Hi Cindy--Sorry, I took an internet break yesterday so I didn't see your post til now. The supports your DH designed sound great! Wish I'd have thought of that (my DH probably would have--must be a guy thing!) Many of the platform beds I saw online that are super close to the floor seem to have about 2" of lift to them, so I would think 2" would be ok...but read further on the ventilation issue below as most of those beds also had slats vs. a solid board as the mattress base. Those pics I saw typically had a square of wood on each corner that lifted the bed above floor level--they probably had a center support too, but you couldn't see it--the adjustable supports your DH made should work nicely for that. With the way your bed is made, you probably need a support for the back corners of the cubbie portion too. I spoke with my DH & did a little more research on your problem. DH suggested a dehumidifier, drilling the holes, raising the bed off the floor & installing computer fans (small fans like inside of a computer) under the bed which would ensure ventilation underneath. Online, I found dehumidifier, raising the bed, & drilling the holes--but not just in the cubbie portion...I am reading about ventilation holes necessary under the mattress. I see two ways of achieving this--drill holes in the board the mattress rests on or place some sort of spacer in between the mattress and the board. That does sort of make sense--that way the mattress can breathe and any moisture has a way to evaporate. Alot of the platform beds I looked at online had slats instead of a solid board thereby allowing ventilation underneath. So I think this is an important part of the equation. I read 2" holes, but I think that is waaaay too big. I also read small holes, but alot of them--I couldn't find any definite formula for this. Since the mattress sits on top of the board, no one will ever see the holes. Here's a big question--when you took the bed apart, what was underneath? Any moisture, mold, water marks on the floor or underside of the bed components? If so, was concentrated in one area or was it just kind of all over the place? Is the flooring in the bedroom carpet, wood, vinyl...? As far as drilling holes in the cubbies--I don't think you're going to ruin the furniture--we're talking about an area no one will ever see or notice & if you're dead set on keeping the bed, then it's a small sacrifice. Hope this helps!

The "supports" down the middle of the bed are those 3 flimsy laminate boards that screw onto the top of the heavy pieces. So I will make a strong brace, drill holes thru the back of each of the baskets cubbies (those baskets are stuffed full of clothes towels etc, so will the air flow thru the holes ,then thru the dead coffin area as I call it, then thru the other side holes out into the opposite baskets? I have only 4 rooms, all literally separate, kitchen,living,bedroom 1,bedroom 2. the bathroom is really tiny. it does have a double hung window in it, so i should crack it when showering and for a bit after.. Regarding cleaning the bed, first of all, yes the bottom of the mattress is damp, I have puddles of water on top of the laminate, but have no smell in the water, no color, no residue showing on the furniture yet, and no stain on the mattress,just wet. I may have caught this problem early? I should cut open the mattress to see what is in there? So since i have no "mold" i.e. gray green blue icky stuff on the furniture, can I just wipe it down with lysol? Is mold visible? (I know a dumb question) The bed is nicely wet, but the laminate has not gotten soggy at all, still firm. I'll look into a humidifier(s). hope they don't cost as much as the electric heater! oh, and you asked about my health? You make me crack up on that one. I have had a cold on/off/ on/off for months (could be my sister's kids I nanny sit for tho), one of my cats has developed asthma...... I think I will hit ikea and buy a futon style bed (just the cushion part,no frame) or maybe a thick foam topper and sleep on the living room floor (the other bedroom has no heat, take off that flimsy laminate and let the bed breathe for awhile after I drill the holes. -;like a few weeks min? Like you mentioned earlier, I'm not investing in an expensive mattress until I know this problem is fixed. so tomorrow I will pull the bed apart-when I get help to move that heavy mattress.

I would need a picture for that decision...

The trick will be finding bedside "whatevers" that reach mattress height, for the best, balanced look even if different. Have that measurement with you when you shop.