Floor Mattresses & Japanese Futons

What a floor mattress is for

A floor mattress is made to lie directly on the floor and be put away during the day. It is thinner than a standard mattress, usually around 6cm to 10cm, and firmer, so it gives support without a bed base underneath. It suits a guest room, a sleepover, a small flat where a bed frame takes up too much space, or a traditional Japanese setup.

Futon, shikibuton and tatami

A Japanese futon, or shikibuton, is a thin layered mattress, often cotton around a foam core, that folds in three and goes into a cupboard by day. A tatami mat is a firm mat woven from igusa rush. It sits under the futon, lets air move underneath and takes up some moisture. You can use a futon on its own on a clean floor or on top of a tatami mat.

Roll up or fold

Roll up floor mattresses compress into a tight roll with straps or a carry bag, which makes them easy to store under a bed or take away for the weekend. Folding versions fold in three or four and can double as a low sofa or a floor seat. If you mainly want a guest bed that turns into a chair, see our folding and tri-fold mattresses as well.

Sizes

Sizes run from small single (2ft 6in) to king (5ft). Some follow Japanese or European sizes such as 100 x 200cm or 140 x 200cm, so check the measurements in the size options against the space you have.

Airing and care

A mattress on the floor can trap moisture underneath, especially on a cold floor in winter. Fold or roll it away during the day, or lift it to air a few times a week. Several have removable, washable covers. New foam floor mattresses can take a day or two to reach full thickness after unpacking.

Our guide to folding mattresses for guests covers thickness and sizes, and full-depth mattresses for a bed frame are in mattresses. Delivery is free to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and orders arrive in 3.0 working days on average.