Why does a mattress need a bed?

The average person looks to cut costs where they can when buying furniture -- I know I do. If you're buying a new mattress or accessories, you don't need to splurge for the high thread count sheets. Nor do you need a fancy, fluffy duvet cover. However, it's strongly encouraged that you get a bed frame. 

Check now

There are plenty of reasons why a bed frame is a key part of your bedding setup. A bed frame's purpose is to protect you and your mattress from the downsides of sleeping on the floor. Not only that, but mattresses are expensive. Storing yours on the floor is like leaving your watch or phone on the floor. You could, but you can't be surprised when something inevitably goes wrong. 

Below, I explain what can happen if you leave your mattress on the ground and offer affordable bed frame options you won't have to spend an arm and a leg on.  

What is a bed frame?

A bed frame is the main support structure for your mattress and your box spring (if you have one). It keeps your mattress up off the floor, and protects from moist, dust and general floor gunk. There are a variety of different bed frames, from basic to decorative and functional. Some even come with a head or footboard. 

Here are some of the most popular bed frame types:

• Platform: Common bed frame made with slats to support your mattress without the need for a box spring.
• Floating: These bed frames are more modern, and typically have hidden legs or they are omitted completely. It looks like a large decorative box supporting your mattress.
• Trundle: A trundle bed is great for siblings because it supports two beds in one. They are normally twin or full size mattresses that sit on top of one another. However, the mattress on the bottom rolls out from underneath when it's ready for use. 
  
• Bunk: A bunk bed is another great bed frame for kids or a guest room. It supports two mattresses; one near the bottom and one raised higher in the hair toward the ceiling. To get to the higher bunk bed, the bed frame is typically fitted with a ladder or step stool.
• Murphy: A Murphy bed frame is ideal for small spaces because it allows more room when it's not in use. A Murphy bed sits up vertically against the wall, and pulls down like a drawbridge at bedtime. Manufacturers do a good job of making Murphy bed frames look decorative by hiding rails and other parts of your mattress. 

Now that we've explained what a bed frame is, here are all the reasons you'll need one for your mattress.

Reasons you need a bed frame for your mattress

Comfort isn't the only thing you'll be sacrificing if you leave your mattress on the floor. You may also void the warranty and put your mattress at risk for household pests.

You'll void your mattress' warranty

Most mattresses will come with a warranty backing manufacturer issues and other defects while you own your bed. The average is around 10 years, while some brands Like DreamCloud and Nectar will offer protection for your mattress for its entire lifetime. 

There are some stipulations to keeping your mattress' warranty, including – you guessed it – the need for a bed frame that properly supports your mattress. Leaving your mattress on the floor means that if anything goes wrong with it, you're responsible for paying for a replacement. 

Your mattress can get real dirty (on the inside and out)  

A mattress should last around six to eight years -- depending on the type and how well you take care of it. Leaving it on the ground can lead to a shorter lifespan and open the floodgates to all sorts of problems, including:

• Mold and mildew buildup on the inside from the collection of moisture
• Dirt, dust and spills
  
• Spiders, ants and other common household pests 
  

You sacrifice comfort

Keeping your mattress on the ground restricts the airflow that would be present if it was raised above ground. As a result, it can retain heat and make you wake up feeling hot and sweaty. 

On the flip side, if your bedroom floor is hardwood or tile, your mattress will be more vulnerable to low temperatures during cooler months of the year. 

Getting out of bed is also physically much easier when you're 3 feet off the ground. 

See more: Best cooling mattress

Try out these bed frames

A metal or wooden-slatted bed frame with slats 3 inches or less apart, an adjustable bed frame floating frame are all great and affordable options. Here are some of the best low-cost and value bed frames I've owned, tested or researched. They all have my stamp of approval. 

The costs below reflect queen-size pricing. 

Is it bad to put your mattress on the floor?

Besides cutting costs on your bed setup, placing your mattress on the floor doesn't have any other benefits. However, the drawbacks may outweigh the potential savings. Leaving your mattress on the floor can lead to issues like mold buildup and may not provide adequate support, which could affect the life of your mattress. It's advisable to use a bed frame to maintain proper hygiene and durability.

If your mattress must be on the floor, follow these rules

If your circumstances limit you from getting a proper bed frame, you'll have to take extra precautions to make sure you don't ruin your mattress and stay comfortable. 

• Put a large piece of cardboard underneath your mattress so it's not directly touching the ground. This provides insulation and helps keep your bed cleaner.
• Sit your mattress in an upright position against the wall every week to air it out to help prevent mold and mildew from growing in your bed.
  
• Use a mattress protector to keep your bed clean and prevent bugs getting on the inside. 
  
• Whether trying to get across the room quicker or grab something you may have left on your mattress, keep yourself from stepping on it to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
  

Want to read more about all our experts in the field?

Logan is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a deep understanding of what it means to struggle with sleep. Her years of experience researching and testing sleep products – including mattresses, natural sleep aids, and bedding – are critical to her role helping lead the editorial team. As a chronic insomniac, she aims to bring her findings to anyone struggling with getting adequate rest. Her expertise is in creating informative, trustworthy, and useful health content. When she’s not testing mattresses or researching CBT-I, she enjoys spending time in the sunshine with her husband and her dogs Pepper and Winston.

For most mattresses, having something between the mattress itself and the floor is helpful. Whether this should be a box spring, a foundation, or a platform bed depends on several factors.

Changyuan supply professional and honest service.

All mattresses will benefit from having a firm, solid foundation to rest on. Box springs were created to help absorb impact, reducing the wear and tear on the mattress. However, box springs were more prevalent when mattresses had much thinner profiles overall, and were primarily innerspring designs. Today, most modern mattresses do not necessarily require a box spring.

Determining whether it’s better to sleep with or without a box spring depends on a few factors. The main people that should use a box spring include:

• Those using a traditional metal rail bed frame, which is designed to cradle box springs
• Those with an older innerspring mattress designed for use with a box spring
• Those with a mattress whose manufacturer specifically recommends box springs
• Those who want to elevate their bed to make it easier to get in and out of (although other box spring alternatives can serve this same purpose)

There are a few reasons why you shouldn’t use a box spring. These include:

• Those with newer memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattresses
• Those who prefer the style or functionality of a platform bed, wood foundation, or other kind of bed base
• Those who prefer to sleep with a mattress directly on the floor

Over a decade ago, a box spring was essentially required when buying a new mattress. Today, that’s not necessarily the case. Most modern mattresses including mattresses in a box do not require a box spring.  In fact, traditional box springs don’t provide the rigid support needed for many newer foam and latex beds. Box springs are primarily designed for use with coil-based mattresses. This means innersprings and hybrids are the best mattress types to use with box springs.

Box springs are designed for use with innerspring beds, and some models do not provide the same type of rigid support needed for a foam bed. While even the best mattress models made today benefit from a supportive foundation, certain types don’t require a box spring – and for some, using a box spring can cause permanent structural damage. If you’re looking for other options to use instead of box springs, consider platform beds and wood slat foundations.

To determine whether or not you need a box spring, it’s helpful to read the recommendations of your bed’s manufacturer. You can find this information on the manufacturer or retailer’s website, and often on the tag attached to the mattress itself. Different styles of mattresses can benefit from different types of foundations, so it’s helpful to go directly to the source to see what the manufacturer recommends. Not only that, but also some mattress warranties will stipulate that you use a recommended type of bed base or render them void.

Find a Mattress That’s Right for You

Answer these three questions to find a mattress that matches your sleep style.

I sleep on my

I have pain in my

My preferred mattress type is

Please select all options

What is a Box Spring?

A box spring is a support for your mattress that’s manufactured to be the same size as the bed. It consists of a wooden frame filled with springs (or a metal grid) and wrapped in fabric. It sits directly under the mattress, providing support.

The box spring is intended to serve a few purposes:

• To provide underlying support for the mattress
• To raise the mattress up to a more comfortable height
• To protect the mattress by absorbing impact
• To improve airflow, which helps to keep the mattress cooler

Box springs provide support, but are also able to absorb some shock from the mattress itself. This is a good feature for innerspring beds, but can be damaging for foam mattresses. A foam bed, which lacks the rigid structure of an innerspring mattress, should be used with a very solid support base, such as a platform bed.

The term “box spring” refers to the traditional design that uses actual springs (or metal grid patterns in cheaper models) surrounded by a wooden or metal frame. You’ll have to replace your box spring when it begins to show signs of wear and tear, such as cracks, warping, or audible sounds when the box spring is compressed. The average box spring performs for 10 years before it needs to be replaced. Additionally, you should think about replacing the box spring if you purchase a new mattress.

There are other types of supports that you can use under a mattress, including platform beds and foundations. Determining what can be used instead of a box spring depends largely on the type of mattress you have.

Box Spring vs Foundation vs Platform Bed

Most mattresses require something between the mattress and the floor. While many beds actually function just fine when placed directly on the floor, this restricts airflow and can lead to unsanitary conditions. So, most people will want to use some sort of foundation – whether that’s a box spring, a foundation, or a platform bed depends on the type of mattress you choose, as well as personal preference.

A box spring is a simple support consisting of a wooden/metal frame, filled with metal coils/springs or a metal grid, and wrapped in fabric. They are primarily used for innerspring mattresses. Typically box springs are designed to sit on top of a bed frame.

A foundation is another type of support system that usually consists of wooden slats or flat solid frames. They function similarly to box springs, but they don’t actually contain metal springs. Foundations offer a very firm surface for mattresses to rest on, making them a good choice for foam beds. Most foundations are designed to be used with a bed frame, although some companies offer free-standing versions.

A platform bed combines both a foundation for your bed as well as a frame to keep it off the ground. Most have wooden legs to elevate the frame, while some include storage drawers reaching down to the ground level. Platform beds offer an all-in-one solution, but they can be pricier than other options.

An adjustable bed is a foundation that can be adjusted to various positions, similar to a hospital bed. These are a great option for those who like to read or watch TV in bed, and older individuals who struggle to get out of bed in the morning. Adjustable beds are significantly more expensive than other options, and can only be used with certain types of mattresses.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Mattress Bed.