Choosing the right base for your bed might be a little more difficult than anticipated. However, seeing as we have quite a bit of knowledge and experience with beds, mattresses and a range of furniture, we thought we’d share a few insightful tips to ensure that when you go on the hunt for a bed base, that you’re investing in something worthwhile and right for you. There is a wide range of bed bases and mattresses for you to choose from which may leave you with a headache trying to decide which is best. You might be tempted towards purchasing a classic divan or ottoman because of their practicality and storage solutions, but even then, there are numerous types of divan and ottoman bases in the current market. But don’t worry, sit down with a cup of tea and release some of the bed base searching stress, we can help.

The main types of bed bases:

Solid Top or Platform Top Divan Base – the affordable, excellent value for money bed base. Only certain mattresses should be used with solid bases. Sprung Edge Divan Base – these are considered to work great with open coil or pocket spring systems. This is because they provide added support across the whole mattress Sprung Firm Edge Divan Base – they’ve gone down in popularity, but they incorporate a rigid edge and are often used for single beds Ottoman Base – the base that allows for greater storage yet still provides style Slatted Base – these are mostly used with bedsteads and can be used with solid slats or flexible sprung slats Divan bases usually take the lead when it comes to popularity, but it’s no surprise as they provide nothing but quality and comfort.

Which mattresses can and cannot be used with certain bed bases?

Almost all mattresses can work on any of the above bed bases. However, there are some types that cannot be used with a solid top base, such as Relaxsan mattresses or Dunlopillo mattresses as they are memory foam and latex mattresses respectively. As such, they need to have ventilation from all sides, including the underside, and therefore cannot be used with a solid top base. The other main restriction is that sprung mattresses (pocket sprung in particular) cannot be used with a slatted base where the slats are more than 7cm apart from each other. The reason is that the springs can work their way into that gap, causing the mattress to settle unevenly and cause damage, as well as greet you with a bad back, which we don’t really want. Funnily enough, there are steps to taking care of your mattress!

Do you need a new base when you buy a new mattress?

A question we are often asked is "Do I need a new base when buying a new mattress?" And in the words of the famous Simon Cowell, the answer is no. As long as the base is even, undamaged and offers a stable surface for the mattress, then any base is fine, no matter the age or brand. Many people often receive bad and false information when visiting bed showrooms which is the case with large national chains. If they tell you that their mattress guarantee or warranty would be void if you do not buy the base too, swiftly exit the store because this is not true. If you are searching for a mattress or bed base, feel free to get in touch with us and we can provide honest and useful advice.

The Best Bed Base to Buy?

The type of base you opt for will have an effect on the feel of the bed overall, so it’s wise to weigh up your options before you make a final decision. Here are a few tips to help… A solid top base will leave the mattress to do all the work, not softening it and not making it firmer, the same as putting the mattress on the floor (people often ask if a solid top base will make the mattress firmer). A sprung edge divan base will act to soften the bed overall, adding a bit more 'bounce' to it. There is a layer of springs on top of the base, offering a cushion to the mattress. A sprung firm edge divan base is the same as the above, but there is a perimeter frame that makes sure the edges are firm and won't dip. A common complaint about sprung bases in smaller sizes is that they can feel as though they're caving away when you get close to the edge. A firm edge will prevent this. Ottoman bases are very practical and can be ordered to open from the end or the side, which is useful if you have low ceilings (or short arms!). These are becoming more and more popular as people enjoy the benefits of plenty of storage. During use, you must be careful not to twist the lid, as it will bend the pistons and the base won't work correctly after that. We are often told that a customer "has a faulty one" as it won't close when they're setting it up, but these ottomans are designed to function with a mattress on top of a good weight.

Consider access

Most people consider only the mattress for being tricky to get upstairs or through doors, but most mattresses can bend slightly which makes it slightly easier. A base is a large item and causes 90% of the access restrictions we encounter! A good night’s sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing, so it’s important to invest in a bed base and mattress that will serve you well in the next seven years, as that’s the average lifespan of a mattress. Your choices for your own sleeping arrangements may be determined by bedroom layout, size, design, storage needs and so on. We hope we’ve provided you with enough tips to make your decisions, you can always check out our mattress buying guide if you need when it comes to mattress buying too!