by In most cases, you don’t need a boxspring with an Ikea mattress. This is because these mattresses by Ikea are pretty solid in their construction, and they are suitable to work with slatted bed frames (check the best selling IKEA mattresses).
Therefore, you don’t have to go for a boxspring to make your Ikea bed base work. But there are a few other details you need to consider before making this decision. We will look at them in this comprehensive guide.
So, without any further ado, let’s begin!
What is a Box Spring?
For those who don’t know, a box spring is designed to provide additional support to your mattress. It has to be the same size as your mattress. A box spring features a wood frame filled with springs or has a metal grid.
This wooden frame with springs inside is wrapped around with fabric. You need to place this fabric under your mattress to support the mattress you have placed on top (also check the top rated mattresses).
The reasons for placing these box springs under your mattress are,
- It helps in providing additional underlying support for your mattress.
- A boxspring raises your mattress to a comfortable height.
- It can protect your mattress by absorbing direct impact.
- A box spring can improve the overall airflow in your mattress and keep it cooler (also check 10 great cooling mattresses).
Is It Okay to Sleep Without a Box Spring?
Sleeping without placing your mattress on a box spring is perfectly fine (also check the top-quality mattresses without box spring). The important thing is that you need a foundation under your mattress; it doesn’t have to be a box spring.
You might notice you will be more comfortable going for other options instead of a box spring, especially if you have a slatted bed base like the one by Ikea (also check the top rated mattresses with great comfort).
What Types of Beds Don’t Require Box Springs?
Mattresses that don’t need a box spring underneath them are latex and foam mattresses. You can comfortably use platform and foundation beds underneath these mattresses.
Conversely, conventional innerspring mattressses will always need boxing to ensure adequate support. The main purpose that these box springs serve is to provide a stable and strong foundation to your mattress. As a result, your mattress will last longer because it will be less exposed to wear and tear or impact.
Another purpose these box springs serve is to increase the overall height of the mattress from the floor.
Do I Need a Box Spring with Slats?
If you have purchased a bed frame with a slatted foundation and the slats are not more than 2.75 inches apart, you don’t need a box spring with such a bed frame.
Your mattress can comfortably rest on such a bed frame with slats. But if these slats are wider than 2.75 inches apart, you might need a boxspring that you can place under your mattress and above your bed frame.
Benefits of Ikea’s Bed Slats & Support Beam
There are various benefits of these bed salts and support beams by Ikea or any other brand. These benefits are as follows:
Preventing mattress sagging
With the help of these bed salts and support beams, you can prevent the mattress from sagging significantly. It means your mattress will stay in its proper shape for longer, and it won’t start to sag from anywhere (also check the best selling toppers for sagging mattress).
Improving overall mattress life
Of course, the overall lifespan of your mattress will significantly improve. Your mattress will stay in its shape for longer and won’t deteriorate even if you use it daily.
Adding more height to your sleep surface
Placing your mattress directly on the floor is never a good idea because you, along with your mattress, will be more exposed to dirt, dust, humidity, and cold air.
Getting in and out of your mattress will be much more challenging for you if your mattress rests on the ground. With slats and a support beam, your mattress will raise about 16 inches to 23 inches in height. Moreover, some frames come with adjustable height.
Keeping the mattress clean
As we have just mentioned, placing your mattress directly on the ground is more likely to get dirty over time. Your floor is the house of all the dirt, dead skin cells, hair, pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens.
Moreover, your mattress will be more exposed to mold if you place it on the floor. If you put it on the slats, you can prevent all that from happening and keep your mattress clean for a long period.
Improving airflow
Using a box spring mattress is always a good option because it significantly improves the overall airflow in your mattress. Your sleep surface will become more comfortable and cooler. This will especially come in handy if you tend to sleep hot.
Keeping the mattress in place
Slats and a support beam will allow you to keep your mattress in place. This is of great use because placing your mattress on the floor will make it move around a lot.
And without proper support, the mattress will start to sag where it doesn’t have enough support from underneath. With slats and a support beam, your mattress will stay in place and remain stable.
Adding more support
Even if you have gone for a softer mattress, you can get plenty of support with these slats and support beams. Your plushier mattress won’t lose shape over time and will provide you with the much-needed backing.
How Do You Know If a Bed Needs a Box Spring?
Going for a box spring underneath your mattress is a must under the following conditions,
- If you have a conventional innerspring mattress.
- In case you have a bed frame made of metal.
- In case you have to deal with a lot of trouble getting in or out of bed.
- If the warranty of your mattress dictates that you need a box spring with your mattress.
Most conventional innerspring mattresses do need a box spring. But latex and foam mattresses don’t need a box under them. A quality bed frame with slats and support beams will work better in such a scenario.
Box springs and memory foam mattress
Box springs give your mattress more support, impact resistance, and airflow. Now, these are the features that are already there in a memory foam mattress. Therefore, a box spring mattress will become redundant if you place it on a memory foam mattress.
But this is not always the case! For example, you can always place your box spring on a metal bed frame, and you have a memory foam mattress. It’s because a bed frame made of metal will only provide support to itself. So, you will need a separate apparatus to support your bed frame and body while sleeping on it.
But it is always an additional option, and it’s not something that you have to follow. So, for example, if your memory foam mattress works fine with your metal frame, you don’t have to go for a box spring for any added support.
Do hybrid mattresses need a boxspring?
A hybrid mattress features a layer of foam or latex and an innerspring layer. A hybrid won’t need a box spring despite having springs in its base layer (check the top rated hybrid mattresses).
Using a box spring with your hybrid mattress will reduce its overall lifespan. It will reduce the efficacy of the springs used in such a mattress.
Therefore, a better option is to place your hybrid mattress on a platform bed, an adjustable base (also check 10 amazing mattresses for adjustable bed), or a foundation. You will be able to make it more functional and increase its durability.
Can You Use Slatted Bed Base Instead of Box Spring?
A slatted bed base instead of a box spring is a better choice. It’s because a slatted bed base won’t let your mattress sag. Moreover, wooden slats are pretty lightweight, and they are pretty easy to assemble.
You can easily palace most of these slatted foundations by Ikea on any of your bed frames. And they will do wonders when it comes to providing additional support. For example, your mattress can get better airflow with a slatted bed base.
Key Takeaways: Boxspring and IKEA Slatted Bed Base
Box Spring Basics
A box spring adds extra support to a mattress, consisting of a wood or metal frame filled with springs and enveloped by fabric. Its main roles are to enhance support, elevate the mattress, protect it from impacts, and aid in maintaining ideal mattress temperatures.
When IKEA Beds Might Need a Box Spring
IKEA mattresses are tailored for slatted bed frames. If the bed frame slats have gaps greater than 2.75 inches, a box spring might be essential for optimal support.
Benefits of IKEA’s Bed Slats and Support Beam
Bed slats and support beams, regardless of the brand, offer numerous advantages. They extend mattress lifespan, ensure optimal height from the floor, keep the mattress clean, and guarantee consistent support.
Box Spring Requirements for Different Mattresses
Latex and foam mattresses usually don’t need a box spring. Conversely, traditional innerspring mattresses often rely on box springs for adequate support and durability.
Hybrid Mattresses and Box Springs
Hybrid mattresses, which combine foam or latex with springs, generally don’t need a box spring. Using one might reduce their efficacy and lifespan.
Conclusion:
Ikea’s slatted bed base doesn’t need a box spring to be functional. Box springs mostly work well with conventional innerspring mattresses, or you can use them with bed frames made of metal.
They come in handy if you’re looking to increase the height of your sleep surface. But these box springs are not mandatory if you already have a slatted or a platform bed or a foundation underneath your mattress.