Humidifier on Floor or Nightstand? – Where To Place?

Congratulations on deciding you need a humidifier, but be prepared to get confused when determining between a humidifier on floor or nightstand.

👍 Humidifiers are extremely useful in winter and help prevent dry skin, loosen congestion, and ease allergy symptoms.

While it is impressive, you just cannot put it anywhere, can you? Turns out, you can’t. And it has nothing to do with feng shui!

The truth is that an inefficiently placed humidifier will have little effect on your home.

So, does a humidifier need to be right next to you? Is it okay to leave it on the floor in a corner?

Placing your humidifier on a nightstand makes more sense because of improved airflow, but ultimately, the type of humidifier and your room size play a role as well. 

The Wonders of Having a Humidifier

Humidifiers are wonderful and can prove extremely helpful when you are constantly battling your sinus issues and allergy symptoms.

✅ But you must pick the best one for your home to get the maximum benefits.

The majority of humidifiers are evaporative models. They are pretty simple to use and, therefore, quite common.

This humidifier has a dedicated water tank, which you must fill periodically. The water is then filtered automatically, and the process of evaporation begins. 

The following phase involves a fan releasing the evaporated air back into the room after passing it through the filter.

The working of a humidifier is pretty straightforward, but it won’t be efficient unless you place it properly. 

Why Does Placement Matter for Your Humidifier?

Many people do not understand that a humidifier’s effectiveness can be increased by more than 15% if appropriately placed.

✅ Furthermore, a poorly placed humidifier might not work efficiently, and you might notice a reduction of as much as 30%.

Not to mention how it plays its role in fostering a hospitable setting for mold growth. 

Factors Affecting Where To Place Your Humidifier

Do not just get a humidifier; throw it in any corner of your room. Being a bit more careful with its placement can significantly enhance its performance. 

So, always consider the following when deciding on where to place it:

The Size of Your Room Matters

A humidifier can be conveniently put on a desk or shelf in a smaller area used for study or work.

You may have to be more creative in a larger room, though. Put it in the center of a large or medium-sized room to distribute moisture evenly. 

The Type of Your Humidifier

The placement of your humidifier will depend a lot on its type. It will be different for a warm mist humidifier than a cool mist humidifier.

Humidifiers that use hot water should be placed at least a few feet from the bed to prevent accidental spills.

✅ It should also be stored away from curious paws and noses.

However, cool mist humidifiers, which call for cold water, can be used in the bedroom without risk. 

The Flow of Air

For the humidifier to disperse the moisture evenly, it needs to be able to draw in enough air.

If circulation is impeded, the water vapor will condense in one spot. Therefore, picking a spot in the center with good ventilation makes more sense.

Tip: Never place your humidifier anywhere near your electrical devices; it can lead to severe problems. 

Humidifier on Floor or Nightstand: Which Way To Go?

Having a humidifier can help you relax and fall asleep more easily. When morning comes, you will be refreshed and ready to take on whatever the day brings.  

But you can enjoy all this if you are careful about the placement of your humidifier.

And that is when the most confusing question strikes you hard, “should you place it on the floor or stick it with the nightstand?”

Well, the truth is that you have to consider many factors. And based on your unique circumstances, it is often better to avoid choosing either option. 

Humidifier on Your Nightstand

Humidifiers may appear to do well on the nightstand, but this is not always the case. Why? Because it is better to keep it far from your reach.

Just picture this: You get out of bed and go for your phone, only to hit the humidifier in the process.

It eventually collapses and cracks. Despite how weird it may seem, it is still quite possible.

Also, a humidifier placed too close to a person’s bed can cause health problems.

It can sometimes be too much for your sinuses to handle, and that is when the pain starts. And this is certain to awaken you from your slumber. 

Humidifier on the Floor

Humidifiers should not be placed on the floor, either. The justification is the same as that of the nightstand.

Because of how top-heavy it is, it can be easily toppled over and broken.

No one is safe from the dangers of humidifiers, including children and pets.

Moreover, you might end up hurting yourself as well. You have to keep in mind that most humidifiers release their steam at a high temperature.

So, if someone knocks one over by mistake, they risk getting burned by the water within. Ouch, what a terrible way to begin the day.

Also, you may not want to place it on the floor because of the potential for mold growth.

If you use a humidifier, be aware that it may soak moisture from your carpet or hardwood floors.

Mold can form if moisture is allowed to penetrate deeply enough.

Moldy air is exceedingly dangerous to breathe in and can cause many health problems.

Tip: Placing your humidifier between two windows may help improve airflow and make your humidifier work more efficiently. 

A humidifier in a Corner

Many people think that the only issue with placing a humidifier on the floor is to hit it accidentally.

Yes, it is a tipping hazard, but it does not mean you are safe simply by leaving it in a corner.

Doing so would significantly lower the efficiency of your humidifier. In this instance, the relative humidity will be higher in some places than others.

For instance, it may be up to 80% in the corner where you have placed the humidifier, but it may only be up to 30% in the room.

It implies that placing your humidifier in the corner of the floor is a big no-no.

The humidity level will never be even in this case, and you might have moist air only around the humidifier. 

Choosing Between Humidifier on Floor and Nightstand

If you absolutely have to choose between the two options, you will be better off placing it on your nightstand.

In fact, it is better to use any other table which keeps your humidifier off the ground and still out of your reach while sleeping.

The optimal location for a cold mist humidifier is between two and four feet from the floor and at least four feet from the ceiling.

This is particularly true for a cold-mist humidifier with a capacity of 500 ml/h or more.

Placing it directly on the floor is a bad idea because:

• It limits the airflow.
• It increases the risk of spillage on the floor.

A humidifier should be placed at a height of two to four feet. If placed there, it will:

• Receive adequate ventilation
• Cause no harm to the floor
• Be less likely to be toppled over
• And still, be far enough from the ceiling to prevent paint from chipping

Remember that smaller humidifiers may go on your bedroom’s nightstand, while larger models have to be on a table, far from you.

In fact, you should move a nightstand or other furniture so that you have at least three feet of space between you and the humidifier. 

Tip: You should place your humidifier on a towel to prevent any leakage. 

An Important Thing To Remember

Putting the humidifier in different locations can boost its performance even further. It means you have to move it around your room.

Even though you will have to unplug and replug the humidifier after a few hours, the improved humidity control is well worth the inconvenience.

If you feel a dry spot in the room, you can relocate the humidifier to that area and see how it makes a difference.

Tip: Placing your humidifier near your heater makes more sense because the air is drier in that location.

Takeaway

When deciding whether to place a humidifier on floor or nightstand, it is crucial to consider the type of your appliance, your room size, and your requirements.

In most cases, placing it on a nightstand is better than leaving it on the floor. But, it is even better to move it around to get the best results.