I love the front/foot of the bed storage drawers of this bed as well as the height of the bed and the headboard.  It does require a box spring.  Good thing I ordered a low profile  box spring to go with the 12-inch mattress. The overall bed height is perfect!  Another inch or two would have make me hop on hop on to climb on the bed.  I like sitting and laying higher on this bed to look out the floor to ceiling window of my apartment.