The IKEA Luroy and Espevar serve entirely different functions for your bed setup: the Luroy is a simple slatted part that sits inside a bed frame to support your mattress, while the Espevar is a complete slatted foundation that can act as a standalone bed base or replace a box spring. The key difference comes down to structure, support, and price, with Luroy being an inexpensive component and Espevar being a robust, foundational furniture piece.
Here’s what you need to know to decide between adding simple slats a la carte or investing in a full support system from IKEA.
IKEA Luroy Slatted Bed Base
The Luroy is IKEA’s most basic and budget-friendly solution for mattress support. It’s essentially a set of layered-glued birch slats held together by ribbon, designed to be rolled out and placed within an existing bed frame. It provides mattress ventilation and flexible, minimal support without adding height or bulk to your bed.
- What it is: An entry-level slatted mattress support designed to sit within a dedicated bed frame with side rails and a center support beam.
- Key features: Composed of multiple layered-glued birch slats, curves gently to respond to body weight, is sold rolled for easy transport.
- Price: $30 - $70, depending on size (Twin, Full, Queen, King).
- Dimensions: Designed to fit standard IKEA Twin, Full/Double, Queen, and King bed frames.
- Materials/Construction: The slats are made from laminated wood veneer (primarily birch), held in place by 100% polyester ribbon.
- Pros: Extremely affordable and budget-friendly. Lightweight and very easy to transport home. Offers better ventilation for your mattress than a solid platform or bunkie board. Installs in seconds - just unroll it in the frame.
- Cons: Provides minimal support and may not be suitable for very heavy mattresses or individuals. Slats can sometimes slip or break under significant pressure. It requires a bed frame with a center support beam, it cannot be used on its own.
Luroy is the perfect choice for anyone who already owns a compatible bed frame and is looking for the most economical way to support a lightweight mattress.
Shop this product: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/luroey-slatted-bed-base-30160209/
IKEA Espevar Slatted Mattress Base
The Espevar is a complete mattress foundation that functions as a modern alternative to a traditional box spring. It consists of a sturdy solid wood frame with inner slats, which you can place inside a larger bed frame or use as a standalone divan-style bed by adding legs and an upholstered cover. It offers a firm, even, and highly durable base of support for any type of mattress.
- What it is: A solid wood mattress foundation that either replaces a box spring or serves as a customizable, standalone bed base.
- Key features: Solid pine and spruce wood frame construction, provides a completely flat and stable surface. You can customize it by adding different styles of IKEA legs and fabric covers (sold separately).
- Price: ~ $300 - $500 for a typical complete setup (base + required slats + legs + cover).
- Dimensions: Available in all standard mattress sizes, with a height of 7 7/8”.
- Materials/Construction: A robust frame made of solid pine and spruce. The design offers significantly more rigidity and stability than slats alone. A slatted base (like Luroy) is placed inside the frame to complete the system.
- Pros: Provides firm, even support that can help extend the life of your mattress. Highly customizable with choices of legs and slipcovers. Can be used as a simple and modern standalone bed. Much more durable than basic slats alone.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than just slats. Heavy and bulkier, making it harder to transport and assemble. Full setup requires purchasing several separate components (base, slats, legs, cover).
The Espevar is ideal for those who need a solid, long-term foundation for their mattress or want to create a minimalist divan-style bed without a traditional headboard and footboard.
Shop this product: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/espevaer-slatted-mattress-base-80307162/
Luroy vs. Espevar Comparison
Structure & Purpose
This is the most critical difference. The Luroy is not a bed - it's a component. It is a roll of flexible wooden slats that require an independent, surrounding bed frame to function. Its sole purpose is to provide a low-cost, slightly springy surface for a mattress to rest on inside that frame.
The Espevar is a structural foundation. It's a rigid, solid wood box designed to fully support a mattress across its entire surface area. Because it has its own rigid frame, it doesn't bend or flex. While it utilizes a slatted base like the Luroy inside of its structure, its main job is to provide unyielding, flat support, similar to a box spring or platform foundation.
Support & Durability
The Luroy offers flexible, basic support. Its laminated slats have a slight upward curve to gently respond to movement, which can feel comfortable under a lightweight foam mattress. However, the slats are relatively thin and spaced apart, making them less suitable for heavy hybrid or pocket-coil mattresses that require a more solid base to prevent sagging over time.
The Espevar system provides significantly more support. The tough wooden frame creates a perfectly even perimeter and cross-support, ensuring the mattress above doesn't dip or develop soft spots. This durable structure is built for longevity and is a much better choice for protecting your investment in a high-quality, heavy mattress.
Price & Value
There's a massive price gap between these two products. A set of Luroy slats might cost you less than a takeout dinner, making it an unbeatable value for anyone on a strict budget. It does one specific job at the lowest possible price point.
The Espevar, when purchased with the necessary legs and cover, represents a significant investment closer to the cost of an actual bed frame. However, its value comes from its durability, mattress-protecting support, and chic, customizable aesthetic. It is a long-term furniture piece, not a simple accessory.
Versatility & Customization
The Luroy offers no customization, it is a utility item. The only choice you make is the size for your bed frame.
The Espevar is defined by its versatility. You can use it as a hidden foundation inside a bed frame, or it can become your visible bed base by choosing legs (styles range from minimal birch to sleek metal) and a slipcover (available in different neutral colors like beige and dark grey). This allows it to adapt to different bedroom styles, from Scandinavian to modern industrial.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both IKEA products are useful, but they solve completely different bedding needs and budgets.
Choose the Luroy if:
- You already have a dedicated bed frame with a center support rail and just need slats.
- You are on an extremely tight budget and need the most affordable option.
- You have a lightweight foam or twin mattress in a guest room or for a child.
- You value ease of transport and want something you can carry out of the store in one hand.
Choose the Espevar if:
- You want to build a simple, modern divan or platform bed without a bulky frame.
- You need a durable foundation to replace a traditional, old-fashioned box spring.
- You have invested in a heavy, high-quality mattress and want to give it firm, even support.
- Customization is important, and you like the idea of choosing your own legs and covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Luroy and Espevar?
The main difference is their function. The Luroy is simply a roll of wooden slats that supports a mattress inside of a bed frame. The Espevar is a solid wood foundation - like a modern box spring - that can be used on its own with legs or be placed inside a frame to provide robust support.
Do I need an Espevar if I already have a bed frame?
Not necessarily. If your bed frame has side rails and a center support beam designed to hold slats, you only need an affordable slatted base like Luroy. You would only use an Espevar inside another frame if that frame lacks its own support system and is designed to hold a foundation or box spring.
Can I use Luroy slats with the Espevar base?
Yes. The Espevar base is essentially a sturdy wooden box frame. It is designed to be completed by adding a slatted base like Luroy (or IKEA's more robust Lonset slats) inside of it.
Is the Espevar a complete bed frame?
It can function as a complete, minimal bed base, but it is not a traditional bed frame as it does not have a headboard or footboard. By adding legs and a fabric cover (sold separately), it creates a finished, contemporary-looking divan bed.
Is the Luroy enough support for any mattress?
No. While Luroy works well for many lighter foam or futon-style mattresses, it is not recommended for very heavy memory foam, hybrid, or latex mattresses. These heavier types require more solid, continuous support found in a foundation like Espevar or a platform bed to prevent sagging and ensure their warranty remains valid.
Why is the Espevar so much more expensive?
The price reflects the materials and construction. Espevar is a substantial piece of furniture made from a solid pine and spruce wood frame. The cost covers a durable, structural item meant to last for years, whereas the Luroy is a simple, lightweight accessory made of thin laminated wood veneers.
Does the Espevar come with legs and a cover?
No, the legs and a matching upholstered slipcover must be purchased separately. This modular approach allows you to customize the final look of the bed base to match your decor.
Which is easier to transport?
The Luroy is exceptionally easy to transport. It comes tightly rolled in a compact box that can easily fit in any car. The Espevar is sold flat-packed, but the wooden frame components are large, heavy, and will require a larger vehicle or delivery.
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