Here is what some older futon mattresses felt like you were sleeping on, but not any more...

What Size Futon Mattress Are You Wanting?

This is the first question you’ll either need to answer for your space or you’ve already got that one figured out.  Say you’re going with a queen futon mattress.  OK.  Now, what brand?  What materials for the mattress itself?  How about the cover?  Then, there are futon covers that can range from whimsical to elegant that simply slide over and zip around the bed mattress for extra appeal.  First of all, determine the best overall size your bed should be in your room.  Most designers prefer to use smaller beds (usually traditional beds are used but the same rules apply for futon beds) as models because it makes rooms look larger.  You can capitalize on this strategy as well, making sure your bed size doesn’t overpower your room or space.  Positioning your futon at an angle or away from the wall with a stand or lights behind it are also ideas that can make your room appear more spacious.

Do Mattress Materials and Brands Really Make A Difference?

About mattress brands.  More than the brand itself, what is most important is the quality of craftsmanship and also the materials used.  You’ll know what brands stand out as you begin to see what materials are used as fillers in the futon mattress itself.  If it is sold as a set, you can get an idea as to quality based upon the frame material as well.  As a general rule, quality hardwoods and nicely formed metal frame pieces indicate better quality than cheaper unfinished wood choices and poorly assembled metal frames.

The Secret Ingredient In Futon Mattresses?

Infill and cover materials for your bed are very important if you consider how your health can be affected by the materials you rest your head on and breathe in for nearly 8 hours each night.  Some of the cheap futon mattress manufacturers will use materials that have properties to them that create off-gassing.  This means that you are breathing in the toxic fumes for hours at a time as you are sitting or sleeping.  The best choices in this regard are the cotton futon mattress, wool, organic cotton and even latex foam materials.  You see, there are more choices than you might have thought.  You can choose from materials that often are not financially readily available even with traditional mattresses.  One choice that is becoming more and more popular is the choice of organic cotton.  Organic cotton is made without the use of pesticides and does not create any harmful off-gassing products.  The standard futon cover (the one usually stitched over the mattress) can be made of organic cotton as well.  In fact, a common choice is to go with a cotton or cotton/wool infill mattress with an organic cotton cover.

Then, there are literally dozens of more decorative futon covers that can zip around your mattress to add another dimension of your personal taste.  As mentioned, you can also get a latex mattress  (think futon memory foam mattress) and even inner coil mattresses that are comparable to your traditional mattress style.  The most important thing next to getting the right size and materials is to get the right fit.  The right fit between your futon mattress and you that is.  Make sure it is comfortable.  With the right materials and the proper fit, you’ll enjoy your futon chair or mattress for years.