Sleeping on the floor - is it ok long term?

[Tatami]

Well not quite the floor but on a Japanese style mat and futon. Is it OK long term, or for side sleepers? I want to use my bedroom space in the day and tuck away the bed. DH sleeps on his back and is up for it. I like sinking down into a soft mattress and sleep on my side all night. Will I regret giving up my bed?

As long as you have a good mattress then I don’t see the issue.

Would a sofa bed be more comfortable or would that take up too much space?

Keep your bed and trial it for a month, then either sell your bed or go back to using it, no harm done.

I love futons (sidesleeper) but then I also love a firm mattress. If you want a soft mattress and space during the day I'd loom at a Murphy bed. My mum used to have a rather nifty one that was hidden behind a bookcase - not sure if you can still get that today. Also, sounds like you're looking for a double bed setup?

I'd go for a proper sofa bed - we used to have one in our spare room and it was ok (though not quite as good as a proper bed).

Futons otoh... maybe depends on your age/shape ... my DDs spare bed is a futon, DH and I tried it... no way! Fortunately we'd taken a double air mattress with us which we put between the slats and the futon pad which made it bearable for a couple of nights.

I can sleep on anything, as long as I can wrap up in a blanket or duvet, I'm even happy on a floor 😂 it's breathing noises that's my deal breaker, telly...fine, music..ok but omg if you breathe!

We let our son sleep on a mattress on the floor during a teenage whim. It rotted the mattress as there was no airflow underneath. Futons are different, I guess?

I tried that. Don't recommend it. After a few month my hips hurt all the time. I think it may be ok if you sleep on your back but I can't, and as a side sleeper it was painful but only after a while. I had got rid of the bed because I slept on a futon at a friends and thought it was lovely, but over time it hurt more and more.

Thank you all for your replies. I had thought it was going to be too uncomfortable for a side sleeper. I struggle even with a firm mattress after a few days. I might investigate murphy beds and see how expensive or complicated they are to fit.

As a PP said you need to make sure the mattress is off the floor somehow for airflow otherwise it’ll be mouldy and damp under there

Some futons have a folding slatted wooden frame so it's more like an (uncomfortable) sofa bed so it's a bit off the floor. The traditional Japanese ones don't - the wiki page warns they need airing to avoid mould: 'Throughout Japan, futons can commonly be seen hanging over balconies, airing in the sun.', or you can use a futon dryer.

I didn't even have a mattress never mind a bed when I lived in my studio flat for a few years as there just wasn't space. I slept on the floor on top of a duvet. It was fine and it now means I can sleep anywhere!

Nope, nothing less than 6 inches of memory foam or my hips hurt.