bed, as well as a 10-year warranty that covers defects in materials and craftsmanship.
#4. South Shore Platform
South Shore Platform
Pros:
- Japanese-style bed
- Under-bed storage
- Affordable price
- No box spring needed
- Two color options
Cons:
- Only two size options
- No tools included
- Hard to move around once assembled
Our Experience with the South Shore Platform Bed
While the previous models that we’ve mentioned have all been quite pricey and luxurious, this Japanese platform bed is a more affordable model that also displays elegance and simplicity. Its sleek appearance and clean lines do a great job of capturing the essence of modern Japanese style. The South Shore Platform Bed comes in two colors: Gray Oak and Weathered Oak, and it features a spacious drawer at the end of the bed for additional storage benefits. You also won’t be needing a box spring for this bed base as it can fully support a mattress on its own. We highly recommend this Japanese bed frame for budget shoppers and individuals who are looking for a bed that offers under-bed storage.
The South Shore Platform Bed’s base is one flat solid wood surface. Because of this, it provided little to no airflow, unlike the other bed frames on our list that feature a slatted design. In spite of this, we believe that its low price point and sturdy construction make it a great value for money platform bed. It can support a total weight of 500 lbs, and a box spring is not required for this bed frame. Unfortunately, this product is only fit for two mattress sizes: Full and Queen, so if your existing mattress is bigger than these, you should opt for a model that offers more size options.
Made in the U.S. with non-toxic laminated particleboard, the South Shore Platform Bed is fairly durable and it should be able to support you for an extended period of time. You’re going to have to assemble this bed frame on your own, and thankfully the assembly process is simple enough that you should be able to do it without a handyman’s help. Several tools are needed for assembly: a hammer, a flat screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver. These tools are not included in the bed frame purchase.
The South Shore Platform Bed does not come with a trial period, but it is backed by a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects in workmanship.
#5. Zen Bed
Pros:
- Minimalist design
- Multiple size options
- Solid hardwood construction
- Optional underbed storage drawers
- Easy assembly
Cons:
- No color options
- Above average price point
- Does not come with a trial period
Our Experience with the Zen Bed
If you are looking for a traditional Japanese-style platform bed, then we highly recommend checking out the Zen Bed Mahogany. Last but not least in our list of the best Japanese platform beds, this low profile bed frame is an excellent fit for a modern bedroom that’s furnished with minimalist decor. Although it’s quite costly when compared to other traditional platform beds, it’s definitely well worth it because of its high-end construction and aesthetic appearance. The Zen Bed Mahogany comes in Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes.
Made with premium quality hardwood, this platform bed stands 10 inches from the ground, giving you a lot of space for storing all kinds of stuff. You may also purchase underbed storage drawers for your bed at an additional cost. The bed’s base consists of solid wood slats that are extremely durable and supportive, as evidenced by its total weight capacity of 500 lbs. You should have no problem sleeping on this bed even with a partner and on a dense mattress. One drawback of this bed frame is that it has no other color options other than its default design.
As its name suggests, it’s an amazing choice for individuals who are trying to transform their bedrooms into a place of zen and pure relaxation. It does not come with a trial period, but it is backed by a limited warranty that covers materials and workmanship defects.
Related product reviews:
Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?