Why putting your mattress on the floor is a bad idea
Online, you often see beautiful photos of wonderful bedroom interiors with pretty curtains, a large mirror, cosy cushions and... a mattress on the floor. It may look romantic and be in keeping with the minimalist interior design trend, but putting your mattress on the floor is definitely not recommended. Allow us to explain why:
1. No ventilation
We all sweat during the night. When you put your mattress on the floor, that moisture has nowhere to go. There is no ventilation, so you create the ideal environment for mould and bacteria to multiply in your mattress. These moulds and bacteria, in turn, cause all kinds of allergies and bad odours. Not exactly soothing, right?
But there’s more! The floor is usually cold, which not only creates extra moisture in the mattress, but also makes the mattress feel very cold. You could compare the mattress with a window: when it is cold outside and warm inside, you see condensation on the window. The same happens at the bottom of your mattress.
Keen to find out how you can keep your mattress in the best possible condition? Read our tips here.
2. It is difficult to get in and out of bed
Sleeping low to the ground makes it much more difficult to get in and out of bed. Placing your mattress on the floor is therefore not recommended for pregnant women, older people or people with back or knee problems.
3. Less comfort when lying down
A mattress on the floor feels a little ‘dead’. You lose the effect of the springs, and also the snugness and resilience that are so important in a mattress. So a bed base is definitely a must for greater comfort while sleeping. You can compare it with a good, comfortable car seat. If you put it in a car without springs, much of your comfort is guaranteed to disappear.
4. Back and shoulder problems
The risk of shoulder and back issues increases significantly when you place your mattress on the floor. Sleeping without a slatted or box spring base means that you experience a lot more pressure on the protruding parts of the body (hips and shoulders) and you get too little support at the waist. You get the same symptoms as when you sleep on a mattress that is excessively hard. This puts you at risk of back and shoulder problems. This is certainly the case for thin mattresses.
But there are a few things you can do…
Do you still love the look of a mattress on the floor, but do you also value your health and sleep? Then here are a few alternative options:
1. Make a pallet bed
As you read above, a bed base is indeed important, but the thicker the mattress you choose, the less important the base becomes. So what you can do is invest in a good-quality thick mattress - such as the mattresses by Equilli, Magnitude or Fylds' - and place this mattress on pallets to create a sturdy pallet bed.
That way, you get a similar look, but you don’t have to compromise too much on hygiene and ergonomics. Just make sure there is enough space between the slats for ventilation, so don’t just put the mattress on a full board. At the same time, it is important that the slats are not too far apart, otherwise you run the risk of the pocket springs sagging with some mattresses.
2. Go for a low bed model
Do you prefer a minimalist and pure style in your bedroom? Then combine your thick mattress with a low bed model or place it on a slatted base low to the ground, like the Uni 08 slatted base by Swissflex. Equilli’s Less bed is also a good example of a simple and pure bed model with a minimalist and timeless design, as is Magnitude’s Finesse bed. Both are low bed models, hand-made in Belgium.
If, after reading this information, you still want to put your mattress on the floor, keep these tips in mind:
- A pocket spring mattress is better suited to being placed on the floor than a foam or latex mattress
- The thicker the mattress, the better
- Always place your mattress upright in the morning to allow it to ventilate
Still have questions or doubts? Contact us! Our team at De Nachtwacht will be happy to help you!
