How To Style A Floor Mattress So It Looks Intentional, Not Temporary

So you've decided to ditch the traditional bed setup in favor of a floor mattress, saying goodbye to the headboard, bed frame, and clunky box spring. It's definitely a minimalist and chic approach to bedroom decor, but styling it can be a bit tricky. There's a fine line between making a floor mattress look intentional and having it appear temporary, like you just moved in and haven't gotten around to assembling or ordering a bed frame.

The last thing anyone wants is for their bedroom, their place of rest and rejuvenation, to look disheveled and lazy. And if yours is looking exactly as described, you might be doing the whole floor mattress thing all wrong. Let's be real, mattresses on their own aren't exactly the most appealing pieces of furniture to look at, especially if yours is on the older side, so dressing it with just a plain colored sheet and duvet isn't going to be enough to bring the trendy floor mattress vision to life.

Some clear signs you might be missing the mark in terms of styling a floor mattress include using an oversized sheet instead of a fitted one, skipping decorative pillows to fill out the headspace, and forgetting a fluffy duvet. Tossing a mattress on the floor, especially a thinner one, requires a bit of a boost, since you're missing the height of a bed frame or box spring. Basically, you need to add some volume (and color) to the setup, and that can be accomplished with a few simple steps.

Floor mattresses have definitely been debated when it comes to hygiene, since they restrict airflow underneath, becoming a potential breeding ground for mold, not to mention, they make it easier for creepy crawlers to climb on up. But despite all that, this setup has become wildly popular, and with just the right styling tips, it can look absolutely stunning yet simple. To set up a floor mattress the right way, start with an area rug. This will help distinguish your sleeping area from the rest of the bedroom.

Bulk up your headspace by using several pillows, ideally in a monochrome scheme, that suits your room's aesthetic. Start with two large pillows in the back, layer two smaller ones in front, then add two medium, two rectangular, and finish with two small throw pillows, slightly offsetting them. Depending on your bed size and personal preference, you might want to scale it back. Just make sure to mix up the sizes, colors, and textures, as this is what is going to really help bring the style of your bed to life.

A loose, fluffy, down comforter will also add some volume to the bed space. White is always a safe option, but any neutral color can work as long as it fits the overall color scheme. Add a few framed pictures and wooden elements like a wall ladder, and consider decorating with houseplants to give the space a cozier, more inviting feel.

One of the biggest benefits of putting your mattress on the floor is the cost savings. For instance, a queen-size box spring starts at around $100 at Home Depot and $115 at Mattress Firm, but higher-quality models with added design features can cost much more. Even basic queen-size bed frames, like those at Rooms To Go, start at $180. But a full bed frame with a headboard and side panels can easily climb into the high $300s or more.

While many retailers offer a wide range of affordable bed frames, box springs, and mattresses, lower prices don't always translate to higher quality. And when it comes to your sleep setup, the quality of your mattress matters. By skipping the standard bed setup, you may have more wiggle room in your budget to buy the best mattress you can, which is often the most expensive piece.

Aside from saving hundreds of dollars, the setup can also reduce the risk of injury. Since you're already close to the ground, if a child rolls out of bed, there's less distance to fall. A floor mattress might also contribute to a decrease in back pain, as it tends to be firmer without the extra cushioning of a box spring, and it lays flat without the potential unevenness you might experience with bed slats. That said, before you ditch your bed frame and headboard, take some time to research the pros and cons to decide if this setup is right for you.