The right foundation can make all the difference when it comes to getting quality sleep and prolonging the life of your mattress. A bunkie board provides a stable foundation for a mattress to rest on without drastically changing the height of your bed. But, what is a bunkie board – actually? Keep reading to get the inside scoop on this bed essential.

What Is a Bunkie Board?
Bunkie Boards vs. Alternative Mattress Foundations
Types of Bunkie Boards
Benefits of Using a Bunkie Board
Bunkie Board Size Options
When to Use a Bunkie Board

What Is a Bunkie Board?

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A bunkie board is a type of mattress foundation that can be used instead of a box spring as a thinner, more budget-friendly option. Originally, bunkie boards were used in place of box springs on bunk beds to ensure that the height of the mattress was lower than the guard rails (safety first!). Now, they're used on all kinds of bed frames. Bunkie boards rest snugly inside the bed frame and keep mattresses from sagging if the bed frame has minimal under-mattress support. They also come in a variety of sizes and design configurations to accommodate your bed frame and sleep support needs.

Bunkie Boards vs. Alternative Mattress Foundations

Now that we've answered "what is a bunkie board?", let's compare your options and clarify a few things.

Bunkie Board vs. Box Spring

The main difference between a bunkie board and a box spring is thickness. While bunkie boards are around 2" thick, standard box springs are around 9" thick. It all comes down to your ideal bed/mattress height. Opt for a bunkie board if you want to keep a low profile and make it easier to get in and out of bed. You also need to consider the height of your headboard, as elevated mattresses can make the headboard appear shorter.

Then there's construction. While bunkie boards are made of solid or slat wood panels , box springs are made of a fabric-covered wood/metal frame and "springs" that help absorb movement and promote airflow. This makes bunkie boards ideal if you want to firm up your mattress, while box springs are better suited to make a mattress feel softer.

Their difference in construction also impacts how much they weigh. Bunkie boards weigh around 30 lbs., while box springs weigh up to 100 lbs. Review our What Is a Box Spring? guide to learn more about this option.

Bunkie Board vs. Plywood

Bunkie boards are available in a variety of materials, including plywood (thin sheets of wood glued together), which is why they're often compared to one another. You can use a large piece of plywood in place of a bunkie board. However, plywood bunkie boards are designed specifically with support and airflow in mind.

Bunkie Board vs. Slats

Bunkie boards can also be made using a wood-slat design, which is why they're confused with bed frames that have built-in slats or platform beds. Slat-style bunkie boards are just the wooden slats, minus the bed frame! More on slat-style bunkie boards in the types section.

Types of Bunkie Boards

Bunkie boards can be separated into two categories – slatted or solid construction. In this section, we review each type and go over material options.

Slatted

Slat-style bunkie boards allow you to apply the same level of structure and air circulation commonly seen in slatted bed frames and platform beds to any bed frame with minimal under-bed supports. These usually include exposed wood or metal slats that rest inside the bed frame above the bed frame's central supports. In some cases, the slats are fabric-covered. It's important to note that if you have a foam or latex mattress, they might sag into the openings between the slats. However, that's where solid bunkie boards come in!

Solid Panel

Solid bunkie boards consist of one or more solid panels that rest in the bed frame. These are either made of a solid sheet of plywood or particle board or closely placed wood slats with a fabric cover. These pair well with latex or foam mattresses because they prevent the mattress from sagging or pressing into openings between wood slats. This ultimately promotes the lifespan of foam and latex mattresses while ensuring the most comfortable sleep.

Both types of bunkie boards are available in a range of materials. Here is an overview of your options and which material works best for your needs.

Solid Wood: Solid wood bunkie boards are usually on the higher end of the price point and are heavier to move because they're made of cuts of wood that come straight from the tree. However, this also makes them ultra-durable and long-lasting because they have the natural strength and flexibility of wood fibers.
Plywood: As mentioned, plywood bunkie boards are made up of thin wood sheets glued together, resulting in a type of engineered wood. The result is a lightweight, budget-friendly alternative to solid wood varieties.
Particle Board: Particle board bunkie boards are made using a blend of resin and wood chips. This is another type of engineered wood. Due to its construction, particle board is the most budget-friendly material option for bunkie boards. However, they'll likely need to be replaced sooner because they don't have the same strength as solid wood or plywood.

Tip!

Review What Is Engineered Wood & How Is It Made? for a more in-depth comparison of solid wood and engineered wood options.

Metal: Metal bunkie boards can support the most weight and are made to last. These are usually made of durable steel and have a slatted design to ensure comfort and airflow beneath the mattress.

Benefits of Using a Bunkie Board

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With a better understanding of what a bunkie board is, here are some of the key benefits you can expect.

• Budget-Friendly: Compared to other mattress foundations, bunkie boards are super budget-friendly. This is because they have a thinner construction and a basic framework.
• Lightweight: Bunkie boards are also more lightweight in comparison to other mattress foundations due to their construction and the materials used, which makes them ideal for people who have to move frequently (like renters). This is especially true for particle board or plywood bunkie boards. Solid wood and metal bunkie boards may be heavier depending on the design.
• Lower-Profile: Whether you have a super thick mattress that already adds height to your bed, you like the look of a tall headboard, you need to be able to get in and out of bed easily, or all of the above, a bunkie board could be the perfect solution. Because it's thinner than even the thinnest box springs (2" compared to 5"), you can get the under-mattress support you deserve without altering the look and height of your bed.
• Firmer Feel: Bunkie boards can also help make your mattress feel firmer because of their thin, spring-free construction. This is especially helpful if your mattress has softened after years of use or you just need more support as you sleep.

Bunkie Board Size Options

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So, what size bunkie board do you need? Bunkie boards are designed to accommodate the size of your mattress. So if you have a full-size mattress, you'll want a full-size bunkie board. Choosing the right size ensures that the board will provide adequate support across the bottom of the mattress and will also fit within your bed frame. Below is an overview of bunkie board sizes and measurements to help you select the best option.

Twin or Twin XL: Twin bunkie boards are designed to accommodate a twin-size mattress and measure 38" W x 75" L. Twin XL bunkie boards are designed to be slightly longer (like twin XL mattresses), measuring 38" W x 80" L.

Full or Full XL: If you have a full-size mattress, a full-size bunkie board is the way to go. They measure 54" W x 75" L. If you have a full XL mattress, there's a bunkie board for you, too! These are usually 54" W x 80" L.

Queen: For queen-size mattresses, you'll need a matching queen-size bunkie board. These measure 60" W x 80" L to match queen mattress sizes exactly.

King or California King: A king-size mattress will require a king-size bunkie board that measures 76" W x 80" L. Have a California king? There are also 72" W x 84" L bunkie boards to accommodate your mattress size. For these types of mattresses, most bunkie boards come in split configurations of two twin-size boards or another split configuration that helps distribute the weight of the mattress evenly across the bed frame.

When to Use a Bunkie Board

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So, do you need a bunkie board? Here are some signs that a bunkie board is right for you and some examples of what a bunkie board is used for:

• If you enjoy the look of a lower-profile bed
• If you're budget-conscious but need a bit more support under your mattress
• If your mattress has started to wear out/soften and you want to firm it up
• If the new mattress you purchased feels too soft
• If you want to make it easier or more accessible to get in and out of bed
• If you notice your mattress starting to sag as a result of your bed frame
• If you have a box spring that's starting to wear out and you need added support that doesn't drastically change the height of your bed
• If you have bunk beds that require more under-mattress support but you don't want the mattress to rest above the level of the safety guardrails
• If you have a platform bed that needs more support but you want to maintain the bed height/aesthetic look

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