What Type of Foundation is Best for Memory Foam Mattresses?

When you're looking for a new mattress, there are typically several very crucial questions to consider and ask yourself, as you venture out to explore which mattresses are right for you and your sleeping needs. One of the most important factors to keep in mind is the type of foundation that is best to accommodate your new mattress. Memory foam mattresses are an increasingly popular choice these days, but there are several different foundations that can be used with them.

A mattress foundation provides stability and support for your mattress and can help increase its lifespan. Depending on which mattress is right for you, there are typically different styles of foundational support options, that will properly accommodate the practicality of the mattress, as well as your own personal desired needs.

When it comes to memory foam mattresses specifically, the most popular option is a box spring, which provides good support and stability. If you're looking for an eco-friendly option, consider using a natural latex or wool foundation instead of a box spring. Another option is an adjustable bed base, which allows you to adjust the angle and firmness. Here, we will look into some of these options in-depth, and identify some other key components to help you feel confident around your final decision. 

Why Is A Mattress Foundation So Important?

It can be easy to assume that a high-ticket mattress is all you need to better improve your sleep quality, but to forgo a proper foundation for that investment would be a mistake. Firstly, the foundational support is specifically designed to work alongside the memory foam material, and allows flexibility for a better overall sleep experience. Secondly, it is meant to sustain and often even prolong the lifespan of your new memory foam mattress. 

Simply deciding to place your mattress on the floor of your bedroom will further cause deterioration of your mattress’s material, as the floor will not allow for airflow and circulation of moisture from underneath the mattress. This can cause crucial issues to the functionality of your memory foam, and most likely, will void any warranty that may come with your purchase, altogether. 

Lastly, having no support under your mattress at all, can cause serious injury and possibly deteriorate your health over time, as there will be no elevated leverage to help you off the hard floor. For these reasons, it’s important to consider the long-term damage that may come with no mattress foundation, as well as the short-term issues. 

Which Foundations Are Available for Memory Foam Mattresses? 

Although most foundations ultimately fulfill a similar purpose, there are specific options available to accommodate your aesthetic and practical needs, as well as your mattress’s material, design, and functionality. Here are some of the most popular options for memory foam mattresses:

SLATS:

One of the greatest aspects of foundations with slats is that they allow for more airflow and storage under your mattress. The foundation is made out of a wood or metal frame, which contains planks covered in different fabric materials that can be laid across the center to create different heights depending upon what you need- whether it's the extra room you may need for storage or just additional hiding spots! 

Some advantages of slats are that they typically come lightweight and are easy to adjust when needed. They’re also fairly easy to pack and reassemble if you find that you often move from place to place.

BOXSPRING:

Although most common boxspring foundations no longer come with actual metal springs inside, they once did—hence the name! Nowadays, you’ll find the common boxspring is constructed as a rigid metal or wood frame, covered with a thin layer of fabric. They can certainly be used alone, but it is recommended to be used on top of a bed frame, or even alongside a metal support frame, which is a lot more cost-effective.  

Boxsprings are more of the common option for memory foam mattresses, as they are overall lightweight, cheaper, and easy to transport. It also provides more sturdy support for your mattress, since memory foam tends to be a denser material. An added advantage of this option is that it can be an easy solution if you desire more height to your existing bed frame or mattress, without having to invest further into a new bedframe, altogether! 

Be sure to check out our article on the importance of having a box spring for an in depth understanding on why they are essential.

ADJUSTABLE:

As the name implies, adjustable frames for your memory foam mattress, assist in adjusting to your desired shape, height, and elevation. This tends to be the best recommendation for those who experience moderate to severe sleep issues, as you have the ability and control to adjust according to your needs. Such issues include injury, sleep apnea, snoring, and/or even high blood pressure. 

You may find this option to be a little more expensive than some of the other options available for memory foam mattresses, but if you find yourself or your loved ones experiencing some of these sleep issues, it most definitely will be worth the investment! Memory foam mattresses are also a highly recommended mattress for this style of frame, as it tends to be one of the most flexible and malleable for this type of foundation. 

PLATFORM:

A platform foundation is a solid elevated base, with reinforced bars across the top surface of the platform. The memory foam mattress can sit directly on top of the crisscrossed bars of the foundation, as the platform supports the entire length of the mattress you desire. 

A platform typically comes with a sturdier metal frame but is known to come in wood options as well. It’s best to consult with your retail professional about the style of mattress you desire, and which platform frame would be the best option for it. The different consistencies and densities of your memory foam mattress may have an ultimate impact on either a wood or metal option.

The elevated height of the platform allows you to forgo the need for a boxspring altogether, and is also a great option if you desire open access under your bed for storage. The only consideration to keep in mind is that most platform frames require assembly and installation prior to use.  

SOLID PLATFORM:

Very similar to a platform frame, a solid platform is elevated and comes in either wood or metal options. The difference will be in the support foundation, which will be solid in this case, as opposed to crisscrossed bars that come in regular platform frames. 

Although you may find this option to be slightly more of an investment than the regular style platform, the benefit of this style is the studier and flat support that will evenly assist in distributing the weight of your memory foam mattress. 

As a sturdy support option, this could be one of the best contenders to keep in mind for heavier and larger mattresses that come with higher densities. Although, the downside to consider, will be the lack of airflow under the mattress, which may cause your mattress to retain more heat throughout the night, and possibly wake you up in frequent sweats. 

Conclusion

Memory foam mattresses require specific conditions to allow for the material to operate as it’s designed to. The dense material allows for extra flexible support for the areas of your body that may need cushioning for advanced circulation. This technology highly requires a supportive foundation to accommodate the work that a memory foam mattress was designed to do for you and your body. For this reason, we always recommend you speak to your retail or manufacturing specialist, to guide you through the process of choosing the best foundation for your mattress. This is certainly an investment decision that will ultimately benefit your overall sleep health, and we strongly suggest that you don’t go without!

Need a box spring foundation for your bed? Check out our large selection of affordable box springs, here!