Mattress & bed bases explained: how to choose a bed base - John Ryan by Design (2023)

We always recommend that you board over these slatted bases with some cheap plywood or pegboard.

Types of Mattress Base

There are 4 main types of mattress bases you will be choosing from

1. Divan Bases
3. Ottoman Bed Bases
4. Electric Bed Bases

1. Divan Bases

Divan bases are probably the most popular of all bed bases and come in a multitude of fabric colour/finish options. Divan bases are made specifically to take the weight of mattresses and provide an even consistent surface for you to sleep on. Quality divans are sturdy, well-constructed, robust and will add storage options in the form of drawers. They hide the issue with ‘what is that under the bed?’ as they sit a mere inch or two above the flooring.

The divan drawer configurations enable storage away from prying eyes and they are neat and tidy to look at.

A divan is a wooden box(s) that is then covered with wadding/padding and then upholstered in various fabrics. There are then two options for divan bases which relate to whether you want spring in it or for it to be a platform top. They come in one or two parts and take minimal assembly. Once they have been connected and a headboard added,that’s it job done!

What is the difference between a sprung edge and a platform top base?

A sprung edge divan, as the name suggests, features a spring unit housed within the base which is then upholstered.It’s almost like a mattress for your mattress and helps even out the strain put on mattresses over time. A platform top divan is a solid top, still upholstered, which doesn’t contain springs or any moving parts.

As a rule of thumb if using a standard high-quality pocket sprung mattress, the following bases would give the following feeling:

Sprung edge divans will soften the overall feel of a mattress slightly, being more forgiving.

Platform top divans will providea slightly firmer sleeping surface.

Sprung Edge Divan Mattress Bases

Sprung edge bases use a frame within the base which springs are then placed into it’s accepted as the best quality of divan base. These springs can either be a bonnell coil, ie continuous spring or a set of pocket springs. The pocket springs are more responsive but are at a higher price point.

Whilst we never advocate the use of cage sprung or open coil springs, the exception to this is a sprung base. This is because the basehas a solid frame which prevents the bonnell coil or open coil from moving around as much as it does in a mattress.

Also, you’re not sleeping directly on top of it, and hopefully, the mattress above it has deep layers of fillings and a quality pocket spring unit. This spring unit is more than adequate in these scenarios and is the only exception for where a cage spring unit is accepted in mattress construction.

Pocket sprung edge bases are the highest quality bases you can buy in both their construction, components and overall feel. The pocket springs give the same benefits found in high-end mattresses by givingindependent support. These pocket springs are then padded and upholstered to create a luxury base. Some people love the feel of a sprung edge base, and all of our Artisan ranges are paired up with sprung edge bases, where a base is required.

Using a sprung edge base on other mattresses will give a softer feel, especially in latex/foam. It’s also worth bearing in mind that some people don’t notice the difference with a sprung edge base, as the difference is quite subtle.

If money is no object then a sprung edge base is the best you can get, however, some people don’t like the extra sink with a sprung edge base so a platform top may be a more effective option to give a slightly firmer feel.

There are 1000 pocket springs (kingsize) in our sprung edge John Ryan sprung edge bases

Artisan Sprung Edge Bases

Our Artisan bases feature the following specifications and are all handmade here in the UK.

Platform Top Divan Bases

A platform top divan uses the same construction method as above but doesn’t include a spring unit. A wooden platform top layer sits where the spring unit would be, then padded and upholstered. It gives a firmer feel base and is cheaper than a sprung edge base given the construction method but still has multiple drawer options.

Care should be given when buying a base that they are made to a high standard. As with mattresses, not all divans are the same. You can pay £100 up to£3000 in some instances for a divan base. The timber, spring unit and construction method should be stated before you part with your cash. View our product descriptions of our bases in our shop if you want to know the kind of detail you should expect.

Origins Platform Top Base

Our Origins platform top base option is our entry-level base handmade here in the UK. We match this base with our Origins range, and it is at a competitive price point to match. We offer them in a variety of fabric covers and drawer options.

Contemporary Platform Top Base

We pair these Artisan Quality platform top bases with our Fusion latex and Hybrid foam ranges. They feature higher quality components and are a midpoint between the Origins and Artisan range, again they are handmade here in the UK.

2. Slatted Bases, Bedsteads & Bed Frames

Bedstead/Bed frame mattress bases cover a wide variety of bed base styles. They can offer a far greater array of designs and styles when compared to divan bases. They are perfect for interior design enthusiasts and people preferring style over bedroom storage.

They cover everything from wooden, metal, ornate bed frames, sleigh beds, roll top bases, antique brass frames etc. They do however all share one defining feature. They are all frames that the mattress sits on and nearly all use slatted bases. The majority of bedstead bases will have some form of footboard and combined headboard.

Slatted bed bases are usually multi-piece frames that come with a hundred-page leaflet translated into a dozen languages to tell you which of the three hundred bolts and screws you need to set it up. These types can be intensive in terms of assembly.

They do, however provide you with the option to go all out on style with your bed base, that is if you’re not tempted to drown it out in sumptuous soft bedding like the super appealing bedstead below!

Bedsteads are usually more ornate than a divan and come with many style configurations. We would argue that some of them are style over substance and you need to bear in mind whether you want a frame that looks incredible but performs poorly or a frame that’s maybe more subtle stylistically but performs correctly with your mattress.

A consideration with bedsteads is what to do to hide all the ‘stuff’ that will inevitably get stored under there!

Metal frames are notorious for being fiddly to put together, squeaky, and have unsuitable slat configurations, which can, over time, damage your mattress.

We have already detailed the issues with slats and how to overcome these in our detailed posts here. We must reiterate that a slatted bedstead still requires boarding for optimal usage. If not, sagging and dipping can occur.

What’s the best bed frame?

We’ve talked about the issues with cheaper bed frames and bedsteads that have hundreds of screws or parts to put together. In addition to this, most bed frames use slats, which given the expensive of a bedframe, is a really poor support choice.

The best type of bed frame is one that uses a fully upholstered base pad in place of the slats. These do cost more but are a far better investment. An upholstered bed frame and base pad will provide years of more support to your mattress and prevent the slats from damaging the mattress or causing an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

We have designed a range of bed frames with internal upholstered bed pads which are all hand made here in the UK with luxury upholstery. Click here to view them.

You'll need to periodically tighten each screw or to install small rubber washers in every joint when you put the frame together