Do IKEA Beds Come With Slats? The Complete 2026 Guide
I know you‘re eager to get a good night‘s sleep on your new IKEA bed. But before you assemble it, you likely have one burning question:
Do IKEA beds come with slats?
The short answer is:
IKEA mattresses do not come with slats. But IKEA bed frames include slats when purchased.
Keep reading and I‘ll explain everything you need to know about IKEA bed slats as a fellow IKEA shopper.
By the end, you‘ll be a total IKEA bed slat expert!
What Are Bed Slats and Why Do You Need Them?
Before we dive into IKEA specifics, let‘s cover the basics: what exactly are bed slats and why are they necessary?
Bed slats are thin, wooden boards that run horizontally across your bed frame to support the mattress. They provide a flat surface so you don‘t feel the bars of the bed frame sticking into your back!
Slats also:
- Distribute body weight evenly to prevent sagging
- Allow air circulation under the mattress to extend its life
- Provide flex and shock absorption for comfort
Without slats, your mattress would sink through the open bed frame which is very bad for spinal alignment and comfort!
So slats play a crucial role in providing the cushioning layer between your body and the hard frame.
Now let‘s look at IKEA‘s specific slat recommendations…
The IKEA Bed Slat Lowdown: What You Need to Know
IKEA is known for selling affordable, trendy furniture. But as an experienced IKEA shopper, I know their instruction manuals leave something to be desired!
When it comes to IKEA bed slats, here‘s what you need to know:
IKEA Mattresses Don‘t Come With Slats
If you purchase an IKEA mattress on its own, it does not come with slats included. You‘ll need to buy slats separately to support it.
However…
IKEA Bed Frames Include Slats
This is where it gets confusing.
While IKEA mattresses don‘t come with slats, IKEA bed frames DO include slats as part of the frame purchase.
So if you buy a complete bed frame like the popular MALM or HEMNES models, slats will already be built into the price and design.
Phew, hope this clears up the slat confusion! Always double check that slats are included with any IKEA bed frame before purchasing.
According to IKEA‘s website, their frames are specially designed to work with their own slats for optimal durability and warranty coverage.
IKEA bed frames include slats, like this MALM model
Now let‘s dive deeper into the specifics…
Spacing Between IKEA Bed Slats
IKEA slats are spaced 2-3 inches apart on average.
This follows the general recommendation for adequate mattress support:
| Bed Type | Slat Spacing |
|---|---|
| Adult Beds | 2-3 inches |
| Child Beds | 1.5-2 inches |
| Infant Cribs | 1-1.5 inches |
Slats spaced too far apart can create pressure points and sagging. IKEA‘s standard slats fall right in the ideal range.
They also offer "reinforced slats" with extra support beams spaced closer together for added shock absorption.
Are Slats Necessary for IKEA Beds?
In short – yes, slats are required for most IKEA bed frames.
Without slats, the mattress sinks through the open frame. No bueno!
IKEA specifies that their bed frames are designed to only be used with their own slats. Mismatching random slats from another brand risks damaging the frame.
So I highly recommend using IKEA slats even if you have some leftover slats from a previous bed. Protect your investment by getting slats tailored to your new IKEA bed.
And the good news is IKEA‘s slats are very competitively priced. More on pricing coming up!
Do You Need a Mid-Beam for IKEA Beds?
Some IKEA frames require a mid-beam for extra support along the center of the bed.
For larger beds especially, this mid-beam helps prevent sagging by reinforcing the middle.
The Skorva mid-beam is commonly used with many IKEA bed models. If your frame needs one, the mid-beam is usually included in the price both in-store and online.
Definitely double check your specific frame‘s assembly instructions to see if a mid-beam is required or not. Then make sure to grab it!
How to Stop IKEA Slats From Sliding Down
Ah yes, the dreaded falling IKEA slats problem!
IKEA‘s basic ribba slats are just held together with a piece of ribbon. So it‘s common for them to loosen up and collapse over time.
Nobody likes waking up collapsed into the bed frame – ouch!
Here are some quick solutions to secure those slippery suckers:
-
Velcro strips – Stick velcro adhesive strips onto the slats and frame. Holds tight but still allows for removal.
-
Duct tape – Run strips of duct tape perpendicular across the slats. A more permanent securer.
-
Super glue – For an incredibly strong hold, apply super glue between slats and frame. Almost impossible to remove after!
-
Tie wire – Tightly tie pieces of wire around the slats and bed frame. Must cut wire off to detach.
I like the velcro strips for easy fastening while still keeping the option to remove slats open. Duct tape also does the trick on a budget!
Can You Make Your Own IKEA Bed Slats?
Now, maybe your IKEA slats are broken beyond repair or you want to get crafty.
Is it possible to DIY your own IKEA bed slats?
The short answer – yes, you can absolutely make custom slats to fit IKEA beds with some woodworking skill.
There are a bunch of handy online tutorials for constructing IKEA-compatible slats. They provide step-by-step guidance for the complete build process.
However, DIY slats do require:
- Woodworking experience
- Specialty tools like a circular saw, drill, sander etc.
- Purchasing quality lumber
- A significant time investment
So if you‘re not inclined to woodwork, buying replacement slats will save you lots of hassle. Though the ambitious DIYer can certainly take it on!
IKEA Bed Slats Buying Guide
If you need to buy replacement slats from IKEA directly, here‘s a quick buying guide:
Ribba Slats
Ribba slats come in two options:
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Ribba Standard Slats | $10 – $20 |
| Ribba Reinforced Slats | $20 – $40 |
The standard Ribba slats offer an affordable option at just $10 – $20 for a queen.
Go reinforced if you need extra support beams with less space between slats. But the standard should suffice for most.
Lonset Slats
Lonset slats are another quality pick priced similarly:
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Twin | $20 |
| Full | $30 |
| Queen | $40 |
So $20 – $40 depending on what size bed you have.
Sultan Slats
Finally, the Sultan slats range from $15 – $30:
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Twin | $15 |
| Full/Queen | $25 |
| King | $30 |
As you can see, IKEA slats are all very reasonably priced, usually $15 – $40 depending on size and style.
The standard Ribba slats offer the best value if you‘re on a budget. But any of these options will give you a durable IKEA-tailored fit.
The Bottom Line
Let‘s do a quick rundown of the key points:
Do IKEA beds come with slats?
- IKEA mattresses do NOT include slats
- IKEA bed frames DO include slats
Other need-to-knows:
- Slats are required for most IKEA beds
- Use IKEA slats for optimal fit and warranty coverage
- Standard slats are spaced 2-3 inches apart
- Reinforced slats are available for added support
- Some IKEA frames need a mid-beam
- Securing loose slats prevents collapses
- DIY slats are possible but require woodworking skills
Got all that? You‘re now fully versed in the world of IKEA bed slats!
Follow this advice for smooth slat shopping and sleep easy knowing your new IKEA bed is properly supported. Sweet dreams!