how to build a memory foam mattress foundation

How to Build a Memory Foam Mattress Foundation For RVers

For most of the time, memory foam mattresses often provide their users with excellent back relief and quality sleeping time. They could accommodate a variety of body position and able to minimize motion transfer which makes them a good choice for picky sleepers. However, if you truly want to get the most out of a memory foam mattress, you also need to pair with a sturdy foundation. In the case market foundations are unable to match your need and requirement then this article is for you. Down below, you could learn how to build a memory foam mattress foundation with some simple steps using a couple of household tools and widely available materials.      

Individual preferences and personal demands vary a lot from people to people so you don’t have to strictly follow the information listed here. Be flexible and ready to improvise so as to make the foundation design a better match for your own situation. Details could be added or removed as long as you feel that the changes are absolutely needed, it’s your foundation after all. To prevent wasting material unnecessarily, it’s advised that you calculate the specification of the foundation beforehand and incorporate them into a blueprint. That should let you use the material in an efficient manner and substantially cut down the overall working time.

The ideal design of a foundation would be a wooden box frame with a middle support and a multitude of wooden slats. You could easily plan the foundation dimension base on the weight it has to support which include the mattress and the mattress users.

The Preparation     

memory foam mattress foundation
How to build a memory foam mattress foundation: What should we prepare?

In the usual case, the best material for a DIY memory foam mattress foundation would be wood since it’s quite light and affordable. Stop by the local hardware store then grab a couple of wood beams and planks, these shall form the frame of the foundation.  The dimension of the wood planks and beams are dictated by the design of foundation, use the blueprint to make a wise investment. While you are at it, stock up on screws and nails as well because you are going to use a lot of them. Should you want to have a high bed then you could purchase some bed risers, they are pretty cheap and easy to use.

About the tools and gears, you don’t have to use sophisticated stuff, your toolbox and workbench should have all the required items. Namely, you will need a circular saw, a hammer, an electric drill, a tape measure and a marker. There would be a lot of sawdust and splinter so you better equip yourself with proper protective gear. A face mask, a pair of goggles and gloves should be sufficient, put them on before you attempt to work on the wooden material. When you have everything then it’s time to get to work.

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How to Build a Memory Foam Mattress Foundation: The Process

Step 1: Measure, mark and cut

The first step is straightforward, all you have to do is to cut out the wood base on the specification of the blueprint. Every cut should be regular 90 degrees cut with no hassle, you should able to finish everything in a blink of an eye. Repeat the process again and again until you have all the components of the foundation by your side with precise size and shape. After you done, there would be a fair amount of wooden scrap leftover but don’t throw them away just yet. You could use them to reinforce the foundation later all or simply save them for later projects.

Step 2: Attach the lips

mattress foundation
How to build a memory foam mattress foundation easily with some simple steps!

The lips function is to support the foundation slats, you could reuse the wood scrap to save material but keep them evenly paced. Due to its important duty, the lip size must be carefully calculated in order for it to uphold the foundation slats reliably. Do a shoddy job here and the entire thing could collapse when you lay the mattress memory foam over the foundation box later. When everything seems ideal, secure the lips into the interior side of the foundation frames using a series of nails and screw.

Step 3: Add the center support and build the outer box

Same as the lips and the slats, use scrap material to set up the center support then secure it with nail and screw. After that, drill the corners of the box frame to prepare for the final assembly, a 45 degrees angle is usually preferred. Three screws for each of the foundation corner should be enough to keep the pieces tightly attached together.  It’s best to employ long screws in order to keep the connection secure for as long as possible. You could use additional screw if you wish to play it safe.

Step 4: Arrange the slats

Memory Foam Mattress Foundation

There is nothing really complicated about this step, just lay out the slats and secure them using a couple of screws and nails. Most of the slats would be concentrated on the top but do remember to add some on the bottom as well. You don’t really have to keep every foundation component symmetrical, a bit of deviation here and there are totally acceptable. Some of the pieces could be a bit thin which mean you probably need to pre-drill them first to achieve a smooth assembly. A countersink would be an excellent tool for such task.  

Step 5: Reinforce the underside, slide in the risers and lay the mattress

The guide on how to build a memory foam mattress foundation now comes to the very last step. Cut a couple of 45-degree angle cross braces and use them to strengthen the underside of the foundation frame. That should substantially enhance the structural integrity of the foundation, you could pre-drill them if you like.   

In the case you want a high bed, you could attach simple triangle bed leg and slide in the bed risers. After that, the foundation should be ready to be used. Order a fresh memory foam mattress, bring it to the foundation and let it lay over the frame for a few days. After the mattress is properly expanded, you would have a better place to rest your back after a long day going on RVing trip.

Last Updated on December 8, 2021

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