Floor beds go by many names depending on the style, culture, and materials used. Some common names for floor beds include futon, tatami, pallet bed, floor mattress, Japanese floor bed, Korean floor bed, montessori floor bed, and portable bed.
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Futon
A futon is a traditional style of Japanese bedding consisting of padded mattresses and quilts that can be folded up and stored away during the day. The word “futon” comes from the Japanese word for “bedding”. Futons are designed to be placed directly on the floor and act as both a bed and a couch. They consist of a mattress that folds into thirds and a duvet that serves as bedding. During the day, the futon can be folded up and stored in a closet to save space. At night, it can be laid out on the floor and used as a bed. Futons are a minimalist and versatile type of bedding common in small Japanese homes.
Types of Futons
There are several different types of futons in Japan:
- Shikibuton – The bottom mattress that goes on the floor. It is often filled with cotton batting.
- Kakebuton – The duvet or comforter that serves as bedding atop the shikibuton.
- Maku – A thin quilted mattress topper placed over the shikibuton for extra comfort.
- Okebuton – An extra padded mattress for winter months.
- Nemaki – Sleeping kimono commonly worn with futon bedding.
Advantages of Futons
Futons have several advantages that make them a popular floor bed option:
- Portable – They can be folded up and stored during the day to save space.
- Affordable – Futons are an inexpensive bedding option.
- Customizable – Multiple layers can be added for comfort.
- Firm Support – The floor provides a stable base.
- Promotes Minimalism – Futons encourage living with less clutter.
Tatami
A tatami is a type of mat flooring used as a traditional flooring material in Japanese homes. Rooms with tatami flooring are known as “tatami rooms” and they often contain Japanese style floor beds. The tatami mats themselves are made from rice straw cores covered in woven soft rush grass. They are around 3-5 cm thick and come in standard sizes. The mattresses used on top of tatami mat floors are futons or foldable mattresses that can be stored during the day. The combination of tatami flooring and futon bedding are iconic hallmarks of a traditional Japanese room.
Advantages of Tatami Flooring
- Natural material is soft underfoot
- Maintains traditional Japanese aesthetic
- Insulating and sound absorbing
- Portable floor can be moved and replaced
- Easily pairs with foldable futon beds
Pallet Bed
A pallet bed, also sometimes called a pallet furniture bed, is a bed constructed from wooden pallets. Pallets are flat transport structures used for moving goods that can be built into furniture like beds, tables, sofas, shelves and more. Pallet beds are inexpensive DIY furniture projects made using intact wooden pallets or reclaimed wood from disassembled pallets. They are simple floor bed frames built by stacking and connecting wooden pallets together into the desired shape and size. A mattress or cushions are then placed on top to create the pallet bed for sleeping.
Advantages of Pallet Beds
- Very inexpensive to make from recycled materials
- Customizable sizing and shape
- More durable than an air mattress or cot
- Elevates mattress slightly off floor
- Trendy upcycled design aesthetic
Floor Mattress
A floor mattress is exactly what it sounds like – a mattress designed to be placed directly on the floor instead of on a raised bed frame. Floor mattresses can be constructed from materials like foam, cotton, wool, latex, memory foam or innerspring coils. They are typically 4-8 inches thick. Some types of floor mattresses include Japanese futons, Indian cotton Dharma beds, and portable camping mattresses. Floor mattresses are great for minimalist spaces, studio apartments, kids rooms, guest sleeping quarters, or as portable bedding. Without the need for a full bed frame or box spring, floor mattresses can save on costs and space.
Benefits of Floor Mattresses
- Cost effective and space saving
- Low profile is easy to get in and out of
- Can be folded or rolled for storage and portability
- Safer than elevated beds for kids and elderly
- Versatile for multifunctional spaces
Japanese Floor Bed
Japanese floor beds, also known as futons or shikibutons, are traditional Japanese style beds that are designed to be placed directly on the floor. The original Japanese floor bed consists of two parts – a shikibuton mattress that folds into thirds and a kakebuton quilted bed cover. The shikibuton contains a cotton or wool batting filling and is firm yet comfortable to sleep on. The kakebuton provides warmth and the feeling of being tucked into bed. During the day, Japanese floor beds can be folded up and stored away in a closet. At night, they are laid out on tatami mat floors to sleep on. Japanese floor beds promote minimalist living spaces and are also used for health benefits like improved posture and spinal alignment compared to soft Western style mattresses.
| Japanese Floor Bed Names | Description |
|---|---|
| Shikibuton | Foldable mattress placed directly on floor |
| Kakebuton | Lightweight quilted bedspread |
| Maku | Optional padded mattress topper |
| Okebuton | Heavier winter mattress topper |
Korean Floor Bed
Korean floor beds, known as yogam or ondol, are beds built directly into the floor of a room. Traditional Korean floor beds were heated through a system called ondol, which involved routing hot air from a wood fire through pipes buried beneath the floor. This allowed the bare stone or masonry floor itself to radiate heat for warming the room and bed. The ondol system and floor bed design provided insulation from cold and allowed hot air to evenly heat the room. Nowadays hydronic radiant floor heating has mostly replaced the traditional ondol system, but floor beds remain a quintessential part of Korean architecture and interior design.
Features of Korean Floor Beds
- Built directly into floor rather than portable
- Heated through ondol radiant floor system
- Covered with mats called yogam for comfort and warmth
- Consist of an elevate wooden frame over masonry core
- Allow efficient heating by conducting warmth from ondol system
Montessori Floor Bed
Montessori floor beds are beds placed directly on the ground intended for use by children following the Montessori method of education. Montessori philosophy promotes independence in children by making their environment accessible and “child-sized”. Low floor beds allow young children to get in and out of bed without assistance, facilitating independence and freedom of movement. Montessori floor beds are also lightweight, portable and can be stored during the day to create an open play space. Parents may start infants off in a crib before transitioning them to a Montessori floor bed around 18-24 months old when ready.
Benefits of Montessori Floor Beds
- Fosters independence in young children
- Easier to get in and out than elevated beds
- Open design prevents injuries and entrapment
- Lightweight and portable for multifunctional kids’ rooms
- Facilitates room sharing with siblings
Portable Bed
A portable bed provides a sleeping surface designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. Portable beds are useful for camping trips, sleepovers, apartment living, temporary housing, and other situations where a traditional bulky bed frame won’t work. Different types of portable floor beds include:
- Futons – Thin foldable Japanese mattresses
- Roll-up beds – Foam or inflatable mattresses that can be rolled up
- Fold-out cots – Collapsible metal legged beds
- Camping cots – Portable fabric and metal elevated beds
- Blow-up air beds – Inflatable mattresses with built-in pumps
Portable floor beds provide temporary sleeping arrangements wherever needed. Their flexibility and ease of transport makes them useful in many scenarios.
Benefits of Portable Beds
- Lightweight and foldable for travel and storage
- Convenient for small living spaces
- Inexpensive temporary sleeping solution
- Great for accommodating guests
- Easy to set-up and use anywhere
Conclusion
Floor beds go by many different names depending on their design, cultural style, and materials used. While floor sleeping furniture has existed for centuries across many cultures, common modern names for floor beds include futon, tatami bed, pallet bed, floor mattress, Japanese floor bed, Korean ondol, Montessori floor bed and portable bed. While varying in exact form and purpose, all floor beds provide the utility of a sleeping surface placed directly on the ground rather than on a raised frame or foundation. The shared benefits across the different types include affordability, portability, space-saving efficiency and safety compared with elevated beds.