Floor bed mattresses
A floor bed mattress sits low so a young child can climb in and out on their own. The usual sizes are 140 x 70 cm (cot bed) and 90 x 190 cm (single), and the big practical issue is airflow underneath.
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Shop all mattressesWhat size mattress does a Montessori floor bed take?
A Montessori floor bed usually takes either a cot bed mattress, 140 x 70 cm, or a single, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3). Some European-made floor beds take a 90 x 200 cm European single, so measure inside the frame before you order.
The cot bed size is lighter, easier to lift and air, and leaves more floor free for play in a small room. A single gives more room to move and will fit an ordinary single bed frame when your child moves on. Whichever you choose, the mattress should fill the frame without gaps, because on a child's bed a gap is a safety issue. Our single mattresses cover the larger size, and if your floor bed takes a 140 x 70 cm mattress, ask us what we have in that size.
Can you put a mattress straight on the floor?
You can put a mattress straight on the floor, but it can trap moisture underneath and grow mould, so it needs a slatted base or breathable mat beneath it, or lifting and airing regularly.
A sleeping child gives off warmth and moisture every night. On a slatted base, air carries that moisture away. Flat on the floor, it collects under the mattress, where you won't see any mould unless you lift it.
| Set-up | Air under the mattress | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress straight on the floor | Very little | Lift and air it often, or add a breathable mat |
| Floor bed frame with no base | Very little | Treat it like a mattress on the floor |
| Breathable mat under the mattress | Some | Still lift and air it regularly |
| Floor bed with a slatted base | Good | Check the slat spacing the mattress maker recommends |
How do I stop mould under a floor bed mattress?
To stop mould under a floor bed mattress, let air reach the underside: use a slatted base or a breathable mat, and lift the mattress to air it regularly.
- Make it routine: each time you change the sheets, stand the mattress on its side and check underneath before you put it back.
- Air the room: open a window when you can, and keep the bed a little away from a cold outside wall.
- Choose a lighter mattress: a foam mattress is easier to lift and stand on its side than a heavier sprung one.
- Air it from day one: if the mattress arrives rolled, unbox it soon after delivery. It reaches full shape within 24 to 72 hours, and any faint new smell fades with airing.
- Keep spills out: a waterproof mattress or protector stops drinks and accidents soaking in, though it doesn't replace airing.
What firmness is best for a toddler floor bed?
Firm and flat is the rule for a toddler floor bed mattress: no dips, no soft spots, and no gaps between the mattress and the frame.
For babies under 12 months, follow the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice. We don't make recommendations of our own for babies. As your child grows and moves up to a bigger bed, most children sleep well on a medium to medium-firm mattress; our kids mattresses guide covers that next step.
What's the difference between a floor bed and a mattress on the floor?
A floor bed is a low frame that holds the mattress, sometimes on slats that let air underneath, while a mattress on the floor has no frame and no airflow beneath it.
Some floor beds are only a frame around the mattress, with no base at all. They give the look and keep the mattress in place, but not the airflow, so check what's underneath before you buy one, and treat a frame without a base like a mattress on the floor. A frame with slats does both jobs: the mattress stays low enough for a young child to climb in and out, and air can still reach the underside.
Ours is a family business, and we're happy to help you match a mattress to a floor bed: send the frame's inside measurements through our contact page.
Floor bed mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Is it safe for a child to sleep on a mattress on the floor?
A mattress on the floor can work for a toddler or older child, as long as it's supportive and kept dry underneath. The main problem is moisture: without air underneath, a mattress can trap damp and grow mould, so lift and air it regularly or use a slatted base. Babies under 12 months are different: for them, the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice applies.
What age is a floor bed for?
A floor bed is for a young child who is ready to get in and out of bed on their own, and when that happens varies from child to child. For a baby under 12 months, the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice is the guide to follow, not ours. A floor bed that takes a 90 x 190 cm single can stay in use as your child grows.
Do I need a slatted base for a floor bed?
You don't have to have a slatted base for a floor bed, but slats are the simplest way to let air reach the underside of the mattress and make mould less likely. Without one, use a breathable mat, or lift and air the mattress regularly, for example every time you change the sheets.
Can a floor bed mattress be waterproof?
Yes. A waterproof mattress has a waterproof layer built into its cover, so drinks and accidents wipe off instead of soaking in, which helps while a child is learning to stay dry at night. A waterproof cover protects the mattress from spills, but it doesn't replace lifting and airing a mattress that sits low.
How often should I air a floor bed mattress?
Air a floor bed mattress regularly, and make it part of changing the sheets: stand the mattress on its side, check underneath for damp, and leave it to air for a while before you remake the bed. A mattress straight on the floor, or in a frame with no base, needs this more than one on slats.
Can I use a floor bed mattress on a normal bed later?
Yes, as long as the size matches. A 140 x 70 cm floor bed mattress fits a cot bed or most toddler beds, and a 90 x 190 cm single fits any standard UK single frame. If the next bed is a bunk or high sleeper, check that the mattress is no deeper than the maximum mattress line.
What type of mattress is best for a floor bed?
For a floor bed, a light, firm foam mattress is the easiest to lift and air, which matters more on the floor than on a raised base. For a young child, choose one that's firm and flat and fills the frame without gaps, and add a waterproof cover or protector for night-time accidents.
How thick should a floor bed mattress be?
A floor bed has no depth limit like a bunk bed's maximum mattress line, but a slimmer mattress keeps the bed easy for a young child to climb onto and lighter for you to lift and air. Around 15 cm (about 6 inches) is usually enough for a child, as long as the mattress is supportive.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.