Mattress on Floor Vs. Frame

A good night's sleep makes all the difference, but our bedrooms are often the most neglected area of the home. Price often prevents young couples, college students and newly-single people from buying the bed that best suits their needs. Bed frames can be bulky, making it difficult to get larger frames into your home without damaging walls or scratching your frame. Assembly after moving can also be an issue. Without a frame, however, your mattress could become moldy, get dirty or become damaged faster.

A good night's sleep is vital for all.

Frame Advantages

Underbed storage saves space.

Bed frames will keep you off the floor, helping you avoid drafts and dust. They provide storage space for shoes and seasonal items. It is easier to get in and out of bed if you have a bed frame, especially if you have joint pain. Bed frames help keep pets on the floor, which extends the life of your bedding.

Frame Disadvantages

Some apartments are too small for bed frames.

If you are in a warmer climate, a bed on the floor can be as much as 15 degrees cooler than a bed on a frame. Frames can be noisy, which can be embarrassing if you live in an apartment building with thin walls. They can also be too bulky for multistory living. If you are just starting out on your own, the expense of a bed frame might be better spent on a well-made couch or sleeper sofa.

Children

Toddlers outgrow cribs quickly. Some children adapt to a bed easier when their mattress is on the floor. Children who move around a lot in their sleep can fall out of bed, which sometimes creates persistent fears.

Aesthetics

This bed is dressed to unimpress.

A bed on the floor can make you appear irresponsible or free-spirited, depending on who sees it. A new flame who spends her days protesting for animal rights and green living may think your futon is great, while your business acquaintances that you are trying to impress with a backyard dinner party may be less approving. Your blankets and other bedding will get dirtier more often, and will wear out more quickly from the frequent washings.

Health

Your back will thank you for choosing the right bed for you.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Richard A Staehler does not recommend changing mattresses or choosing a particular bed type. "No one should expect that switching mattresses or beds will cure their lower back pain, and changes in the type of bed or mattress used should be made solely for the sake of comfort." He continues, "...any mattress that helps a person sleep well, so that he or she wakes feeling rested and refreshed, and without pain and stiffness, is the best mattress for that individual."

References

• Additional Factors That Affect Sleep Comfort, page 2