Shopping for a futon or futon bed is like trying to find the perfect bed and the perfect sofa in one piece of furniture. It needs to work as a couch during the day, with cushions that are soft, yet supportive. At night, those same cushions form a sleep surface that needs to work with your (or your guests) preferred mattress firmness. It’s a delicate balancing act for sure.
Here’s a quick rundown of the main things to consider when shopping for the best futon bed:
Size: The futon bed you choose will, of course, need to fit in the room it’s meant for. Consider the size of any models you’re shopping for in both folded and unfolded settings. In “unfolded” form (i..e., as a bed), you’ll likely want a little extra space around the outside edges so you don’t feel shoehorned into the bed, especially if it will be set up against a wall.
Conversion mechanism: Converting the futon from bed to couch and back again should be as simple as possible, doable by just one person with minimal effort. If you can’t shop in person, check buyer reviewers to see how easy (or not) others found your potential new futon’s conversion mechanism.
Color swatches: If you’re particular about finding just the right futon that matches your decor, consider contacting the manufacturer or retailer to see if swatches are available.
Price: Like any type of furniture, futons vary widely in price from around $200 for a basic model to more than $3,000 for a fully upholstered, made-to-order sectional futon sofa. Many retailers offer free delivery these days, but some do not. Keep in mind that you may need to pay $100 or more for delivery, and return delivery may be extra as well.
Removable covers: Oddly, cheaper futon beds are more likely to include removable covers, while pricier models with upholstered cushions typically don’t. This isn’t necessarily good or bad. Just know that, without a removable cover, spot-cleaning is your only option if someone accidentally upends an ice cream cone or red wine on your beautiful new futon bed.
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