Best futon?

[Melissa G]

I'm thinking of acquiring a spare futon as a sometime bed. Any suggestions as to the most comfortable ones?

Either that or a comfortable couch bed. This is going to live in our den area, but we often sleep there to escape proximity of teenagers.

[tridim]

1. No idea what is best, but I've been sleeping on one for 20 years.

Just a simple pine frame and a mid-range futon without springs. Best bed in the world IMO.

There are so many options now you almost have to go to a store and sit and lay on them all. I spent about an hour deciding on the right futon.

[Melissa G]

4. I probably will go with a futon

Likely to find a frame on craigslist and buy a new mattress, unless it comes with a brand new one that feels right. Shoes and beds are two things I have to get right as opposed to just making do.

On my feet all day; only comfy shoes allowed.

[pacalo]

2. If you go with a futon, be sure to get a comfortable mattress.

I've got one that we moved to the backporch. It used to have a very thick, cushy mattress but after years of use, it's not that comfortable anymore.

My choice would be a comfortable couch.

[Melissa G]

3. Thanks!

I have yet to meet a comfortable pull out couch. If you find one, let me know.

[canoeist52]

5. went through this last year.

We had a futon for 20+ years. It was getting hard as a rock to sit on. Kids gave us money for a new sofa as a gift. Tried to choose between a pull-out sofa or futon - just gave up and got a sofa with two reclining chairs( actually made in USA). figured we could sleep in them if we had head-colds.

[kristopher]

6. The cotton batting should be fairly thin - 1.5 inches is about right.

I love sleeping on a futon, but what we have here is not the futon that most Japanese use for sleeping.

The bed has two parts, a 3.5 inch trifolding base of high density foam, and a 1.5 inch cotton batting pad that is laid on top of the foam pad to distribute your weight.



Part of the process of care involves placing the cotton pad on a rack daily to air out and beating it like you might do with a rug to fluff it and remove detritus.

Removable covers (in addition to sheets) for the cotton pad are usually sold separately.

Since airing and beating the 4-6 inch cotton batting mattresses used here is next to impossible I will not own one. I tried it once but it soon compacted to the firmness of marble, and acquired a musty moldy smell that made it seem filthy in comparison to what we are accustomed to.

I'd obviously recommend something else. A sofa and an inflatable air bed might be a good combination. The new airbeds are very comfortable and with a corded electric pump they are easy to inflate/deflate.

[Melissa G]

7. Thanks for your input

Sleeping on a queen airbed right now in that space. Have to air it up every few days, but that is pretty easy with the attached corded pump. Air beds are pretty cold even with a fake fur or wool pad for insulation. Air is not particularly insulating.

Good to think about all the maintenance involved with a real futon esp queen size. They are tough to move around.

[gejohnston]

8. that looks very much

like a futon used in Japan (that I bought in Korea, long story.) Ours was foam tucked inside the cover. Ours did not come with a cotton pad. It was comfy on tatami.

[mattvermont]

9. slept on them for 30 years and loved it

But do not try to use it as a bed and a couch, as you will crease the mattress. In my day, the best futon was quality cotton batting on either side of a thick wool felt. We still have one that is used for both purposes, but only for guests on occasion. Yes. buy a good ash or oak frame used, and get a new mattress.

[Melissa G]

10. That makes sense.

What both purposes are you referring to?

[waddirum]

11. I don't have a brand to recommend...

... but I love my two futons more than any mattress I've slept on. It's just the perfect amount of firmness for me.

And I prefer to be lower to the ground. Up high on a bed, I'm always worried about rolling over and falling out (even though that never really happens).