“I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky,” your toddler might metaphorically communicate as they make the leap from their bed to the floor. While it may sound like a story to laugh about later, the fall itself can be scary. A twin toddler floor bed or toddler floor bed full helps prevent that risk, promoting both your child’s safety and your peace of mind.
A safe floor bed also supports your toddler’s growing independence. Many parents choose a floor bed to give their toddler more independence than a crib, because a floor bed allows your child to get in and out of bed easily without the risk of falls. It turns out a grounded bed creates a grounded sleep space (who would’ve thought?).
Whether you’re considering a twin floor bed or a full floor bed for your toddler, the goal is the same: freedom without sacrificing safety.
What is a Floor Bed?
A floor bed is a mattress placed directly on or close to the floor. Some parents use a simple frame to lift it slightly for airflow, while others keep it flat for a minimalist look. Floor beds are especially popular for toddlers who are ready to transition from a crib but may not yet be safe in a tall bed.
The interest in floor sleeping might seem new, but it actually dates back centuries across many cultures throughout the world. Floor beds have been used throughout history to simplify living spaces, reconnect with the surrounding environment, and improve sleep quality. Despite abandoning the familiar height of a conventional bed frame, floor beds offer the same comfort and support. The only difference is the effort it takes to lie down and rest.
You may have noticed the rise in popularity of floor sleeping on social media, where interior designers have been promoting the use of floor cushions, futons, and daybeds. Features like underfloor heating are also expanding in popularity, which enhance the comfort of floor sleeping. That being said, your child doesn’t need underfloor heating to enjoy a good night’s rest in a floor bed.
Start with a SoftFrame Designs Bed Frame. Our bed frames can be used directly on the floor over a standard box spring. If you’re looking to ease into the floor bed experience, our Luna bed frames can be lifted or raised to create a "floating platform." Please keep in mind that your box spring height must be between 7" - 9" tall to pair with the Luna bed frame. Read more about how it works here!
Benefits of a Floor Bed
A floor bed supports independence. Your child can get in and out of bed on their own, which helps build confidence and a sense of control. Because the mattress is close to the ground, it also reduces the risk of falls during the night. Raising your child to sleep on a floor bed encourages them to move freely rather than be confined.
Crib rails aren’t exactly the most inviting presence. Looking at your child through bars isn’t any parent’s long-term goal. The experience only doubles in discontent when your child is ready to leave bed on their own terms but is unable to do so. What happens next? Screaming, crying, and waking you up to solve an issue a floor bed could have prevented. Floor beds minimize disruption, allowing your child to be independent without compromising safety.
On the opposite end of the spectrum from heated floors for children who sleep hot is the understanding that heat rises, so it follows that sleeping on the floor would allow for a cooler sleep experience. If the floor itself is cool, it can lower your child’s body temperature slightly, leading to more comfortable sleep. Some parents find their child experiences less lower back pain when switching to a floor bed, as their changing weight is distributed more evenly. Sleeping closer to the ground also promotes better blood flow by keeping the body level, and that physical closeness to the ground can be calming for your child. To feel more settled inherently lowers stress and promotes deeper rest.
SoftFrame Bed Frames are designed with 360° of plush comfort, so you can sleep well too, knowing our bed frames protect your kids from bumps and tumbles. You can explore our entire kids’ collection here.
Safety Considerations
To use a floor bed safely, keep the mattress firm and low. Remove cords, lamps, and furniture edges near the sleeping area, and avoid placing the bed directly under a window. A soft rug or mat around the bed can add comfort and prevent bumps if your child rolls out while sleeping.
Consider using our Kids Round Bolster Pillows as an alternative to thick pillows that pose a suffocation risk. We also offer Kids Headboards to keep your child’s head protected when they lean back for the night, which simply slide between the bed frame and wall. Keeping your child close to the floor doesn’t mean their head has to be close to the wall.
Choosing the Right Bed Frame
Size matters when choosing a floor bed. A twin floor bed fits most rooms and works well for toddlers, while a full-size floor bed can last through childhood.
We offer Kids Bed Frames in two different styles:
The Ultra
- 5” thick CertiPUR-US® certified foam-paneled bed frame upholstered in resilient poly or poly-blend fabric
- Pairs seamlessly with a 5”-9” box spring (required, not included)
- Upholstered fabric creates a safe, comfortable space for kids
- 360 degrees of only soft surfaces
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Available in Twin, Full, and Queen size kids bed frames
The Luna
- Pairs seamlessly with a 7”-9” raised or flat box spring (required, not included)
- All-around 3.5” thick CertiPUR-US® certified foam panels
- Upholstered fabric creates a safe, comfortable space for kids
- 360 degrees of only soft surfaces
- Available in Twin, Full, and Queen size kids bed frames
Creating a Cozy Sleep Space
As inviting as a floor bed can be, there is always a way to elevate it. Consider decorating your child’s bedroom with soft lighting and a few favorite toys or books nearby. Keeping decorations minimal helps the area feel calm so the focus is on rest, helping your child to associate their floor bed with relaxation and comfort.
Remember to always vacuum or use a soft brush to dust around your child’s SoftFrame bed. With proximity closer to the floor than a traditional bed frame, it becomes more important to keep the space tidy and dust-free so your child can sleep and breathe soundly.
When to Transition to a Floor Bed
The shift from crib to floor bed will depend entirely on your child’s needs. Move slowly by introducing the space during play or reading times to see how your child responds. With patience and consistency, it will become clear when the right time is. For parents who are concerned with their child getting out of bed too frequently, video monitors might remain useful when making this transition in order to see your child getting up and moving around.
The goal is to support independence and safety at every stage. Recently we discussed tips for transitioning between bed sizes or styles, but the key factors to keep in mind are to make sure you’re watching out for signs that your child has outgrown their bed. This might look like their feet hanging out over the edge of the bed. If your child likes to sprawl and roll around, we love that for them – and that might be a sign they’ll enjoy a full or queen size as opposed to a twin.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, we all have to sleep…unless you’re nocturnal.
Choosing what we sleep on and how we shape our sleep environment is a personal decision. The best bed is one that promotes consistent and reliable sleep. Routine is everything, and your bed should make that easier. Enhancing rest enhances our overall well-being.
Check out our FAQ page for more information on the way SoftFrame can fit into your home.