Foundations/Box Springs and platform beds are useful for distributing weight and support throughout the mattress. Unless you have a very thin mattress, the surface you choose will most likely not effect your sleep experience. Just avoid putting your mattress directly on slats that are spaced too far apart, this could effect your sleep experience and decrease the life of the mattress.More on my blog: Choosing the Right Bed: Foundation, Box Spring or Platform?Well, you need to put the mattress on something. You can put it directly on the floor, but there are 4 issues with that. It's harder to get in and out of bedIt doesn't look as niceIt isn't as sanitaryYou don't have any storage space underneath. So, most people don't do that. You can either use a platform bed or a boxspring and frame. There is no difference in how the mattress feels. This wasn't always true. Back in the day (a decade or more ago) boxsprings used to use actual springs in them. This is no longer the case in almost all beds today.
Boxsprings are just rigid foundations now. Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question The best answers are voted up and rise to the top I've moved into a smaller room and would like to maximize my space. I've decided to build a new bed frame, but for that to work how I would like I would need to eliminate my box-spring as it would make the bed too high. I currently have a standard mattress, with a box-spring, on a metal frame. If the new bed frame has a solid enough foundation, could I eliminate the box-spring?You can use slats instead of a box-spring. It will be a LITTLE bit stiffer, but it's perfectly fine and you'll love how your bed squeaks less. Here's a pic from an Ikea bed frame assembly guide - just as an example: Box springs help evenly distribute pressure on the mattress not just while laying but also when you're getting on/off the bed resulting in concentrated pressure points. They are for the most part, very firm and yield only the slightest bit.
Most box strings don't even consist of springs at all. They normally consist of cheap flexible wood, thin upholstery batting, and cardboard. Without a box spring you run a higher risk of popping a spring in your mattress. The thickness of a box spring is only for decoration while the functional properties could be reduced to a much smaller design. Slats are typically used with mattresses that don't have springs (coils). If you want to go the slat approach and have a mattress with springs, I'd strongly suggest using a thin yet strong sheet like material over the slats. Something like plywood or faux wood paneling. Take these concepts into mind whilst building your new frame and you should be perfectly fine without a traditional box spring. No you don't need one IF you have a foundation for the mattress to lay on, a thick sheet of plywood would do, since that is basically what a box spring us though you bed will lie 4-6 inches lower if you only have a 4 inch typical mattress.
I have a friend that has sold furniture for years. He has told me that box springs can change the firmness of a mattress drastically. So, if you want to buy a firmer mattress, just remove the box spring instead. No one in Europe uses box springs. They use slats or wire mesh, and lay mattress on that. Box springs are just a nest for bugs ! Go and buy a Euro bed at IKEA, less cost, less space, and no bug nest ! My opinion is the best mattress is a quality air mattress, specifically designed for a bed and not the camping-quality air mattress. Only one company that I know if that makes them, but I won't mention the name. You've probably seen the ads. Been using one for over 20 years and it is great. You can adjust the firmness. Doesn't bounce at all. I use a sheet of plywood beneath it vs box springs. No dangerous chemicals as found in some of the "foam" type mattresses. Same firmness after 20 years as on day 1. Only ones that don't like it are the traditional mattress dealers because it takes their business away.
Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password Post as a guest By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service. Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged bedroom or ask your own question.Commerce Content is independent of Editorial and Advertising, and if you buy something through our posts, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here for more. Classic Brands 8" Instant Foundation Earlier this year, I finally decided to take the plunge and get a Casper mattress. I had a problem though; I really liked my metal bed frame, but my box spring wasn’t really designed with foam mattresses in mind. So rather than find a friend with a pickup truck and schlep to a mattress store or IKEA to buy a new one, I asked Casper for a recommendation. Turns out, you can buy a box spring on Amazon, and get it delivered straight to your door. Well, I should clarify. What you get is a box full of pre-cut boards (handcrafted by the Amish, no less!) that can be easily assembled into an 8" box spring.
It probably took me about 45 minutes with a decent drill and a beer nearby, but your mileage may vary. You also get a cloth cover to wrap around the whole assembly once you’re finished, so it doesn’t look like you’re sleeping on plywood. Keen-eyed observers will note that the slats on this box spring are 4-4.5" apart, depending on the size, whereas Casper recommends they be no further than 3". I asked about this, and the Casper customer service rep assured me that it was fine, and this is what they recommend to everyone who asks. It’s also basically impossible to find a box spring with slats 3" apart, so I’m not overly concerned. After over six months of use, I’ve noticed no ill effects on the mattress, or on my back.Another option for people with bed frames, and the one that Leesa recommends, is a bunkie board, which is basically a thick, solid piece of wood wrapped in fabric. It obviously won’t give you the same lift as a box spring, but there’s no assembly to deal with, and no slats to worry about.