How to Raise a Box Spring - 3 Simple Methods

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A box spring is a type of bed base that is widely used to provide a solid foundation for a mattress. Traditional box springs are typically made of a wooden frame that has an innerspring system and is covered in fabric, but modern box springs usually don't contain any springs. The primary purpose of a box spring is to absorb body weight and provide firm support for the mattress. Box springs will increase the height of your bed and may make it easier to get in and out of bed if your bed is low. However, you may want to raise your box spring to increase your bed's height even more. But how do you raise a box spring, and how long does a box spring last?

To raise a box spring, try these tips: first determine how much you want to raise your box spring, add slats to your bed frame to raise your box spring a few inches, put the box spring on top of a thick bunkie board for more height, make a custom platform out of plywood for significant changes in box spring height.

The height of your bed can have a significant impact on how well you sleep and the way you get in and out of bed on a daily basis. While a low bed may not be not an issue for children or for people without mobility issues, elderly people might have serious problems if the height of their bed frame or mattress is not suitable for them. For more information about the difficulties elderly people may face when getting up from a low surface, see this study.

You may also want to raise your box spring because the height of your bed can have a significant impact on the aesthetics of your bedroom. Depending on your design preferences, raising your box spring might be the best way to give your bedroom a classic and cozy look.

Below, we'll describe how to easily modify the height of your box spring without using expensive equipment and tools.

Determine How Much You Want To Raise Your Box Spring

Box springs are great for supporting your mattress while increasing the overall height of your bed. Image from Amazon.

The first thing you should do when raising a box spring is determine how much higher you want your box spring to be. To do this, measure exactly how much height you want to add to your box spring using measuring tape or a ruler. This will allow you to pick the right method for raising your box spring.

If you only want to raise your box spring by a few inches, adding slats or a bunkie board will give you a bit of additional height. If you would like to raise your box spring significantly, you may want to make a DIY platform out of plywood so that you can customize the height of your box spring.

1. Add Slats to Your Bed Frame to Raise Your Box Spring

Adding wooden slats is one method for raising a box spring by about 1-2 inches. Image from Amazon.

Slats are mattress support systems that can be incorporated into bed frames or purchased on their own. Slats come in different widths and thicknesses depending on the type of slats and the manufacturer. Box springs and slats don't need to be used together to provide mattress support, but putting your box spring on top of a set of slats is one way to raise its height.

If your bed doesn't already have slats, look for thick wooden or metal slats that will add the right amount of height to your box spring (here are some 1-inch slats from Amazon). To put the slats under your box spring, simply remove your mattress and box spring from your bed frame, lay the slats down on the base of the bed frame, and put the box spring and mattress on top of the slats.

If you already have a bed frame with slats but the slats are too thin to raise your box spring enough, you can remove and replace the individual slats with thicker ones. To get detailed instructions on how to replace a set of built-in slats, watch this YouTube video.

2. Put the Box Spring on top of a Bunkie Board

Bunkie boards can also be used with box springs to raise their height by about 2 inches. Image from Amazon.

If you don't want to use slats with your box spring, another option is to simply put the box spring on top of a bunkie board. A bunkie board is a type of mattress foundation that provides reliable mattress support, much like a box spring. Unlike box springs, bunkie boards are usually quite thin. Bunkie boards are often used separately from other types of support systems, but they can work in tandem with a box spring to raise the height of your bed. Here's a 2-inch bunkie board from Amazon that you could use.

To put a box spring on top of a bunkie board, take the mattress and box spring off of your bed frame, lay the bunkie board down on the base of the bed frame, and put the box spring and mattress on top of the bunkie board. If you prefer, you can also put the bunkie board on top of your box spring.

3. Make a Custom Platform out of Plywood

Plywood is a great option to add additional height to your box spring. Image from Home Depot.

If you are good with tools and want to add more than a few inches of height to your box spring, a custom platform made from plywood may be the best option for you. Since you can customize the height of the plywood platform, you'll be able to add exactly the right amount of height to your bed. Depending on how much you want to raise your box spring, you can even stack multiple pieces of plywood to give you extra height.

You may also consider a "Smart Box Spring" mattress foundation like this one, which can raise your box spring by approximately 4 inches.

This "Smart box spring" foundation can help raise a mattress 4 inches. Image from Amazon.

Should You Stack Two Box Springs To Make a Bed Higher?

Since you can raise a box spring by putting different materials underneath or on top of it, you may be wondering if you should stack two box springs to make a bed higher.

You should not stack two box springs to make a bed higher because box springs are quite expensive. Furthermore, adding that much extra height to your bed may make it difficult for you to get in and out. Although it's generally not recommended, if you are comfortable with the extra cost and height, or if you have an extra box spring lying around, you may want to stack two box springs on top of each other.

In general, box springs cost more than regular bunkie boards or slats. Therefore, using a bunkie board in tandem with a box spring or a thicker set of slats will probably be a much more cost-effective option.

If you want to increase the overall height of your bed, you can easily make your own bed risers or attach high-quality wheels to your bed's legs even if you are on a budget. Here's a guide to using bed risers or bed riser alternatives to raise your bed.

If you already have a tall bed, stacking box springs may make it difficult to get into bed since your bed will be much higher. You may also be at increased risk of injury if you fall out of bed while sleeping. For more information about injuries from falling out of bed, see this study.

However, if you're comfortable with the extra height and cost that come with an extra box spring, or if you have an extra box spring lying around, stacking box springs might be the right solution for you.

How To Lower a Box Spring

As we mentioned earlier, the height of your bed has a significant impact on the quality of your sleep. If your box spring is too high, you may actually need to lower it. But how do you lower a box spring?

To lower a box spring, first determine how much lower you want your box spring to be. If you use slats with your box spring, consider getting thinner slats. You may also want to consider replacing your regular box spring with a low profile box spring, or getting a low profile bed frame.

To lower your box spring, follow these tips:

1. Determine how much lower you want your box spring to be

First, determine how much lower you want your box spring to be. This will help you determine the best method for you to use to lower it. For example, if you want your box spring to be slightly lower, you can replace or remove any slats you're using with your box spring. If you'd like to lower it by a lot, you may need to consider getting a different type of box spring or bed frame.

2. Consider getting thinner slats if you use slats with a box spring

As we have already discussed above, slatted support systems are commonly integrated into bed frames, but they sometimes comprise individual removable slats. If you use slats with your box spring, see if you can find thinner slats so that they don't take up as much space. You might also want to consider removing them, since the box spring can support the mattress on its own. You can also remove your box spring altogether since slats are a suitable mattress foundation for most beds. Wondering whether you need a box spring?

3. Use a low profile box spring instead of a regular box spring

A low profile box spring is a modern version of a traditional box spring, which is characterized by its lower height. While regular box springs are approximately 9 inches high, low profile box springs are approximately 4 to 5 inches high. Low profile box springs provide reliable support without dramatically raising the height of the bed, so they can easily be used instead of regular box springs. Here's a highly rated low profile box spring that works well.

4. Get a low profile bed frame

If none of these options work for you, consider getting a low profile bed frame such as a platform bed like this one. That way, you can still use a regular box spring, but it will be lower than if you use it with a high profile bed.

How To Raise a Mattress Besides Raising a Box Spring

Putting a mattress topper on top of your mattress will make it both higher and softer. Image from Amazon.

Although the most common way to raise a mattress is by using a regular box spring, there are a few other ways to raise a mattress besides raising a box spring.

To raise a mattress without raising a box spring, use a mattress topper to add some height, or use a box spring alternative like a bunkie board or plywood. Take a look at our article on how to use a mattress topper for additional information.

Using a high-quality mattress topper can help you increase the height of your mattress while providing extra softness and cushioning. If your mattress is too low or too firm, using a mattress topper can quickly solve both issues. Here's a mattress topper to raise by 4 inches which is highly rated on Amazon.

As we previously mentioned, bunkie boards and plywood can be put underneath or on top of a box spring to raise its height. However, bunkie boards, plywood, and other mattress supports can also be used to raise a mattress without using a box spring. One benefit of using plywood to raise a mattress is that you can choose the plywood's thickness and make your mattress as high as you would like. Replacing a bulky box spring with these relatively thin but solid supports will help you raise your mattress, just not as much as you would with a traditional box spring.

To learn more about some box spring alternatives along with their pros and cons, follow the link to our detailed article on the subject. Also, take a look at our shopping guide to the best box springs - with reviews! And when you're ready to replace your mattress foundation, be sure to take a look at our mattress foundation and donation guide.

Related Articles:

• Box Spring Alternatives
• 5 Tips to Choose the Right Box Spring for Your Bed
• Choosing the right bed riser for your needs

Raise Box Spring: Bed Support Guide

Your mattress support system directly affects comfort, durability, and warranty coverage. Choosing the right foundation is essential.

Support System Options

Key Requirements

• Slat spacing: 3 inches or less for warranty compliance
• Center support: Required for Queen and larger sizes
• Weight capacity: Must support mattress weight + sleeper weight

Related: frame vs box spring | alternatives.

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