We get this question often, and most of our team wasn’t really quite sure for some time—what is the difference between a box spring and a foundation? It almost seems like the terms are interchangeable, but when you’re looking at mattress sets, it’s important to know what you’re sleeping on and what you need.

What Is A Box Spring

Before foam mattresses entered the scene, the box spring actually looked pretty different from its modern counterpart. Originally, we used a set of springs that sat under a mattress, referred to as bedsprings, made of bare sets of metal coils. These springs helped the firmer mattresses of this time have a little give. This created a more comfortable feel and carried on to become wooden frames filled with springs.

As other materials became popular for mattresses, like innersprings, the bedsprings became redundant and more and more box springs started using mostly wood frames. Now, with foam mattresses being so common, most mattresses don’t require a box spring at all.

In other words, that thing that you probably call a box spring probably isn’t a box spring at all. In all likelihood what you really have is a foundation. A lot of people now actually have foundations, but they call them box springs because they don’t really know the difference. So let’s talk about foundations now so you can know the difference between the two.

What Is A Foundation

Foundations take the concept of the box spring and remove the springs. These are great to add height to your mattress if your frame needs it, as well as providing the smooth and firm surface your mattress needs to be comfortable. Most mattresses today have their own bounce and give, so springs aren’t required to get the pressure relief you need. Most foundations are wooden pieces that fit together to create a frame with both horizontal and vertical support to provide an even surface. They usually come with a cover that slips over the wood to give it a more aesthetic appeal.

Chances are good that you could easily use a foundation instead of a box spring if you were looking for an alternative. That’s especially true considering how most mattresses either have springs built into them or have their own internal support system making additional box spring springs no longer necessary.

Do You Need A Box Spring If You Have A Memory Foam Mattress?

In short, no. memory foam mattresses might not have their own internal springs but the foam is designed in such a way where the mattress provides itself with its own support. A foundation is probably more than enough support for a memory foam mattress, With memory foam, you should be more concerned with creating a flat, even surface than necessarily propping up the mattress with additional springs.

If you’re using an all-natural mattress, you may find that a set of box springs helps give your mattress a little extra bounce. If you’re using an innerspring or foam mattress, you could go with either a box spring or a foundation if your frame needs added height or doesn’t have enough support.

If you don’t have slats or a platform style frame, you’ll probably need to add a foundation to make sure your mattress isn’t sagging or unevenly supported. For our mattress, a foundation will certainly help but isn’t required if you have support at least every 5 inches built into your frame! Always check with the mattress manufacturer if you aren’t sure, if your mattress is sagging for a prolonged amount of time, you'll lose support much sooner than you should.