What Is a Futon?

How they work

Futons are straightforward in their functionality. When set up as a sofa, the mattress is folded to create a seating surface with a backrest. When you're ready to use it as a bed, the frame is folded down (or slid out, depending on the design) to create a flat surface, allowing the mattress to unfold into its full sleeping position.

A futon usually consists of three main components:

1. The Frame – Typically made of wood, metal, or a combination of both, this is the structure that supports the futon mattress.
2. The Mattress – This is designed to be lightweight yet comfortable and flexible enough to fold for sofa use or lay flat as a bed.
3. The Cover – A removable and often washable outer layer that protects the mattress and offers customization in terms of style and color.

History of the Futon

While often associated with minimalist, multipurpose furniture in small spaces, did you know that futons originated in Japan over 400 years ago? Here's a quick summary of its history and evolution:

• Japanese Origins – The word "futon" originally referred to traditional Japanese bedding consisting of a cushiony mattress and duvet spread out on the tatami mats of a floor to sleep on at night. Traditional Japanese futons are lightweight and easy to roll up and store during the day.
• Western Adaptation – When futons made their way to the West in the 20th century, they were adapted for multifunctionality. Instead of being strictly bedding placed on the ground, futons in the U.S. and Europe often included frames that could be used as couches during the day. In American furniture lexicon today, the western-style futon is often synonymous with the modern sofa sleeper.
• Modern Designs – Today’s futons combine the best of both worlds. They offer the portability and efficiency of the Japanese futon while catering to Western preferences for stylish and durable home furniture.

Futon vs. Sofa Bed

A futon sleeper differs from a sofa bed by how the mattress is incorporated into the sofa design itself. In a futon, the cushions for sleeping and the cushions for sitting are the same. In a sofa bed, the mattress usually rests on a separate frame, often built under the sofa seats. In order to convert a sofa bed into a nighttime mattress for sleeping, the bed frame must be pulled out from under the sofa design.

Because the seat cushion of a futon is the same as the mattress, futons tend to have a distinct look. While a sofa bed's seat cushions can be more tailored for two people sitting upright, with a plusher look resembling a traditional loveseat's or sofa's seat cushions, a futon's seat cushions are flatter, firmer and tufted in grids like a traditional mattress. 

Daybed vs. Futon

Unlike a futon and a sofa bed or sofa sleeper, a daybed does not 'convert' or 'transform;' a daybed is simply a furniture design that provides enough seating and cushion area that it can be used for lounging by day – and comfortably sleeping by night. Daybeds differ from actual sofas in looks most commonly by their sleeker size and lack of arms and/or backrest.

Types of Futons

There are different types of futons, and some common ones are small futons, traditional futons and armless futons. Small futons are designed for small spaces such as small bedrooms or small apartment living rooms; these are closer in size to a loveseat and can fit only about one to two people when in the seating position. Traditional futons look the most like sofas, containing arms, a large seating area and a backrest. The third common type, armless futons, is distinguishable by its lack of arms and is rising in décor trends due to its versatile, small space-friendly shape.

Futon Room Ideas

Thanks to their shapeshifting abilities (futons really do possess furniture superpowers!), futons can be styled in virtually every room of the house, excluding, of course, the bathroom and kitchen! Use a futon in a living room as your daily seating for TV-watching and family time, employing its sleeper function for your occasional overnight guest. Or, try a futon in a bedroom as your bed; if you’ve tried it in store and know that you would sleep comfortably on it night after night, a futon as opposed to a traditional bed may be the better choice if you can’t afford a traditional bed. Finally, consider a futon as a home office piece; compared to a sofa, futons tend to have firmer seating and can actually make for a more comfortable spot when working for long hours.