How to Build a Memory Foam Mattress Foundation

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If you want to get a great night’s sleep, then it’s probably time to upgrade your mattress. For most of us, we’re sleeping on something that’s far too uncomfortable, leaving us with aches, pains, and restlessness during the night.

Memory foam mattresses are excellent for many people, thanks to their cradling material that helps usher you into blissful dreamland. However, because the foam itself isn’t as rigid as an innerspring bed, you need extra support. That’s where a mattress foundation comes in.

Are you a bit crafty? Do you like DIY projects? Then you might want to make your own one and you must want to know how to build a memory foam mattress foundation!

Today, we’re going to look at how you can build your own mattress foundation for a memory foam mattress. Whether you’re upgrading your bed or you want a better way to sleep on your current one, this foundation can help you get the most out of your memory foam.

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Why Memory Foam Mattress Foundation is ​Required?

Traditionally, mattresses will sit upon a box spring, which then sits on top of a bed frame. However, what if you don’t have a box spring? Most bed frames aren’t designed to carry the load of the mattress in the middle, meaning that if you have a memory foam bed, you’ll wind up sagging all the way to the floor.

If you have a box spring, you can definitely use that, but building a foundation can enable you to get better results. Also, if you want to lower the height of your bed, you’ll need to ditch the box spring altogether. Finally, if you don’t have a bed frame, then making a foundation will help you out with storage and a better aesthetic for your bedroom.

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Built vs. Store Bought: Which is Better?

Technically speaking, you can buy a foundation from the store (or online) and assemble it yourself. However, you can usually save a lot of money by building it on your own, provided that you already have the tools. If you’re missing things like nails, wood glue, and a hammer, then DIY craftsmanship may not be the best option.

Another benefit of building it yourself is that you can customize the size, height, and appearance of your foundation. Also, you can reinforce it so that it will last longer. All too often, store-bought foundations can crack or break under pressure.

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Steps To Build a Memory Foam mattress Foundation

Step 1 – Get ​Your Wood

Before you can start building anything, you need to make sure that you have all of the wood necessary for the job. To do this, you’ll want to measure the length and width of your memory foam mattress. You can set up your foundation a couple of different ways.

First, you can have the mattress flush against the edges of the frame. This will make it easier to make the bed, but the mattress could slide off.

Second, you can create a border around the mattress so that it sits in a cradle. This will keep it stable, but it can make it harder to put sheets and mattress covers on it.

In either case, you will want to measure the overall frame, as well as cross bars for support. Depending on the width of the bed, you’ll need at least two or three cross beams to ensure that you don’t experience sagging or breaking.

Keep in mind that the length of the outer frame will be slightly longer than the middle cross bars. Always be sure to measure your wood multiple times before you get them cut. This will help prevent you from having to buy more later.

The other wood you’ll need are the slats that go over the frame, as well as the feet. More slats will offer better rigidity, and taller feet will allow you to store things underneath the bed. Thus, plan your construction accordingly.

Step 2 – Create The Frame

When building your mattress foundation, you’ll have to be sure that you have enough space. We recommend making it either in the bedroom where it will stay (if you can) or in a designated work space.

To create the frame, attach the two side pieces to the end pieces. Use wood glue to hold them together so that you can hammer nails in without the wood shifting. Check to see how long it takes for the wood to dry so that you can plan accordingly.

If you’re building a cradle for the mattress, the best thing to do is to add wooden panels to the outside of the base frame. This will make it easier to construct. In that case, glue the panels onto the frame once it’s completed and attach screws on the corners for reinforcement.

Once the outer frame is set, insert the cross bars. These should be lengthwise since your slats will go across the width of the bed. Again, use wood glue to set them in place.

After the glue has dried, you can either use screws (recommended) or nails. If you use screws, you’ll want to drill a hole first so that you can work faster. Nails are good, but they can pull out over time

Step 3 – Add The Slats

When your frame has been screwed or nailed into place, now you can add the slats. The best thing to do will be to attach them to each side, as well as the crossbars in the middle. This way, the slats will be more stable. Again, more slats will provide additional support, so be sure that you have enough to prevent sagging. If you want to create more stability, you can glue them in place before screwing (or nailing) as you did with the frame.

Step 4 – Add The Legs

If you have a cradle, then you’ll need to flip the frame upside down to add the legs. If it’s flush, then you can attach the legs and then turn the frame over once they’re in. The best way to connect frame legs is to put the wood on the corner where the two sides meet. Usually, it’s best to glue them into place and then nail them into the frame.

Be careful not to hit the nails or screws that are already in the wood. You may need to do some extra planning to ensure that your legs can be fastened correctly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you may want to attach legs to the middle of the frame as well. Depending on the size of your bed, simply having them in the corners can put unnecessary stress and potentially cause them to bow out. Having legs on the sides will create more stability.

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