Blog Post

Can I Use a Memory Foam Mattress on a Futon?

Jan 20, 2023

Can you use a memory foam mattress on a futon? The quick answer is yes. However, not all memory foam mattresses will work well on a futon. Learn more by clicking on the following sections.

1. What is a memory foam mattress?

Memory foam instantly molds into every unique curve of your body 

A memory foam mattress is made from a special material that is able to adjust to a wide range of sleeping positions. It is a highly resilient material and can be extremely comfortable. Memory foam is viscoelastic. The word viscoelastic comes from two words: visco and elastic. Visco (from the word viscous) refers to the fact that memory moves, somewhat reluctantly, when you apply a force to it. Elastic refers to the fact that memory foam goes back into its original shape when the force is removed.


So memory foam both changes its shape slowly and returns to its original shape when you are not laying on it. Memory foam is different from regular foam in that over time, regular form will compress and lose its shape over time. Memory foam will always bounce back to its original shape.


Memory foam is also temperature sensitive, which allows it to react to your body's own heat and weight. This means that when you lie down on it, it instantly molds into every unique curve of your body. 

2. What types of memory foam mattresses can you use on a futon?

A futon memory foam mattress needs to be able to bend

If you want to use a memory foam mattress for your futon, you need to make sure that it will work. 


Bendable:


Futons are designed to be both a bed and a couch so they can lay out flat and they can fold up into a seated position. When you use your futon as a couch, the frame gets adjusted into about a 90 degree position. The futon mattress needs to be flexible enough to bend in half as well so that one half of your mattress becomes the seating portion and the other half supports your back.


Not all memory foam mattresses can bend entirely into a 90 degree angle. It is best to purchase a memory foam mattress that has been designed specifically for futons. That way you will know that your mattress will easily fold up when it needs to and it will be the right size for your futon frame. If you only want to use your futon for a bed and you intend to only keep it laying flat, then you can use a thicker memory foam mattress that can't fold in two. 


Quality:


There are different levels of quality for memory foam mattresses. If you are looking for a high quality one that will last, ask how it is made and if it comes with a guarantee.

Choose a quality crafted memory foam mattress for your futon

For example, the memory foam mattress sold by The Futon Shop is made by Canadian craftsmen at our Burlington location. It is their most luxurious quality mattress and comes with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. It is made of 4 layers of cotton, 2 layers of 1" high density foam and 2" of high density memory foam. It is specially designed to go with our high-quality futon frames.

3. Types of futon frames that work well with a memory foam mattress


Construction:


To get the full benefit of support from your memory foam mattress, it's important to choose a futon frame that will support your mattress properly. Look for a higher-quality frame that has wooden slats that are at least two and a half to three inches wide that are placed close together.


Wider slats will give your mattress better support. In addition, if the slats are too narrow and are spaced further apart, it will damage your mattress and it will wear out faster. If you want to buy a metal futon frame, make sure that you get one that has wooden slats as well. 


Style:


There are many different styles of futon frames that would work well with a memory foam mattress. Here are a few to get you started.

4. Benefits of choosing a memory foam mattress

Sleeping on a memory foam mattress has many great benefits.


Adjusts to Your Sleeping Position:


One of the best advantages of a memory foam mattress is that it adjusts to your various sleeping positions. If you are a back sleeper, it will support your back, if you are a side sleeper it will adjust to the contours of your body and if you sleep on your stomach, it will help keep your spine in alignment. If you tend to change positions during the night, then the memory foam will change its support with you. 


Perfect for Double Occupancy:


A memory foam mattress is also a good choice if you share your bed as it will adapt to the support needs of each person using it. It's difficult to get a traditional mattress that will suit both of your needs if your sleeping partner has different sleeping positions from you. For this reason, a memory foam mattress is a great option.


In addition, memory foam reduces motion transfer by absorbing energy, thus minimizing the effects of your partner moving. This will allow you both to have a more restful sleep.


Helps Relieve Pain:


If you have a mattress that is too firm, then you may develop painful pressure points along your back, shoulders, knees, and hips where your mattress hits you in the wrong spots.

A memory foam mattress can help relieve pain when you sleep

Switching to a memory foam futon mattress could help you eliminate this pain. Memory foam mattresses evenly disperse your body weight along your entire sleeping surface, which helps to relieve those painful pressure points. 


If you have chronic neck and back pain, then a memory foam mattress can help to relieve and reduce your discomfort by giving you a neutral spinal alignment. A neutral spine alignment keeps the natural curves of your spine in place, protecting your bones, discs, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.


Better for Allergy Sufferers:


Memory foam mattresses are very dense, so there is very little space for bacteria to grow in them. They also repel mold and mildew. In addition, they are resistant to pet dander and dust mites. All of these properties make them a great choice if you suffer from allergies.


Traditional coil mattresses, on the other hand, have lots of space for airflow which makes them a great breeding ground for dust mites, bacteria, and mold, which can irritate your asthma and allergies. 

Choose The Futon Shop for the Perfect Memory Foam Mattress


If you are looking for the best quality memory foam futons at the best price, contact The Futon Shop. At The Futon Shop. We know how amazing our futons are because we are both the manufacturer and the retailer! Since 1984, we have been manufacturing our line of high-quality futons in a wide variety of styles and sizes. If you prefer, we can also make a custom size to meet your exact requirements. 


All of our futons are crafted right here in Canada at our Burlington Ontario location, so you can be sure that you are getting a quality product that will last. We are the largest futon manufacturer in Canada and we even build our own line of high-quality futon mattresses. You can come to see our incredible lineup at our Burlington location or you can shop for all of our products online. We ship all across Canada. 


Looking for a small futon? Here are a few options to choose from. Click here to see our full gallery.


Start Shopping

The Futon Shop Burlington Showroom Business Hours

Tuesday - Friday: 10:00am - 4:00pm   |  Saturday: 10:00am - 3:00pm     Sunday - Monday: Closed


5205 Harvester Rd, Burlington, L7L, ON, Canada



"Thank you so much Anne and Ron!  We are very pleased with the futon we purchased.   It is very comfortable and has been used in both forms within its first week of use.  Everything we wanted was in stock and we were able to load up right away.   It is wonderful to be able to shop locally and get domestically produced items.  The futons are made by the shop and the frame we got comes from a from a company in Stayner.   Highly recommend The Futon Shop as the first place to shop if you are considering a futon."


- Jamie O'Donnell


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