Box springs are a commonly used item in most bedroom set-ups. While they can be very useful, they are often unattractive and many choose to cover them up. Before we get into how to cover a box spring, however, let’s talk about their pros and cons in terms of sleep, rest, durability, and room decor.
The box spring bed is popular because it sets the scene for complete rest and a great night’s sleep. Some of them even come fitted with drawers.
A box spring tends to move less, last longer than other types of beds, and causes the mattress to sag less. All great benefits so far. The problem for many, however, is that box springs aren't so easy on the eye.
What’s the problem with box springs?
Box springs have such a long life span, that manufacturers usually opt for dark tones or patterned fabric to hide the natural wear and tear and discoloration that they experience over time. This makes it difficult to match them with room interiors, ruining even the simplest of house designs.
Why should you cover a box spring?
There are several practical and design-related reasons to cover your box spring. We’ve compiled a list of five stellar reasons why you should cover your box spring, detailed below:
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A covered box spring frame stays cleaner for longer.
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It’s difficult to clean a box spring, but easier to clean a cover.
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When you cover your box spring, you immediately reduce the amount of dust that naturally accumulates around your bed frame.
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A covered box spring lasts even longer than one that isn’t covered.
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When you cover your box spring frame, you open the door to a world of bed frame decor possibilities.
3 common methods to cover your box spring
If improved sleep is more important to you than your room decor, then a box spring is the way to go, but you’ll need some help working out how to improve how it looks. The good news is that there are a variety of ideas to try and not all of them mean pulling out the credit card.
We’ll take a look at three of the most common methods first: specially designed box spring covers, a fitted sheet (not a flat sheet), or bespoke patterned upholstery. Then, we’ll move on to a few alternatives. Some box spring ideas are more expensive and difficult to achieve than others, but each idea is blessed with its individual charm.
1. Especially designed box spring covers
An easy way to dress your box spring is to buy a cover designed for that purpose. While this tends to be one of the least affordable ideas, it’s quick, stress-free, and long-lasting.
Buy the cover, stretch it over your box spring - they’re usually made with an elastic finish to adjust to different box spring heights - and you’re done. The fun part of a box spring cover is choosing the color, pattern, or type of material. Cotton is a popular choice, but synthetic box spring covers are also widely available.
Some box covers are made using a zipper, instead of an elastic finish, and some of them are even waterproof, which also adds to the durability factor.
Other box spring covers are made to offer six-sided protection, meaning the mattress is encased completely: top, bottom, and all four sides. For people who have skin allergies or breathing issues, there are certain lines of box spring covers that are made from bedbug-proof material.
2. Fitted sheets
The fitted sheet operates in exactly the same way as the specially designed cover, but it tends to be the cheaper option of the two.
What’s more, you’ll find a greater variety of sheet material, colors, and patterns when shopping for fitted sheets. This increase in variety means it’s easier to match your box springs with your bedroom decor.
You may even find that old fitted sheets, while no longer good enough for sleeping on, offer the ideal solution for box springs.
It’s easy to feel the rough texture of a worn-out sheet when sleeping on it at night, but an old fitted sheet has the potential as an effective, swish-looking box cover. Food for thought, right?
Fitted sheet measurementsIf you choose to go down the fitted sheets route, then you need to make sure you measure the size of your box spring mattress correctly. Not all box beds are the same, but if you use the standard box spring mattress measurement chart below, there’s less margin for error:
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Twin: 38 x 75-inches
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Full: 53 x 75-inches
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Queen: 60 x 80-inches
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King: 76 x 80-inches
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California King: 72 x 84-inches
Interested in some additional tips?… Remember that your box spring mattress has three measurements: width, length, and depth. While the mattress size gives you the width and length measurements, you’ll need to measure the depth of your box before you buy your fitted sheet.
Depending on how deep your box is, you might have to buy a fitted sheet with deep pockets or extra deep pockets. Otherwise, you’ll find that the depth of your elastic cover doesn’t give you the room needed to stretch over the entire box structure.
3. Bespoke patterned upholstery
One of the most affordable ways of covering your box spring mattress, and one of the most creative perhaps, is to take the quality upholstery approach.
Bear in mind that it takes more time, more effort, more planning, and more skill to implement, but if you’re up to the task then it can also be particularly fulfilling. Let’s explain in detail…
First up, you’ll need to gather all the necessary tools and equipment. You’ll need a quality staple gun, some fabric, a measuring device, scissors, and upholstery tape.
Be sure to use a staple gun that can hold 3/8-inch staples - normally possible in both lightweight and heavy-duty staple guns - as this staple size will offer greater stability over time.
Now for the steps…
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Wash your chosen fabric and let it dry.
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Place the staples in your staple gun.
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Cut your fabric into four squares, each one measuring one square foot, that you’ll use to cover each corner of your box spring.
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Measure the four lengths of your box spring and cut four more pieces of fabric to match those measurements, adding 2-3 inches to the longer sides and 5 inches to the width each time.
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Apply the upholstery tape in a square on the top side of your box spring, placing it 1 inch in from the edge of the box all the way around.
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Staple the fabric in place, making sure to staple through the fabric and the upholstery tape to give the fabric something strong to grip hold of.
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Turn the box over and repeat the same process.
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Add the fabric you cut for the corners, giving the corners of your box added strength and protection from the extra material.
Choosing colors, patterns, and fabrics
Whether you go for a specially designed box spring cover, a fitted sheet, or a DIY upholstered solution, it’s important to get the color, pattern, style, and fabric choice right.
So, what are the main factors to consider when in interior design mode? We’ve created a helpful list to point you in the right direction…
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Choose a neutral color, style or matching pattern that fits elegantly with your bed. In this way, you help to blend the box spring with the bed frame and create instant harmony.
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Don’t be afraid to go for a fresh style or color that you really like. There’s nothing to stop you from creating a box spring cover that grabs attention and generates interest. Give your box a little identity and personal flavor.
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Pay attention to basic elements of color theory. If you love lots of color, stick to complementaries - matching blue with orange, red with green, or purple with yellow - or work within the same tones, but varying saturation. For example, match a red bedroom and red bedding environment with a deep red or pastel pink box spring cover.
Bed skirts: ruffles and pleats
Bed skirts are widely used to cover the box spring and hide bedroom storage. As the name suggests, it’s an accessory that hangs like a skirt, tied between the mattress and the box spring itself at all four corners.
They’re a particularly popular option because they cover your box in an instant, hanging off the edge of the bed and covering the bed’s legs and bed frame.
Some skirts hang flat and smooth. Others are manufactured with pleats or ruffles. The design of the skirt affects the mood of the bedding environment, helping to make it feel either classic, modern, romantic, and the list goes on.
A few examples
The 1800 Collection Microfiber Pleated Bed Skirt is a popular bed skirt option, available in a range of neutral based colors. Mellanni also offers the Ruffle Skirted Bedspread, an elegant bed skirt that turns your bed environment into a place of comfort and luxury.
The beauty of this particular bed skirt lies in the crinkled, rustic texture of the microfiber fabric and the super long 30” skirt drop to not only cover ugly bed frames, but to hide underbed storage too.
The only real difficulty with a bed skirt is that it can be difficult to combine with existing bed sheets and other bed accessories. Mainly because the color and pattern range of bed skirts is noticeably less extensive.
The lengthy duvet coverYou don’t have to opt for a solution that aims to fit like a glove over your box and underbed storage. If you invest in an oversized duvet, the extra padded material that will naturally fall down the sides of your bed will be enough to cover your box bed and keep your bedroom floor looking neat and attractive.
The Velvet Pinsonic Duvet Cover by Mellanni is an oversized duvet cover that works really well on box springs. This beautifully plush-to-the-touch duvet cover set is a sophisticated alternative that not only protects your box in several ways, but heightens the luxury of your bedroom environment at the same time.
Build a frameIf you’re feeling particularly adventurous and creative, you can go beyond simply upholstering to cover the box spring and you can build a frame around your box bed and upholster the frame. Giving your box spring a frame increases its impact, especially when combined with a canopy, and adds an extra dash of dimension to the bed and floor area.
StickersOn a similar note, if you build a frame, you can consider covering that frame in creative adhesives instead of an upholstered finish. Easy-to-apply stickers are readily available for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and on most furniture surfaces. These same stickers can be applied to the four sides of a wood box frame that you build.
Beyond the standard boxWhile most box springs are fairly standard, there are a couple of variations worth noting. In particular, the low profile box spring. We elaborate below…
Covering a low profile box spring
There are two features that tend to distinguish the low-profile box spring from the regular box spring. The first is that the low-profile version tends to be a little shorter than the regular box, by a few inches. The second is that the low profile tends to look more modern in style than its regular counterpart.
Even so, the principles behind covering the box remain the same. You can use a fitted sheet, a specially designed box spring cover, or a DIY upholstered box spring cover. Just remember this tip: when choosing a fitted sheet, the cover measurement should always be a little longer than the longest measurement of the box.
Final thoughtsIn summary, the right way to cover a box spring will depend on how much time, money, and creativity you want to invest. It also depends a great deal on personal taste and how much you need to hide. Not everyone wants a box covered in dust ruffles, pleats that reach the bedroom floor, or bedding that can live up to the majestic details of a canopy.
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If you've decided to save some money, the more accessible microfiber items, like the 1800 Collection Microfiber Pleated Bed Skirt provide a good option. This is the option to hide ugly bed legs.
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If you want something a little more elaborate that could match the luxurious look of a canopy, try the Ruffle Skirted Bedspread. This is the option to hide lots of storage.
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If you’re looking for more options and to save money, sign for the oversized Velvet Duvet Cover. This is particularly true if you have a sleigh bed made from wood to hide.
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