Types of bases for a mattress: how to choose so that you can sleep comfortably

Author: Belfan

Issues discussed in the material:

• What is a bed base?
• Which bed base is better to choose?
• Which base is best for a children's bed?
• How to choose a good bed base?

Such a familiar piece of furniture as a bed is a carefully thought-out structure consisting of several important elements: a frame, a base and a mattress. The base is most often attached to the bed frame, but can be supplied separately. All structural components play their role in providing reliable support for a sleeping person. Let's figure out which bed base is better and why.

What is a bed base and its structure?

A bed base is a special type of structure, without which the existence of a sleeping place is impossible. The structure serves as a place for laying the mattress. Can be attached to the main frame or simply packaged separately.

All the details that are present in the design, and this is: the place for the mattress, the mattress itself and the frame itself, play one role - they provide comfortable support for the body of a sleeping person.

A lattice base made of boards is simple, not orthopedic. Source postroysamdom.ru

Where can I put it?

Incorrect placement of a sleeping place can lead not only to poor sleep, but also to worsen your well-being, cause bad mood and migraines. It is worth listening to some tips to ensure the correct installation of the product.

In order for the bed to meet your requirements, and its price to be minimal, you need to limit yourself only to your own efforts.

When the door is located opposite the window, a draft begins to circulate in the room. This option is categorically unacceptable. Do not place the bed with its back to the window, opposite a mirror or in a corner. The best option is diagonally to the door. It should be close to the wall, with the head facing east or north.

Despite the rules of Feng Shui, it is best to place the device in a niche, if of course there is one. Thanks to this, a person will receive a feeling of protection, security, comfort and coziness. Being near a window will bring some inconvenience: bright sun rays, noise from the street, etc. Negativity can be softened with thick curtains.

The material for furniture should be easy to process and have an affordable price.

Poor places include walking through or near a door. In this case, you won’t be able to relax, because the bustle of everyday life will constantly interfere. The optimal temperature is not maintained near the radiator, and near the window there is a risk of catching a cold due to drafts. If the wall borders the kitchen or bathroom, this option will also not lead to a comfortable stay.

From all of the above we can summarize the following:

• the best installation is with the headboard against the wall;
• corner of the room - ideal location for a single bed;
• diagonally from the front door - a pretty good option.

Do not forget about the design of the bed, because it should fit harmoniously into the room and match other furniture.
If there is a double bed, then there must be a free passage to each of its sides. It is advisable that the sleeping place be darkened, quiet and calm.

Types of bases: orthopedic and solid

There is a lot of controversy about which base is best to choose for a homemade bed. Many believe that ideally it is orthopedic, as it will be beneficial. Others say that it will be solid and will last longer. Let's look at this in more detail.

Frame and base made of decorated durable plywood for a one-and-a-half bed Source fdforp.com

Advantages of making furniture from laminated chipboard yourself

To produce interior items, you need not only experience working with materials and their processing, but also time, effort, and a certain set of tools. Why, given the availability of a wide range of beds of different qualities and configurations on the market, do many people start making furniture with their own hands?

Making furniture yourself

There are several reasons:

• self-assembly of the bed allows you to significantly save the family budget;
• in this case there is confidence in the quality of the materials and fittings used;
• the most important thing is that you have the opportunity to bring to life your own ideas about the convenience and aesthetics of this piece of furniture, make a product of such shape and size that allows you to fit it perfectly into the interior, decorate the bed to your liking, arrange the required number of storage spaces and niches that allow you to increase it functionality.

Among other things, a person who assembles furniture with his own hands increases his self-esteem and increases the respect of others. In addition, the production of the bed is not particularly complicated. Not many details are needed. The main thing is to make a competent drawing, prepare high-quality materials and accessories, and also be patient.

Table. Depending on their size, beds are classified as follows.

Important! It is recommended to order cutting of chipboard sheets from specialized companies that are equipped with the necessary equipment. At home, as a rule, such wood processing is accompanied by the appearance of chips at the ends of the slabs. However, you should be aware that many large stores specializing in the sale of building materials can only offer cutting of sheets into rectangular segments and installation of edges. Often you have to turn to other companies for cutting curved elements and milling.

Which bed base for a mattress is better to choose?

The bed frame can be anything, but if you have decided to make the base wooden and do not know what is better than plywood for the bed or slats, we suggest reading the details below, which will eliminate doubts.

Using durable plywood under a bed mattress Source s3.amazonaws.com

Flat plywood (solid)

Sheets of plywood, which will later be used to complete the bed, in addition to sanding, are additionally coated with decorative substances and impregnations that protect the surface from harmful external influences. Such a panel is placed on the bed after complete drying. It can be fixed or simply laid hermetically. Since a solid sheet is much heavier, it exhibits its orthopedic properties worse.

But flat bases continue to be in demand, as they are easy to manufacture and quite versatile, as they are suitable for beds of different sizes and can withstand any type of mattress.

Important! This type of base is ideal for people suffering from spinal diseases. In such cases, you need a strictly rigid surface without springing or moving.

The use of perforated solid plywood for a bed Source poisk-mastera.ru

Lamellar base

The design of individual lamellas is considered a novelty in the technology of manufacturing bedroom furniture. It is usually made from beech or birch, sometimes walnut is used. The lattice base can be purchased ready-made on a wooden or metal frame. There are even designs where the orthopedic base is attached to a lifting mechanism.

Orthopedic slats for a double bed Source fastbox.su

The production of such lamellas is carried out using several unchanged standards. These include:

• thickness - 6-8 mm;
• width - 63 mm;
• fastening in increments of 70-80 mm.

As for the length of each plank, it should be slightly less than the width of the inside of the bed frame. It is also considered a significant advantage that a bed with a collapsible base is easy to transport, move, and, if necessary, restore. Also, such furniture is easier to disassemble and assemble.

Classification of slatted bed bases

Having decided that the slatted design for the bed is best suited, it is advisable to disassemble its existing types. There are only two of them: with and without a stiffness regulator.

Double bed with slatted orthopedic base Source proraboff.rf

In the first case, the capabilities of the bed expand. The design is able to change the level of rigidity in each specific zone to enhance the level of comfort during sleep. The change in basis occurs at several points:

• head and shoulder areas;
• middle back, pelvis;
• hips, knees, feet.

Also, at the stage of choosing a frame, we recommend deciding what structure the mattress will have. If you purchase a slatted base in a store, be sure to tell the consultant which mattress you prefer.

If the bed is for children: how to decide on the choice

For such cases, a number of individual features apply. After all, for the correct formation of a child’s spine, he needs healthy sleep, and only an orthopedic surface can provide him with this, no matter what position the child is in.

For example, a slatted base in combination with an orthopedic mattress must be chosen correctly; the distances between the slats and the thickness of each of them must be observed. Also pay attention to the following nuances:

• The location of the lamellas on the frame should have an average distance of +- 80 mm. If it is wider, then some of the design features of the mattress will simply fall inward and the structure will gradually collapse. If the distance between the slats turns out to be too narrow, then the orthopedic properties of the structure will not manifest themselves correctly.
• The optimal width of the lamellas is 63 mm. If they are laid over the entire area of ​​the bed frame, then these parameters are sufficient for the base to serve as a reliable support for a long time.
• The edges and shape of the elements must be perfectly even and smooth. After all, when using the mattress, it will inevitably create friction with the lattice, and uneven ends will lead to damage to the fabric that contains the mattress. You can put on a mattress cover; this will only delay the process of damage to the fabric shell of the mattress, but not for long.

Important! For a children's bed, mattresses of a springless type or those consisting of natural latex can be chosen. These cannot be laid on a lamella base; therefore, you will have to limit yourself to a flat one.

Required Tools

Most of the required tools are usually already present in every man’s home. Of these you will need:

• Screwdriver
• Tape measure and pencil
• Screwdriver (bit) for confirmations
• Iron for gluing veneer

To save time, it is better to purchase laminated material for furniture.

That's all, a do-it-yourself chipboard bed is ready, without any special difficulties.

You also cannot do without additional fasteners and some accessories:

• Metal corners
• Confirmations and stubs
• Screws
• Veneer for decorating ends.

Most of the required tools are usually already present in every man’s home.

Now that everything you need has been purchased and cut, you can begin assembly.

To understand how to make a bed from chipboard with your own hands, you need to have certain skills in sawing from chipboard.