Should I place a humidifier on the floor or nightstand?

What’s the best location for a humidifier in the bedroom? Seems like a simple enough question, right?

Well, it might not be the case. Humidifier placement is vital towards getting the best out of your device. As such, you need to carefully consider the right spot.

So, where is the best place? Should it be on the floor, the nightstand, close to the bed, in the corner, or the middle of the room? With so many options to consider, the decision can be overwhelming.

However, you don’t need to worry too much about the placement of your humidifier. It can work perfectly from any place in the room as long as you consider all the aspects.

Below, we are going to look at various factors that determine humidifier placement, and how you can choose the best location.

Factors to consider when deciding on the location of a humidifier

The location of your humidifier is determined by:

1. Safety

While it is safe to leave a humidifier on all night, some can cause accidents. Take, for example, warm mist humidifiers that boil the water in their reservoirs before releasing it into the air as mist.

The boiling water can thus be a safety hazard if you knock on the humidifier when sleeping, or getting out of bed. A warm mist humidifier can also be a source of concern if you have pets or small children.

2. Size and weight

A small compact humidifier can be easy to place, whether on a raised surface or on the floor (provided it can function optimally).

However, if the unit is large and heavy, a raised surface such as a table or nightstand might not be a good idea.

3. Noise level

Some humidifiers are quiet or produce minimal noise, while others can be quite noisy.

With the latter, placing it close to where your sleeping can end up interrupting your sleep due to the high levels of noise.

4. Health concerns

While increased humidity in your bedroom can offer several benefits, it can also come with some risks.

Breathing in the mist from the humidifier can lead to you catching a cold.

Where is the best place to put a humidifier in the bedroom?

Humidifier in the bedroom
Image: AndreyPopov

Considering the above-mentioned factors, these are the best locations for a humidifier.

1. Nightstand or the floor

Deciding on whether to place the humidifier on the floor on the nightstand will have a lot to do with the type of device.

For the warm mist humidifier, placing it on the floor could lead to a safety hazard if you knock it over when getting out of bed. It can also cause injuries to kids, pets, or other people during other times of the day.

On the other hand, if you place it on your nightstand and close to your bed, you can easily knock it over when sleeping.

When it comes to the cool mist humidifier, a raised surface (at least 2 feet) is recommended for optimal functioning.

Therefore, the best location for your humidifier is on a nightstand or other raised surface, but away from your bed. This way, there will be less chance of it causing an accident (in the case of a warm mist humidifier).

However, you can also put a humidifier on the floor, as long as it is a safe distance away and where it cannot be easily knocked over.

For example, in the corner of the bedroom. Even with a cool-mist humidifier, the floor can be a good location as long as it is strong enough to humidify the whole room.

2. On a carpeted floor?

But what about carpets? Can you put a humidifier on the carpet? The carpet poses some health and safety risks when using a humidifier.

For starters, it can easily knock over since the surface is not flat, thus burning you. On top of that, leaks or spills from the device can make the carpet moist, leading to the growth of mold.

Therefore, if you have a carpet in your room, the best option is to use a raised surface.

3. Next to your bed or away from it?

How close should a humidifier be to where you are sleeping? As already mentioned, breathing in the mist from the humidifier can make you sick.

Therefore, it is not a good idea to put a humidifier next to your bed. The decision can even be riskier if the device in question is a warm mist humidifier.

The optimal placement location should thus be away from your bed, but not too much so as to enjoy the benefits offered. A distance of about three feet is thus recommended when choosing where to put a humidifier.

However, if the humidifier is large enough and/or noisy, you can place it further away, such as in the corner of the room.

Can I use a humidifier with the fan on?

Is putting a humidifier in front of a fan okay? Yes, if the humidifier is not strong enough.

The fan can help distribute the humidity evenly in the room, thus making it more efficient. However, if your device is large and strong, a fan would not be necessary.

Wrapping up

A humidifier can be a good device to have in your bedroom as it can offer a lot of health benefits. From improved sleep to reduced allergens, and fighting viruses and bacteria, the benefits are many. However, you need to choose a good location to reap these benefits.

Some good locations include on a nightstand or raised surfaces, or on the floor. However, you also need to take into consideration several factors such as safety, type of floor, noise level, and so on.

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