Select A Compatible Frame
Once youve selected your ideal mattress, the next step is to find a compatible frame.
I highly recommend buying the mattress and the frame at the same time from the same company to ensure that they are both compatible and you wont void the warranty.
Here a quick summary of the most common types of bed frames that you can use instead of a box spring:
Platform
A platform bed is a raised base that consists of either a solid support area or a spacious slatted or grid structure made either from wood or metal.
Solid platform bases are a good choice if support is your main objective, whilst a slatted/grid structure is typically better if youre a warmer sleeper looking to stay cool thanks to the better air circulation and breathability.
Most platform beds require you to buy the headboard separately but some also have headboards included.
Slatted
A slatted bed frame consists of metal or wooden slats that are a few inches apart allowing for breathability and airflow that can benefit warmer sleepers and discourage mold growth on the underside of the mattress.
Adjustable
An adjustable bed frame allows you to manipulate the angle of your sleeping surface to potentially alleviate issues like back pain, snoring, and sleep apnea whilst also helping to make it easier to get in and out of bed.
Murphy
A Murphy bed frame allows you to fold the mattress up against the wall to save space its best to buy the Murphy bed frame and mattress as one to ensure maximum compatibility.
When Do You Need A Boxspring
Traditionally, most innerspring mattresses need a box spring. The foundation gives these mattresses the ability to push back against you and function properly without causing damage to the bottom of the mattress. However, as technology and our understanding of fabrics, textiles, and materials has advanced, there are many modern innerspring mattresses that dont require a boxspring.
One of the most important considerations in determining if you need a boxspring or not is what kind of bedframe you have. Well list some of the more common bedframes, explain if each requires a boxspring and the reason for our judgement.
Its important to note that when we talk about bedframes we are talking about the actual structure the bed sits on, not the headboard of a bed, which plays a more decorative than structural role.
Good Bases For Your Foam Or Hybrid Mattress
Like we mentioned before, a box spring won’t give your foam or hybrid mattress enough support and over time, your bed will start to sag through the gaps in your box spring. Don’t stresswe’ve broken down the different types of bases and foundations that will work with your Leesa or Sapira mattress so you can rest on.
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Boxspring Vs Foundation: Whats The Difference
Sometimes, people use the term boxspring and other times its a foundation. So whats the difference? Basically, in todays market a boxspring and foundation are the same thing. Originally, boxsprings were constructed with actual springs contained inside of a wood frame .
Modern manufacturers have found more efficient ways to create lightweight, supportive boxsprings without the springs say hello to foundations.
The words boxspring and foundation can usually be used interchangeably, assuming no springs are actually used. In the case where you skip the boxspring, your bed frame actually becomes your foundation since it offers the same support.
What Kind Of Mattress Can Be Used
Believe it or not, any type of mattress can work well on a platform bed depending on its construction and the companys recommendation. Each comes with its pros and cons and specific features, but personal preference really comes into play when choosing the materials you want your mattress made out of. Lets take a look at four different types of common mattresses you will probably come across.
Memory Foam
This foam is an exceptionally versatile option, as it can be placed on pretty much any surface. If you have ever pressed your hand onto the surface of a mattress and could see its impression, you have seen the wonders of memory foam.
It will perform best on a slatted frame to allow for breathability, but make sure the slats are not too far apart3 to 4 inches tend to be bestor the foam may start to sink into the cracks.
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Which Foundation Is Best For You
So, now that youve read about all the different foundations available, you probably know which one will work best with your new mattress. If you have an innerspring mattress, a traditional box spring will work well with your setup. Keep in mind that box springs can be susceptible to bed bugs or dust mites, so use a mattress protector or encasement and keep your sleeping area clean.
Dont use an old box spring with your new mattress if the box spring is more than 10 years oldit may have accumulated dust mites or other allergens at this point.
When youve decided which foundation is best, simply choose the corresponding size to match your mattress. Practically every foundation type we discussed in this article comes in every available mattress sizefrom twin XL to California King. Selecting the proper support to go with your mattress is the key to maintaining the mattresss quality and getting better sleep.
About the author
Stacy Liman is a journalism graduate student and a freelance writer with a focus on mindfulness and content marketing. Stacy enjoys discovering new mattresses and connecting people with their perfect bed, but she more so enjoys understanding and writing about the science of sleep to help people get deeper, healthier rest.
Can I Use Plywood Under A Box Spring
Yes, plywood can be used under a box spring. You will definitely need a strong support if your mattress is foam or latex. If you do not want to throw out your box spring just yet, adding a few layers of plywood will make your box spring firmer.
Using ¾ inch thick plywood is okay, but ideally, you should use plywood thicker than that to provide adequate support. Any thinner than ¾ of an inch will not have any effect at all and might end up cracking under the pressure of your mattress.
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What To Consider When Selecting A Foundation
So what are some of the important things one should consider when shopping for a new foundation? The most important thing to consider is the type of mattress for which the foundation will be used. Certain mattresses simply work better with certain foundations. Other things to consider include material choice , how easy it is to set up and take down the foundation, and the overall style of the foundation.
How Comfortable Is The Mend Mattress
The terrific thing about the Mend Mattress is the fact that you have several options when it pertains to comfort. Not only do you have the option of picking between the soft, medium and firm but you also are able to swap out your top comfort layer just in case you need to try a different feel.
This makes this mattress perfect for practically any type of sleeper trying to find a much more responsive hybrid bed. The soft is going to be most suitable for anybody who is a dominate side sleeper and is on the lighter to more average in size. Or a smaller framed to average framed individual that sleeps on their back and likes a softer feel.
The medium feel will more than likely be the most preferred feel. This middle of the road feel is wonderful for the substantial majority of sizes, shapes and sleeping styles. Making it most optimal for average size combination sleepers, side, back and stomach sleepers and the very best choice for couples.
And last is the firm option that is mosting likely to be best for dominate back and belly sleepers trying to find more strong support. Along with a good fit for a person who is on the larger than average side.
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What Does A Box Spring Do
The term box spring is now more or less interchangeable with the term foundation. Both are designed to perform certain functions:
- Give support and stability to a mattress
- Create a firm, flat surface on which the mattress can rest
- Raise the mattress height and keep it off the floor
However, box spring is somewhat misleading since most newer designs have no actual springs in their construction.
Through the 1800s and the early- to mid-1900s, mattress foundations were constructed by placing metal coils in rows on thin iron straps held in place by and connected to each other with thick wire. This construction design was known as bedsprings rather than box springs. While the design served its purpose of acting as a shock absorber for the mattress, it was flawed.
Because there were so many connecting points among the iron straps, metal springs, and wire, the noise factor was significant. And since the coils were typically far apart, the bedsprings began to sag very quickly. Later, as the coils were placed closer together, housed in wooden frames, and then covered in cloth to provide better functionality, the term bedsprings was replaced with box springs.
Can You Use A Regular Box Spring With A Mend Sleep Mattress
When it comes to online mattresses fewer appear to stand out with distinct charm. Nonetheless, the Mend Mattress is including a variety of features that make it stand apart in a sea of the same. With a specialized smart yarn cover, exchangeable comfort layers and hybrid build. This 12 hybrid style mattress uses a mix of 2 premium foams with a versatile coil system for ideal support. In addition to a fantastic price and impressive benefits beyond.Can You Use A Regular Box Spring With A Mend Sleep Mattress
The Mend mattress is a hybrid, foam and spring mattress created by a husband and wife from Charleston, South Carolina. This mattress was designed to provide superior pressure relief while still keeping sufficient edge support.
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Designing A Lower Bedroom
Minimalist decorating schemes embrace the notion of designing a bedroom around a bed that’s close to the floor. Other furnishings such as nightstands and dressers should match that low profile with a low horizontal shape, and long vertical wall hangings help emphasize the room’s spacious visual contours. In keeping with a minimalist theme, avoid cluttering the room with excess furnishings — which means leaving the box spring and mattress on the floor is a good fit for young people who are just starting out.
References
Puffy Lux Best Overall
The Puffy Lux is a 12 all-foam mattress that has 1.5 of gel infused memory foam and 1.5 inches of polyfoam in the upper comfort layer, that sits over 2 of poly foam in the transition layer and 7 of high density polyfoam in the support core.
The Puffy Lux is also a fiberglass free mattress that comes with a removable and stain resistant cover that you can put in the washing machine to make cleaning much easier.
The reason why I have picked the Puffy Lux as the best mattress without springs overall is because its medium level of firmness and layered all-foam design is likely to appeal to the widest range of sleepers.
More specifically, sleepers under 250 lbs are likely to be comfortable sleeping on their front, back, or side because the memory foam top layer provides excellent pressure relief on the more angular areas of your body which is especially useful for side sleepers who need more comfort on their hips and shoulders.
The deeper material compression afforded by the memory foam and polyfoam in the upper layers also allows lighter weighted sleepers to sink more into the materials and remove the compression forces from their joints.
Heavier weighted sleepers up to 250 lbs should also be comfortable in the Puffy Lux because even though theres a fair amount of compression and pressure relief in the upper comfort layers, the transition and support core are surprisingly supportive for an all-foam mattress even in the front sleeping position.
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Collapsible Bed Frame Users
Box springs used to be so popular because they were often paired with collapsible metal bed frames. These frames create an outline for your mattress, but are not reinforced with slats to provide support all along the surface of the mattress.
Thats why box springs were key. They added that extra support to help extend the lifespan of your mattress and keep you comfortably supported while you slept. If you still have a frame like this, you will need a box spring.
If you use a metal bed frame with slats, a platform bed frame, or an adjustable bed frame, you probably will not need a box spring.
Putting Your Mattress On The Floor Without A Frame Or Foundation
Can you put your mattress on the floor without a box spring or foundation?
Absolutely! In fact
Big mattress stores down the street from your house would disagree with the statement above, but thats okay. They just want you to buy a boxspring from them with your new mattress! Im here to help make sure you have the best nights sleep of your life! Some people choose to leave foundations out of the picture all together. A few common reasons to place your mattress flat on the floor include:
- Necessity
- Aesthetic value
- Desire for a more minimalist bedroom.
And even though some sleepers prefer being closer to the ground like this, one of the downsides to keeping your mattress on the ground is that there wont be properly ventilated as you sleep. Actually, the ventilation problem is why boxsprings were originally created
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Top 12 Popular Box Spring Alternatives To Save Time And Money
Are you in the market looking to buy a quality mattress and wondering whether you need a box spring? Before you go further, let me break it to you, you dont need a box spring, and it might not be the best solution for you.
After using the box spring for some time, I felt back pains, which led me to research whether or not it was the mattress and the box spring causing the problems. The outcome? My box spring was the problem. Therefore, I came up with box spring alternatives that I have found helpful.
Box Springs And Foundations
While a mattress foundation can look similar to a box spring with its supportive frame, its a completely different product. They provide a solid surface with wooden slats or another sturdy material. The material does not flex under the mattresss weight, with closer spaced slats providing more support. Some foundations come with detachable legs, so that you can place them in a bed frame, much like you would with a traditional box spring.
Foundations and box springs come in low, medium, and standard profiles:
- A low profile is 5.5 inches or lower
- A medium profile is 6 to 8.5 inches
- A standard profile is 9 inches or more
If you purchase a split queen or a split king mattress, you may need to buy a split mattress base. Split mattresses are essentially two separate mattresses pushed together so partners can personalize their side with their favorite firmness. Split mattresses can benefit from extra support in the middle, which a standard foundation may not be able to give.
You can read our mattress foundation sizes guide for more information about choosing the correct foundation size and dimensions.
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Use Quality Flat And Straight Wood Boards
Using cheaper plywood and planks is definitely not advised. The frame should be able to support both your weight and the weight of the mattress all throughout the night. So, choosing better quality plywood and planks is a must. It may be an added expense but at the very least you can be sure that you wont wake up on the floor in the morning with a broken bed frame. So, here are the things that you should look for when purchasing plywood and slats:
- The plywood should not have too many gaps in between layers. Pinhole gaps may be acceptable but it is an indicator that the wood is not of the best quality.
- There are many types of wood that would make great bed slats like red oak or Douglas fir, but before you choose, there are the qualities that you should look for. The wood that you should use should be warp-resistant and tough enough to carry the load. It should also be able to resist constant pressure and strain.
How Do Adjustable Beds Improve Aches And Pains
Its no secret that raising your head up as you sleep has big benefits for both snoring and sleep apnea. So if you have these problems, keep an eye on adjustable beds because they may just solve your nightly annoyances.
People with lower back pain are typically advised by doctors to invest in an adjustable bed because of the superior support these foundations provide the spinal column. More support for your spine can lead to fewer body aches.
According to Spinal Health, adjustable beds can help relieve a number of back back conditions, including but not limited to degenerative spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis. If you have any of these issues, then please consult a doctor before ordering your new bed.
Newer adjustable models now have unique lumbar support features where the adjustable base helps raise the mattress to support the lumbar area of your lower back. This helps tremendously if you have lower back pain. Truly amazing technology!
Because adjustable beds raise your feet with the push of a button, youll love this mattress foundation if you suffer from foot pain, ankle pain, or even restless leg syndrome.
Raising the bottom section of the base provides a slight incline, which takes pressure off your lower body. Then whenever you desire, you can lower it back down to a flat position.
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