Futons have established themselves as mainstays in the home. While they started
out as a simple mattress on the floor, they have evolved into a substantial piece
of furniture providing a wide range of flexibility in use and design. Futons are
found in children’s rooms, family rooms, offices, and dens. The range of materials
used in the construction of the frame and the mattress varies and the number of
choices for futon covers is great. It is a good idea to sit down and really think
about how your futon is going to be used, analyze the space it will be in, and determine
what style will best fit your needs. This guide will help you focus on what you
really need.
The History of Futons
Futons originated in Japan and the style of a Japanese futon is quite different
than the style of a Western designed futon. The Japanese futon is used for sleeping
but is much thinner—it does not have a frame and is designed to easily fold and
be tucked away during the day. Futons started gaining momentum in America in the
1960s and were much more like the traditional Japanese futon, but then in the 1980s,
frames started to accompany the futon mattress. They are no longer just for a guest
room or a college dorm room; they have evolved into high-quality pieces of furniture
that can easily be a focal point of a living space.
What to Consider
How will the futon be used?
The first thing you need to do is decide how the futon will be used. Will it be
used as a sofa or as a sofa and a bed? Will it be used as a bed occasionally or
every night? If it is used as a sofa and a bed, you want to make sure it’s comfortable
for both purposes. If it is used as a bed nightly, special consideration should
be given to the quality of the mattress. Be sure to look at the bunk bed futons
if you have children, since they are perfect for sleepovers.
Size
The size of the space is also important. Measure carefully the area you have to
work with. If the futon will be used as a bed, you want to make sure that there
is ample room once the futon is laid flat—enough leg room to comfortably walk around
the futon is ideal.
Style
What style are you looking for? If you want the futon in a living space, you probably
want to consider a traditional hardwood that has a more formal look. A metal frame
might be perfect for a child’s room where it can be easily moved around and perhaps
transition with them into a college dorm room. An office or den can easily pull
off a more casual look, such as a combination wood and metal frame. No matter what
your style, you can find traditional, casual, modern, and formal options. Be sure
to read about futon covers as they can greatly influence the style of the futon
and help you achieve your desired look.
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The frame and the mattress both encompass the title “futon.”
The futon frame has two main parts — the back rest and the seat rack. The back rest
is just as it sounds, the part of the futon that your back rests against when in
a sitting position. The seat rack is the part the bottom half of your body rests
on when in a sitting position. This is referred to as a bi-fold futon.
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The first futon frames were made of wood and there are
many beautiful hardwood frames on today’s market. But you will also find metal and
a combination of wood and metal. Metal frames offer a more modern look, are easy
to move around, and are traditionally less expensive. Hardwood frames are sturdy,
high-quality, and if you're willing to pay the price, you can have the look
of a traditional sofa.
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Some of the more advanced futon frames offer features like
built-in springs on the back rest and seat rack. Other options include grippers
that keep the mattress from moving around and seamless back rests (no slats). This
seamless look makes it easy to incorporate into a traditional or formal living space.
Several models have built-in storage for keeping linens and pillows.
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Another type of futon is a tri-fold futon. They are typically
seen in a smaller frame (what would equal a twin-size bed). With the extra fold
it offers four different positions: the regular sitting position, a lounge position
where the bottom folds out to act as a ottoman, a recliner position where the bottom
folds out and down, and finally the bed position where all folds are laying flat.
This requires a mattress that can easily move with the tri-fold (a traditional cotton
futon mattress is best).
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Futon chairs can easily work alone or as part of a living
room set. When laying flat, they are not as large as a twin bed, but if you add
an ottoman they can be used as a bed.
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Once you have your frame selected, you can focus on the
mattress. With your budget and needs in mind, you should be able to select one with
ease. The futon mattress falls into three main categories: traditional, innerspring,
and memory foam. Futon mattresses typically range from 6 to 8 inches and be sure
to err on the
thicker side if it will be used as a bed.
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Traditional futon mattresses are filled with a cotton or polyester filling. They
are a good standard choice that will perform just fine. If you’re going to be using
the futon as a bed, consider giving yourself or your guests an extra level of comfort.
An innerspring mattress contains springs, acting more like a regular mattress and
works best on a traditional bi-fold frame. Another great choice for sleeping is
a memory foam mattress that is designed to move with your body. They easily fold
for use on a bi-fold frame.
In addition to the material of the frame you choose, the
futon cover is where you can complete your desired look. With literally thousands
of fabrics and colors to choose from, you want to feel confident in your style before
you go searching. From micro fiber and chenille fabrics to animal and Asian inspired
prints, futon covers offer great flexibility for those who like to change the look
of a room often. The ability to easily remove the cover and wash it adds to the
appeal of futons.
And don’t forget to accessorize. You can add to the design and comfort with great
bedding and fun, decorative pillows will polish off the look of your space.
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Price Ranges
In the $100 - $250 price range, you are looking at either just the frame itself or
just the mattress. The frames in this price range are probably metal or a combination
of wood and metal. Metal frames are lightweight and easy to move. Check out the
metal futon frame by Elite Products for under $150. It is metal, but the mission
style makes it appear as though it is made of wood. You can also find a wooden convertible chair frame—the Portofino
chair frame by Elite is under $250.
For less than $500, you can find a mattress that will provide maximum comfort for both
sitting and sleeping. The Visco Memory futon mattress by Elite products is a good choice.
You’ll also start seeing futons that look more like a sofa bed. Skyline futon offers
a fully upholstered futon for about $500. In the middle of this price range, you can
find a hardwood mission style frame that will fit any traditional space for just
over $300.00.
If you’re able to go up to the $500 - $1000 price range, your choices and flexibility
greatly increase. A popular choice is a futon frame with underneath storage—a great
place to keep the extra sheets and blankets for your guests or yourself. Newport
has a nice dark cherry futon frame with underneath storage for around $600, but the
drawers and mattress are sold separately. You also see more variety in the types
of materials used, like rattan.
In the top price range of $1000 - $2000, you’re going to find full sets that include
the frame, mattress, and drawers for underneath storage (if applicable). They will
also be constructed with high-quality hardwood, not a combination of wood and metal.
Futons in this price range can easily hold their own in a living space and may even
go unnoticed as having the label of “futon.” It’s an economical way to create a
very stylish, warm space.
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