Placing your mattress directly on the floor has become an increasingly popular option for many modern households. While unconventional, there are numerous benefits to putting your mattress on the floor. In this comprehensive guide, we'll thoroughly explore everything you need to know about using a mattress on the floor.
From weighing the pros and cons to step-by-step setup tips and creative styling ideas, read on to fully understand if a mattress on the floor is suitable for your needs and space. Whether you're aiming to maximize small living areas, embrace minimalism, or simply want to try something new, discover how a mattress on the floor could enhance your bedroom.
Is It Okay to Put Your Mattress on the Floor?
Before taking the leap to put your mattress directly onto the floor, it's wise to carefully consider any potential disadvantages or issues. Weigh these main pros and cons:
Pros of Putting Mattress on Floor
-
Cutting-edge minimalist aesthetic: Eliminating the bulky bed frame creates a sharply clean, paired-down look that defines many contemporary minimalist styles.
-
Space saving: Getting rid of a large bed frame can help maximize limited square footage in apartments, tiny homes, and small bedrooms. Creates more open floor space.
-
Budget friendly: No need to purchase a bed frame, saving significantly on costs.redirects money towards other bedroom improvements.
-
Flexible arrangement: Easy to move, rearrange, and adapt to changing spaces as needed. Reconfigure room layouts simply.
-
Low maintenance: Much fewer parts, corners, and crevices to clean, repair, or replace compared to a full bed frame setup.
-
Feng shui approved: Placing a mattress close to the floor is believed to promote tranquility and grounded energy according to ancient Chinese feng shui principles.
-
Japanese-inspired: Platform style floor beds have been used in traditional Japanese room design for centuries. Brings cultural flair.
Potential Cons of Floor Mattresses
-
Cleanliness concerns: Mattresses placed right on the floor are more difficult to clean. Increased exposure to mold, mildew, dust, and critters.
-
Support issues: Some mattress types like older innerspring may not get sufficient airflow or retain optimal shape without a supportive base. Can cause sagging.
-
Appearance: A mattress without a headboard or frame may look out of place, unfinished, or thrown together haphazardly in certain bedroom aesthetics. Clashes with some decor.
-
Accessibility: Sitting down on and standing up from a mattress on the floor can be challenging for elderly, disabled, injured, or others lacking mobility and flexibility.
-
Floor dependency: Plush wall-to-wall carpets or uneven bare floor surfaces may lead to sagging, mold growth, and discomfort without a foundation.
As you can see, there are persuasive arguments on both sides. The decision ultimately depends on your priorities, needs, and bedroom environment.
For many people, the pros outweigh the cons. But carefully assess how a floor mattress would function in your unique space before moving ahead.
Setting Up Your Mattress on the Floor
If weighing the pros and cons has led you to decide a floor mattress is the right choice for your bedroom, follow these tips to properly set it up:
Prepare the Floor Surface
-
Thoroughly clean floor by vacuuming and then disinfecting to remove dust and allergens. Steam mop tile or wood floors first. Consider adding a moisture barrier layer like a plastic sheet or foam pad to protect from condensation.
-
Inspect flooring for uneven areas, large cracks, or bumps that could cause mattress sagging or discomfort. Fix issues. Level concrete floors.
-
Install new carpet if current carpet appears old, matted down, or thin. Choose a dense carpet or rug pad for cushioning.
Select an Appropriate Mattress
-
Choose a mattress type designed to be used directly on the floor without a box spring or bed frame. Foam, latex or hybrid mattresses are ideal.
-
Avoid putting very old, lumpy, sagging, or damaged mattresses directly on the floor. The lack of support will worsen these issues quickly.
-
For innerspring or older mattresses, use a bunkie board or platform foundation to prevent premature wear and breakdown.
Additional Tips for Setting Up a Floor Mattress
-
Use a fitted sheet and quality mattress protector or cover to guard against spills, sweat, and other accidents that could stain or soak into the mattress
-
If possible, prop mattress up against a wall with a pillow to allow for airflow behind it. This greatly reduces moisture and mildew buildup.
-
Lift the mattress weekly and let it air out for several hours to dissipate moisture. Rotate occasionally too.
-
Place in a clutter-free, dust-free room with ample space around all sides for vacuuming and airflow.
Here are some top mattress types ranked for suitability for direct floor use:
|
Mattress Type |
Floor Suitability |
|
Latex |
Excellent |
|
Excellent |
|
|
Good |
|
|
Innerspring |
Poor |
|
Futon |
Excellent |
|
Air Mattress |
Excellent |
Follow these preparations and usage tips, and your floor mattress can provide a comfortable, well-supported sleep space.
Caring for a Mattress on the Floor
Placing a mattress directly on the floor does require some extra diligence to keep it in peak condition. Follow these pro floor mattress maintenance practices:
-
Vacuum under and around the mattress at least once weekly, more often if you have pets. This removes dust, hair, dander, dirt and debris before it can accumulate.
-
Spot clean stains and spills the moment they occur by gently dabbing the spot with a clean cloth and gentle upholstery cleaner. Never soak or saturate the mattress which can lead to mold.
-
Rotate the mattress top to bottom every 2-3 months to ensure even wear and prevent impressions from forming. This will also dissipate any minor moisture.
-
Air out the mattress in the sun for several hours monthly, turning it over halfway. This naturally prevents mold, mildew and musty odors from developing inside.
-
Inspect carefully for sagging spots, cracks, soft impressions or other damage every 6 months. Do not hesitate to replace if the mattress appears compromised, especially if more than 5-7 years old. Catching issues early prevents exacerbated problems.
-
Consider adding a mattress topper for protective buffering between your body and the mattress. Rotate and clean this regularly as well.
With proper care and maintenance, a quality floor mattress should deliver 5-10 years of healthy and comfortable use.
Maximizing Floor Mattress Comfort
Lying on a mattress placed directly on the hard floor can feel firmer and take adjustment, especially for side sleepers. Here are tips to maximize comfort:
-
Choose a thicker mattress, topper, or both. At least 8-14 inches is ideal for adequate cushioning between the floor and your body. This also promotes healthy spinal alignment.
-
Position mattress against wall and use supportive pillows, cushions, rolled blankets or back rests for added softness and lumbar support when sitting up on bed.
-
Use an ergonomic pillow designed to keep spine aligned if lying on back. Adjustable fill pillows work for all positions.
-
Add a plush area rug, mattress pad, or sheepskin cover on top of the floor mattress for a bit of added softness and insulation.
-
Adjust room temperature to be slightly warmer since airflow around mattress may make space cooler. Use breathable natural fiber bedding.
-
For ultimate comfort, place the mattress on a low profile platform bed base, simple tatami mat base, wooden pallet base, or bunkie board to lift mattress just a few inches.
With the right accessories and setup adjustments, a floor mattress can be just as cozy and comfy as a traditional mattress setup. It is easier than ever to configure a mattress on the floor setup for optimal comfort and support.
Styling Your Floor Mattress Bedroom
Rather than looking like a temporary college dorm setup, an artfully styled floor mattress can complement your bedroom decor beautifully. Here are tips for stylistic placement:
Unique Boho Chic Style
Embrace colorful, globally inspired layers of throw pillows, woven blankets, sheepskins, and tapestry wall hangings for playful textural contrast. Surround with eclectic nightstands, hanging plants, paper lanterns and textiles for a cozy bohemian vibe.
Serene Japanese-Influenced Style
Incorporate traditional Japanese elements like tatami straw mats, elegant rice paper screens, low profile platform frame or leg rests, and zen rock garden, bonsai, or ikebana-inspired accents. Display personal items minimally for clean and tranquil look. Gently scent with hinoki wood, matcha tea or yuzu. Use shoji lamps to softly illuminate.
Modern Scandinavian Style
Paint room white and use light wood accents and furniture with streamlined shapes. Add a fluffy white sheepskin rug and pile with furry pillows for soft contrast. Incorporate one colorful accent wall or artwork piece for pop of brightness. Keep decor minimal and clean-lined.
Urban Industrial Chic
Add a brick or concrete effect wallpaper, arched floor lamp, and metal frame bed for urban edge. Accessorize with piping, rich textiles, and antique-looking wood. Paint metal furniture black and use an exposed bulb pendant light. Add pops of citrus or chartreuse to accent.
A mattress on the floor provides the perfect foundational layer to build countless stylish and personalized room themes around. Get creative mixing mattress with intentional furniture, lighting, colors, accessories and decorative flourishes to design a gorgeous and cozy oasis.
Mattress To Door - Trendy, Comfortable Floor Mattresses
At Mattress To Door, we offer a wide selection of fashionable, comfortable mattresses that are perfect for placing directly on the floor. Our quality mattresses are meticulously crafted in Canada using premium materials to provide the ideal blend of cushioning and support.
Our Alice Plus Extra Firm model has a trendy minimalist look. With 7-8 inches of durable high density foam, it provides excellent full-body support and conforms to the body's natural contours. The firm feel is recommended for back and stomach sleepers.
For a medium firm yet plush feel, choose our luxurious Emperor's Dream Breathable Hybrid combining 5-zone pocketed coils and conforming memory foam. The 13-14 inch thickness cushions pressure points. Copper gel infusion pulls heat away from the body for a cool sleep.
See our full selection of stylishly designed floor mattresses starting at just $249 CAD. We ship for free across Canada and have stores located in Toronto, Scarborough, Hamilton, Brampton, London and Mississauga to serve you. Give us a call at (647)-530-9100 to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of mattress can I put on the floor?
Foam and memory foam mattresses work best on the floor since they conform to the body without needing a box spring. Make sure to choose a high-quality foam mattress that will provide enough support and last for years of use directly on the floor.
Is it okay to sleep with your mattress on the floor?
It's generally fine to sleep with your mattress directly on the floor as long as you take some precautions. Use a mattress protector and fitted sheet, vacuum regularly, lift and rotate the mattress, and prop it against a wall for airflow. This will keep your floor mattress clean and maximize its lifespan.
How can I keep my mattress clean on the floor?
Vacuum under and around the mattress weekly to prevent dust buildup. Spot clean stains right away with an upholstery cleaner. Lift and air out the mattress outdoors every 1-2 months to prevent mildew growth on the bottom. Use a mattress protector and wash sheets regularly.
What issues could arise from using a mattress directly on the floor?
Without proper airflow, the bottom of the mattress could develop mildew. Dust and allergens may also accumulate faster. You'll need to clean more frequently. Some mattress types may sag over time without a supportive foundation. Taking preventative steps can avoid issues.
How do I make my mattress last longer on the floor?
Rotate it seasonally, prop it against a wall, lift it weekly, vacuum beneath it, spot clean spills immediately, and air it out monthly to prevent moisture damage. Avoid jumping or overly disturbing the mattress. Replace when you see sagging, cracks, or sinkage.
Final Take on Mattress on Floor
Despite a few disadvantages that are easy to overcome, placing a mattress directly on the floor can be a smart solution for space saving, minimalist style, improved feng shui, and financial savings. Carefully select a suitable mattress type, keep the area clean, and incorporate some back support and design accessories to create a comfortable and beautiful floor mattress setup.
If shopping for a new mattress intended for floor use, be sure to look for high density foams, generous thickness, medium-firm feels, and moisture protection features. And for affordable, adaptable mattresses perfectly suited for floor placement, explore the trendy selection at Mattress To Door. With the right preparations, you can enjoy the tranquil charm of floor mattress living.