Our Floor Beds are left untreated to give parents the freedom to decide how they’d like to finish the wood—or to leave it as is and appreciate its natural beauty without introducing chemicals. You can choose to apply a wax, stain, oil, paint, or treatment that best suits your preferences. Each piece of wood is carefully dressed and sanded to ensure a smooth, safe surface for little hands, offering comfort and peace of mind.

We use Australian Blackbutt because it's strong, beautiful, and made to last. Its light, golden tones and clean grain bring a natural warmth to any room, and it’s tough enough to handle everyday family life — from toddler tumbles to years of use. It’s also sustainably grown here in Australia and naturally resistant to termites, making it a safe, reliable choice for children’s furniture.

From our experience with our daughter, we've found that any little marks — like milk spills or water drops — are easy to wipe off, and the colour and texture of the bed stay beautifully consistent over time. Unlike lighter timbers such as straw-coloured pine, which show every mark and are harder to clean, Blackbutt holds up well with daily use. Pine tends to stain easily and can look worn or discoloured over time, while Blackbutt keeps its natural look for years.

A floor bed can be a safe and wonderful option for kids older than 6 months when the room is thoughtfully prepared. The key is to create a child-friendly, Montessori-inspired space designed for their independence and safety. Here are a few key tips:

• Use low, sturdy furniture that’s securely anchored to prevent tipping.
• Keep the floor clear of loose items like toys, pillows, or blankets to ensure a safe sleep environment.
• Always place your baby on their back to sleep, following Red Nose guidelines to reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Add a door or baby gate to keep your little one safely within the room.
• Adjust decorations so they’re out of reach, and secure or remove any dangling cords from blinds.
• Cover electrical outlets to eliminate hazards.

With these simple steps, a floor bed can create a cozy, safe, and nurturing sleep space even for 6 months old babies.

Yes, our Montessori-inspired bed frames meet the current Australian Infant Sleep Products Standard. All cots sold in Australia must meet the Mandatory Standard AS/NZS 2172-2003, which includes important safety requirements to help protect children from entrapment and injury. These include:

• Gaps between bars or panels must be between 50 mm and 95 mm to prevent little arms, legs, or heads from getting stuck.
• The gap between the mattress and the bed frame must be less than 20 mm.
• No openings between 30 mm and 50 mm, which can trap limbs.
• No small holes or openings between 5 mm and 12 mm that could catch fingers.

Our Montessori-inspired floor beds are thoughtfully designed with these standards in mind. The spacing between our timber dowels is 70 mm — well within the safe range.

To ensure the mattress fits safely, we tailor the bed frame to the mattress dimensions you provide. Because mattress sizes can vary, we always recommend double-checking that your mattress fits snugly within the frame, leaving no unsafe gaps.

To get the most out of your child's bed from Pelota, we recommend keeping the mattress low-profile and snug-fitting for both safety and comfort. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right one:

1. Go Slim — 10 to 12 cm is Ideal
   Our 50cm-tall side rails are designed to keep your little one safe, especially when paired with a slim mattress. A lower mattress helps maintain the protective height of the rails and supports easy, independent access — a core part of the Montessori approach we follow at The Purc Shop.
2. Choose Firm Support
   A firmer mattress is best for growing bodies. It offers proper support and ensures your child sleeps comfortably and safely.
3. Ensure a Snug Fit
   We customise our beds to the mattress dimensions you provide, so it’s important to choose one that fits well within the frame. The gap between the mattress and bed frame should be less than 20mm to meet Australian safety standards.
4. Look for Safe, Breathable Materials
   We recommend choosing mattresses made with natural, non-toxic, and breathable materials — especially for younger children who spend a lot of time resting and playing on their beds.
5. Add a Waterproof Cover
   Accidents happen, and a waterproof or washable mattress cover makes clean-up easier while helping extend the life of the mattress.

The short answer is yes — we strongly recommend choosing the slimmest mattress possible as the top priority, with firmness as the second. A slim mattress ensures there’s enough space between the top of the mattress and the top of the side rails, which is important for your child’s safety. It helps prevent trips or falls and gives your child enough room to pull themselves up safely as they start learning to stand and walk.

In our own experience with our daughter, we’ve seen that children naturally use the bed for freedom of movement — hopping in and out easily — without any tendency to trip. That said, having a safe, comfortable distance above the mattress gives them the security they need as they grow and explore independently.

If you're after specific brands, here are a few we love — each for their own unique benefits.

• We highly recommend the IKEA VANNAREID mattress — it’s the perfect fit for our beds, especially those with 50cm side rails. With its 12cm height, it ensures a safe distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the rails, making it even safer for your little one. This low profile also makes it easy for your child to crawl in and out of bed independently, aligning with Montessori principles.

The mattress features firm support with individually wrapped pocket springs and a soft foam top layer for comfort. It comes in a soft light grey colour and includes a removable, machine-washable cover — ideal for the inevitable spills during milk time or toilet training.

Mattress size: 97 x 189 x 12 cm
Includes a 10-year IKEA warranty, with the original receipt provided.

We love it for its safety, practicality, and how well it supports independent sleep. We think you will too!

• Peace Lily Natural Latex Mattress. Its 22cm height provides a safe distance between the top of the mattress and the top of the rails, ensuring your child's safety while maintaining easy accessibility for independent movement.

This mattress is crafted from 100% natural latex, offering firm support and exceptional durability. It features a removable, machine-washable organic cotton cover, making it ideal for easy maintenance during those inevitable spills.

Available in various sizes, including Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, and King, it comes with a 25-year warranty, reflecting its long-lasting quality. Peace Lily also offers a 100-night risk-free trial, allowing you to ensure it's the perfect fit for your child.

We believe this mattress provides a healthy, comfortable, and safe sleeping environment, aligning with our commitment to quality and sustainability.