This bed does NOT need box springs. The name of the bed is platform bed so it should seem obvious. but the specifications say it does need a box spring. My picture is the bed with a box spring and a 11in mattress. It hits above to my waist so it’s not going to work for me. Besides that mistake I made, the bed looks nice especially for the price. The bars are hollow but once all put together it feels pretty sturdy. I was able to put it together by myself. 
There is a lot of space under the bed is is nice for storing things. However also notice that the mattress sits above where the design is on the footboard. If your floors are dark, you aren’t able to see the details on footboard.