Bed base ottoman verses sprung base

Hi Melanie,

Thank you for your question. The type of base you put a mattress on can affect how the mattress feels.

A pocket-sprung base, such as our Artisan base, has pocket springs in the top to cushion the mattress. Most natural fibre mattresses, like our Artisan range, are designed for this type of base. Pairing the natural fibre mattress with a pocket-sprung base gives you the true described feel. Putting this type of mattress onto a platform or slatted base will firm up the internal support of the mattress slightly, but still give the same cushioning in the top layers. The storage for this type of base is limited to a maximum of four full-sized drawers.

Ottoman bases are available in either a platform top or slatted options and have a great deal more storage. The platform top version will provide a mattress with a uniform surface which supports the whole mattress. Mattresses that are designed for a platform base, such as our Origins range, would get the true described feel on this type of base, but putting them on a pocket sprung base would give the mattress a softer overall feel.

With slatted bases, flat slats are better than sprung slats. Sometimes, a mattress can sit at the top of the arches of a sprung slatted base instead of pushing them down. When this happens, you can find yourself rolling into the middle, or it can look as if the mattress has sagged in the middle. If this does happen, placing a piece of MDF or Plywood along the centre, bridging the two arches, can solve the problem. You should also check the space between the slats, if this is less than 3 inches, we recommend covering the slats with an old or cheap duvet or blanket to protect the upholstery layers on the underside of the mattress from indentations and possible staining. If the gap is more than 3 inches, you would need to board over the base with MDF or Plywood to prevent the springs from settling in the gap. When this happens, you do not get the correct level of support, and it will damage your mattress.

Comfort is subjective to each individual, and it personal preference as to which mattress you put on which type of base. If you have a natural fibre mattress that is designed for a pocket sprung base but you prefer a more supportive feel, putting it onto a platform type base will achieve this, likewise, if you have a manmade fibre mattress and would prefer it to feel softer, it would be better to put it on a pocket sprung base. You can also alter how the mattress feels by adding a separate mattress topper, which will provide a softer, more cushioning feel.

I hope this helps and if you would like any further information or would like to discuss your individual needs, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419.

Kind Regards

Michaela