Expert: Jamie Yocono - 9/7/2007

Question
We have a king sized waterbed with bookcase headboard.  We like the headboard and want to keep it.  We recently purchased a memory foam mattress to replace the waterbed.  How do we convert this into a platform bed since the headboard is connected to the side boards of the waterbed?

Answer
Hi Vicky,

If I understand your question correctly, the waterbed (mattress) bladder is gone, and now you have a huge square recess in the bed. And you want to put a different mattress (the memory foam mattress) where the old waterbed was. I hope I'm on target. So I am assuming that the new memory mattress doesn't fit.

There are two ways to correct this, one is to either remove the side rails, and put the new mattress on the old deck. I'm not sure if you're able to remove the side rails, however, without disturbing the bed frame itself.

The other way would be to build up the "waterbed bladder area" by laying a new deck into it. You could try to make it flush, so that then new memory mattress sits right on top of it, on a new platform. The only problem with this is that your new bed will be higher than the only one, probably by about 6-10." And it also might in some way block access to the headboard area.

Come to think of it, you may have 3 options - take the side rails off and use the existing deck for your new mattress. Leave the side rails on and build up the interior so that the new mattress sits on a new raised deck. Or simply get rid of the whole side rail/footboard area, starting with only the headboard. Can you simply put the bed on a metal bed frame and slide it right into place? Would that work?

I can't go much further with this unless I have a few more details about the bed. So if this answer gives you enough information to help, that's great. If not, write back with more details and descriptions and I'll try to help you further.

Good luck!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com