Platform beds have become increasingly popular thanks to their sleek, minimalist design and budget-friendly price points. If you’re thinking about getting one, you might be wondering whether a box spring is necessary.
The good news is, you don’t need a box spring with a platform bed. These bed frames are designed to support most mattresses on their own, providing a stable and comfortable foundation without any additional components.
That said, you can still use a box spring with a platform bed if you prefer the added height or firmness; just make sure your mattress is compatible with box springs before doing so.
When shopping for a new bed, it’s important to understand how box springs work and when they’re necessary. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, including using a box spring with a metal bed frame, the pros and cons of using one, and which types of mattresses pair best with box springs. Let’s get started!
Why a Box Spring Isn’t a Must-Have With a Platform Bed
As briefly mentioned in the introduction, a box spring isn’t a must-have with a platform bed. Below, I’ll discuss the reasons behind this below:
Platform Bed Frames Can Support Most Mattresses
Some bed frames can’t support a mattress alone, and they need a box spring for assistance. However, platform bed frames contain supportive bases that are either solid or organized in slats that are organized closely together.
Therefore, most mattresses can sit on a platform bed without being damaged due to a missing box spring.
One of the main ideas of a box spring is that it holds some of the mattress’s weight. It also alleviates much of the pressure on the bed.
Beds with significant gaps in the bases (like some metal bed frames) require box springs so the mattress doesn’t get pushed down too much.
Platform Beds Are Meant to Be Simple
Platform beds are more modern and sleek than other traditional bed frames. Therefore, it would defeat the purpose if you needed to have a box spring as well as a mattress. This would make the entire unit more expensive and less simple style-wise.
According to today’s popular trends, the simpler something is, the better. People are more interested in a minimalistic style for their homes and bedrooms, and a simple platform bed frame and mattress are the perfect combination.
However, some people like having a box spring on their platform bed, and that’s okay. For example, tall people would benefit from the additional height a box spring provides.
Most Platform Beds and Mattresses Have Enough Ventilation
Box springs add extra ventilation because the materials are suitable for absorption. However, platform beds and newer mattresses are built with ventilation in mind, so a box spring is no longer necessary in many cases.
Older or more classic bed frames and mattresses need more ventilation, and a box spring would be handy in those instances.
You Need a Box Spring With Some Metal Bed Frames
Some metal bed frames don’t offer enough base support, meaning a mattress alone wouldn’t be fully supported. In that instance, you’d need to place a box spring on the base of the bed. Then, a mattress would go on top of the box spring so that the mattress would be more supported.
Since platform beds have sufficient base support, there’s no need to use a box spring with them.
However, you’ll need a box spring for a bed frame without a slatted or solid base. This is usually the case with a metal frame.
An innerspring mattress also usually needs a box spring to provide enough ventilation and support.
Pros and Cons of Using a Box Spring
Benefits
Now that you know more about when to use a box spring, you may be interested in learning about the benefits of using one.
Below are the primary benefits:
It Makes the Bed Taller
A box spring is an excellent choice for anyone too tall for a standard platform bed because it can add up to nine inches of height. This significantly reduces the need for taller people to bend down when getting into bed. In addition, many people also prefer a more elevated bed because it looks more traditional.
A Box Spring Protects the Bed Frame and Mattress
Another advantage of using a box spring with a mattress is that it helps protect the frame and mattress from damage (especially if it’s an innerspring mattress). Since the box spring is a barrier between the mattress and the bed base, there won’t be as much pressure on the bed.
A box spring gives the mattress something to lean into rather than relying on the bed frame for support on its own, which could cause damage over time.
It’s also beneficial if you tend to jump on the bed or have young family members that like to do that because the box spring can keep the bed frame from breaking.
It Gives the Bed a More ‘Classic’ Look
A modern bed design by today’s standards is a simple, plain, and relatively short bed frame. If you want your bed to have a more classic style, a box spring is an excellent way of adding height and a little more complexity to the look.
The box spring can also help the bed stand out more as a focal point of the room due to its added features.
Downsides
There are plenty of advantages to using a box spring with a mattress, but there are also downsides:
It’s Not Always Ideal for Short People
Box springs are not ideal for short or even average-height people. Since they often add many inches to the bed’s height, it can be more challenging for smaller people to climb into it each night. It can also be difficult to get out of bed in the morning if it’s too tall.
As I mentioned earlier, a box spring can add up to nine inches of height to a bed, which is a significant amount for a small person!
So, if you have a platform bed and are on the shorter side, there isn’t much point in investing in a box spring unless you need it for another reason.
It’s an Extra Cost to Consider
Since a box spring is an extra item, you’ll need to factor in the additional cost. It’s impossible to use a box spring without a mattress, so you should only get one if it’s within your budget.
Buying a platform bed and mattress is the best choice for someone on a budget or who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money unnecessarily. Decent box springs can cost upwards of $200, so keep that in mind before purchasing.
It Doesn’t Look As Simple or Sleek as a Lone Mattress
When using a box spring under a mattress, it can look clunky and even old-fashioned. If you like a more modern, sleek appearance in your home, a box spring is not a good choice.
A mattress on its own makes a bed look neater and simpler, perfect for a basic, discrete style.
What Mattresses Can Go on a Platform Bed?
There are plenty of mattress choices nowadays, so let’s look at some of the most popular ones you can use on a platform bed:
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is currently one of the most popular types of mattresses due to the vast array of choices and comfort levels. These mattresses are comfortable because they mold to your body through pressure and heat.
Thankfully, memory foam mattresses can be used on platform beds, and a box spring is unnecessary as an extra.
Hybrid Mattress
Hybrid mattresses are a combination of foam and springs and are popular worldwide. Usually, the bottom section of the mattress features springs for support, while the top section features foam for comfort.
One of the main downsides is that a hybrid mattress is often more costly than a standard memory foam one. Still, they generally don’t need to be used with a box spring, and most platform beds can support them.
Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are some of the heaviest on the market, so you should always check the maximum weight capacity of your bed frame before buying one. Like the other mattresses mentioned in this section, latex mattresses also don’t need to be used with box springs unless you’re using a bed frame that needs extra support.
Although latex mattresses work fine with solid bases, it’s good to pair them with slatted bed bases for the most comfortable experience. The slats provide the latex mattress with more flexibility.
Can You Use Any Mattress With a Box Spring?
You cannot use any mattress with a box spring. Some newer mattresses don’t work well with box springs and shouldn’t be used with them (unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer).
Examples of mattresses that generally wouldn’t need to be used with a box spring include some memory foam and latex mattresses. For the most part, box springs work best with lighter mattresses, like innerspring.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to use a box spring with a platform bed, but you can if you want. The benefits of adding a box spring include added height and a more classic appearance. However, a box spring will add to the costs.
Most modern mattresses and bed frames can remain intact for years without the help of a box spring, but older beds and mattresses (like innerspring) sometimes benefit from the extra support.
A bed frame without a proper base (i.e., many metal beds) needs a box spring to support the mattress.
