7 Alternatives to Box Springs Memory Foam Mattress. Innerspring Mattress. Hybrid Mattress. Platform Bed. Adjustable Bed. Slats. Nothing. Click to see full answer. Similarly, you may ask, what is an alternative to a box spring?Wood Slats; a High or Low-Profile Box Spring Alternative. A wood foundation – also known as wood slats, a ready to assemble (RTA foundation), or knock down (KD) foundation– is a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional box spring foundations.Also, can I use a piece of plywood instead of a box spring? No you don’t need one IF you have a foundation for the mattress to lay on, a thick sheet of plywood would do, since that is basically what a box spring us though you bed will lie 4-6 inches lower if you only have a 4 inch typical mattress. So, if you want to buy a firmer mattress, just remove the box spring instead. Regarding this, do you really need a box spring? Unless your bed frame still uses slats for support, you do not need a box spring, according to Orders. Box springs were first invented to help absorb shock since mattresses themselves were so much thinner back then. All you need is a solid platform underneath your mattress for support.Can you sleep on a mattress without a box spring?It is simple, you can sleep on a mattress without a box spring comfortably and there are a few different ways to do it. Some have a little flexibility and these we call semi flex boxsprings. The truth is most bases do not flex or give so they essentially add nothing to the comfort or support of a mattress.