Most of the time, you can’t place a mattress straight onto a bed frame. Bed frames aren’t the same as mattress foundations, meaning they won’t support a mattress properly. Placing your mattress on an improper foundation causes it to wear down rapidly and voids most warranties. To determine the type of bed base you need, it is important to consider the type of mattress you have. If a bed frame has slats no more than 3 inches apart or is completely solid, then it works as a foundation and you can use it on its own. Memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses should be placed on a solid, flat surface or slats spaced no more than 3 inches apart.