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The Princess and the Pea had it all wrong. A good night’s rest has nothing to do with being as far above the ground as possible—in fact, the opposite may be more accurate. Placing your mattress on the ground makes bedtime feel decidedly nostalgic—like you brought out a bunch of blankets to sleep on a trampoline or you’re experiencing the rare childhood delight of snoozing on an air mattress (but even better, because it’s a real bed that supports your back).

Floor beds admittedly have a bad reputation for appearing unfinished or untidy; the trick to pulling them off lies in the styling. The perfect number of pillows, bedding that’s been rumpled just so, and a few easy-breezy accents (like a net canopy) ensure the setup will look chic. These ideas might even convince you to give up that bed frame for good.

Delineate It With a Divider

A shelving-unit partition, stocked with ceramics and books, makes the bed placement feel extra-thoughtful. In Courtney Adamo’s tiny shed–turned–sleeping quarters, the plain wood boards put the focus back on the architecture. 

Be Even Bolder With Your Floor Tile Choice

Technically, this mattress sits on a platform, but the same lesson applies. The bolder your floor, the more your bed will look at home. Checkered black-and-white tiles and a hand-stenciled zigzag trim make this setup feel like a getaway. 

Try a Monochrome Look

When the bedding, walls, and even floors are white, it’s pretty impossible for a space to look messy. Don’t overcomplicate it and you won’t go wrong.

Ruffle It Up

If you don’t want to spend your mornings making your bed with utmost precision, buy a duvet cover that looks better when it’s a little disheveled. Textured coverlets, like this white option, are very forgiving.

Go High When Your Bed Goes Low

A net canopy will prevent your floor bed from dragging your line of sight downward. Consider this a lesson in balance.

Create a Cozy Corner

If you’re styling a mattress on the floor in a multipurpose space (think: an office that sometimes functions as a guest room), align it with a wall to create a daybed vibe. Fully tuck in the bedding so it looks nice and neat.

Don’t Forget Bedside Furniture

Just because you’re forgoing a bed frame doesn’t mean you have to give up your nightstands. In this bedroom, a long bench and low-slung table make the mattress feel intentional.

Pick Your Perfect Throws

An intricately printed blanket and three jewel-toned pillows elevate this laid-back vignette. When circled by lush plants and a conveniently placed lamp, it becomes a serene place for slumber.

Keep It Natural

A floor bed covered in perfectly worn-in linen sheets is soothing on its own. Surround it with minimal wood furniture and just a couple pieces of art, and you’ve turned your space into a bona fide sanctuary.

Find a (Wall Art) Frame

When your bed is low to the ground, you free up some extra wall space—the perfect opportunity to expand your gallery. And who needs nightstands when you can have two big plants instead?

Downsize It All

Photography by Brittany Ambridge

Pick a miniature nightstand, like the one next to this low-to-the-ground bed, so the scale of the two pieces match. It’s just the right size for your phone, a book, and a glass of water.   

See more bedroom ideas: Your Bed Could Use Some More Fabric (And We Don’t Mean the Sheets) Why Are These Pillows Amazon Best-Sellers? Flannel Sheets Are the Bedding Equivalent of a Big, Cozy Hug