Futons are great in that they combine the usefulness of a bed and a couch, often for less money than you would spend on a couch bed/pull-out couch. Futons are a seeming staple of college students and many young couples and are useful for many purposes. If you are interested in buying a futon, but just aren’t sure, read on to discover some of the pros and cons of the futon, in addition to a little bit of its history.
The futon comes from Japan, where the traditional sleeping surface was a simple mattress laid on the floor. When not in use, the mattress is folded away into the closet, making the room a multi-purpose space.
1. Comfort
Generally, a futon is not as comfortable as a regular couch or bed but designs have come a long way in the last few years. Before, futon mattresses were thin and the frames tended to be be flimsy, thus adding to their discomfort. Modern futon mattresses offer far more support and comfort; further, if desired, you can customize your futon mattress for a more comfortable sleep or sitting experience.
2. Frame Style
There are many different futon frames to suit your personal style, ranging from a simple metal frame to more ornate hand-carved hardwood frames.
3. Mattress and Cover Types
You have many choices when it comes to the mattress, so you can choose what suits your needs and budget. You will have the option of a simple all-cotton mattress in a variety of thicknesses, ranging to a top-of-the-line organic latex futon mattress for the ultimate sleeping surface.
Once you have chosen your mattress, it’s time to select a cover. This acts both as a protective surface for your mattress and allows you to match the style of your room, or reflect your personality. There are covers for every taste in dozens of fabric choices.
4. Versatility
The number one advantage of futons is that they can serve as both a couch and a bed. The only drawback to this is comfort; almost all standard beds and couches are more comfortable when used for their desired purposes.
When it comes to versatility, a new mattress cover on a futon couch can change the look of the room without necessarily doing an entire makeover.
5. Size
Compared to a bed, a futon takes up little space, and can even be smaller than a couch. There is also some space underneath where you could place some storage like bedding for when you have guests. They are easy to take apart and move, which is a bonus for young people who move a lot or for when they move out of their college living arrangements.
Depending on the futon frame style, you could even take it apart and move the entire thing in a car or truck without having to rent a moving van.
6. Cost
Due to the low cost of inexpensive futons, they have been a popular purchase for decades. Even higher-quality futons are less expensive than most couches, giving you a lot for your money.
A good-quality futon is usually less expensive than a pull-out couch, and depending on the mattress you choose, a lot more comfortable.
7. Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning, futon mattresses are low-maintenance. They are easy to remove in order to gain access to the frame, and as for normal upkeep, most futon mattresses can be vacuumed to remove pet hair and other surface dirt. You will want to follow the manufacturer’s directions for surface cleaning more complicated than that, but in many cases, you can also have the mattress sprayed with a fabric protectant to resist staining, like you can with a sofa.