It's Okay to Put Your Bed on the Floor

Zipping yourself into the cozy cocoon of a sleeping bag on a camping trip is one of those seemingly trivial moments that gives you warm fuzzies every time—so why not re-create that experience at home? Say goodbye to your lofty bed frame and box spring and place your mattress on the floor. It's something that designer Kelly Behun has been doing in her own house for years—and not just for looks, although playing with the proportions and viewpoint of your bed does ensure the room looks modern and fresh. "On an emotional level, there’s something nice about being closer to the ground—you actually feel grounded," she says. Think of it this way: If you're drawn to low-slung sofas, you're bound to enjoy your bed closer to the floor, too.

However, don't just leave your mattress directly on the hardwood. Behun recommends using a low platform to support it and allow air to move underneath—think wood two-by-fours or some kind of strapping. As for dressing the bed, keep the linens as laid-back as the bed itself, letting them pool on the ground as curtains would. "I tend to gravitate toward washed linen—it’s more relaxed and not overly crisp," says Behun. "You want the bed to be inviting." Ready to dive in...literally? Here's more inspiration: