I’m not sure if this belongs here but this thread has me a bit overwhelmed, please redirect me if there’s a more appropriate thread to ask.
I’ve already got a mattress picked out personally (polyfoam) but I have some questions about the bed itself. It appears I’ll need a platform bed, I’m trying to decide where may be a good place to shop for the bed/headboard though. I see wayfair and overstock have a lot of options, are there any suggested retailers? I was considering going to Ashley’s Furniture to see what they have.
The problem with the online options are they don’t really give you specs for how far apart the slats are. I’m also a bit confused about the wood foundations linked, are these box springs? I thought it was suggested not to use box spring for latex/foam or are these specially designed for them? With things like these and the wireframes are there no actual beds with the sides and headboard for these or can you do both?
Hi voxware,
I think that most of your questions are answered in the first post of the topic here which is the reference post for foundations and mattress support systems.
A bedframe (steel or wood) and a suitable foundation would also be an option for a support system under your mattress although of course you could also use a platform bed if that’s your preference. Either one is fine as long as the support under your mattress is suitable for your mattress.
Headboards are just for decoration and are just a personal preference choice. Since they are more of an optional furniture item they are outside the scope of the forum (and aren’t something that I spend time researching) but some of the members here that see your post may have some comments about headboards they like and where they purchased them.
If they can’t confirm that the slats are suitable for your mattress when you call or email them then I wouldn’t purchase it.
I’m not quite sure what you mean by “wood foundations linked” but if you mean the links in the reference post they are all foundations (there are no box spring linked there). Box springs have springs inside them that flex under pressure and foundations don’t have springs inside them and have a support surface that is designed to have very little to no flex at all when you apply pressure to it.
Box springs are sometimes used under thinner two sided latex mattresses to provide some additional give and softness under the mattress and there are also some flexible slat foundations that are sometimes used under latex as well which are also suitable in some cases (usually with thinner latex mattresses) but in most cases a latex mattress does best on a support system that has good center support to the floor and slats that are no more than 3" apart. Your mattress is polyfoam though not latex so while slats with closer spacing would still be a good idea and would provide better support … a little wider spacing with polyfoam is fine as well (usually up to 5" is fine but again less would be better) but I would always check with the manufacturer for any specific warranty requirements they may have).
Anything that provides suitable support for a mattress is fine and the rest is just “decoration” and aesthetics. In most cases you can attach a headboard and/or a footboard to a steel bedframe and to most of the 14" platform wire grid platform systems as well. The wire grid platform support systems can also usually fit inside the headboard/footboard and side rails of a wooden bedframe as well if you prefer how they look.
Phoenix
in response to the box springs,
I was specifically referencing the website http://www.usboxspring.com/wood.htm where they refer to the wood foundation as a box spring. plus it’s in their domain name.
Hi voxware,
The term “box spring” and “foundation” are often used interchangeably in the industry but the one you linked is a foundation (which is what they also call it in the heading although they do refer to it as a box spring in the description). It has a firm non flexing support surface with gaps between the slats that are less than 3" so it would certainly be suitable for any foam mattress including latex.
Phoenix
I guess I’m just looking for the easiest way to get everything in one package as far as the foundation, the bed frame, headboard, footboard all that jazz. Not sure if you just take the foundation like I linked and put a bed frame around it or if that’s what the appeal of the platform bed style is that it has the foundation and the frame together? Is there some terms I can use to find something that has everything I need for a foam/latex mattress all in one package? I would imagine buying separately ensures everything is better quality though.
Hi voxware,
A headboard and footboard are optional items that are mostly for looks or to fit the decor of your bedroom and you would need to choose these separately (if you want either one at all) based on your preferences. They generally attach to a bedframe.
You can use a foundation directly on the floor but most people would prefer more height which is why they are usually used on top of a steel or wooden bedframe. You could also attach legs directly under the foundation such as the bedlegs here so you wouldn’t need a bedframe as long as there is a way to attach them securely to the foundation and have legs in the center for good center support to the floor (see post #1 here). There may not be a way to attach a headboard and/or footboard directly to a foundation (if you prefer them) since these are usually attached to a steel bedframe or are part of a wooden bedframe.
Another option would be one of the wire grid platform foundations similar to the ones that are listed in the foundation post that are a bedframe and foundation in one as long as your mattress doesn’t have a latex support core which may sag into the gaps in the wire grid over time (see post #10 here). You can attach a headboard to most of these.
You can also choose a platform bed with a slatted support surface (some of which come with a headboard and footboard that are part of the bed or are optional additions) or even with a solid support surface (see post #10 here) that doesn’t need a foundation as long as the distance between any slats in the support surface is suitable for the type of mattress you have. These are more of a furniture item and tend to be more costly.
All of these would be a suitable choice and would depend on your preferences and budget.
Phoenix
See attached – I have a metal bed frame I’m looking to get a box spring for. Any bang for the buck options? Looking to buy an Tuft and Needle 10". I did read your foundation post, but it seemed more suited to latex. Apologies if I misread. Thanks for any help!
EDIT: In case the attachment didn’t work!
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Hi Triglet,
The foundation post has information about the most suitable support surface for any type of mattress and any of the options listed there or something similar (even the ones that I wouldn’t suggest for latex) would be fine for the Tuft & Needle.
Phoenix
I have decided on a Sleep EZ 10,000 and am thinking of putting it on my existing box springs to save a few dollars. The box springs is about 8 years old and is from Denver Mattress. It appears to be made of heavy gauge wire and is very rigid (it does not really move when I put my knee on it). Would this be acceptable? The box springs sits on a sturdy wooden frame so the frame should not be an issue with the added weight.
Here is what Denver Mattress website says about their universal foundations “This sturdy, steel modular foundation provides maximum durability and support. Unlike a traditional box spring that flexes, this steel modular foundation has a steel grid support system that will provide extra solid support for your mattress.”
Thanks!
Hi apickens99,
It would depend to some degree on the specifics of the wire grid. There is more about wire grid foundations in post #10 here and I would probably put something on top of the foundation to provide more surface area to support an all latex mattress.
Phoenix
Phoenix, just curious- what is your opinion on the current IKEA slat systems?
Hi finnaeus,
You can see my thoughts about flexible slat support systems in post #4 here and the posts it links to.
While they wouldn’t normally be my first choice for most mattresses they can be a good choice for some people that would benefit from the additional flex under a specific mattress and if they have tested a specific mattress on a flexible slat system and it’s a better match for them in terms of PPP than the same mattress on a firm non flexing foundation then they can would make a suitable choice.
They are often used in Europe underneath thinner mattresses as an “active” component in a sleeping system.
Phoenix
Thank you, Phoenix!
How would one know if one would benefit from the additional flex?
PS- What are your thoughts on this foundation? Products - IKEA
Hi finnaeus,
The only way to know this for certain would be based on comparing your actual sleeping experience on a flexible foundation with your experience on a non flexing foundation under the same mattress.
The Ikea website doesn’t give any details of the top surface of the Sultan Aram foundation that would be supporting the mattress, the distance between the slats, and appears to use cardboard on top (which would reduce ventilation under the mattress) so I would need to have more specific information about it before I could make any meaningful comments.
Phoenix
I may be worrying too much - I think I’ve decided on a Brooklyn Bedding latex mattress, and I’m looking into building my own platform via CNC router. What do you think of this?
The open ovals are about 6" X 9", with the ‘cross’ in between them centered and 3/4" thick. So the quarter ovals have long dimensions of about 4" x 2.5". Is then enough support? Too little airflow?
Hi g7515604,
What a unique design … it looks great 
I can’t see from the picture how everything comes together or the specifics of the construction but it certainly looks like it would be more than strong and supportive enough to me.
Do you have a blueprint and instructions that you can share because I’d love to add it to the list of DIY platform bed options.
Phoenix
I agree, it looks great… Unfortunately I can’t take credit for it. It was designed by AtFAB (atfab.co). They make their designs freely available, and you can download the bed files at Download the CNC digital files to make an AtFAB Silver Lining Bed I can’t wait to build it.
I’ll post a dimensioned pic of the actual platform part tomorrow.
Hi g7515604,
Thanks for the link!
They certainly have some very interesting ideas … and I have some reading to do
Phoenix
Here you go - the open area is actualy kind of small once it’s all assembled. The open ovals get cut into quarters. So - is the 3/4" section too thin, so that it could damage the mattress? Is there too little airflow for good ventilation? Am I overthinking this way too much?
Hi g7515604,
It looks very well designed to me and I don’t see anything in the design (including the 3/4" sections) that would cause me any concern either in terms of providing good support for the mattress or with ventilation.
Phoenix