7 Best Montessori Floor Beds [+ How To Choose & Success Tips for Toddlers!]

A Montessori floor bed is a good choice for offering freedom of movement, enhanced gross motor skills, and self esteem for young children. Overall it can give parents some extra time in the morning as kids have free movement to explore their room, and gives them more independence around their sleep routines. Discover the best montessori floor beds and loads of tips on how to set up a montessori-inspired bedroom for success.

What is the point of a Montessori floor bed?

A Montessori bed provides a developmentally appropriate sleeping space for toddlers with a low profile mattress and platform placed directly on the floor that aligns with the principles of Montessori.

We'll dive deeper into the pros and cons later in the FAQs of this post, but in short the primary “win” for a floor bed is that it fosters a child's independence.

For many families, this translates to the parents getting to sleep a little longer or have some quiet time as the child spends some extra time in their room exploring each morning after they wake.

Sounds pretty nice, right?!

How to set up a bedroom with a floor bed:

Dr. Maria Montessori believed in creating an environment where children had freedom of movement and fostered independence and montessori bedrooms do just that.

A bedroom with a floor bed should be child proofed with sockets, cords, and tip hazards secured away from the child.

Often times you'll find a low montessori shelf with three to seven toys for the child to explore freely after they wake up. Many families practice toy rotation with these items to keep the space fresh and engaging.

This all ensures the environment is a safe space, so the child can move and explore freely, as well as not overly stimulating so the child actually sleeps, with enough toys in it to encourage independent play.

We'll continue diving deeper into this in the FAQs, but that's the highlight reel!

Best Montessori Floor Beds

Best Montessori Floor Bed Overall: Sprout Floor Beds

Sprout is generally considered the best montessori furniture on the market. Designed by parents, for parents they really solve every pain point and problem families face with their products while offering top notch quality, durability, and clean materials made in the USA! Their floorbeds are no different.

While most people recommend their Montessori Birch Floor Bed, I actually suggest their Sosta bed as my #1 montessori floor bed pick (though you can't go wrong with either).

Their Montessori Birch Floor Bed is an awesome simple design. It comes in a traditional toddler bed (crib-sized floor bed), twin, or full sizing.

With the option for two low sides or one low side and one high side (if placed against a wall).

Additionally the frame itself can be flipped, so as your child grows you can flip it upside down to add more height that will last them longer (you will need to re-do the slats when you do this though).

They also offer it in white or finished birch as well as a “value grade” option for a cheaper alternative.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Sprout Birch Floor Bed and we think it's great. However the Sosta offers more options for longevity that we are just beyond obsessed with.

The Sosta floor bed comes in a whopping 12 options to choose from. You can start with one, and order a la carte pieces to customize down the road too. They are also working on a bunk and loft configurations coming out this year (2023).

We really wanted a bunk bed given our kids ages, which is the only reason we did not get this bed.

The bed frame is made from solid wood Oak with no MDF or binders. You can opt for legs or no legs, a headboard, footboard, safety rails, and truly customize your entire experience.

The bed also comes with a little picture book called “Beth's New Bed” which features a real girl with the actual bed going through her bedtime routine and sleeping in her new bed to help toddlers with the transition.

The major downside to the Sosta Bed is that it only comes in twin sizing at the moment, but they do plan to do a full size in the future.

Best Floor Bed For Siblings

This is the exact floor bed we got. Like I said, we probably would've gotten the Sosta if the bunk bed was available, but there are still a few things I LOVE about our bed that the Sosta doesn't offer and I'm really happy with it!

While this isn't ideal from a Montessori perspective, given that our oldest is 4.5 years old at the time of getting it, and our youngest was 2, it worked for us.

Our oldest won't let the youngest “play” on her bed during sleep time, and we can trust she won't play on the slide when she should be sleeping.

The second thing we REALLY cared about was a L shape arrangement of the beds.

We were coming from custom built bunk beds that were very tall, making it easy for the kids to jump on the lower and for us to get in and out.

We didn't want to feel too “squished” with a low profile bunk bed that the kids couldn't jump on and we banged our head on getting in and out.

The T or an L shape bed configuration solved this problem for us.

We find it takes up floor space that wouldn't get used anyway due to the slide and ladder configuration. Plus the L shape of the floor bed left a little loft environment on either side for books or drinks.

There also wasn't a huge difference in price between the house-style bed or non house frame, so we opted for that as well.

Now this bed is made from pretty cheap pine wood and MDF. Despite the mixed reviews, I went for it and have no complaints. It was easy to build, sturdy.

As for the negative reviews saying there were “no holes” in some places, it's because on the ladder they provide self drilling screws for you to place a couple of brackets and they don't need to be in a specific spot. All the major holes were drilled and I had no problem building this by myself essentially (minus one part I needed my husband to hold something).

Ladder vs Stairs

We chose the ladder, but I'd recommend the stairs instead. They provide more stability, storage, and are just safer.

The ladder is definitely a little “wobbly” when I need to climb up to the top bunk; but it's fine for the kids. In retrospect I probably would've gone with this one, which is a twin over full, with stairs that are sturdier and double as storage.

Honestly my biggest “downfall” with this bed is…

My youngest likes to try to hang/swing from the upper horizontal roof rail (which isn't a huge issue since my oldest won't let the youngest do it). But if you do opt for a “house” frame you should definitely keep that in mind for any wild younger toddlers.

ALSO bunks this style (and quality) come in a ton of options including full over two twins, twin over full options, a cabin feel, stairs or ladders, and a few colors like white, grey, black:

Like I said, it's a cheaper bunk, which means there are tons of Chinese sellers and variations for it that all use similar stock photos on Amazon and Wayfair and are likely made in the same factory.

Best King Floor Bed: Avocado Malibu Platform Bed Frame

If you're looking for the ultimate luxury bed, the Avocado malibu platform bedframe is our top pick. It comes in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King.

It's one of the only true king size floor beds on the market. Plus it's made from 100% sustainabily harvest maple or walnut wood.

Additionally they use non-toxic Titebond wood glue, eco-friendly ECOS paint and wood varnish for a truly clean finished product.

Best Multi-Use Floor Bed: Pottery Barn Trundle Beds

If you want a floor bed that's quality, clean, and will grow with your child then Pottery Barn has a fantastic selection. Aside from being incredibly stylish, their beds are quite customizable for your families needs.

They currently have a wide selection of traditional beds and daybeds compatible with trundle bed add-ons:

Meaning you can approach this a few ways:

1. Get just the universal trundle bed add on and use it as a floor bed until your child is ready for a big bed, then select a compatible bed frame for them to graduate to. You'll then be able to use the trundle bed for guests or remove the mattress and use it as an under bed storage drawer.
2. Get the bedframe of choice (this includes Queen sizing!!) with a trundle bed which allows you to comfortably room share. You may want to consider a safety rail or bumper between the trundle and main bed to ensure young toddlers don't roll between them.

Pottery Barn also sells two types of universal guardrails and bumpers to keep toddlers in bed safely:

Parents will also love that Pottery Barn frames are GREENGUARD Gold Certified and each purchase plants a tree.

Best Budget Toddler Floor Bed: P'Kolino Floor Beds

Probably one of the most popular middle of the road options when it comes to floor beds is P'Kolino thanks to their adorable FSC Certified solid pine wooden floor bed designs and affordable price point.

To combat this you can purchase a set of slats like this to use in the frame, or lift the mattress up at least once a week to air out and clean underneath. Additionally you can purchase a mattress protector pad like this and/or a more breathable mattress like this one to minimize the risk of unwanted situations.

Best DIY Montessori Floor Bed: Happy Little Bear

If you prefer to DIY a floor bed, then Happy Little Bear is our top pick for learning how to build a montessori floor bed!

They offer instant download plans teaching you how to build a montessori floor bed in a king, queen, full, twin, or a crib size floor bed frame with various style options for each to fully customize your family's desires.

All you need to do is decide what size bed you ultimately want, how many safety rails and placement, and if you want a house bed design then purchase the appropriate plan to bring with you to the hardware store.

This eliminates all the math and planning time of making your own plans so you can just get to work!

How to choose the best Montessori floor bed

Keep the following in mind while choosing the best floor bed for your child to ensure success and alignment with Montessori's philosophy:

Size

Floor beds come in “toddler” sizing (which is just a crib mattress), twin, full, and even queen sizing. Of course, you can also DIY a Montessori floor bed in a king size too!

When it comes to choosing the right size for your kids think about their age and if any bed sharing will go on.

You want to choose a bed that feels big enough for you to comfortably read bedtime stories and tuck your little one in, but not SO big that it feels overwhelming and scary for them.

I'm speaking from experience after getting my 3 year old – who was always a perfect sleeper – a queen bed that felt WAY to big and scary for her after being on a crib mattress. She stopped sleeping and actually started sleeping on her crib mattress instead.

On the flip side, my son bed shares with us sometimes (don't worry he's 2 years old!), so he is in a king bed.

Personally, I find a twin or full size bed to be the perfect size if no adults plan to bedshare the floor bed.

It provides plenty of room for siblings to snuggle in, and for you to do bedtime routines comfortably, without feeling to cumbersome for littles.

Personally, I recommend skipping the crib mattress as a floor bed. It's a little too short lived in my experience and pretty uncomfortable for reading books and tuckins.

Rails or no rails

Typically Montessori floor beds do not have any rails since the bed is already on the floor so there isn't a huge “fall risk.” Additionally, floor beds without rails align with her principles around independence and freedom of movement more.

However many brands sell beds with rails and there are a few instances where rails make sense:

• Transitioning from a crib: If your child is transitioning from a traditional crib to a Montessori floor bed and is not yet accustomed to the freedom of movement, adding partial or removable rails can provide a sense of security and familiarity during the transition period. It can help ease the child into the new sleep environment.
• Safety concerns: If your child is an active sleeper or tends to move around a lot during sleep, you might choose to use rails as a safety precaution to prevent accidental falls during the night that may wake the child up. This can be particularly relevant for younger toddlers who are still developing their motor skills and coordination. Additionally, if you place the bed against a wall, the rail can ensure they don't slip between the mattress and the wall, without impeding freedom of movement on the other side of the bed.
• Special needs or developmental considerations: In some cases, children with specific developmental needs or conditions may require the added support and safety provided by bed rails. It is important to assess your child's individual needs and consult with healthcare professionals or specialists who can provide guidance on the best sleeping arrangements.

Safety

Floor beds tend to be a safe place for littles to sleep as they don't have the same safety risk in terms of falls as other beds, however you still want to keep some things in mind:

• Materials of the bed: Are they non toxic? Strong? Durable? Toddlers like to jump on their beds so the slats under the mattress should be strong and the wood should be splinter free.
• Bed placement: This really applies for kids under 12 months old (or 24 months of age if you want to be cautious), but you want to make sure you don't place the floor bed against a wall where the child could slip between the mattress and wall, getting wedged and unable to get out. If you do choose to place the bed against a wall with a baby, consider rails on that side of the bed or a wedge or bumper (consult your pediatrician to find a safe one for their age) to keep them from rolling off.
• A prepared environment: Making sure the room is well childproofed.

Single use or multiple kids

If you plan to have multiple kids who ultimately share a room, you may want to consider either a larger floor bed, for them to share a bed, or bunk bed where your oldest can move to the top bed when your youngest is ready to take over the floor bed.

Additionally, if you plan to have multiple kids, or want a bed frame that will simply last for years, consider a trundle bed. When your child is young enough for the floor bed, they can use the trundle, and then graduate to the upper bed when ready.

As an added bonus, if you need to sleep in the room with your child for whatever reason, you can take the upper bed, while they remain in the floor bed.

Slats + raise

One of the major downsides of a floor bed is the increased risk of allergies as the mattress is on the floor and tends to collect more dust or dirt that settles.

For this reason, we think it's essential to choose a floor bed with slats to ever so slightly raise the mattress off the ground.

Avoid a wooden rectangular floor bed frame the mattress that sits directly on the floor in.

A slight raise gives some space for dust and things to settle under the mattress instead of sitting in it.

Additionally, mattresses need some aeration underneath to prevent overheating or “sleeping hot,” as well as humidity collecting and mold growth.

For these reasons we strongly urge you to add slats to any frame that offers no raise underneath. Generally speaking, you never want a bed fully on the floor for long term health so look for something that raises it up even just a half an inch (which anything with slats does).

Style

If you're looking for the floor bed most closely aligned with Montessori, you'll want something extremely simple, like this or this.

However today there are some adorable floor beds with house shapes and cabin feels. Though these are pretty opposite of what Dr. Maria Montessori believed in as they encourage fantasy play.

Additionally, many infant and toddler sleep experts suggest setting the child's bedroom up strictly for sleep during the early years. If you turn their bed into a “play thing” some believe it could disrupt their sleep as they learn to control their impulses.

Personally, we have this floor bed, which has a house frame and slide and my kids do NOT play on it during bedtime or have any interest in doing so.

FAQs about montessori floor beds

What are the benefits of montessori floor bed?

The point of a Montessori floor bed is to provide toddlers with a safe, independent, and empowering sleep space that nurtures their natural desire for exploration, autonomy, and self-development. It aligns with the Montessori philosophy, which aims to foster a love for learning and the development of essential life skills from an early age. The benefits of a floor bed are pretty far reaching.

Freedom of movement

They allow toddlers to have the freedom to get in and out of bed on their own. By eliminating the confines of a crib, toddlers can exercise their independence and develop their motor skills as they navigate their sleeping space without assistance.

Autonomy over sleep routine

Additionally, many believe this provides an opportunity for children to put themselves down for a nap or sleep when they are ready as they don't need a caretaker to “put them to bed.”

This type of respectful parenting allows children to gain confidence in their motor skills and learn to trust their bodies while creating a healthy sleep routine. Kids begin to learn a sense of responsibility and self-care by listening to their internal cues for sleep and play time as they can make their own decisions independently.

May ease transition

If you're worried about the transition to a big kid bed, a fun montessori-style bed in the shape of a house or cabin can also make things easier. I found with my oldest, she struggled with the transition to a regular bigger bed, but once we moved her to a floor bed everything went seamlessly!

Independence for self care

Another one of the major benefits of a montessori floor bed we saw was potty training. Giving our child independence to get up in the middle of the night to potty was one of the major reasons we transitioned her out of the crib to begin with. We found in her new platform-style bed (which was still 8 inches off the ground) was too high and she often end up falling asleep on the floor. The ground bed totally solved this problem for us!

Lastly, a floor bed provides the opportunity for children to learn how to make their bed and keep their space tidy as it's their height and something they can learn to master independently quicker than a raised bed.

Pros and Cons of Montessori floor beds

When to start Montessori floor bed:

Most families opt to use a bassinet during the fourth trimester, then transition baby to a floor bed at 4 or 5 months (or whenever they outgrow the bassinet). Other families feel more comfortable waiting until 12 to 24 months for a floor bed.

There are pros and cons to each of these transitions to a floor bed:

At 4-6 months:

Four to six months old is when I would personally recommend the transition to a floor bed. Your child is learning to roll over at this time, but not overly mobile where they can learn the space, without “getting into it” too much.

I would strongly encourage placing the floor bed in the center of the room during this stage.

At this age, babies don't have the strength to pull themselves back up on the bed. So if a bed were against the wall, and baby rolled between the bed and wall getting themselves wedged, they would essentially be stuck without your help.

However if the bed is in the center of the room, with a carpet or padding on all sides, they would simply roll off and just sleep the rest of the night on the floor.

And falling off the bed DOES happen in the early days as kids learn the space and what an “edge” feels like.

Some parents feel this is just too young and worry about baby rolling out of bed and prefer to wait.

At 12-24 months:

Many families opt to wait until around 1 years old to transition to a floor bed. At this stage your child is more mobile, can crawl and often stand, and can explore their space. Parents feel more confident in their children's ability to navigate the room as their baby doesn't feel as tiny.

If you do transition after the child's first birthday, I suggest involving the child in the process and doing it slowly!

For instance, if they were in a crib, start with removing the cribs feet if possible, then removing one side of rails before moving to their “big kid” floor bed. Alternatively if you go straight to the floor bed, you may want one with rails for the familiarity.

For older kids, you can also involve them in the process of selecting bedding or arranging the room.

This big downside with transition at this age is they are much more interested in their surroundings, so the new freedom may feel like a lot and keep them awake, even in a minimal room.

Both of my children were walking around their first birthday, which meant that it was only a few months until they learned to open the door to their room. I find the period between 12 to 24 months to be so full of developmental milestones that the introduction of a floor bed is almost too late and their “play feign” energy has taken over, especially if there are older siblings in the home!

We tried to transition my son at 12-18 months to a floor bed, but it was impossible. He just kept leaving the room and had total FOMO despite being over tired.

Around 22 months he finally was able to start falling asleep in the floor bed in a shared room. He could see his sister was asleep and didn't feel like he was missing anything which made things easier.

Ultimately the ideal time to start a floor bed is when both you and baby are ready!

Are montessori floor beds safe?

Overall, montessori floor beds are considered safe as they reduce the risk of falls.

The major health concern with floor beds is the increased contact with allergens. For this reason we suggest having a “no shoes” in the home rule, as well as choosing a floor bed that's about a half inch off the ground.

The other major noteworthy thing is the entire room needs to be a safe place; not just the bed.

This means all outlets covered, furniture secured, and any “drop” hazards should be out of a child's reach incase they try pulling or climbing on them.

Lastly, as with all infant sleep situations, make sure you are following the American Academy of Pediatrics latest safe sleep environment recommendations.

Are floor beds Montessori?

Yes and no! Dr. Maria Montessori, creator of the Montessori Method, did not come up with the idea for a floor bed – people have been sleeping on the floor for eons!

However, she was a proponent of them who did popularize them in Western culture. She believed that providing a floor bed was a critical part of providing a prepared environment that fosters independence, freedom of movement, and autonomy for children, including infants and toddlers.

“One of the greatest helps that could be given to the psychological development of a child would be to give him a bed suited to his needs and cease making him sleep longer than necessary. A child should be permitted to go to sleep when he is tired, to wake when he is rested, and to rise when he wishes. This is why we suggest that the typical child’s bed should be done away with as has already been done in many families. The child instead should be given a low couch resting practically upon the floor, where he can lie down and get up as he wishes. Like all the new helps for a child’s psychic, a low bed is economical.”

– Dr. Maria Montessori, The Secret of the Childhood (p. 74)

The design choice of a low profile bed was intentional, as it allows children to freely move in and out of bed, fostering a sense of autonomy and eliminating physical barriers to their independence.

Additionally, floor beds are said to promote self-regulation and a sense of responsibility for their sleep routines and mastering practical life skills. It also allows children to explore their surroundings, engage in independent play, and develop their motor skills.

Now with that said, while floor beds are commonly associated with Montessori, they are not exclusive to it. Some parents who are not strictly following Montessori principles may also choose to use floor beds for their own reasons, such as safety or cultural preferences. However, in the context of Montessori education, floor beds are considered an integral part of the approach.

Can I just put a mattress on the floor?

Placing a mattress on the floor may be a short-term floor bed solution, however due to health and safety concerns you'll want the mattress on a proper frame ultimately.

Mattresses should have some airflow underneath to prevent overheating, mold, and allergens building up. When placed on the floor, that airflow gets cut off and moisture can accumulate.

This is a huge mold risk; especially if you're already living in a humid climate.

Additionally, a small gap underneath the mattress allows for dead skin cells, dust, and other debris to fall out of the mattress onto the floor and reduce the likelihood of coming in contact with harmful allergens.

If you do choose to place a mattress directly on the floor make sure you clean the floor underneath the mattress a few times a week, and lean the mattress up against a wall to air out at least once a week to avoid unwanted microbial activity.

If you really want a mattress on the floor consider the following options for greater peace of mind:

• A slatted mat like this or this one
• A moisture resistant, hypoallergenic mattress like this
• A waterproof protector pad

Can you start baby in a floor bed or do you need a crib first?

Yes, you can start a baby in a floor bed and skip the crib altogether!

Many families choose to use a bassinet during the first few months of life, then move their infant to a floor bed in their room, before transitioning the floor bed to a separate space.

Are rails essential for Montessori floor beds?

No, you do not need rails on a montessori floor bed. In fact, some would argue that rails on a floor bed contradict what Dr. Montessori would've wanted.

With that said, there are some situations where partial rails on a floor bed for safety are the right choice.

If you plan to place the bed against a wall, you'd want rails on the side of the bed touching the wall to minimize the risk of the child getting wedged between the gap of the mattress and wall.

Additionally, some families feel more comfortable with partial rails on a floor bed, similar to a toddler bed, to minimize the risk of the child falling out of bed. This is a personal preference and not really a “safety” concern per se, since floor beds are usually only a few inches off the ground (depending on the height of the mattress) and a fall off of it should not cause any sort of injury, but may wake the child.

What is the best mattress for a montessori floor bed?

Ideally you'll choose something breathable with non-toxic materials.

For the most breathable bed, we suggest Newton, especially if placing your bed directly on the floor without a bedframe.

For the most comfortable and clean mattress, we love Naturepedic, Saatva, and Nest Bedding. Each of those offer clean materials at various price points.

One thing to consider when choosing a mattress for a floor bed is height. Given that most kids will inevitably roll out of their floor bed during the learning process, you'll want a low profile mattress to start for kids on the younger end.

Where should a montessori floor bed be placed in the room?

A montessori floor bed should be placed in the center of the room, with a clearance greater than your child's height until they are about 1 years old.

After their first birthday, with approval from your pediatrician, you may be able to push it against a wall. The key is ensuring your child has the strength, mobility, and size to navigate the gap between the mattress and wall before doing this.

Even once you place the bed against the wall, you'll still want a clearance around the bed greater than your child's height incase they do roll out.

Final thoughts

A montessori floor bed can be a wonderful space to foster great sleep habits, confidence, and independence in your child.

For one of the best montessori floor beds in terms of quality, simple design, and long term use, you can't go wrong with Sprout Kids (code TCM for a discount!).

If you have siblings or want multiple beds in the room, then we love our bunk bed or opting for a trundle bed situation.