Choosing a Futon with Mattress

1. "Futon with Mattress" or "Futon with Frame?"

The term "futon" refers to the mattress not the frame

The phrase "futon with mattress" is a little misleading because a futon is a mattress. Unlike a traditional bed mattress that is rigid, a futon can be folded and it often comes with a frame to hold it up off the ground.

The first futons were made in Japan. These first futons didn't have a frame at all. Instead, they were laid out on the floor on top of mats made from rush. Japanese futons consisted of a mattress and a duvet that you could fold in half and store away in a cupboard when you weren't using it. 

In the 1980s, a modern version of the Japanese futon started to become very popular. These "Western-style" futons were sold with a frame that had slats to support the futon and elevate them off the floor. The frames were either made from wood or metal.

So in essence, when you are shopping for a futon, you aren't looking for a futon with mattress, but you are looking for a futon with a frame. However, whichever phrase you use, a futon supplier will understand what you mean.

2. Which Size of Futon with Mattress Should You Buy?

Futons come in a full range of sizes so you can choose the one that best suits your situation

You can purchase futons in the same standard sizes that traditional mattress come in including:

Single: 39" x 74":

Single futons are very narrow so they are a great choice if you have a tight space to fill. They are only appropriate for one person, so they would be a good option for a child's bedroom, dorm room, camper, or as an extra bed in an office or guest room.

Double: 54" x 74":

Double futons are a great option for children, teenagers, or single adults. They can be used from time to time for two adults, however, you would find this to be quite snug.

Queen: 60" x 80":

Queen-sized futons are an extremely popular choice for one or two adults to sleep comfortably. They will give you more room than a double to move around and they are also longer than a double or single. This is great especially if you are taller.

King: 76" x 80":

A king-sized futon will give you the most sleeping and sitting space possible. It's the perfect option for two adults to sleep comfortably with lots of space to move around at night without disturbing the other person.

Custom Sizes:

Futon Manufacturers like the Futon Shop, can make a futon in custom sizes to go in those hard-to-fit spots that you might have. 

3. What to Look for in a Futon with Mattress

Canadian-made futons will tend to be higher quality than imported ones

If you are wanting a futon that will last and look great, you should take a look at its construction and where it was made.

Construction:

There is a wide variety of quality levels when it comes to futon frames. When selecting your frame, it is very important to take a close look at how it is made, especially the slats. Whether you choose a wood or a metal frame, the slats on the frame should be made from wood.

Higher quality metal frames will have wood slats instead of metal ones. Wood slats will give your futon better support and help it to last longer. The slats should also be at least two and a half to three inches apart and set close together. 

Canadian Made:

If your futon is Canadian-made, it will probably be of a higher quality than one that has been made outside of the country. This is because foreign manufacturers need to compensate for high shipping costs.

To do this they tend to cut costs by using inferior materials or to get unskilled workers that they can pay them less to make them. Canadian manufacturers like the Futon Shop use highly skilled labourers and the best materials to make their futons.

4. How to Care for Your Futon with Mattress

Futons are relatively easy to take care of. 

Futon Frames:

If you purchase a high-quality futon frame, it should last you for many years, especially if you know some simple tricks for keeping it looking its best. Hardwood frames are extremely durable and you can easily buff out or hide accidentally nicks, dents, or gouges in the wood surface if they occur.

Check out our post "Futon Repair - Basic Improvements and Touch-Ups" to learn how or watch this helpful video on how to fix scratches in wood.

Learn how to take care of your wood futon frame

The video will show you how to repair both light and deeper scratches in your wood frame as well as how to fill and fix actual gouges in the wood.

5. Different Styles of Futons

Futons come in a wide range of great styles to suit any style. From traditional to modern, here are a number of great futon packages offered by the Futon Shop.

Trust the Futon Shop for the Best Futons with Frames

If you are looking for the best quality futon frames and mattresses 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.

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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