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Have you been searching for a new bed for your toddler? Many families consider floor beds, which are just as they sound — either a mattress with a bed frame tlow to the ground or just a mattress on the floor. Some cultures widely use floor mattresses, like in Japan, but people also associate floor beds with the Montessori approach, which can be safe for toddlers to use with the right precautions.

The Montessori method supports children by letting them freely explore their environment. This could lead to children being able to learn on their own. On the other hand, floor beds might make some parents nervous for this exact reason — their children won’t have the limitations of a crib or bunk bed, and can freely roam around at night. This could lead to a child involuntarily hurting themselves. If you are considering a floor bed, you will need to make sure your child’s room is safe. You will also need to ensure your toddler gets enough sleep at night and will not be distracted by their toys.

Floor beds are typically safe for toddler, but if your child hasn’t fully learned how to walk or tends to fall a lot, it might not be the best option. If you choose to have a floor bed for your toddler, you will need to make sure the room is as safe as possible. 

One way to ensure your toddler’s room is safe is by having covers on all electrical outlets. This way, your baby won’t stick their fingers in the electrical sockets or lick the outlets. Safety gates should be used to child-proof any staircases you have in your home, and all choking hazards should be kept out of reach. It is also best to have the floor bed in the middle of the room, with all furniture, like dressers and changing tables, secured to a wall. Floor beds should also be registered online, if applicable. This way, you’ll know if the bed you own is ever involved in a recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission posts all current and past recalls on its website.

When considering floor beds from a design perspective, they can offer a simple, modern design that is cost-effective. Even if you want a bedframe, most options for toddler floor beds are relatively inexpensive. Some bed frames can also add a bit of creativity to your toddler’s room, like this bear-shaped bed frame from Target or this tent-shaped bed frame from Walmart. 

If you get a floor bed, you won’t need to crowd your toddler’s room with safety items required for regular beds, like barriers. But, when spring cleaning comes around, will there be a lot of clutter to rummage through without having that space underneath your toddler’s bed? Before committing to this style, consider if you are able to store these things elsewhere in your home.

You will also need to consider the material of your toddler’s mattress to make sure it will be okay to be on the floor versus a box spring. It might be best to get a bed frame that brings it up a tiny bit off the floor. Otherwise, you won’t have enough room underneath the mattress for air to circulate correctly. If you don’t have a bedframe, moisture could build up underneath and create mold or mildew, epecially if you live somewhere humid, like Florida.