• Introduction
• Assembly Instructions

• Mattresses
• Choosing a Mattress
• Cotton
• Foam

• Frames
• Frame History
• Mechanisms
• Wood

• Covers

In-Depth Primer ~ 

Introduction

What is a Futon?

A futon is a convertible sofa sleeper, a piece of dual-purpose furniture that can be used for both sitting and sleeping.

The Japanese have long used a sleeping mat called a “shikibuton.”  In the late 1960s, the idea of a similar cotton floor mattress caught on in the United States and was called a “futon.”  The product evolved throughout the 70s.  It moved off the floor and onto a wooden frame, although the word “futon” still meant only the mattress.  Mattress options expanded beyond cotton to include wool, foam, and polyester as well. 

During the 80s and 90s, the futon industry boomed.  Many new companies with clever designs and innovations revolutionized the futon world. 

Now the industry has matured as a well-developed furniture category offering many options and styles.  “Futon” has come to mean the whole three-component structure of frame, mattress, and fabric (upholstery) cover.

Benefits of a Futon

Why choose a futon over a traditional sofa sleeper? Many reasons!

Futons offer many different style options. You can get a wooden futon frame, a metal frame, or a fully upholstered frame.

Futons are highly customizable. Because you’re not just buying an all-in-one piece of furniture, you can customize your purchase to your preferences. Pick this frame to match your home décor style, that mattress for the comfort level you like, and this cover to tie it all together…the combinations are endless. Futon covers are easy to change, so rather than having to reupholster a sofa, you can change the look of the piece for minimal price and effort.

Futons are lighter and less bulky than traditional sofa sleepers, and the mechanisms that convert them from sitting to sleeping are much easier to use.

With futons, you get a much more comfortable sleeping surface. Rather than a sofa sleeper’s thin four-inch mattress through which you feel every metal bar of the frame, a futon offers a plush, six-inch or thicker, restful place to sleep.

Component System

When you buy a futon, it’s not like purchasing a one-piece sleeper sofa.  You get to choose individually a mattress, a frame, and a cover. Keep that in mind as you’re shopping. Bring a calculator with you so you can add up the price of different configurations.

Read the rest of the primer for details about each of the three components. The last section will give you ideas of what to look for when picking out the perfect futon for your needs.