Futon Cover

There are so many different types of futon covers that you may sometimes find yourself completely overwhelmed. Here are a list of factors to consider when purchasing the cover.

futon slipcover

Material: First determine what type of material you want the futon slipcover to be. Futon mattress covers come in so many different materials. Materials include soft covers such as microfiber, suede, velvet or chenille. These will feel soft to lie in and sit on. Another material is leather which is much easier to clean. Sometimes the leather is not real, but vinyl, made to feel like the shiny leather. This will be smooth and shiny and easier to clean than the soft materials. Other leather is more rugged and will feel like soft, distressed leather. Finally, you will find the traditional cotton cover which will feel more like your bedroom sheets but will be fantastic to sleep on.

Fun futon cover

Pattern or print: Next, think about the pattern of your futon. Do you want a solid color or do you want something with a pattern. Depending on where you are putting the futon and the furniture and décor in that room, you will want to choose something that matches. Just remember that a solid color is much easier to mix and match with and you can use accent pillows to brighten or change around the look. On the other hand, a pattern can be quite fun and add a distinct look to the room.

Futon Pillows

Futon pillows

Futon pillows are great to purchase. They not only allow you to decorate the futon a bit more, but they will help cushion the sides of the futon, especially since the edges will be metal or wood or something more solid that you can’t lean against. Consider buying 3-4 pillows to help cushion the edges and to decorate the futon. After you have selected the futon cover, choose the futon pillow to match. Solid color pillows will match any cover, especially the covers with patterns or prints. Pillows with a pattern or design will match solid colors and help to make the futon look more interesting. Additionally, futon pillows are not particular to a futon. Many can be used on a regular couch too. The only thing to consider is possibly a more distinct shape for the pillow. Frequently, people use the round, cylinder type pillows as ones to put on the edges of the futons. Otherwise, regular shaped pillows work well too.

Futon Throws

Finally, consider a matching throw to leave on your futon. Not only will this allow you to better decorate the futon, but a good comfortable throw allows you to easily curl up and fall asleep on the futon with a blanket to warm you up. Futon throws are the same as any throw that you would buy for a regular couch. Keep to a similar color scheme as the pillow or match it with the futon frame and make sure it is small enough to fold up on the couch easily.

Futon Pros

Fun futon

Double use:  The futon and mattress provides utmost flexibility for a home, office, apartment or dorm.  The main thing is that it can be used as a couch or a bed anytime the person chooses.  In the daytime, the futon can be converted into a wonderful couch.  Add a few pillows and a throw and the futon becomes a great accessory to decorate a room and for sitting and relaxing.  At night, open up the futon and the mattress becomes a great bed.  The size of the bed is larger than what is used to sit on.  Therefore, if you have guests, the futon becomes a much better bed than a couch.  Also, since the futon can open up, oftentimes, the futon mattress bed can fit more than one person.

More space:  Because the futon can be folded up, it is perfect for anyone with a smaller room.  The compactness of a futon allows you to put it in the room as a couch, but convert it into a bed at anytime.  Futons tend to be more compact than couches of similar sizes.

Price:  Futons tend to be much cheaper than couches or beds.  You can sometimes get a futon for half the price or even less versus a couch or bed.  Therefore, the futon is not as big of an investment.  If you don’t have as much money or don’t want to spend as much, consider buying a futon.

Moving a futon

Easier to move:  Futons are easier to move because you can take them apart.  You can move the futon frame and then the futon mattress separately.  The frame becomes much lighter without the mattress.  The mattress becomes much easier to move around without the futon.

Easy décor change:  The futon is a great item to easily decorate.  Countless futon covers are sold and the covers fit well.  Unlike a couch that comes in a specific color, you choose your futon cover and can choose the accent pillows as well.

Futon cons:

Mattress is not as comfortable:  The futon mattress is usually not as durable as a bed or couch since you haven’t paid as much.  Therefore, it is oftentimes not as comfortable or soft unless you buy a high quality futon mattress.  

Uncomfortable futon bed

Not a bed:  The futon is not a traditional bed, therefore, it does not sleep as well unless that mattress is an innerspring mattress.  Even then, a mattress bed usually has a box spring and is not made to be flexible.  A futon mattress usually has to be flexible so it can be made into a couch.  Because of this, and the fact that you tend to open and close it to become a bed or couch, the futon mattress experiences more wear and tear.  In the long-term, it tends not to be as good as having a traditional bed.

Hard to open and close:  Although the futon provides a lot of flexibility, it tends to be hard to open or close, especially for young children or people who are not as strong.  If the futon is larger, it requires 2 people to open and close it.

Frame is hard:  Unlike a couch, the futon frame is hard.  The couch has soft arms that you can lean on.  The futon frame has to act as a bed and couch.  It has to support the mattress differently.  The arms are not soft since it needs to open.