The 7 Best Things To Put Under Your Mattress

Bed support is a challenge that almost everyone has to deal with in life. Those interested in giving their mattress some extra support may be curious as to what materials will work best. There are various materials available on the market, yet this list will narrow it down to seven.

There are seven things that will offer good support when placed under your mattress. Whether it is reducing back and joint discomfort or making your mattress more stable, each of these items have something to offer to your mattress. Keep reading to learn about the seven best things to put under your mattress, which will work wonders and give you a better night’s sleep. 

Adjustable Mattress Bases

Adjustable bases are among the most attractive options to place under your mattress. As its name suggests, this mattress base can be adjusted to the positions you desire. These bases primarily adjust your head and neck area as well as your feet. Doing so offers the following benefits:

• Reduces back and joint discomfort
• Helps with snoring and sleep apnea
• Staves off heartburn
• Can help with headaches and arthritis
• Sciatica can also be helped in this case

Adjustable mattress bases are designed to give you comfortability and also improve your overall health. Mattresses that lay completely flat can cause poor blood circulation and cause pain on pressure points and joints. It is also pretty convenient to be able to adjust your bed to certain sitting positions for work or leisure.

Many adjustable mattress bases also come with electronic features. Some more expensive models have bluetooth connections and can be adjusted over wifi. There are also massage and lumbar support features that also come with this package. Some of these more advanced models even come with reading lights for the avid readers.

It is important to note that adjustable mattress bases require certain types of mattresses in order to work properly. If you desire an adjustable mattress base, make sure you have the right mattress to fit its specifications. You certainly would not want to invest in a nice adjustable base only to realize that your mattress is not compatible with it. 

What Mattresses Go Well with an Adjustable Base?

In the case of adjustable bases, there is a specific mattress type that goes well with it. The mattress types that work well with an adjustable base are not hard to find. If you are interested in an adjustable base, your mattress will need to have the following specifications:

• Memory Foam
• Hybrid 
• Wrapped Coil 

The three listed mattress types above are generally the best mattresses to use for an adjustable base. The only mattress type that will not work with an adjustable base is one with steel border wire, usually wrapped around the mattress. These mattresses tend to be cheaper designs, which will not be durable enough to work with an adjustable base.

The adjustable base also eliminates the need for foundations. The base accomplishes both a foundation and mattress support all at once. This helps streamline the process for getting your more comfortable bed set up.

Mattress Bunkie Boards

Bunkie boards are a simple choice to help offer better mattress support. They are also fairly low-profile supports. In general, bunkie boards can be defined by the following characteristics:

• Bunkie boards are pieces of wood that are cut into the exact shape of your mattress
• The board is generally wrapped in certain fabrics to prevent pulls in your mattress and potential sliding
• Bunkie boards are fairly thin and will not take up much space under the mattress

Bunkie boards give better support, making for a more stable bed placement. Bunkie boards also do not raise the height of your mattress. This allows for good support without your mattress being raised to a height you do not want. This makes bunkie boards a good choice for kids and adults who are looking for a more minimalist esthetic. 

Bunkie boards are among the cheapest options on the market. If you desire better mattress support yet cannot afford more expensive options, a simple bunkie board should do just fine. There are other details to look out for, however.

Bunkie boards generally work well with certain mattress and bed frame types. They tend to be less versatile with which mattresses it can be used with. This is primarily due to its simple design and cheaper costs.

What Mattress Goes Well with a Bunkie Board?

As mentioned, bunkie boards go well with a certain type of mattress and bed frame. This makes bunkie boards less flexible in terms of what mattress it can be paired with. The mattress and frame specifications for a bunkie board are generally as follows:

• Memory Foam Mattresses
• Pillow Top Mattresses
• Slatted bed frames supported by seven or more slats

Bunkie boards have to be paired with the specified mattresses and frames due to its design. Bunkie boards are not adjustable and are fitted for distinct mattress sizes. They cannot be adjusted to fit varying mattress types or sizes. This is the tradeoff with bunkie boards being fairly cheap, however.

Make sure your mattress is made of memory foam or pillow top material before purchasing a bunkie board. It is also important to make sure your bed frame (if applicable) has seven or more slats to support the board. Bunkie boards are not that heavy by themselves, yet adding human weight to the bed will obviously change that.

Mattress Box Springs

Box springs are the classic supports used for mattresses. Box springs have been around since the advent of the modern mattress and are designed to fit classic mattress specifications. The function of a box spring is tied to the history of modern mattresses and still offers decent support for most mattress types.

• Modern mattresses were mainly spring mattresses until recently. Due to this, box springs were made to have the springs from the mattress bounce off of them to distribute weight support of a person evenly.
• Despite the name, many modern box springs do not contain springs anymore. Today’s box springs are usually only made of wood or metal to provide generalized mattress support rather than support for only spring mattresses.
• Due to the diversity of mattress types on the market, box springs may or may not add much in terms of support or comfortability. They still provide some general benefits, however.

Box springs are not considered the most recommended item to place under your mattress for support. Box springs today, as mentioned, are not made with springs anymore, so they primarily serve as a flat base. Like bunkie boards, this makes box springs fairly cheap. Unlike bunkie boards, however, box springs do not provide as many benefits in terms of support and comfort.

Box springs do offer one benefit, however. Box springs give added height, raising your mattress up to a considerable degree from the floor. The added height will be good for those with mobility issues who have trouble getting up from lower positions. Box springs are only a basic option for this.

In theory, box springs should be versatile in the mattress it can be placed under. Reality is often different from theory, however. Box springs are an old mattress support item, one of the first in fact. This does create certain challenges in terms of which modern mattresses it can hold.

What Mattress Goes Well with a Box Spring?

As mentioned, box springs should technically support most mattress types on the market. The outcome is often very different from the expectation in this case. Box springs were originally designed for spring mattresses. Since spring mattresses are no longer the most popular (or only) choice, box springs have lost much of their utility.

• Box springs are not good for memory foam or hybrid mattresses, due to the fact that most box springs do not have flat surfaces to support the mattress weight
• Box springs are usually sold with spring mattresses, as they are not designed to support other mattress types
• Box springs can be modified to support non-spring mattresses, yet it would likely add to the cost and may not ultimately provide proper support

Since box springs are typically sold with spring mattresses, there is no need to purchase one separately. While a box spring can potentially support non-spring mattresses with modifications, it is overall considered unwise to use box springs unless no other option is available.

Metal and Wooden Mattress Box Springs

Most box springs are made with two primary materials, metal and wood. Some box springs incorporate both metal and wood for better support. If choosing a box spring, keep the following in mind about its materials:

• Metal box springs are generally heavier than wooden ones
• Due to their weight, metal box springs are harder to move once in place
• If you need to move your bed around frequently, wood is the preferable material

If you prefer spring mattresses and desire a box spring, it is good to keep its material makeup in mind. Wood offers the same levels of support as metal with a lighter weight. Some wooden box springs may cost more than metal ones, however.

Slatted Mattress Foundations

Slatted foundations are a unique option for mattress support. Slatted foundations have a similar concept to a box spring, only more improved. They are generally defined by the following characteristics:

• Slatted foundations are frames supported by planks or beams connecting one side of the frame to the other. There are usually multiple rows of planks and beams.
• The design helps support a diverse array of mattresses more effectively and gives added height like a box spring.
• Slats add a solid surface to the box frame, unlike a traditional box spring.

Slatted foundations are designed to improve upon the basic uses of a traditional box spring. Since box springs are built to hold classic spring mattresses, adding slats to the basic frame allows better support for non-spring mattresses. 

The design of a slatted foundation also provides benefits comparable to a bunkie board. The planks or beams connecting the frame create a solid surface which prevents the mattress from slipping out of place. Much like bunkie boards and box springs, slatted foundations are fairly cheap and easy to set up.

The spaces in between the slats also create better circulation beneath your bed and can even provide handy storage space. Keep in mind that the primary use of slatted foundations is support rather than height. Its improved support system does allow for more versatility in mattress types that can be used.

What Mattress Goes Well with Slatted Foundations?

Unlike box springs, slatted foundations provide support for a more diverse array of mattress types. This makes slatted foundations more preferable to consumers who do not have traditional spring mattresses. Slatted foundations can support the following mattress types:

• Memory Foam
• Hybrid
• Spring Mattress

Slatted foundations prove to be a better alternative for those interested in the cost effectiveness of a box spring yet can support a non-spring mattress. If you want to add height to your slatted foundation, incorporate a bunkie board with it. Not only will this give additional support but also added height.

Metal and Wooden Slatted Mattress Foundations

As with box springs, metal and wood are the primary materials used to build a slatted foundation. When considering a slatted foundation made of metal or wood, consider the following:

• Wood is the cheaper and more widely available material. Wooden slats tend to weaken and bend over a period of time, however.
• Metal slatted foundations are stronger than wooden ones and will generally not bend. This makes them more expensive, yet longer lasting.
• Metal slatted foundations are not as common to find depending on the market, yet can provide better benefits than wood overall.

In general, wood is the most widely available material for slatted foundations. Wood does have weaknesses compared to metal, however. Metal slatted foundations are more durable yet will probably cost more overall.

Platform Mattress Bases

Platform bases for mattresses are an even more unique option available. Platform bases incorporate design aspects of many items discussed here so far. They also tend to be fairly cost effective overall. Platform bases generally have the following characteristics:

• Platform bases have a raised bed frame that are built with slatted supports for a variety of mattresses
• They are usually made of metal and other solid material, some variants in wood are available as well
• The platform base effectively accomplishes the same uses of a box spring and slatted foundation, offering added height and mattress support at once

The primary benefits of a platform base are its all-in-one uses. It adds height so that you do not need a box spring or bunkie board and it also gives support to a variety of mattress types. Platform bases are designed to be versatile and economical.

Metal is the primary material that most platform bases are made from. There are some varieties made of wood, though these tend to be more specialized. Many metal platform bases are built to be foldable and easy to disassemble. Wooden platform bases usually do not offer such a utility by design.

Rather than getting a box spring or slatted foundation with an added bunkie board, the platform base accomplishes everything in one design. Due to their versatility, platform bases tend to be able to support a variety of mattress types.

What Mattresses Go Well with a Platform Base?

As mentioned, platform bases tend to be pretty versatile when it comes to which mattresses it can support. This makes platform bases an attractive option for mattress support. In general, platform bases can support the following mattress types:

• Memory Foam
• Hybrid
• Spring Mattress

There are not many mattresses that will not do well with a platform base. The only challenge is making sure the platform base fits the size of mattress you have. Otherwise, platform bases offer a fairly cheap and all-in-one design perfect for the general mattress market.

Low Profile Mattress Foundations

Low profile foundations are an interesting option to consider for your mattress. It incorporates the traditional design of a box spring with slight modifications. Low profile foundations generally have the following characteristics:

• Incorporates a box spring design with half the height, usually designed for sleeker esthetic looks
• The frame has an added support board wrapped in fabric to prevent the mattress from sliding
• Stays lower to the ground due to its reduced height, though takes up less space

Low profile foundations can be thought of as a box spring with a built in bunkie board.  Low profile foundations attempt to offer more comfort and support while also fitting a minimal room esthetic. It gives some added height with support for a variety of mattress types such as the following:

• Memory Foam
• Hybrid
• Spring Mattress

Choosing a bed, like with any furniture, is more than about just comfortability. You want to make sure your furnishings fit the esthetic of the room they are in. Low profile foundations are intended to add as little of a presence as possible within a room or space.

Due to their minimal design, low profile foundations can work well with a wide variety of mattress types. The devil is in the details, however. Some low profile foundations may need certain frame specifications when paired with certain mattresses.

Non-Slip Mattress Pads

If you are happy with your current bed set up yet are frustrated with how your mattress keeps sliding and shifting, there are non-slip pads available. You may not want to purchase a new base or frame, but instead need something to help keep their mattress in place. Non-slip pads generally perform the following functions:

• Pads will use solid materials to cling to your mattress fabric. This will help hold your mattresses in place and prevent sliding
• Non-slip pads for mattresses are generally made of rubber, as rubber proves to be the best material for slip-resistance
• These pads can be easily placed between your mattress and its base or foundation

Non-slip pads for mattresses are usually best used primarily to prevent the mattress from moving out of place. They incorporate similar materials that are used to keep carpets in place. These pads are not designed to cover mattress support or added height. You will also need to know the specifications of your bed before choosing the right non-slip pad.

These pads are built for certain mattress sizes. Make sure the non-slip pad you are considering fits the size specifications of your mattress. Non-slip pads will generally work with any mattress type on the market.

Non-slip pads are a cheap option to help keep your mattress in place. Just remember that they are not meant for support, yet can be a useful item to keep handy in case your base begins to wear and your mattress shifts as a result.