Ok, so let me just start by saying this bed is a GREAT value for the price. Its super sturdy and looks very nice. I purchased the FULL SIZE, 14 height. Now - heres the scoop: Im a 63-YO female with a fairly high capability level for heavy-duty projects. This assembly project took me almost five hours to complete by myself, but that included a short lunch break and a couple pee breaks. It also included a pause to get online and READ SOME REVIEWS of this product... I too, thought I needed 16 more of the P screws!!! But the supplied hardware is correct - its the VERY FIRST STEP in the instructions thats wrong! If you examine the four (4) G pieces - each has machined metal female screw inserts. Insert the M screws from the FINISHED side of the A and B pieces into the G pieces, and you will immediately see that you dont need more P screws. Its a Duhhhhh moment once you realize what is wrong: the diagram on the instructions for this step is indeed backwards. (Two people working with this knowledge should have this bed completely set up in under 2 hours, easy-peasy.)
Dislike: Composite wood side rails. Not particle board, but layered composite like plywood. It has a laminate finish only on the assembled visible sides. True, its solid wood, but Ethan Allen its not... hence the low, low, budget-friendly price!! Take care during assembly to not scratch or damage the thin laminate with the cheesy little supplied Allen wrench when youre tightening all the screws. (The Allen wrench is a habitual dislike in all furniture assembly projects.)
Like: The 14 height is great, especially for an older person, or if your mattress is not super thick. Like: The cut grooves for the slats are awesome, as well as the Velcro being attached to both support and slat ends with wood staples. The slats are solid wood, and they arent budging. So unless you are way super-sized, and regularly flail about in bed like an angry beached whale (in which case you probably shouldnt be shopping platform beds at all), this bed offers more than enough stable support. I purchased the 13 thick hybrid mattress, which is really heavy, and its fine on this base, except its about an inch too wide. But another like (which you can see in my photos) is that this base has an edge (lip) about 5/8 deep all around to keep the mattress contained... Nice. Most that I looked at dont have this. So I just kinda tucked the mattress edges down into the frame, and its all good. Like: Even though the finish is laminate, it is a very pleasant color. The Mission style harmonizes well with my other wood furniture.
Overall, despite the poor instructions getting me off to a bad start, I am extremely pleased with this purchase and would recommend it as a very sturdy and attractive bed. It does not give that disposable furniture vibe at all. I hope this info helps.
Excellent bed, but backwards instructions!
Ok, so let me just start by saying this bed is a GREAT value for the price. Its super sturdy and looks very nice. I purchased the FULL SIZE, 14 height. Now - heres the scoop: Im a 63-YO female with a fairly high capability level for heavy-duty projects. This assembly project took me almost five hours to complete by myself, but that included a short lunch break and a couple pee breaks. It also included a pause to get online and READ SOME REVIEWS of this product... I too, thought I needed 16 more of the P screws!!! But the supplied hardware is correct - its the VERY FIRST STEP in the instructions thats wrong! If you examine the four (4) G pieces - each has machined metal female screw inserts. Insert the M screws from the FINISHED side of the A and B pieces into the G pieces, and you will immediately see that you dont need more P screws. Its a Duhhhhh moment once you realize what is wrong: the diagram on the instructions for this step is indeed backwards. (Two people working with this knowledge should have this bed completely set up in under 2 hours, easy-peasy.) Dislike: Composite wood side rails. Not particle board, but layered composite like plywood. It has a laminate finish only on the assembled visible sides. True, its solid wood, but Ethan Allen its not... hence the low, low, budget-friendly price!! Take care during assembly to not scratch or damage the thin laminate with the cheesy little supplied Allen wrench when youre tightening all the screws. (The Allen wrench is a habitual dislike in all furniture assembly projects.) Like: The 14 height is great, especially for an older person, or if your mattress is not super thick. Like: The cut grooves for the slats are awesome, as well as the Velcro being attached to both support and slat ends with wood staples. The slats are solid wood, and they arent budging. So unless you are way super-sized, and regularly flail about in bed like an angry beached whale (in which case you probably shouldnt be shopping platform beds at all), this bed offers more than enough stable support. I purchased the 13 thick hybrid mattress, which is really heavy, and its fine on this base, except its about an inch too wide. But another like (which you can see in my photos) is that this base has an edge (lip) about 5/8 deep all around to keep the mattress contained... Nice. Most that I looked at dont have this. So I just kinda tucked the mattress edges down into the frame, and its all good. Like: Even though the finish is laminate, it is a very pleasant color. The Mission style harmonizes well with my other wood furniture. Overall, despite the poor instructions getting me off to a bad start, I am extremely pleased with this purchase and would recommend it as a very sturdy and attractive bed. It does not give that disposable furniture vibe at all. I hope this info helps.