A mattress foundation is a fundamental requirement for any type of mattress to distribute the body weight evenly. Furthermore, a good mattress base is necessary if we want a long service life and utmost comfort from the mattress.
For a crafty person, making the foundation will be just another DIY project. In this article, I will showcase how to build a memory foam mattress foundation from scratch. You do not need any previous woodworking skills if you follow my simple guideline.
Not all kinds of foundation will be suitable for a memory foam mattress. Before I tell you how to build a memory foam mattress foundation process, let us explore the mattress foundations available for different mattresses.
Table of Contents
Types of mattress foundations
Box spring
A box spring foundation is usually made out of metal or wooden framework. It may or may not contain actual springs inside. However, modern box spring foundations do not contain metal springs to make the foundation lighter.
A box spring foundation can be used either independently or with a metal bed frame. A box spring without an inside spring is often called a slatted bed foundation.
A true box spring foundation is best for innerspring mattresses. Some memory foam or latex mattresses are also suitable in box spring foundation.
But read the manufacturer’s recommendation before placing a foam mattress on it.
Metal platform
This kind of metal base is sufficient to carry the mattress without the need for a foundation. Most of the mattresses are suitable for the metal platform.
However, although memory foam mattresses can be placed on the metal base, they are not the best option. Memory foam requires a more solid base.
Slatted bed foundation
Slatted bed foundations are based on either wooden or metal frames. There are multiple slats of wood or metal across the frame. The space between the slats can be varying depending on the type of mattress to be used on the bed.
You can use the underneath space of the slats as storage. Almost all types of mattresses can be used on a slatted bed foundation.
However, the space between the slats should be less if you are using a memory foam mattress.
Solid platform foundation
If you have a heavier mattress, then a solid platform foundation is the best option. This type of foundation is the most durable and sturdy. Aesthetically, they look better than any other bed foundations.
Because of their advantages over others, solid platform foundations are the most expensive bed foundation in the market.
Which type of foundation is better for memory foam mattresses?
Not all types of foundations are suitable for all kinds of mattresses. The slatted foundation is the best option for a memory foam mattress. A wrong foundation can damage the mattress and void the warranty.
For a slatted foundation, the gap between the slats should be around 2- 2.75 inches. Thus, it will allow the bed to flow the heat and moisture. Therefore, a slatted bed foundation is a good option for memory foam mattresses and all kinds of mattresses. The foundation always keeps an optimum airflow.
On the other hand, using a memory foam mattress in a box spring is never a good practice. This is because, over time, the memory foam will sink in the middle near the spring coil. Thus the mattress will lose its shape.
However, if you still wish to use the spring box foundation for a memory foam mattress, put a bunkie board between the spring and the mattress. The board will give the necessary support for the mattress.
Build a memory foam mattress foundtion: Slatted bed
Once you have gathered all the necessary tools and materials, you can start to figure out how to build a memory foam mattress foundation. Start by cutting the wood strips to the proper dimension for your mattress, from twin to California king. Next, build the foundation support so that the whole thing doesn’t break down. With all the pieces built, you can start to assemble them together with wood glue and nails. Overall, it shouldn’t take more than 2 or 3 hours from start to finish.
Requirements
You need some wood strips and basic power tools to build a memory foam mattress foundation for a slatted bed. Below is the list of items that you need to collect before starting the work.
Tools
- Circular saw, or table saw – to make the woodcuts as per the requirements.
- Dust mask – to protect you from the dust during woodworking.
- Wood Glue – to connect the wood slats together.
- Orbital slander – to smoothen the surface of the wood stripes.
- Brad nailer – to secure the attachment of the wood slats.
Lumber boards
- 1x4x8 strips
- 2x4x8 strips
Planning
Today I’m going to build a memory foam mattress foundation type slatted bed for a queen bed with a dimension of 60×80 inches. You may plan the dimension of the foundation as per the size of your bed. The dimensions of the bed of different standards are as follows:
- Twin: 39x 75 inches
- Twin XL: 39x 80 inches
- Full: 54x 75 inches
- Queen: 60x 80 inches
- King: 76x 80 inches
- California king: 72x 84 inches
The standard height of a slatted foundation is 9 inches. However, to build a memory foam mattress foundation by myself, I can customize the height as per my preference. For example, I am a tall guy. Therefore, I am making the foundation 12 inches tall instead of 9 inches.
Cutting the woods
Get all the necessary lumber boards from a hardware shop. You can cut them by yourself if you have a saw. However, you can have the cuts by the hardware shop for free from purchasing these wood strips.
Don’t forget to smoothen the surface of the board with a sander. Do it before assembling the boards.
Required wood stip sizes:
- 15 pieces of 2x 4 strips with a length of 10 inches. The length of the strips will be 2 inches less than the expected height of the foundation.
- 6 pieces of 1x 4 strips with a length of 80 inches. The length of the strips will be equal to the length of the mattress.
- 14 pieces of 1×4 strips with a length of 60 inches. 2 pieces of these strips will be used for securing the beams. The remaining 12 pieces will be used to build memory foam foundation surface. The length of these strips will be equal to the width of the mattress.
Make the support beams
Attach five 2×4 pieces to the longest 1×4 pieces. Make sure you have kept an even space along with the board. Secure the joints with wood glue and brad nailer.
Now flip the structure and join with another long 1×4 piece of board, repeating the same process. You should repeat the whole process to make 3 pieces of support beams in total.
Assemble the foundation
I highly recommend assembling the foundation on the bed frame. Thus you do not need to move the foundation after building it. Assembling it on the bed frame also ensures perfect size matching.
At first, place two of the beams on two opposite sides of the bed frame horizontally. Then, place the remaining beam in the middle. Now secure all the three beams by a 1×4 at either side of the beams. It will keep these support beams attached together.
Now lay nine pieces of board slats on the beam. Place them evenly, keeping an equal gap between two wood slats. Initially, secure the wood slats with wood glue and after that with the brad nailer. After the assembling is done, the foundation is ready to use.
Cost
The foundation I made was costed around 50 bucks for the wood stripes. I already had all the necessary power tools at my home. Therefore, 50 dollars was my total cost. However, it will incur additional costs if you purchase the required power tools.
Get the woods cut at the local hardware shop if the power tools will have no use in the future.
Time
If you have wood glue, brad nailer, and readily usable wood strips, then it should not take more than two hours to build a memory foam mattress foundation basic version. However, if you need to cut the wood strips, then it should take another two hours.
I would recommend doing the cutting works from the local hardware shop if you do not have the required power tools to do the job.
Advantage to build a memory foam mattress foundation
Improving the lifespan
Having the right foundation will enhance the lifespan of the memory foam mattress. We spend one-third of our day on the bed. Therefore, it requires support from the base to save the mattress from wearing out.
Only the right foundation can keep the mattress sturdy even after constant use. Thus, it ultimately enhances the service life of the memory foam mattress.
Getting the best out of the mattress
Memory foam mattresses have the mechanism to counter the pressure of the body. As a result, they have the perfect combination of cushioning and firmness. This combination is important for the health of our muscles and spine.
Using the memory foam mattress without foundation creates sags in certain places on the mattress. Thus the mattress surface becomes uneven.
Therefore, the uneven surface forces the body muscle and spine to get out of their alignment. As a result, it results in an uncomfortable and unhealthy sleep.
Increasing the height of the bed
A mattress foundation secures sufficient height of the bed. Sleeping on a mattress without foundation is not a good idea. It will expose you to the cold, dirt, and dust of the floor.
The difficulty in getting out of the bed is another problem if the bed is on the floor. The elderly persons with pains in their back and legs struggle to step off the bed if the bed is on the floor or has a low height.
Therefore, it is recommended that the distance from the floor to the top of the mattress be at least 20 inches. It will ensure a comfortable climb and safely get out of the bed.
Keeping the mattress stable
If the floor is slippery, using the mattress without a foundation will make it restless. On the other hand, if the foundation does not fit with the mattress, the mattress will sink in the places where the support from the foundation is not correct.
Having a foundation with the correct dimension will stabilize the mattress.
Keeping the mattress clean
A mattress foundation will keep the mattress free from the dirt and moisture of the floor. Memory foam mattresses are good absorbent of moisture. Keeping the mattress on the floor without a foundation will expose the memory foam to moisture and dirt.
These unwanted particles are the reason for the development of mold and mildew. They contain unhealthy allergens as well. Thus the mattress deteriorates quickly.
Making the mattress comfortable
Using a foundation makes your sleep comfortable. The foundation will ensure sufficient airflow and circulation of the trapped heat from the mattress. Overall, a foundation is necessary for a comfortable and restful sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Are the foundation and bed frame the same?
The bed frame, mattress base, and foundation are often interchangeable terms, but they are not exactly the same. Usually, the foundation of the bed is the surface where we place the mattress. On the other hand, a bed frame is the part of the bed that surrounds the mattress.
It usually has four side panels and legs. The mattress foundation is usually placed on the top of the bed frame. Some bed frames are included with the headboard and footboard. But these extensions are optional, not mandatory.
Why do memory foam mattresses require solid bases?
Compared to an innerspring mattress, a memory foam mattress is heavier. Therefore, they need a solid surface base to be placed on. Otherwise, they will sink into the hollow spaces.
If the surface is not substantially flat, then the mattress will create sags over time. Some manufacturers require a solid foundation as a warranty term for the memory foam mattress. If you are using a slatted foundation, make sure the slats’ gap is not more than 2.75 inches.
Are the mattress bases made of metal any good?
The metal alloy is an alternative to wood. Metal is sturdier than wood. But they get affected by the moisture present in the air and get corroded by rust. Therefore, do not pick low-quality cheap metal alloys if you prefer a metal foundation or bed frame.
If possible, then choose stainless steel alloy. Another problem with metal bed foundations is that the space between the metal bars is too much. A bed foundation of this kind is not suitable for a memory foam mattress.
Are the box spring and slatted foundations the same?
They are completely different kinds of bed foundations. But they look very similar. A box spring foundation has springs inside the wooden frame. This kind of foundation is made for traditional innerspring mattresses. Some innerspring mattresses come with a box spring as a package.
On the other hand, a slatted platform foundation can be termed a box spring foundation without the springs. Looking from the outside, it is difficult to differentiate between a slatted foundation and a box spring. For this reason, people often call a slatted foundation box spring.
Is a box spring foundation suitable for a memory foam mattress?
A box spring foundation is made of metal spring and wood. The springs are secured inside the wooden frame. This kind of bed foundation is designed and made for traditional Bonnell spring mattresses. The underneath spring of the foundation works as a shock absorber.
A memory foam mattress has an inbuilt shock absorption system. Therefore, they are sufficient to give the right amount of comfort without the spring system. Rather, a spring foundation can be detrimental to the longevity of a foam mattress. Therefore, we don’t recommend using a box spring for a memory foam mattress.
Conclusion
Apart from saving some money, the self-made foundation ensured me the desired bed height. Therefore, it was a both-way win for me. However, a bed foundation is not everything of a bed. A mattress and the bed frame, along with the bed foundation, complement each other. Therefore, when build a memory foam mattress foundation, all the other two components of your bed must be compatible with it.
