Top 10 Best Floor Mattresses in the UK 2021 (Milliard, EMOOR and More)

It’s quite a drastic action to take, and one that’s likely to earn you strange looks from everybody you tell, so why exactly would you want to sleep on the floor, rather than in a bed? The biggest advantage, and the reason most people opt for lower sleeping habits, is that it can reduce pain, particularly in your back, neck, and joints. 

This is partly due to improved blood circulation, but some researchers believe that it’s also because sleeping on the floor encourages your spine to rest in its most natural position, allowing pressure to be distributed evenly throughout the body as opposed to being gathered more intensely at a few points.

The air is much cooler down on the ground, too. The advised ideal temperature for sleeping is between 16-18°C. A room that is too warm can cause discomfort and restlessness, affecting not only your ability to fall asleep, but also to remain in deep sleep once you’ve drifted off.

There are several psychological benefits too – as well as granting you a significant amount of additional space in your bedroom once packed away, a change in habit, particularly one as significant as sleep, can also initiate a chain reaction and lead to a number of other positive changes in your life. A few months later, you'll be wondering why you didn't start sooner!

Choosing your next mattress is a big decision, and such a decision requires careful thought. Read on to discover how you can pick the best mattress for catching those elusive Zs. 

You’re no longer constrained by having to ensure that your mattress fits your bed frame, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need to pick your ideal mattress size. Just as with a regular bed, you’ll need to decide whether you want a single or double mattress, though you'll also want to check the dimensions as they can differ. 

The decision is significantly simpler for those who share their bed with someone – unless you’re feeling particularly frugal or mean, you’ll be going for a double mattress as standard.

Solo sleepers have a little more flexibility in their choice, however. A single mattress will save you money, but a double mattress will allow you additional space, and the freedom to flap your wings like an angel as you enjoy a heavenly sleep.

Just like regular mattresses, floor mattresses vary from each other in how they feel beneath you as you sleep on them. Different sleepers will prefer different materials and different levels of firmness, so it’s important to consider what your preferences are before you shell out. 

The next thing to decide upon is the firmness of your floor mattress. You’re going to be spending around eight hours a night laying on it, so it’s important to find one that feels right for you. 

Although it might sound contradictory to the pursuit of comfort, most people find they benefit from a firmer mattress. This is because firmer mattresses distribute weight more evenly amongst your bones, leading to improved circulation and fewer aches and pains – advantages that mirror the benefits of using a floor mattress in the first place.

On the other hand, if you’re older or suffer from specific back problems such as arthritis and scoliosis, you may be better suited to a softer mattress. Those who sleep on their side, too, will find their shoulders and hips better cushioned by a softer mattress.

Just as with regular mattresses, you also have the option of purchasing a floor mattress made with memory foam. Memory foam is a highly durable material known for its ability to adapt to, and ‘remember’, your body shape. 

The primary advantage of this is the optimal support it provides – because memory foam adapts to the contours of your body, it offers evenly distributed support to every pressure point, reducing the risk of aches and pains. 

The ‘grooves’ that your body creates will also reduce the chance of you being woken by your partner in the night. Your personalised sleep zone, which you'll create through regular use of your mattress, is more likely to keep you contained and reduce movement during sleep, and the material of the memory foam will absorb and dissipate any vibrations that might wake you up as your partner moves.

Here’s where things start to differ from traditional mattresses. It’s not very often that you need to decide whether you want a mattress that folds or rolls, but without the need for a cumbersome bed frame, it’s a choice that floor mattresses grant you. 

It’s usually clear from looking at a mattress whether it folds or rolls – foldable mattresses usually contain visible divisions that allow them to be folded into three, also known as ‘tri-folding’.

Firmer, tri-fold mattresses often fold away nice and compactly, and their rectangular shape makes them quite easy to lean tidily against the wall. This makes them a good pick if you have a smaller bedroom or space that you'd like to keep clear during the day. 

Softer mattresses, on the other hand, are more pliable and don’t contain such divisions, allowing you to simply roll them up. Of course, if you are particularly set on rolling, softer folding mattresses can also be rolled away, though the result will be slightly more awkward and might not be as effective a use of the space.

Many rollable mattresses, particularly thicker ones, don’t compact quite so neatly and can look quite awkward piled in a corner. They can, however, be compressed much easier, and therefore may be more convenient for packing in the boot for a trip.

It’s a good idea not to dwell on it for too long, but every night our bodies generate heat and moisture while we sleep. Breathability refers to a mattress’s ability to handle these elements by circulating air and transporting moisture in order to stay dry. 

Many floor mattresses enable this through the use of mesh fabric, material that contains small holes that encourage air to escape and circulate. 

The result is a floor mattress that remains cooler and more comfortable throughout the night and will last for much longer. It’s easy to spot if a mattress is made from breathable material – if it’s not clear from the photos, the product's description will usually list it as a key feature. 

If you’re someone that likes to make extra effective use of their room space, there’s an additional feature available with some foldable mattresses that might tickle your fancy. Rather than simply be stored away or pushed against the wall, some floor mattresses can serve as makeshift chairs or sofas when folded. 

Instead of only serving a purpose at night time, these mattresses provide a service at all times of the day – a sofa in the day and a bed at night. The ultimate comfort companion! 

You now know why so many people are raving about sleeping on the floor, and you’ve learned a little more about the available options. If the benefits of sleeping on the floor are something you’d like to experience, read on, where we’ve listed our top 10 best floor mattresses available for purchase in the UK. 

Good quality sleep is important enough that it’s worth investing in the best products available. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about the best products for getting a great sleep, as well as those that’ll get you into a calm frame of mind in the evening before waking you ready to start the next day.

The restorative properties of a great night’s sleep can be truly life-changing, but that doesn’t mean they have to break the bank. Now you’ve read our guide, you’ve hopefully found an affordable way of getting your head down – really low down, that is! – for a good night’s sleep. Don’t let the bed bugs bite! 

Author: Ben Willimett