Slats to support a box spring?

I have recently switched from a metal platform bed to an older, full-sized bed with headboard, footboard, and side rails. I am new to the whole concept of a box spring. I have a full-sized one that I bought, but it's a little small, width-wise for the bed frame. I've been reading that a box spring is supposed to take the place of bed slats, but I don't see how the box spring could be supported without it. Could I use slats to help support my my box spring? Will it ruin the bed?

2015-08-28T17:37:52Z

The box spring isn't small by that much--maybe two inches altogether. This is not a case of me ordering the wrong box spring size. It's large enough to look like it fits, but it won't catch on the side rails.

babyboomer10012015-08-31T01:25:56Z

It sounds like your bed is not suppose to have a box spring at all. Put the mattress on top of the slats. That is all that is needed and all that should be there. For beds that do require a box spring, they are years outdated. Beds that do not have slats, now require a foundation and a mattress on top of that.

yankee_sailor2015-08-28T10:14:48Z

Your box spring is too small for the frame.....a double trying to fit a queen, a queen a king.......box spring takes up every inch side to side and front to back.

But you can put slats in side to side of the frame and the box spring on that. Measure exactly how wid e you are spanning and go to a Home Depot or Lowes and have them cut 1 x 4s for you.