Futons | Sleeper Sofas | Sofa Beds
A futon, also known as a sofa bed or sleeper sofa, is a convertible mattress used for bedding or seating. Usually used during the night for sleeping, the futon mattress can easily be stored away during the day. Many futons combine the use of both a bed frame and a sofa, and are often used to host guests on short stays and occasional overnighters. As a flexible and less expensive option for individuals on a budget or in a smaller space, the futon is a common sight in studios, college dorm rooms, and guest bedrooms alike.
A futon is a transformable mattress filled with layers of material and used as a daytime sofa or bed (when converted). A futon can be used alone or as part of a frame of a piece of furniture. ‘Futon’ can be considered synonymous and interchangeable with the terms ‘sofa bed’ or ‘sleeper sofa’, however a traditional futon differs in form and function.
Futons maintain the same standard sizes of mattresses, enabling its use on traditional bed frames and platforms. Therefore, a full size futon would equate to a width of 54 inches and a length of 75 inches. It is important to note that futons, just like mattresses, can be made in custom sizes. Twin: 38” x 75” (91 x 191 cm). Full: 54” x 75” (137 x 191 cm). Queen: 60” x 80” (152 x 203 cm). King: 76” x 80” (193 x 203 cm).
There are a variety of ways to make a futon more comfortable. A mattress topper is a lightweight option that can be added to a futon without negatively affecting its use in the daytime as a sofa or a bed at night. Layers of comforters can be a more affordable option and added on top of the futon for extra support. A third option is to bolster the futon from underneath by placing the futon mattress on top of slats.
