DIY Montessori Floor Bed

Here is a quick DIY Montessori Floor Bed frame. Montessori floor beds are becoming quite popular in children’s bedrooms. This is essentially a crib or twin mattress placed on the floor in a bed frame. You can buy the frame already made or you can grab some scrap lumber and throw one together. I’ll show you how we did just this in one afternoon.

What is Montessori?

The Montessori method is an environment that is neat and tidy. Organized in such a way that everything has a reason and helps provide development for the child. It is a very simple environment and has a nice and real appearance. This is a child directed method that allows the child to make their own decisions without adult interference. So this allows the child to gain their own confidence and independence at their own pace.

Why would you want a Montessori floor bed for your toddler?

A lot of people are starting to prefer floor beds for their young children to allow them free access of their room. If your child wakes up from their nap they can easily get up and walk or crawl around to play with their toys. They then don’t have to rely on their caretaker to get them out of their crib to get to what they want. It allows for more independent play.

Another reason, because it’s on the floor they are less likely to fall and hurt themselves. They won’t be tempted to climb over their crib railing to the floor beneath.

Like mentioned above, this creates an environment where they are able to gain confidence and be independent at their own pace without relying on the caretaker.

Do you have to use a frame?

You don’t have to use a frame though it would be better to keep the mattress off the floor. This will allow air flow and help prevent moisture from collecting under the mattress.

I have an old house that can have cold wood floors and there is a good amount of humidity in our house. It’s not always a bad thing but I don’t want moisture to accumulate under the mattress and create issues.

Using a frame will also help to keep the mattress from moving around. Not that it’s a deal breaker for me but it’s nice when you get on or off to not have it slip around on your wooden floors. If you have carpets it may not move around quite as much.

Overall using a frame will make a nice clean and finished area for your child to sleep and explore.

Baby Safe Space

As with any room in the house you should make the room safe for the child. You should remove any objects that could be a choking hazard or be a potential harm to the child. Small objects should be removed from the bedroom and outlets should be covered. Dressers and cabinets should be anchored to the wall to prevent falling on top of the child if the child pulls up on it. Wires from lamps or other electrical units should be removed or securely concealed or covered on the wall so they can not be played with.

Baby gates should be used in doorways where the child may be able to easily roam the house unsupervised. Otherwise use a door with a door knob lock that the child is not able to open. Also removing any house plants out of their reach. HERE is a good website on baby proofing your child’s room.

I would also recommend using a baby monitor to keep a close eye on them while they sleep. I like to use the HelloBaby monitor. This is a camera that is left in the room and the caretaker has the hand held wireless monitor with video and sound. The one I have has infra red night vision and a built in thermometer so I can easily keep tabs on how cool or warm the room is. If she wakes up and starts crying I can easily hear her with an adjustable sound volume.

It’s a great way to keep an eye on your baby without constantly popping in and out of the room.

Different ways to make a DIY Montessori floor bed

If you search on Pinterest you will find a bunch of different designs for a montessori bed frame. There simple designs more creative designs. You have the design that we did with a simple frame around the mattress to elevate it a bit and keep it from sliding around.

Others have the frame mentioned above but have a slatted rails like a crib.

There are even extra creative bed frames that are designed in the shape of a house or tent frame.

How to make a DIY Montessori floor bed

For this bed frame we used scrap wood that we had on hand. We did the same thing when we made our scrap wood garden beds and potato planters. It’s a great way to save money and use up some wood that you have on the property.

Equipment

• Tape Measure
• Pencil
• Miter Saw
• 2 inch screws (20-50 count)
• 2×6 boards
• 2×4 boards
• Sheet of plywood

Directions

Frame out the size of the mattress you will be using with the 2×6 boards then screw them together.

Then cut your 2×4 boards to square off the corners and screw those together.

Cut a long piece of 2×4 that will connect both long sides of the frame.

Cut your plywood to fit the inside of what will be the top of the 2×4 boards then screw together.

At this point I would sand down all your corners and plywood to round out corners and remove any potential splinter areas.

If you want you can paint or stain what ever color you would like. I chose to leave it in its natural state. I like the natural wood look. Though I may choose to stain it in the future.

Have you made a floor bed for your child? How did they like it?

Let me know in the comments below!

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