Bed Base, Bed Frame or None at All?

What do we think of when we think about our beds? We think of lying in dreamy comfort, the plush ‘pillowy-ness’ of the fabrics, the support, the springs, etc. – so essentially we think about the mattress, and then Bob’s your uncle you’re all set up and good to go.

Yes, and no. Yes, a mattress is fundamentally important because we need comfort and support to sleep on, but in order to prolong the life of that mattress and ensure it supports you in the right ways, it also needs something to sit on top of; to create a foundation.

Why do you need a foundation for your mattress? Some reasons are obvious, like getting in and out of bed is more natural as the height of your mattress is appropriate to your legs when you stand up and lie down. Others, you may not have thought of include airing your mattress- if you leave it on the floor directly there is no airflow that circulates which can cause damp and mold over time.

There are two main types of bed support we all know:

1. A bed frame (adjustable, upholstered, platform)

2. Bed base

Frames are structured, they make a statement. The headboard, footer (sometimes depending on design), sides and legs work together. Whether they are metal, wood or even some hard plastics (new technology ever advancing), they add to the décor of your room. 

Frames and slats go hand in hand. Underneath, unlike a solid bed base – there is nothing usually between the base and the ground (unless your frame has a central beam). Why do you need slats if the mattress can sit on the rim of the frame? Even with a central beam, there isn’t anything else underneath to support your mattress or stop it from sagging in between.

While your mattress is new- this might be fine because it is rigid, however over time mattresses like anything else settle in, and they may begin to sag if not properly supported from underneath. Also air can flow freely around your mattress, letting the fabrics breathe.

Stylistically a bed frame can be any colour, design, fabric (or material your heart desires), and allows for charisma and personalization in your boudoir.

Bed bases are the same shape and size as your mattress, with slats built inside, designed to support the weight of you and the mattress to distribute the mass evenly.

One of the notable differences between a bed base and a frame is that the headboard is separate from a base, and can be changed out. Aesthetically, that can be an advantage if you intend to keep your base and mattress for a long time. You are free to update the design of the headboard without changing everything.

Bed bases are also smaller than frames in terms of taking up precious room. If you live in a small space where the bedroom is petite, then a bed base is an advantage as you don’t have to have a headboard, creating a smaller footprint for your bed space.

Key tips here on helping you decide which way to go when it comes to finding the right foundation for your mattress include:

• Consider the age of the base or frame- old frames need new slats and old bases with springs need to be replaced.
  Bed frames with slats more than 10 years old will need replacing as the support wanes over time.
  An older base more than 10 years may have springs, this is important to consider when choosing a new mattress as most manufacturer's will say it voids the warranty as springs put excess pressure on the mattress.
• Measure the space you want to bed to sit in (do you have room for side tables/ tall boys? Is there other furniture you need to account for)
• Choose a size that best suits those needs.
• If you have a smaller room, perhaps opt for a bed base as the profile is slimmer/ or a smaller size if you wish to go a frame.
• Set a budget and stick to it – bases are affordable options for the wallet-conscious.
• Decide what look you want, bedhead or not to bedhead, that is the question.
• Think about the other elements in your room such as décor/furniture, period of your home – is it modern or traditional?) Design is also important to make you feel like you’re living on cloud9.

Above all else, do not put your mattress on the floor. Unlike in Japan where futons are specifically designed for being on the ground, modern day mattresses are not!

Still stuck and don’t know how to proceed? Come and see a Van Dyks showroom where you can get help from our sleep experts in making your sleepy dreams come true.

The bed has become a place of luxury to me! I would not exchange it for all the thrones in the world" – Napoleon Bonaparte