How to Choose the Right Bed Base (2026 Guide)

The bed base does half the mattress's work and almost nobody thinks about it. It is the base that supports the mattress, sets the ventilation underneath and, in many cases, the firmness you feel. If the mattress is good but you sleep badly, the base may be the cause.

This guide shows how to choose the right bed base for your mattress and for your bedroom.

The three types of bed base

• Fixed slats: the most common base. Wooden slats that ventilate the mattress and give firm support. Good value for money.
• Adjustable slats: they allow the firmness to be adjusted by zone (shoulders, lower back). Useful if you have localised pain.
• Box bed base with storage: a closed base that opens to store bed linen. You gain space in a small bedroom.

Ventilation: why it matters

A mattress perspires. Without air underneath, moisture stays trapped and mites and odours appear. A slatted base with spacing lets the mattress breathe on both sides. If you have a spring or memory foam mattress, the ventilation of the base extends its life.

Matching the bed base to the mattress

The simple rule: the heavier the mattress, the sturdier the base. A 26 cm pocket spring mattress needs firm, even support. Slats that are too far apart let the mattress sink in the middle and cause early wear.

If you are changing mattress, it is worth reviewing the base at the same time. A new mattress on an old, sagging base lasts less.

Height and the rest of the bedroom

The height of the set (bed base plus mattress) changes the comfort of getting into and out of bed. For most adults, a mattress surface between 50 and 60 cm from the floor is comfortable. Add the height of the bed base to that of the mattress before deciding.

All Dreamura bed bases are 30 cm in total height. What changes between models is the split between box and leg — on the Himeji the leg is 3 cm, on the Okinawa 16 cm and on the Tapi Kobe 26.5 cm — and that is what decides what fits under the bed.

If you are going to add a headboard, check that the measurements are compatible. See the Dreamura headboards and the guide on how to choose a headboard, which explains the height calculation.

The Dreamura bed bases

There are six models in the range — Tapi Kobe, Himeji, Nara, Akita, Okinawa and Sendai — across a total of ten references, depending on the leg finish. Prices go from 279 € (Tapi Kobe, 190x90) to 929 € (Sendai, 200x180).

The Sendai is the only one with interior storage, opening by lifting. The Nara and the Akita are slatted bases with tapered, rectangular or metal legs. The Okinawa has no visible legs and rests on the floor. All with a steel frame and a wooden slatted top, made in Portugal, with a 3-year warranty and free delivery in 5 working days.

See the full collection at All Bed Bases.

In summary

Choose by the ventilation, by the support your mattress requires and by the height that suits you. If you are short on storage, a box bed base solves two problems at once.

If you are unsure which base goes with your mattress, call me. I can help in 10 minutes on the phone, with no obligation.

— Ana Cristina, Dreamura Sleep Advisor · Talk to me

Frequently asked questions

How many bed bases does Dreamura have and at what price?
There are six models — Tapi Kobe, Himeji, Nara, Akita, Okinawa and Sendai — across ten references depending on the leg finish. Prices go from 279 € to 929 €, depending on the model and the size.

What height are the Dreamura bed bases?
All are 30 cm in total height. What changes between models is the split between the box and the leg: a 3 cm leg on the Himeji, 16 cm on the Okinawa and 26.5 cm on the Tapi Kobe. That is what decides what fits under the bed.

Which Dreamura bed base has storage?
The Sendai, which opens by lifting. It is the only one in the range with interior storage.

Do I need to change the bed base when I change the mattress?
Not always, but it is worth checking. A base with sagging slats transfers the fault to the new mattress and shortens its life. Look at the base from the side: if the slats are already curved, replace it.

How high off the floor should the bed be?
For most adults, a mattress surface between 50 and 60 cm from the floor is comfortable for getting into and out of bed. Add the height of the bed base to that of the mattress: with a 30 cm bed base and a 26 cm mattress, the bed sits at 56 cm.

Still choosing a mattress? See the guide to choosing the ideal mattress.