Does The Base Of A Bed Make A Difference?
There are many articles online saying the base of a bed makes a difference to the performance of a mattress, but this is only true in some cases.
You won’t get a stormy night’s sleep if you have a solid or slatted base, although there are situations where one is better than the other.
For example, a sprung divan base enhances the springiness of a sprung mattress and the squishiness of a memory foam mattress. In contrast, solid and slatted bases offer similar feels that are sometimes indistinguishable.
The Truth
Of course, a broken or worn bed base will affect mattress performance because it won’t provide adequate support for weight distribution.
But a high-quality bed base – be it solid or slatted – makes no difference to overall comfort, providing the mattress is relatively thick.
When a mattress is over 25cm thick, the base of a bed makes no perceptible difference to the feel of the mattress. You cannot tell the difference. Solid and slatted bases provide a thick mattress with the same feel and performance.
Sprung bases are a different kettle of fish, delivering a soft, springy feel that enhances the qualities of mattresses of all types.
When to get a slatted base
A slatted base is best for mattresses under 25cm. Thinner mattresses are best with a slatted bed base because the slats reduce the contact surface area of the mattress, making it more squishy and pliable than a solid base.
For example, pure foam mattresses are typically 15cm to 20cm thick and are always best with a slatted base. A solid base with a thinner mattress like this reduces mattress flexibility, making it feel like the mattress is on a hard floor.
Slats make a bed lighter, but they move around, annoying. Slats can also break, and they are not always replaceable.
When to get a solid base
There is no specific reason to choose a solid bed base – the most important thing is that solid bases only work well with mattresses over 25cm thick.
If you find a bed with a solid base and you have a thick mattress, by all means, go for it without worrying about missing out on slats.
With a solid base, you don’t need to worry about slats moving around or breaking, but solid base beds tend to be heavier.
When to get a sprung base
Sprung bases deliver a softer sleeping surface and enhance the qualities of a mattress, although they are a lot more expensive too.
They are only available with divan bed frames and are considered a luxury option, with the springs acting as an additional support layer.
The benefit of a sprung base is you won’t experience the bed’s natural rigidity, although you are unlikely to experience it anyway with a thick mattress.
What if my bed base is broken?
If your mattress dips when you are in bed, there’s a chance your bed base is broken. The base should be strong with no play when you stand on it.
Spending a lot of money on a mattress is pointless if your bed base is broken. One broken slat or a wonky solid case will ruin the platform for your mattress.
The simplest solution is to replace your bed with a new one. Check out our range of divans, ottomans, and standard bed frames for ideas.
What about mesh bed bases?
Mesh bed bases are built into metal bed frames as a lightweight solution. They mimic the performance of a solid bed base because the metal is rigid, although gaps in the mesh give the mattress some relief when you lay on it.
Mesh bed bases have metal cross-bars for support, and they work fine with all types of mattresses, thin or thick, although they are most commonly paired with mattresses under 20cm as a cheap and cheerful sleeping solution.