Expert: Jamie Yocono - 3/19/2009

Question
Hi,not sure if you can help or not but I recently moved and cannot fit my queen size boxspring up the stairs of my new place. The box spring itself has a metal grid spanning the entire underside of the box spring so cutting it is not an option. I'm looking for suggestions on a cheap way to be able to use my mattress without a box spring but not leaving it laying on the floor. I have a bed frame so is there anyway to incorporate wood slats in order to support the mattress? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer
Tiffany,

As long as your mattress is supported underneath, you can get away without using a box spring. You can use slats, or solid paneling, like plywood.

What I suggest is measuring the size (I'm guessing 60" x 80") and then using two wide plywood "strips" running head to foot. So you would need to cut the plywood down to two pieces: 30" x 80". They will sit side by side.

It will take two sheets of plywood, and unfortunately, you will have waste. Under that one seam in the middle, you will need to put a center support. It doesn't have to be fancy, but if you don't put one, your mattress will sag in the middle. You can use a short piece of 4 x 4. Measure the distance from under the plywood to the floor, then prop that "leg" in place. The weight of the plywood should keep it in place, although if you really want to be careful, you could screw down through your plywood into the 4 x 4, so it doesn't move. Make sure both pieces of plywood are supported by that 4 x 4.

I mentioned you could also use slats, but I feel like those would be more costly, and each piece might need that center support. So that's why plywood would probably be better.

Good luck, write back if you have any other questions. It shouldn't be too hard to do, and hopefully, you can get those cuts made wherever you buy the plywood.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com